The UK Sanctions on Military Leaders: Govt. Weighs Response

By Kelum Bandara 
Sri Lanka is weighing its response to the UK government’s decision to impose sanctions on three Sri Lankan military leaders and one time LTTE military wing leader in the east Vinayagamurthy Muralitharan alias Karuna Amman who defected from the terrorist organization and joined hands with the then government, Daily Mirror learns.  

The three military leaders are former Army Commanders Shavendra Silva, Jagath Jayasuriya and former Navy Commander Wasantha Karannagoda.  

Action has been taken for them being responsible for what it called ‘serious human rights abuses and violations during the Sri Lanka civil war, including extrajudicial killings, torture and/or perpetration of sexual violence.   >>A2 

The three military leaders are former Army Commanders Shavendra Silva, Jagath Jayasuriya and former Navy Commander Wasantha Karannagoda.  

Action has been taken for them being responsible for what it called ‘serious human rights abuses and violations during the Sri Lanka civil war, including extrajudicial killings, torture and/or perpetration of sexual violence.   

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.  

Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, David Lammy, said, “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. I made a commitment during the election campaign to ensure those responsible are not allowed impunity. This decision ensures that those responsible for past human rights violations and abuses are held accountable.  

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.  

During her January visit to Sri Lanka, Minister for the Indo-Pacific, Catherine West MP, held constructive discussions on human rights with the Prime Minister, Foreign Minister, civil society organizations, as well as political leaders in the north of Sri Lanka,”   

The UK leads the core group of countries that moved the resolution on Sri Lanka adopted by the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC). The other countries in the group are Canada, Malawi, Montenegro, and North Macedonia.   

Sri Lankan government did not respond to the UK government immediately yesterday. Daily Mirror learns that the government is in the process of fine-tuning the text of its official response to align it with its policy on national reconciliation.   

The UK government’s sanctions on General Silva follow a similar action against him by the US State Department in 2020. In 2023, Canada sanctioned the two former presidents, Mahinda and Gotabaya Rajapaksa. The two Rajapaksa brothers led the military.   

The latest action by the UK government comes in the wake of a political transformation in Sri Lanka. On previous occasions when the Sri Lankan military and political leaders were sanctioned, the then governments were quick to issue rebuttals through diplomatic channels.