Army Commander Shavendra Silva said yesterday he could not take responsibility for one of his previous statements being used in a newspaper advertisement in connection with the forthcoming presidential election.

Referring to the newspaper advertisement about the SLPP presidential candidate, the Army Chief told Daily Mirror that when he was the General Officer Commanding the 58th Division he had made a statement at an event in Kalutara about the former Defence Secretary's service to the military. However, that particular statement had been used in a newspaper advertisement recently.

"I cannot take the responsibility for my statement being used in that advertisement," he said adding that it should be sorted out with the people who published it.

However, the Army Chief said he had already informed the Ministry of Defence and the Election Commission denying his involvement in this matter. "The Election Commission confirmed it had received my clarification," he said.