The United Kingdom on Monday sanctioned three former Sri Lankan military commanders and a former Tamil Tiger rebel leader for human rights violations committed during Sri Lanka’s decades-long civil war, which ended in 2009.

The British government announced sanctions on:

· Shavendra Silva, former Chief of Staff of the Sri Lankan Armed Forces

· Wasantha Karannagoda, former Navy Commander

· Jagath Jayasuriya, former Army Commander

· Vinayagamoorthy Muralitharan (Karuna Amman), a former Tamil Tiger commander who later led a paramilitary group allied with the Sri Lankan government.

The measures freeze assets and ban the individuals from entering the UK, citing their involvement in wartime human rights abuses.

Legacy of the Sri Lankan Civil War

The Sri Lankan civil war (1983–2009) was fought between government forces and Tamil separatists, primarily the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). The United Nations estimates that between 80,000 and 100,000 people died over the 26-year conflict, with both sides accused of war crimes.

Implications of the Sanctions

The move signals continued international scrutiny of Sri Lanka’s wartime conduct, particularly as efforts to hold officials accountable have faced resistance domestically. While Colombo has denied systematic war crimes, human rights groups continue to push for global legal action against those involved.

Sri Lanka’s civil war ended in May 2009 with the defeat of the LTTE. Since then, successive governments have faced pressure from Western nations and human rights organizations to address alleged atrocities. The UK’s latest sanctions align with broader international efforts, including UN resolutions, calling for accountability in Sri Lanka’s post-war governance.