UK Imposes Sanctions on Sri Lankan figures Over Civil War Human Rights Violations

By: D. Ariaz

On March 24, 2025, the United Kingdom imposed sanctions on four individuals linked to human rights violations during Sri Lanka’s civil war, which ended in 2009. The sanctions target three former senior Sri Lankan military commanders—Shavendra Silva, Wasantha Karannagoda, and Jagath Jayasuriya—as well as Vinayagamoorthy Muralitharan, also known as Karuna Amman, a former commander in the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). These measures include travel bans to the UK and asset freezes.

The 26-year conflict between Sri Lankan government forces and Tamil separatists resulted in an estimated 80,000 to 100,000 deaths. Both sides have faced accusations of serious human rights violations, including extrajudicial killings, torture, and sexual violence. A 2011 United Nations panel reported “credible allegations” of such violations, some of which may amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity. Despite these findings, Sri Lanka has consistently denied wrongdoing and has refused to cooperate with international investigators.

The UK’s decision aligns with broader international efforts to address human rights abuses in Sri Lanka. In January 2023, Canada sanctioned former Sri Lankan presidents Mahinda and Gotabaya Rajapaksa, along with two former soldiers, for their roles in “gross and systematic violations of human rights” during the civil war.

Human rights organizations have long advocated for such measures. The International Truth and Justice Project (ITJP) has submitted over 60 sanctions requests targeting Sri Lankan officials and security personnel implicated in human rights violations during and after the conflict. These submissions have been directed to governments including the UK, US, Australia, Canada, and the European Union.

British Foreign Minister David Lammy emphasized the UK’s commitment to human rights in Sri Lanka and the pursuit of accountability for past violations, stating that these issues continue to impact communities today.
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These sanctions represent a significant step in international efforts to hold individuals accountable for human rights abuses committed during Sri Lanka’s protracted civil conflict.