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Wednesday, 6 October 2021

Former Sri Lankan Air Force commander refused diplomatic posting over concerns over war crimes

Retired Sri Lankan Air Force commander,Sumangala Dias, has been refused a post as Sri Lanka's Ambassador for Italy following similar rejections in Canada and Saudia Arabia due to concerns over war crimes.

 


06 October 2021

Photo of the aftermath of the Sencholai massacre

The former Air Force Commander was appointed as Senior Air Coordinator during the final stages of the armed conflict, coordinating SLAF operations with the ground operations of the 57, 58 and 59 Divisions of the Sri Lankan Army, which have been credibly accused of war crimes. Dias was appointed as Base Commander at SLAF Hingurakoda Base, Sri Lanka in 2005, from which many indiscriminate bombing missions against civilian targets originated from.

In his role he oversaw several attrocities including airstrikes on civilians in the Ampur region in 2006, the Sencholai massacre, and the targetted attacks on food distribution queues and no-fire zones during the final phase of the conflict. The final phase of the conflict saw the slaughter of an UN estimated 25,000 civilians.

Photo of makeshift shelters in Mullaivaikkal 2009

Following his rejection from Italy's embassy he is reportedly now being considered for the post of High Commissioner to Malaysia.

Read more here.

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