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Sri Lanka summons UK envoy and raises concerns over sanctions
26 Mar, 2025
Sri Lanka on Wednesday summoned the British High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Andrew Patrick and raised concerns over the sanctions imposed by the UK on three former military commanders.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism said it took 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 Sri Lanka Foreign Ministry said that the the UK Government had taken unilateral action 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 Foreign Ministry said.
The Government said that it 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 Foreign Ministry said that 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 at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism.
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