UK sanctions on former military top brass biased, unjustifiable: Ex-PM

Former Prime Minister and leader of the Mahajana Eksath Peramuna (MEP) Dinesh Gunawardena has alleged that the UK sanctioning retired top brass and ex-LTTE commander is biased, unjustifiable and a blatant interference in an internal affair of Sri Lanka.

The following is the text of statement issued by former parliamentarian Gunawardena: “The United Kingdom Government recently imposed sanctions on former head of the Sri Lankan Armed Forces Shavendra Silva, former Navy Commander Wasantha Karannagoda, former Commander of the Sri Lankan Army Jagath Jayasuriya and Vinayagamoorthy Muralitharan alias Karuna Amman.

The imposition of sanctions on three former commanders of Sri Lankan armed forces over alleged human rights violations during the conflict between the terrorist outfit Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and the armed forces by the UK is biased, unjustifiable action and a blatant interference on an internal affair of Sri Lanka.

It is most regrettable that the UK thought it fit to impose sanctions that are not based on any transparent investigation or legal proceedings. Instead, they reflect the selective application of international pressure on Sri Lanka, targeting those who played key roles in Sri Lanka’s military victory against the most ruthless terrorist organization, which is banned by many countries, including the UK.

I wish to reiterate that the people of Sri Lanka have the highest respect for the sacrifices made by the military and the Commanders of armed forces and they would always stand by them against any unjustified attempts of prosecution or slander as their valiant fight against terrorists have ensured long-lasting peace in Sri Lanka.

We urge the United Kingdom to withdraw the one-sided sanctions in the interest of our long-standing bilateral relations and norms.”