Sri Lanka rejects international criticism of new army chief

COLOMBO: Sri Lanka Tuesday rejected as “unwarranted and unacceptable” mounting international criticism of the appointment of a general accused of war crimes as the island nation’s army chief. The foreign ministry called the appointment of Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva as commander of the Sri Lankan army a “sovereign decision” by President Maithripala Sirisena. “Foreign entities trying to influence the decisions and internal administrative processes of public service promotions in Sri Lanka is unwarranted and unacceptable,” the ministry said in a statement. Colombo added that the international condemnations were “based on allegations”. “Articulating a position of concern...is regrettable and contrary to the principles of natural justice,” the ministry added.