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Person

Shavendra Silva

Listed from published reports. Appearing here is not a finding of wrongdoing.

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Details

Role

Former Army Commander and Chief of Defence Staff; commanded the 58 Division in 2009

Status

Under United States travel restrictions since 2020 and United Kingdom sanctions since 2025 over alleged wartime violations, which he rejects

Appears on

Politicians and investigators

Last checked

12 Oct 2026 (what this means)

Connections (1)

• Sarath Fonseka / Called the UK sanctions on him unreasonable / Shavendra SilvaAllegation
  • Fonseka said in March 2025 that Silva was at the forefront of the war and that the United Kingdom’s sanctions on him were unreasonable, while calling its sanctions on two other former commanders reasonable.31 Mar 2025 · Newswire · "UK sanctions against Shavendra Silva unreasonable, others fair" - Sarath Fonseka
  • The United States imposed travel restrictions on Silva in 2020, citing command responsibility for alleged gross violations of human rights, and the United Kingdom sanctioned him in 2025. He said: “I’m not a war criminal. I fought for my country.”7 Sep 2026 · Newswire · “I’m not a War Criminal, I fought for My Country”: Shavendra Silva