SL Army chief barred from entering USA

Colombo (News 1st): The US Department of State has barred Army Commander and acting Chief of Defence Staff, Lt. General Shavendra Silva from entering the United States of America. This has been done, as the US State Department claims that it has credible information that Lt Gen Shavendra Silva, through command responsibility, was involved in gross violations of human rights, namely extrajudicial killings, by the 58th Division of the Sri Lanka Army during the final phase of Sri Lanka’s Civil War in 2009. In addition to the Army Commander, his immediate family has also been barred from entering the United States of America. The US State Department issuing a statement says the allegations of gross human rights violations against Shavendra Silva, documented by the United Nations and other organizations, are serious and credible. Its adds, The United States will continue to use all available tools and authorities, as appropriate, to address human rights violations and abuses around the world no matter when they occurred or who perpetrated them.