Shavendra Silva

Shavendra Silva
Born (1964-06-22)22 June 1964
Matale Sri Lanka
Allegiance Sri Lanka Sri Lanka
Service/branch Sri Lanka Army
Years of service 1984 - Present
Rank Major General
Unit Commando Regiment
Commands held Adjutant General,
Director of Operations
General Officer Commanding, 58 Division
Battles/wars Eelam War IV, Sri Lankan Civil War
Awards Weera Wickrama Vibhushanaya
Rana Wickrama Padakkama
Rana Sura Padakkama
Uttama Seva Padakkama

Major General Shavendra Silva, WWV, RWP, RSP, USP, psc, CR is a Sri Lankan general. The current Adjutant General (AG) of Sri Lankan Army, he is the Colonel of the Gajaba Regiment. He was the former Director of Operations, Sri Lanka Army and the General Officer Commanding, 58 Division during the Sri Lankan civil war.[1]

Early life and education

Silva was born on 22 June 1964 and had his education at St Joseph's College, Anuradhapura, Vijaya College, Matale and St Thomas' College, Matale. At school he was the band leader of the western band, Captain of the first XI cricket team and Sergeant of the Senior Cadet Platoon, St. Thomas’ College, Matale.[2]

Military career

Early career

Silva joined Sri Lanka Army in 1984 and received his officer training at Sri Lanka Military Academy (SLMA) in Diyatalawa. He was thereafter commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Gajaba Regiment. He later transferred to the Commando Regiment following commando training and served as an officer instructor at the SLMA. He trained the first foreign cadets to attend SLMA and went on to become its commanding officer.

During 2002–2004 peace talks he took part in negotiations to open the A-9 Main Supply Route (MSR).

Eelam War IV

With the resumption of hostilities he became the Brigade Commander of the Air Mobile Brigade and later took command of the famous 58 Division and was instrumental in the military capturing several former LTTE strongholds including the Mannar rice Bowl, Vedithalathivu, Nachchikuda, Mulangavil, Devils Point, Pooneryn, Kilinochchi, Paranthan, Elephant Pass, Dharmapuram, Vishvamadu, Suvandipuram, Thevipuram Puthukudirippu, Puthumathalan, Wellamullu vaikkal and the last stretch of LTTE held Karayamulli vaikkal in the mangroves of Nanthikandal lagoon in the Mullaithivu district. After the end of the war he was appointed as Director of Operations of the Sri Lanka Army and promoted to the rank of Major General.

Diplomatic service

In 2010, he took up position as Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations as the only serving army officer to hold such a post at the time of appointment, he holds the rank and title of Ambassador in addition to his post at the United Nations Headquarters.

Postwar career

Currently he is the Adjutant General (AG) of Sri Lankan Army.[3]

Honors

He has received some of the highest medals in the Sri Lankan armed forces, which includes the Weera Wickrama Vibhushanaya, Rana Wickrama Padakkama, Uttama Seva Padakkama and the Rana Sura Padakkama at once, a first in the Sri Lankan military history. He was the youngest promoted as a commanding officer.

Family

Silva is married and has two daughters.

See also

References

  1. ↑ Shavendra Silva appointed to UN/
  2. ↑
  3. ↑ "Maj. Gen. Shavendra Silva To The UN | The Sunday Leader". Thesundayleader.lk. 2010-08-25. Retrieved 2014-03-16.
  • "Cool Zone Cafe". Archived from the original on 2009-12-26. Retrieved 2014-03-16.
  • "YouTube - MAJ. GEN. SHAVENDRA SILVA ANALYZING CHANNEL-4 VIDEO". youtube.com. Retrieved 2014-03-16.
  • "YouTube - Confrontation of Shavendra Silva & Pro-LTTE Tamil Diaspora in Boston USA". youtube.com. Retrieved 2014-03-16.
  • "Speech delivered by Maj.Gen Shavendra Silva at the defence seminar_Part I - YouTube". youtube.com. Retrieved 2014-03-16.
  • "YouTube - Speech delivered by Maj.Gen Shavendra Silva at the defence seminar_Part II.wmv". youtube.com. Retrieved 2014-03-16.
  • "Maj. Gen. Shavendra Silva's Speech - 1 - YouTube". youtube.com. Retrieved 2014-03-16.
  • "Why you should vote for MR - Brigadier Shavendra Silva - Part 3 of 4.mp4 - YouTube". youtube.com. Retrieved 2014-03-16.


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