UK sanctions Shavendra, Wasantha, others in line with Labour party's election pledge - Secretary of State

UK Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, David Lammy, has said that sanctions were imposed on former Army Commanders General Shavendra Silva, General Jagath Jayasuriya, Admiral of the Fleet Wasantha Karannagoda and one-time LTTE Ampara-Batticaloa commander Vinayagamoorthy Muralitharan, alias Karuna Amman, in accordance with an assurance given to the electorate at the 2024 July general election.

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The Labour party won the July 2024 general election.

The British government statement quoted Lammy as having said that he made a commitment during the election campaign to ensure that those responsible would not be allowed impunity.

Lammy emphasised that this decision ensured that those responsible for past human rights violations and abuses were held accountable.

The text of the statement: "The UK sanctions former Sri Lankan commanders and an ex-Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) commander responsible for serious human rights violations and abuses during the civil war.

Sanctions aim to seek accountability for serious human rights violations and abuses, committed during the civil war, and to prevent a culture of impunity.

UK is committed to working with new Sri Lankan government on human rights, welcoming their commitments to national unity.

The UK government has imposed sanctions on 4 individuals responsible for serious human rights abuses and violations during the Sri Lanka civil war, including extra-judicial killings, torture and/or perpetration of sexual violence.