The head of the Sri Lankan army called on the public to trust the security forces and boasted of its military victory that killed tens of thousands of Tamil civilians, as it continued running detention centres and leading the regime’s current coronavirus counter-strategy. 

Shavendra Silva, who is currently subject to US travel sanctions over his role in overseeing war crimes, made a special announcement this week, where he once more called for public co-operation with the armed forces. 

In his statement, Silva boasted of the military’s wartime operations. “We are an Army which has won a war that was considered unwinnable and gained full confidence of the public,” he said. “As Sri Lankans, you should trust Tri-Forces, Health Ministry and the action being taken by the Government. We will not tell lies, nor will the Army hide anything on this issue.”

His comments come as concerns were raised about the quarantine centres, many of which have been constructed hundreds of miles from Colombo’s international airport.

“We are operating these Quarantine Centers as per instructions of HE the President who is constantly in touch with us,” Silva continued. “Anyone feeling that any injustice is meted out to any of those transients, they can inform or contact us.”

“We repeatedly urge you to confide in members of the armed forces as guardians of the country.”