• Govt. mum on future of CDS position
• General Silva has completed over 40 years of service in the Sri Lanka Army

 General Shavendra Silva is slated to retire as Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) and from active service of the Sri Lanka Army with effect from 1 January 2025, the Ministry of Defence said yesterday (29).

When asked about who will replace him, the ministry was not available for comment. This, admits continued concern that the Government is planning to do away with the post of the CDS.

General Shavendra Silva was appointed as the 8th Chief of Defence Staff of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka effective from 1 June 2022.

General Silva has completed over 40 years of service in the Sri Lanka Army and served as the Acting Chief of Defence Staff and 23rd Commander of the Sri Lanka Army; the four-star General to command the Sri Lanka Army, prior to taking up the office as the Chief of Defence Staff.

He has had an illustrious career from the rank of Second Lieutenant to General and steadily elevated in the chain of command, covering all the salient appointments in the domains of staff, instructional, command, and diplomatic.

Key appointments he held during his career included Chief of Staff of the Sri Lanka Army, Colonel of the Regiment for Gajaba Regiment and the two elite regiments of the Sri Lanka Army; Special Forces Regiment and Commando Regiment, Adjutant General and Director General Operations of the Army Headquarters.

General Shavendra Silva is a battle-tested Infantry officer known for his leadership in commanding the Air Mobile Brigade and also commanded the victorious 58 Division along with the Commando Brigade which recorded a number of successful achievements during the Wanni Humanitarian Operation which culminated the three-decade conflict coming to an end and ushering in an era of peace in 2009.

In the aftermath of the internal conflict in 2009, he was promoted to the rank of Major General in the Sri Lanka Army. Subsequently, he commanded the 53 Division, also known as the country’s Reserve Strike Force (RSF).

For his bravery in the battlefield, he was awarded the gallantry medals of Weera Wickrama Vibushanaya (WWV), Rana Wickrama Padakkama (RWP), and Rana Sura Padakkama (RSP). He has also been conferred with Vishishta Seva Vibhushanaya (VSV) and Uththama Seva Padakkama (USP) for his distinguished service and unblemished military career records in the Army.