Colombo: Imposition of ban on Sri Lankan Army commander Lt. Gen. Shavendra Silva as well as his immediate family by the US governement unnecessarily complicates the relationship between the two nations, said island nation's Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena.
 
Gunawardena formally conveyed to the US Ambassador Alaina Teplitz Sri Lanka’s strong objections on the matter, Colombo Gazette reported.

During his discussion, the Minister reiterated that Lt. Gen. Silva was appointed as the Commander of the Army by the then Head of State, taking into account his seniority and that there were no substantiated or proven allegations of human rights violations against him.

His elevation as the Acting Chief of Defence Staff by the current President Gotabaya Rajapaksa was on account of his being the senior most serving military officer.

Noting that Lt. Gen. Silva was one of the senior military officials who contributed significantly to liberate Sri Lanka from terrorism over a decade ago, the Minister said it is disappointing that a foreign government should question the prerogative of a democratically elected President to call upon persons of proven expertise to hold key positions on national security related matters.

The foreign minister asked that the US Government to review its decision.