Shavendra denies accusations

30 January 2011 07:07 am - 50 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A A A

Sri Lanka’s permanent deputy United Nations Representative Major Gen. Shavendra Silva denying accusation of war crimes against him said that if there had been any violations it will surface one day.

“If there had been any violations ... it will surface one day. If there were, then the military will take action against those responsible,” Major General Silva said at a Church in Framingham, USA on Saturday.

Winchester resident and native Tamil Suba Suntharalingam and a handful of others protested Silva's visit, holding signs at the intersection of Maplewood and Elm streets before going inside to listen.

When reached for comment, a church official said yesterday that leadership was unaware the building had been booked for political purposes.

In his speech, Silva cautioned Sri Lankans in the crowd about the various eyewitness reports about the last days of the conflict, in which critics of the government allege the military killed innocent Tamil civilians while it attempted to wipe out the Tigers.

Silva, who was flanked by bodyguards, said the operation was actually a humanitarian effort, with his forces rescuing civilian Tamils "from the jaws of (Tiger) terrorists."

He said Tiger fighters took hundreds of thousands of civilians hostage during their final stand, placing them in a circle around their ranks as a "human shield" against military bullets.

Silva said the government succeeded in freeing the civilians, and that the only civilians killed were shot by Tamils as they fled from their captors.

Suntharalingam, however, said the government is responsible for human rights violations, pointing to an incident that allegedly occurred May 18, 2009, when the government is accused of killing Tiger officials after they surrendered.

"They held up white flags, and (Silva) ordered them shot," said Suntharalingam, who raised the issue with Silva during a question-and-answer period following his speech.

"I am glad that you have the courage to ask that question," Silva told Suntharalingam. "I'm so proud we have Sri Lankans of your nature."

Silva said that although some military officers have been arrested and accused of killing innocent civilians, the military as a whole acted in the best interest of the Tamil "hostages."

"If there had been any violations ... it will surface one day," he said. "If there were, then the military will take action against those responsible.

"If I am a war criminal as you say, one day I'll be investigated ... and punished," he added.

Silva said he thinks his surviving a 2009 attempt on his life by a suicide bomber is a sign of his innocence.

"I escaped because I know, in my heart, that I am not a murderer," he said.

Silva encouraged those concerned about human rights to "be patient" and wait for the results of an government committee's investigation of the conflict.

Deacon Shelly Cichowlas said the church was unaware when it rented the space that it was doing so for the purpose of political discussion. (Source : The MetroWest Daily News)

Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka

Comments - 50

Commonsense Sunday, 30 January 2011 05:10 PM

may be you are an economic asylum seeker, sure you all so have to face truth..

hemjey Sunday, 30 January 2011 11:58 AM

Thanks SARA

hemjey Sunday, 30 January 2011 12:00 PM

Why only tamils; how many Sinhalese, Muslims and other minorities killed by bombs in Colombo and elsewhere? You are talking about WARCRIMES?

Cobra Sunday, 30 January 2011 12:05 PM

The truth will out someday? Not enough. Someday could be never!!!

Abey Sunday, 30 January 2011 12:20 PM

Good to see that, now you are very close to the real violators ......... One day you will investigate them.

Sanjaya Sunday, 30 January 2011 01:51 PM

The diaspora is responsible for war crimes carried out by LTTE as they financed them. I think the war crimes investigators should go after the diaspora leaders first!

S.sriranjan Sunday, 30 January 2011 01:56 PM

Forth Coming Local Bovernment Election may reveal that the innocent Civilians were rescued from the Jow or perished under the Paws.

ila Sunday, 30 January 2011 02:19 PM

if what you are saying is true, why not face British courts which usually punish war criminals. Or you can challenge in US's courts by removing your immunity.

Gongalegodabanda! Sunday, 30 January 2011 04:13 PM

smoke won't rise without a fire!

Gongalegodabanda! Sunday, 30 January 2011 04:15 PM

were u there in vellemullu waikkaal in the final stages of the war?

Gongalegodabanda! Sunday, 30 January 2011 04:17 PM

are you from Vellamulliwaikal?

Commonsense Sunday, 30 January 2011 05:14 PM

This article is good for economic asylum seekers for get the edge.Our heroes are never needed to face any war crime interviews.If it is what we tell thirty years suffered peoples from killer LTTE.

Gayan Sunday, 30 January 2011 06:01 PM

Yes the Swizz Tamil dispora filing for bankruptcy is an example. KARMA

Gayan Sunday, 30 January 2011 06:07 PM

Yes, What happened during May 2009 was a good example. KARMA

Amarapala Sunday, 30 January 2011 11:08 PM

Tell me anyone who did not deny allegations when they are in POWER. Trade mark of Sri Lankan politics

Sangeetha Sunday, 30 January 2011 11:26 PM

of course..of course..whatever you say dude...

Shane Monday, 31 January 2011 05:40 AM

were u?

PATRIOT Monday, 31 January 2011 05:41 AM

dont worry, whole team of butchers went their last journey in 18th may 2009...

local boy Sunday, 30 January 2011 09:06 AM

love,independent investigations for what? who are those so called 'independent ' people?

Orangutan Sunday, 30 January 2011 07:27 AM

Simple logic. If there were any war crimes during the final stages if the war it will come to light. It is a matter of time. Face an investigation and stop running away from it.

mike Sunday, 30 January 2011 07:32 AM

well said sir! God is above LTTE diaspora liars! in a school in vancouver a tamil lady was heard saying they are killing all the tamil doctors in cbo. one gutty sinhalese lady confronted her. lies are doing more harm to tamils. seems exactly what LTTE diaspora wants

sarath Sunday, 30 January 2011 07:52 AM

Those who continue to raise the war crime allegation against SL are the ones who wanted the war to be continued and never they realize the change of heart beat of those who victimized in the war.

Thas Sunday, 30 January 2011 07:58 AM

Shavendra, as you say, it will definitely surface one day and you will pay the price for it. Don't worry, god takes time, but correct action will be taken.

Kelby Sunday, 30 January 2011 07:58 AM

Can you relay on the investigation from the international community-the UN? Why do you insist on your own appointed by MR? When there is so much of information out there in the open accusing th government, one would not expect the government appointed committee to come up with a fair answer.

SL Sunday, 30 January 2011 08:05 AM

It took 30 years to punish the killer praba and it taking its course for the diaspora tamils.

Anton Sunday, 30 January 2011 08:06 AM

Thanks to our very brave army and other armed forces, today we are free to travel to any parts of Sri Lanka. We are ever grateful to the forces and especially to General Fonseka who masterminded this whole operation and also Shavendra Silva who led a battalion with great success. At the same time, it is the duty of the army/GOSL to show to the general public how the top LTTE leaders were killed since there is a big question mark whether they really surrendered with white flags as announced by KP and also the Sri Lankan UN official and the EU that Nadesan and a few other top LTTE leaders were going to surrender. Surely, they didn't commit suicide and what happened to their bodies? We should not hide the facts just to save one individual.

Said Hussein Sunday, 30 January 2011 08:23 AM

The truth will come out and very soon it will be exposed. Those responsible will have to face the consequences.

Said Hussein
London

SARA Seneviratne- Ho Sunday, 30 January 2011 08:35 AM

we fought a war against hard core criminals but not with Tamil community and all these fabricated stories are from the hidden terrorists who have links with the international media. International media needs more stories and they sensationalize stories and that is part of the job. I am still working for the international media and I know these rascals who fabricate stories in order to make cheap and fast buck.
Media confuse the minds of people and plant germs in order to survive in the world.

Ezhilini Sunday, 30 January 2011 08:36 AM

Notional Heroes won t deny independent investigations i guess.. How about you Ananda?

Rajitha Sunday, 30 January 2011 08:47 AM

well the truth did come out and those who were responsible for genocide and HR violations paid the ultimate price at Nandikadaal lagoon in 2009.

anura Sunday, 30 January 2011 08:53 AM

What yes mistakes do happen in any armed forces conflicts at the height of any war look at hiroshima ,nagasaki, afghanistan, iraq , palestine , committed by the largest and the powerful US army miillions were melted and still millions are dead in iraq and afghanistan and the muders by the now dead ltte leaders nobody raised any voices internationally why only sri lankan army tell the un to go to hell we would survive and our armed forces are heroes and examples to the whole world

Ananda Sunday, 30 January 2011 07:21 AM

You are a National Hero to us, Sri Lankans!!! May The triple Gem Bless you !

Anil Prasanna Sunday, 30 January 2011 09:16 AM

You are a brave soldier and unlike SF!!!
You are the pride of the nation who knocked the terrorists down never to come back in our soil. The truth is actually what @sarah says above.

FRANNY Sunday, 30 January 2011 09:26 AM

Whatever is said or done the truth cannot be hidden, since you can deceive man but you cannot deceive God

Orangutan Sunday, 30 January 2011 10:09 AM

You are right. The rest too will have to face punishment after an independent investigation is carried out. If found guilty they will have to go to the Hague.

n.sethupathy Sunday, 30 January 2011 10:17 AM

only god and dead innocent tamils knew who is war criminals

CasinoRaja Sunday, 30 January 2011 10:40 AM

Sri lankans dont no the word facts so why ar you trying to ask for facts from them

Add comment
Comments will be edited (grammar, spelling and slang) and authorized at the discretion of Daily Mirror online. The website also has the right not to publish selected comments.

Shavendra denies accusations

Comments - 50

Add comment

RECOMMENDED

UDA owned land in Thalawathugoda; UDA Minister Prasanna Ranatunga under the spotlight for forceful occupation of reserved land

Loss-making SMIB faces political pressure in recovering loans

Baltimore Bridge Collapse: MV Dali, SL authorities anchored in mystery?

Has Sri Lanka become a potential hub for the illegal wildlife trade?

Spotlight on Moragahakanda Development Project Moragolla villagers lose livelihoods and down to one meal a day

Ambitious Sri Lankan jobseekers ‘trafficked into Ukraine war zones’

Western purple-faced langurs see blue!

Most Viewed in News

A US “Kaputa”, a Lankan “Nariya” and a Presidential “Feast”

Complaint lodged over Piumi Hansamali's possession of Gota’s Range Rover

Street food vendor arrested for verbally harassing foreigner

Sri Lankan among NASA’s new crew for next simulated Mars journey

Confusion remains if April 15 is a bank holiday

SL on alert on possible genocide allegations by Canada

MIRROR CRICKET

Chamari Athapaththu sets big goal for T20 World Cup

How does CSK get best out of Pathirana?

Mendis, Mathews move up in ICC Test Rankings

Chamodi, Dewmi spins Sri Lanka U19 Women to big win

TODAY'S HEADLINES

Debt Restructuring Talks: Bondholders Fear Regime Change Impact

Don’t be deceived by NPP and Cardinal Ranjith: UNP

Emirates halts check-in for connections, UL cancels flights to Dubai

Plans afoot to obtain “Blue Flag Beaches” certification for SL beaches

Hardik fined Rs 12 lakh for violating IPL code of conduct after win over Punjab Kings

Chamari Athapaththu sets big goal for T20 World Cup

How does CSK get best out of Pathirana?

Mendis, Mathews move up in ICC Test Rankings