Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath has stated that the government is committed to strengthening its domestic mechanisms for accountability and reconciliation, affirming that any past human rights violations will be addressed through these local processes.
Minster Herath made this statement following a meeting with the British High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Andrew Patrick, in which he outlined the government's position on the recent sanctions imposed by the United Kingdom on four individuals, including three former military chiefs.
The UK government announced on March 24, 2025, that it had imposed sanctions on the four individuals in connection with human rights violations and abuses that occurred during the Sri Lankan Civil War. These measures, which include freezing assets and banning the individuals from entering the UK, were described in a press release by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.
The press release also referenced a promise made during the UK election campaign to hold those responsible for such violations accountable.
In response, the Sri Lankan Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Overseas Employment, and Tourism emphasized that these sanctions were a unilateral action by the UK government. The Ministry pointed out that such measures do not contribute to Sri Lanka’s domestic reconciliation process and instead complicate the situation further.
The government reiterated its commitment to addressing past injustices through homegrown mechanisms for accountability, aiming for a resolution that supports long-term national unity and healing.
