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‘Confide in us’ says Sri Lankan army chief as coronavirus quarantine begins

The head of Sri Lanka’s army, who is currently subjected to US travel sanctions over his role in overseeing war crimes, called on the public to “confide” in the military as it began quarantining foreigners in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.

Shavendra Silva claimed to Sinhala television that the Sri Lankan military “will always tell you the truth”.

“You have to confide in us and we have never broken our promises,” he continued. “This is a critical juncture where we have to rise as one family, if not as a united resisting force against this life-threatening pandemic which is a global threat.”

The commander also added that the military “would do maximum to give the best of everything to our Sri Lankan inmates taken to quarantine centers for this short period (sic)”. 

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