up to 70,000 Tamil civilians were killed. The Government of Sri Lanka has strongly opposed the measure. National Operation Centre for Prevention of COVID 19 Outbreak With the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva was appointed by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to head the National Operation Centre for Prevention of COVID-19 Outbreak (NOCPCO) a Presidential Task Force tasked with containing the COVID-19 pandemic in Sri Lanka. Awards and decorations He has received some of the highest awards in the Sri Lankan armed forces, which includes the Weera Wickrama Vibhushanaya, Rana Wickrama Padakkama, Uttama Seva Padakkama and the Rana Sura Padakkama at once, a first in the Sri Lankan military history. His badges include: Commando Tab, the Infantry Badge, Air Mobile Brigade Training School Badge, Advance PTI (Officer) Badge, Parachute Badge, Air Assault Badge, Tracker Badge and the Qualified in Command and Staff Course Badge Personal life General Silva is married to Sujeewa Nelson, daughter of H. G. P. Nelson, former Cabinet Minister. See also St. Thomas' College, Matale Sri Lankan Non Career Diplomats Eelam War IV Sri Lankan civil war References External links |- |- Living people Commanders of the Sri Lanka Army Sri Lankan full generals Sinhalese military personnel Sri Lankan diplomats Sri Lanka Military Academy graduates Defence Services Command and Staff College graduates Gajaba Regiment officers Sri Lanka Army Commando officers 1964 births People from Matale Alumni of Vijaya College, Matale National Defence College, India alumni