Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Accused Sri Lanka war criminal named army's second-in-command

Sri Lanka's president has appointed a general accused by the United Nations of war crimes to the country's second-highest army ranking, evoking outcry from rights groups.

Major General Shavendra Silva, who commanded an army division accused of gross abuses against civilians during Sri Lanka's civil war, formally assumed duties as Chief of Staff of the army on Thursday.


Sri Lanka's armed forces crushed the Tamil Tiger separatist rebels in 2009 in a no-holds barred offensive that ended a 37-year war that left 100,000 people dead.

The final days of the conflict saw mass atrocities against civilians in Sri Lanka's predominantly Tamil north.

The UN, in a report into the allegations, named Silva as playing a major role in orchestrating war crimes.

The International Truth and Justice Project, which has pursued war-era officials accused of crimes, said Silva's appointment was "a shocking new low for Sri Lanka".

"This is arguably the most wanted man in Sri Lanka," the South Africa-based rights group said in a statement Thursday.

"A decade on, tragically, he is being promoted instead of standing trial. We believe there is more than enough evidence to charge him for international crimes should the opportunity arise."

Another rights group, the South Asian Centre for Legal Studies, said Silva's election was proof of continuing impunity in Sri Lanka.

"It also signals the absence of vetting within the defence structure, allowing alleged violators of international humanitarian law and human rights law to remain in high ranking positions," the centre said.

President Maithripala Sirisena, who appointed Silva in a ceremony in Colombo, said the major general's "experience and leadership will bring strength and courage" to SriLanka's armed forces.

Silva formally assumed duties in his new positon on Thursday, the army said in a statement.

A number of Sri Lankan army generals have been denied visas to travel to Western nations over their alleged role in attacks against civilians.

Rights groups say at least 40,000 ethnic Tamils were killed by government forces during their push to defeat the separatist rebels.

Sri Lanka's successive governments have resisted calls for an independent investigation into the conduct of troops during the final months of the conflict.

President Sirisena came to power in January 2015 promising justice for war victims but his administration has been accused of dithering ever since.

Sirisena, unlike his predecessor Mahinda Rajapakse, agreed to investigate war crimes but no generals have stood trial or been brought to justice.

More For You

New body led by Sir Sajid Javid aims to amplify ‘unheard’ voices
Sajid Javid

New body led by Sir Sajid Javid aims to amplify ‘unheard’ voices

A NEW independent commission to improve cohesion would engage across all nations and regions of the UK by moving beyond Westminster-centric discussions and include more diverse voices, the director of British Future thinktank has said.

Sunder Katwala said building confidence across different groups will be a priority, as economic pressures and tensions due to Middle East conflict have polarised communities in the UK.

Keep ReadingShow less
Yarl’s-Wood-detention-centre-Getty

In 2018, she was detained at Yarl’s Wood detention centre after being told she would be deported. (Photo: Getty Images)

Court awards £100,000 to Pakistani asylum seeker over unlawful detention

A PAKISTANI asylum seeker has been awarded nearly £100,000 after a UK court ruled that she was unlawfully detained and subjected to breaches of her rights by the Home Office.

Nadra Almas, who arrived in the UK on a student visa in 2004, overstayed after her visa expired. She argued that returning to Pakistan would put her at risk as a Christian.

Keep ReadingShow less
Pakistan court gives unusual punishment to Youtuber Rajab Butt for owning lion cub

Pakistani zookeeper Mohammad Amir holds the confiscated lion cub at Lahore’s safari zoo last Tuesday (28)

Pakistan court gives unusual punishment to Youtuber Rajab Butt for owning lion cub

A PAKISTANI YouTube star who was gifted a lion cub on his wedding day avoided jail after promising a judge to upload animal rights videos for a year.

Rajab Butt has one of the largest online followings in south Asia, and his week-long nuptials in December were plastered over celebrity gossip websites.

Keep ReadingShow less
Theft and violence in retail shops hit record high in 2024

The Labour government has pledged to address the rise in retail crime through stronger measures to tackle shoplifting and anti-social behaviour

iStock

Theft and violence in retail shops hit record high in 2024

THEFT and violence against retail workers in Britain soared to record levels last year, driven partly by criminal gangs, and are “out of control”, according to a report last Thursday (30).

The British Retail Consortium's annual crime survey found that more than 20 million thefts occurred in the year to August 31, 2024 – an average of 55,000 a day – costing retailers £2.2 billion.

Keep ReadingShow less
33 Gujaratis deported from US land in Ahmedabad

Indian immigrants who allegedly illegally migrated to the US arrive at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, in Ahmedabad. (ANI Photo)

33 Gujaratis deported from US land in Ahmedabad

A PLANE carrying 33 people from Gujarat, who were among 104 Indians deported from the US for illegal immigration, landed at Ahmedabad airport from Amritsar on Thursday (6) morning, officials said.

Soon after their arrival, the 33 immigrants, including some children and women, were transported to their native places in Gujarat in police vehicles, assistant commissioner of police, 'G' division, R D Oza said.

Keep ReadingShow less