The Sri Lankan government has officially responded to the United Kingdom’s imposition of sanctions on four individuals, including three former military chiefs, over alleged human rights violations committed during the country’s civil war.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Overseas Employment, and Tourism issued a statement on March 26, 2025, addressing the press release titled “UK Sanctions in relation to human rights violations and abuses committed during the Sri Lankan civil war”, which was released by the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office on March 24, 2025.
The sanctions reportedly include the freezing of assets held by the individuals in the UK and a ban on their entry into the country. The British press release also referenced a “promise made during the election campaign to ensure that those responsible do not go unpunished.”
Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed concern over these unilateral sanctions, stating that such measures do not contribute to the country’s domestic reconciliation process and, instead, risk further destabilizing the situation.
“The Government is engaged in the process of strengthening domestic mechanisms for accountability and reconciliation, and any past human rights violations should be addressed through domestic accountability mechanisms,” the statement emphasized.
Sri Lanka’s official position was communicated by Minister of Foreign Affairs, Vijitha Herath, to the British High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Andrew Patrick, during a meeting held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Overseas Employment, and Tourism.
The statement also highlighted that unilateral measures imposed by foreign governments could undermine Sri Lanka’s ongoing efforts towards reconciliation and accountability.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism
Colombo
March 26, 2025
