Sri Lanka: Sajith Premadasa vows to protect Army chief Shavendra Silva

The presidential candidate of Sri Lanka's ruling party, Sajith Premadasa, on Sunday vowed to protect the country's Army Commander Lt Gen Shavendra Silva amid allegations of wars crimes committed under his charge.

Speaking at a campaign rally in rural Nivithigala in the country's Southwest, Premadasa said, "No matter what pressures, I will protect Shavendra Silva and he will continue as the Army Commander."

Silva was named by the UN Human Rights Council for his responsibility in alleged war crimes committed during the final phase of the military conflict with the LTTE which ended in 2009.

Silva, who headed the Army's 58th division, was accused of shelling hospitals, stopping humanitarian assistance and killing surrendered persons in the final days of the war. The Sri Lankan Army has officially denied committing war crimes.

Silva was appointed Army Commander in August this year by president Maithripala Sirisena, despite opposition from international rights groups.

The US government and .