Retired Rear Admiral D.P.K. Dassanayake asked whether Sri Lanka raised the recent UK sanctions imposed on Admiral of the Fleet Wasantha Karannagoda, General Shavendra Silva, General Jagath Jayasuriya and former LTTE commander and ex-lawmaker Vinayagamoorthy Muralitharan during discussions with the British parliamentary delegation.
Dassanayake said that the armed forces expected the government to vigorously take up this matter to prevent interested parties from targeting the war-winning military that made so many sacrifices to save the country.
Responding to The Island queries, Dassanayake, who had been involved in the Mullaitivu sea blockade, in 2009, leading to the eradication of the LTTE leadership on the banks of the Nanthikadal lagoon, emphasised that the government was yet to make public the recommendations made by a three-member ministerial team comprising Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath, Justice Minister Harshana Nanayakkara and Deputy Defence Minister Maj. Gen. Aruna Jayasekara regarding the UK sanctions.
The UK government on 24 March, 2025, imposed sanctions on the mentioned officers alleging they were responsible for serious human rights abuses and violations during the war, including extra judicial killings, torture and/or perpetration of sexual violence.
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office declared that the measures taken against them included UK travel bans and asset freezes.
Dassanayake said that an association that represented the interests of the war-winning military recently sought meetings with both the government and the Opposition to discuss the ongoing campaign against the country and how those genuinely interested in safeguarding national interests could work together. Unfortunately, both the ruling NPP and the main Opposition SJB, didn’t respond to our plea, an irate ex-officer said, urging the government to address accountability issues without further delay.
Dassanayake said that Sri Lanka wouldn’t have been in this predicament if the war-winning Mahinda Rajapaksa government fulfilled its obligations. Unfortunately, the Gotabaya Rajapaksa government, too, failed to adopt a cohesive action plan, he said, pointing out that Sri Lanka should be deeply worried that accountability issues here were utilised by various foreign political parties to attract influential voter bloc, of Sri Lankan origin, in their countries.
Dassanayake pointed out that the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, David Lamm, is on record as having assured the electorate, during the last election campaign, to ensure those responsible are not allowed impunity. Lammy’s Office quoted him as having said that the 24 March, 2025, sanctions ensured that those responsible for past human rights violations and abuses would be held accountable.
Dassanayake said that Parliament should represent the country’s interests and take tangible measures to defend the armed forces in the face of unsubstantiated and politically motivated accusations.
By Shamindra Ferdinando