March 27, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment, and Tourism has voiced its concerns over the recent decision by the United Kingdom to impose sanctions on three former military commanders and a former minister, calling it a unilateral action that complicates ongoing national reconciliation efforts.
In response to a press release issued by the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) on 24 March 2025, titled “UK Sanctions for Human Rights Violations and Abuses during the Sri Lankan Civil War”, the Sri Lankan government acknowledged the UK’s decision but expressed discontent over its implications.
The ministry noted that the sanctions involve an asset freeze and travel restrictions on the designated individuals, three of whom previously held senior positions within the Sri Lankan armed forces.
Furthermore, the statement highlighted the UK government’s assertion that the sanctions align with a political commitment made during the UK election campaign to prevent impunity for alleged human rights violations.
The Sri Lankan government, however, reiterated its position that any historical allegations should be addressed through domestic accountability mechanisms rather than external interventions.
The ministry emphasised that Sri Lanka is actively working to strengthen its domestic frameworks for accountability and reconciliation. It argued that external punitive measures do not contribute constructively to this process but rather create additional challenges in achieving long-term national unity.
The government’s official stance was conveyed by Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath during a meeting with British High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Andrew Patrick, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
As tensions over human rights concerns continue to shape diplomatic relations, Sri Lanka has reiterated its commitment to national reconciliation while urging international partners to respect its sovereign processes in dealing with past conflicts.
