Shavendra Silva


Shavendra Silva

Born (1964-06-22) 22 June 1964
Matale, Sri Lanka
Allegiance Sri Lanka
Service / branch Sri Lanka Army
Years of service1985 – 2025
Rank General
UnitGajaba Regiment
CommandsChief of Defence Staff
Commander of the Army
Chief of Staff of the Army
Adjutant General
58 Division
Battles / warsEelam War IV
Sri Lankan Civil War
1987–1989 JVP insurrection
Awards
Spouse(s)Sujeewa Nelson
ChildrenTwo (daughters)

General Shavendra Silva, WWV, RWP, RSP, VSV, USP (Sinhala: ශවේන්ද්‍ර සිල්වා, Tamil: ஷவேந்திர சில்வா) is a retired Sri Lanka Army officer who served as Chief of Defence Staff, the head of the Sri Lanka Armed Forces from 1 January 2020 to 31 December 2024. He also served as the Commander of the Sri Lanka Army from 19 August 2019 to 31 May 2022. His other important appointments include, Chief of Staff of the army, Adjutant General and Director of Operations of the Army. During the Sri Lankan civil war he gained fame as the General Officer Commanding of the elite 58 Division. He had also served as the Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations Headquarters.