10th January 2019 21:34:56 Hours
The 53rd Chief of Staff of the Sri Lanka Army Maj Gen Shavendra Silva WWV RWP RSP VSV USP ndc psc assumed duties on Thursday (10) morning in a simple ceremony at the Chief of Staff’s Office at the Army Headquarters.
A brief religious ceremony invoked blessings on the new appointment before Maj Gen Shavendra Silva formally signed a document to signify the acceptance of the new office at auspicious time.
Maj Gen W R Palihakkara (Director General, Financial Management Branch), Council Members, the Centre Commandant,Deputy Centre Commandant,Senior Officers of the Gajaba Regiment and several senior Officers of the Army Headquarters attended the occasion.
Major General Shavendra Silva is the present Colonel of the Regiment and took over his duties on 22 April 2017. When he joined the Regiment in 1985 his name was written in the history as he became the 1st Gajaba Officer after its inauguration. Major General Shavendra Silva commanded the victorious 58 Division and the Commando Brigade during the Wanni Humanitarian Operation which eradicate terrorism from the soil of Sri Lanka. He also commanded Airmobile Brigade and 53 Division.
He is the only officer in the Sri Lankan Armed forces to get promoted to the ambassadorial rank there he served as the Ambassador and Deputy Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to UN in New York, USA from year 2010 to year 2015. He was appointed by the UN resolution as the senior adviser to the UN Secretary General Mr. Ban Ki-moon on peacekeeping matters. He is the only Sri Lankan officer in armed forces to serve in such a high position in the United Nations system.
Major General Shavendra Silva served as Adjutant General of the Sri Lanka Army prior to appoint as the Chief of Staff of the Sri Lanka Army.
Major General Shavendra Silva is a remarkable and outstanding product of St Thomas College, Matale.
