UK sanctions: Sarath Fonseka defends Shavendra Silva

Colombo, March 31 (Daily Mirror) - Referring to the recent sanctions imposed by the United Kingdom on top Sri Lankan military officials, Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka, who played a significant role in the country’s civil war, stated that the sanction against former Army Commander Shavendra Silva was unreasonable.

While speaking out against the sanctions on Silva, Fonseka took a different stance regarding former Navy Commander Wasantha Karannagoda and former Army Commander Jagath Jayasuriya.

“I have spoken in Parliament about these individuals. These officers were not on the front lines during the war, and there is substantial evidence implicating them in abuses of power,” he said.

Speaking at a public event, Fonseka asserted that legal action should be taken against anyone proven to have violated local or international laws. He emphasized that Sri Lanka has previously prosecuted military personnel found guilty of wrongdoing.

“There have been instances where legal action was taken against members of the armed forces who abused their power. Those found guilty of misconduct should be held accountable. Former Army officer Sunil Rathnayake, for example, was convicted of killing multiple family members after an eyewitness saw him wrongfully shoot someone.

He was later pardoned by former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa under the pretext of protecting war veterans. Similarly, Karannagoda has been accused of abducting young individuals, demanding ransom, and detaining them at a Trincomalee camp. A former Navy Commander has even admitted to knowing about these detentions,” Fonseka added.