UK sanctioning ex-military top brass and Karuna:

The Communist Party of Sri Lanka has urged the National People’s Power (NPP) government to counter external interference while reaffirming its commitment to addressing the challenges facing the nation through dialogue, reconciliation and justice.

CPSL Secretary General Dr. G. Weerasinghe has issued the following statement: “CPSL expresses its deep concern over the recent sanctions imposed by the United Kingdom on retired Admiral Wasantha Karannagoda, retired General Jagath Jayasuriya, retired General Shavendra Silva, and former Minister of National Integration Vinayagamoorthy Muralitharan, known as Colonel Karuna, and strongly condemns the action of Great Britain. These sanctions, justified by the United Kingdom as a response to alleged human rights violations committed during Sri Lanka’s 27-year civil conflict, must be viewed as a disturbing and arrogant interference in the affairs of a sovereign nation.

Britain occupied Sri Lanka for nearly 150 years, killing thousands of people and plundering the country’s resources, while subjugating and exploiting many countries around the world. By exploiting countries around the world, they built their own prosperity and now lead the way in protecting human rights for other countries around the world. During Britain’s brutal colonial rule, which implemented a historical strategy of divide and rule, discord was sown among Sri Lanka’s ethnic communities, a policy that led to the erosion of harmonious relations within the country and ultimately led to deep divisions. The profound impact of these policies contributed to civil conflict, but Britain has refrained from making any reference to or expressing regret for that role.

The CPSL highlights the blatant hypocrisy of Britain’s efforts to selectively target and punish individuals who played a significant role in ending the separatist armed conflict in Sri Lanka. While these individuals are accused of human rights violations, it cannot be hidden from the world that Britain participated in the ongoing genocide in the Gaza Strip, the illegal invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq, and the killing of hundreds of thousands of people. It should also be noted that Britain is committing ethnic cleansing of the indigenous people of the Chagos Archipelago and illegally occupying it.

The CPSL acknowledges that Sri Lanka continues to grapple with unresolved ethnic tensions and challenges in its journey to build an inclusive Sri Lankan nation. These issues are deeply rooted in the country’s historical fabric and require thoughtful, proactive steps to address them. The CPSL urges the Government of Sri Lanka to take a more assertive and comprehensive approach in addressing these issues, ensuring acceptance, peace of mind and dignity for families affected by the civil conflict. The CPSL has consistently been at the forefront of efforts to address these issues, advocating for justice, reconciliation and fair treatment of all communities.

The CPSL stresses that this selective condemnation is driven not by genuine concern for human rights but by political expediency and the desire to influence sovereign nations. Furthermore, the CPSL expresses its disappointment with the Government of Sri Lanka’s response to these sanctions. Instead of strongly condemning Britain’s actions, the government’s response was cowardly and shameless, failing to protect the sovereignty of the nation and the dignity of its people. The CPSL calls on the Government of Sri Lanka to take a more resolute stance, rejecting external interference and reaffirming its commitment to addressing the challenges facing the nation through dialogue, reconciliation and justice.

Finally, the CPSL reiterates its commitment to building a united and prosperous Sri Lanka where all communities can coexist in harmony and equality. It calls on the international community to respect the sovereignty of nations and support efforts aimed at genuine reconciliation and development, rather than imposing measures that deepen divisions and hinder progress.”