UK sanctions former Sri Lankan commanders over civil war abuses

LONDON – Britain on March 24 imposed sanctions on three former senior Sri Lankan military commanders and one former Tamil Tiger rebel commander over human rights violations during a civil war that ended in 2009.

The measures, which include bans on travelling to Britain and asset freezes, target former Sri Lankan Armed Forces chief of staff Shavendra Silva, former navy commander Wasantha Karannagoda and former army commander Jagath Jayasuriya.

Vinayagamoorthy Muralitharan, known as Karuna Amman, a former commander in the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, or Tamil Tigers, was also sanctioned. Amman split from the Tamil Tigers before the war ended and later led a paramilitary group working for the Sri Lankan Army.

The United Nations estimates that 80,000 to 100,000 people died in the 26-year war between government forces and Tamil separatists.

Sri Lanka’s army and security forces have been accused of war crimes, including extrajudicial killings, torture and sexual violence, and of abductions and torture long after the end of the war.

A UN panel in 2011 found “credible allegations” of serious violations by both sides, “some of which would amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity”. Sri Lanka has always denied such allegations, but refused to cooperate with international investigators.

In a statement, British Foreign Minister David Lammy said: “The UK government is committed to human rights in Sri Lanka, including seeking accountability for human rights violations and abuses which took place during the civil war, and which continue to have an impact on communities today.” REUTERS

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