UK Targets Top Sri Lankan Commanders & Ex-LTTE Chief for Rights Abuses

COLOMBO (News 1st); The UK has imposed sanctions on Former Sri Lanka Army Commanders General Shavendra Silva & General Jagath Jayasuriya, Admiral Of The Fleet Wasantha Karannagoda and Former LTTE Military Commander Vinayagamoorthy Muralitharan also known as Karuna Amman, for serious human rights violations.

"The UK government has imposed sanctions on 4 individuals responsible for serious human rights abuses and violations during the Sri Lanka civil war, including extrajudicial killings, torture and/or perpetration of sexual violence," said a statement from the UK Government, adding "The individuals sanctioned by the UK today include former senior Sri Lankan military commanders, and a former LTTE military commander who later led the paramilitary Karuna Group, operating on behalf of the Sri Lankan military against the LTTE."

It added that the measures, which include UK travel bans and asset freezes, target individuals responsible for a range of violations and abuses, such as extrajudicial killings, during the civil war.

"The UK government is committed to human rights in Sri Lanka, including seeking accountability for human rights violations and abuses which took place during the civil war, and which continue to have an impact on communities today," the statement quoted Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, David Lammy.

David Lammy had also noted that the UK government looks forward to working with the new Sri Lankan government to improve human rights in Sri Lanka, and welcomes their commitments on national unity.

The statement by the UK government noted that for communities to move forward together, there must be acknowledgement, and accountability for past wrongdoing, which the sanctions listings introduced today will support. "We want all Sri Lanka communities to be able to grow and prosper."

The UK remains committed to working constructively with the Sri Lankan Government on human rights improvements as well as their broader reform agenda including economic growth and stability. As part of our Plan for Change, the UK recognises that promoting stability overseas is good for our national security, it added.

The UK has long led international efforts to promote accountability in Sri Lanka alongside partners in the Core Group on Sri Lanka at the UN Human Rights Council, which includes Canada, Malawi, Montenegro, and North Macedonia.