Buddhist and military ceremony held for Maj Gen Dias

Accused Sri Lankan war criminal Major General Jagath Dias, Commander of the Security Force Headquarters in Mullaitivu left his post this month, with a grand send off from over 2,500 troops and a Buddhist ceremony. 
The commander, who was in command of the Sri Lankan army’s 57th division and is suspected to be directly responsible and hold command responsibility for mass atrocities committed by his troops during the final phase of the armed conflict, is being promoted to the post of Chief of Staff.
The Sri Lankan army reported that in addition to the formal military ceremony, the major general had a religious ceremony conducted by a monk at a Buddhist vihara in the district, “in order to invoke blessings on the outgoing Mullaittivu Commander… with the participation of all officers and other ranks.”