Possibilities are being looked into for the imposition of sanctions against Sri Lanka’s current and ex military heads including the Chief of Defence Staff and the former Army Commander, General Shavendra Silva, based on allegations of war crimes levelled against the Sri Lankan Security Forces, UK’s Minister in Charge of Foreign and Commonwealth Development Jesse Norman has informed the British Parliament, in response to a query by the British Labour Party MP Beth Winter.

The British Minister’s comments on Sri Lankan Security Forces come in in the midst of a strong resolution against Sri Lanka being tabled at the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva, Switzerland, pending a vote and backed by many human rights groups.

The British Government is closely monitoring the situation in Sri Lanka, including those of human rights and accountability, and will consider how to use diplomatic tools including the imposition of sanctions, he said.

MIAP