Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa has strongly rejected the UK government's recent allegations of widespread human rights violations during Sri Lanka’s military operations against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).
Former president Rajapaksa criticized the sanctions imposed by the UK, which include travel bans and asset freezes against Sri Lanka's former Chief of Defence Staff Shavendra Silva, former Navy Commander Wasantha Karannagoda, and former Army Commander Jagath Jayasuriya.
In a statement issued today, Rajapaksa expressed his displeasure over what he described as "unproven allegations" of human rights abuses during the conflict with the LTTE. He emphasized that these sanctions are based on accusations that have yet to be substantiated.
Furthermore, the former president urged the current government of Sri Lanka to take a strong stance in defending former military personnel who are facing international scrutiny and persecution. Rajapaksa called for a unified effort to protect those who served in Sri Lanka’s armed forces and safeguard their dignity in the face of external pressures.
The UK’s decision has reignited a debate over the legacy of the Sri Lankan Civil War and the accountability for actions taken by both the Sri Lankan government and the LTTE during the conflict.
