The UK government has imposed sanctions on four individuals which it claims are responsible for serious human rights abuses and violations during the Sri Lanka civil war.

This ws revealed in statement by the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office.
Those sanctioned include:

• – Former Head of the Sri Lankan Armed Forces, General Shavendra Silva
• – Former Navy Commander, Admiral of the Fleet Wasantha Karannagoda
• – Former Commander of the Sri Lankan Army, General Jagath Jayasuriya
• – Former military commander of the LTTE – Vinayagamoorthy Muralitharan. Also known as Karuna Amman, he subsequently created and led the paramilitary Karuna Group, which worked on behalf of the Sri Lankan Army.
• Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, David Lammy had 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.”