London: The United Kingdom has imposed sanctions on four former senior military figures in Sri Lanka, including three high-ranking government commanders and a former Tamil Tiger rebel leader, over human rights violations committed during the country’s decades-long civil war, which ended in 2009.
The sanctions, announced on Monday, include travel bans and asset freezes targeting former Sri Lankan Armed Forces Chief of Staff Shavendra Silva, former Navy Commander Wasantha Karannagoda, and former Army Commander Jagath Jayasuriya. Additionally, Vinayagamoorthy Muralitharan, known as Karuna Amman, a former Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) commander who later defected and led a paramilitary group allied with the Sri Lankan Army, has also been sanctioned.
The 26-year conflict between the Sri Lankan government and Tamil separatists claimed an estimated 80,000 to 100,000 lives, according to United Nations estimates. Throughout and beyond the war’s conclusion, Sri Lanka’s security forces have faced persistent allegations of war crimes, including extrajudicial killings, torture, sexual violence, and enforced disappearances.
Also Read | US Military Strike Plans on Yemen Leaked in Signal Messages
A 2011 U.N. panel report found “credible allegations” of grave violations by both sides, stating that some of these acts could constitute war crimes and crimes against humanity. However, Sri Lanka has consistently denied such allegations and has refused to engage with international investigations into these claims.
Also Read | Israeli Forces Mistakenly Strike Red Cross Office in Gaza
In a statement, British Foreign Minister David Lammy reaffirmed the UK’s commitment to justice and accountability in Sri Lanka, stating: “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.”
