^{Shavendra Silva (L) Assaf Mahler (R)}

The Defence attaché of the Embassy of Israel based in New Delhi, affiliated to Sri Lanka, Colonel Assaf Mahler paid a courtesy visit to the war crimes accused Army Chief Shavendra Silva at the Sri Lankan Army headquarters. 

During the brief interaction, both parties discussed bilateral cooperation and the "understanding between both nations for so many years". The meeting also highlighted the importance of further enhancement of close cooperation and exchange of technical expertise between both military organisations. 

Last year the US State Department banned the Army Chief from entering the USA "due to credible information of his involvement through command responsibility in gross violations of human rights". The accused war criminal was head of the notorious 58 Division during the final phases of the armed conflict. Silva's experience as commander oversaw the uni commit grave violations of international law during a military offensive that killed tens of thousands of Tamils. Under his command hospitals were repeatedly bombed and widespread sexual violence, torture and executions of surrendering Tamils were common. 

Read more here: Shavendra Silva - ‘the most wanted man in Sri Lanka’

In recent months leading members of the UK government have called on sanctions to be imposed on Silva alongside other key Sri Lankan military leaders who also stand accused of committing war crimes. 

Earlier this year, an Israeli weapons manufacturer announced that the Sri Lankan military had signed a new US$50 million contract to upgrade the infamous Kfir bomber jets. The Israeli warplane had been pivotal in allowing the Sri Lankan military to carry out indiscriminate bombing raids across the North-East, which killed thousands of Tamils throughout the years. 

Read more here: Bringing back Kfirs - Sri Lanka’s infamous warplanes to get US$50 million revamp

Read more at Army.lk