COLOMBO : The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment & Tourism takes note of the Press
Release dated 24th March 2025, issued by the UK, Foreign Commonwealth &
Development Office (FCDO) entitled “UK Sanctions for Human Rights Violations and
Abuses during the Sri Lankan Civil War”. As stated in the press release, the UK
government has imposed sanctions on four individuals, three of whom are former
military commanders of the Sri Lankan armed forces.
It is also noted that the UK FCDO Press Release refers to “a commitment made during
the election campaign to ensure those responsible are not allowed impunity”
.
In this regard, the Ministry wishes to underline that this is a unilateral action taken by
the UK government which involves an asset freeze and travel ban on the individuals
concerned. Such unilateral actions by countries do not assist but serve to complicate the
national reconciliation process underway in Sri Lanka.
The government is in the process of strengthening domestic mechanisms on
accountability and reconciliation and any past human rights violations should be dealt
with through domestic accountability mechanisms.
The position of the Government of Sri Lanka was conveyed by Foreign Minister Vijitha
Herath to the British High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Andrew Patrick, today at the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment & Tourism.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism
March 27, 2025
