The UK has announced travel bans and asset freezes against several former Sri Lankan military commanders linked to alleged human rights violations during the country’s decades-long civil war.
The sanctions target Shavendra Silva, former Chief of Defence Staff; Wasantha Karannagoda, ex-Navy commander; and Jagath Jayasuriya, former Army chief. Vinayagamoorthy Muralitharan, also known as Karuna Amman—a former Tamil separatist leader who later collaborated with Sri Lankan forces—has also been sanctioned.
The 26-year conflict between Sri Lankan government forces and Tamil separatist groups, including the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), resulted in an estimated 80,000 to 100,000 deaths. Both sides have faced accusations of war crimes, including extrajudicial killings, torture, sexual violence, and enforced disappearances. A 2011 UN report found “credible allegations” of abuses that could amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity. Sri Lanka has denied these allegations and resisted international investigations.
UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy stated, “The UK government remains committed to upholding human rights in Sri Lanka, including ensuring accountability for wartime abuses that continue to affect communities today.”
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