UK sanctions alleged war criminals, ignores ongoing genocide

The UK, our former colonial master yesterday announced the imposition of sanctions on four Lankans. The foursome are accused of committing human rights abuse during the course of the brutal ethnic war which gripped the country during the near 30-year-long civil war. 
UK’s 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.”
Those sanctioned are Generals Shavendra Silva and Jagath Jayasuriya, then Navy Commander Wasantha Karannagoda and former LTTE Eastern Commander Karuna Amman.
Just days before our ex-colonial ruler imposed sanctions on four parsons accused of rights violations, our own government tabled in parliament the Batalanda Commission Report, which enquired into excesses committed during civil unrest of 1988 - 1990. The report includes crimes committed by the rebels (JVP) and the security forces during that dark period.
This newspaper has always condemned the abuse of human rights. A number of our journalists have suffered for their revelation of abuse. We thus applaud action taken against perpetrators of rights violators, as well as those who continue perpetrating these horrifying deeds. 
According to a UN report on the final stage of the ethnic war, a government hospital in Killinochchi came under repeated shelling as government forces advanced. The report adds that the hospital was damaged. A private hospital in the vicinity too came under attack. There were no LTTE positions in the vicinity and General Shavendra Silva was in command. His immediate superior was General Jagath Jayasuriya. 
Former Navy commander Karannagoda is accused of abduction, torture, wrongful confinement, extortion and the alleged abduction and disappearance of eleven Tamil youth among other crimes.
LTTE military leader Karuna Amman is accused of involvement in the massacre of Muslims at the Kattankudy mosque, blamed for involuntary disappearances of civilians and accused of child soldier recruitment, among other crimes 
In this light we would applaud the UK for imposing sanction on persons who have allegedly committed war crimes and crimes against humanity. 
Yet, today we are witnessing the crime of genocide being committed against the people of Palestine in real time. Israel continues bombing civilian targets in the Gaza and in the West Bank.
Since 7 October 2023 Israel has killed over 61,709 Palestinian civilians including 17,492 children. More than 111,588 people have been injured and over 14,222 people are believed to be trapped under the rubble or in areas inaccessible to rescuers and are presumed dead. 
The Palestinian health ministry reported in September 2024 that Israeli forces had killed 1,151 Palestinians working in Gaza’s health sector. Israel has also cut all supplies of potable water, food and medical supplies to Gaza 
Almost all of Gaza’s homes have been damaged or destroyed. Israeli attacks have left fifty percent of hospitals partially functional. Sixty-eight percent of all Gaza’s cropland has been destroyed by Israel including the bulldozing of orchards, olive trees and date palms.
An AP report reveals the United States (US) has spent a record of at least $17.9 billion on military aid to Israel since its attacks on Gaza began. In simple language the US is complicit in crimes Israel is committing in Gaza as it is bankrolling the commission of genocide in Palestine’s Gaza.
Shamefully the government of the UK has as yet not demanded a halt to the ongoing genocide Israel is committing on Palestinians.
The UK sanctioned leaders who commanded troops during Lanka’s ethnic war accusing them of war crimes and crimes against humanity. Unfortunately, though Israel is perpetrating far worse crimes, the UK has not imposed sanctions on Israeli premier Netanyhu or his generals and commanders for committing far worse crimes in Palestine.
The US is bankrolling the killing of innocent Palestinian children, women and men. Is it not time the UK condemns the US for its participation in the genocidal war and sanction its President Trump?
We also remember that one of the four (Karuna Amman) whom the UK has now sanctioned was visiting family in the UK when charges were pressed and demands for his arrest were during the period.