evidence: President Sirisena 18 Aug appointed Lt. Gen. Shavendra Silva – whom a 2015 UN report implicated in human rights violations – as army commander, generating strong international criticism; 19 Aug UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet said she was "deeply troubled" by appointment which "comprises Sri Lanka’s commitment to promote justice and accountability", U.S. Embassy in Colombo said appointment undermines govt’s "international reputation"; EU and other European states 20 Aug issued statement sharing Bachelet’s concerns; Foreign Minister 20 Aug rejected criticisms as "unwarranted and unacceptable" attempts to interfere. Amid concerns over possible politicisation of police investigations, Attorney General 15 Aug ordered police to conclude investigations into series of high-profile political crimes committed under 2005-2015 Rajapaska govt, including killings of journalists.