• Sri Lanka remains a human rights priority for the UK, and the government continues to engage with Sri Lankan authorities on matters of truth, justice, and accountability

By Sunil Jayasiri   

Britain has declined to speculate about future sanctions against individuals in Sri Lanka accused of war crimes claiming it could reduce their impact.   

It would not be appropriate to speculate about future sanctions designations as to do so could reduce their impact,” said Catherine West, Under Secretary at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, in response to a written query about the potential imposition of Magnitsky-style sanctions against individuals in Sri Lanka accused of war crimes.   

Addressing a question posed by a labour MP in UK Parliament, she emphasised that Sri Lanka remains a human rights priority for the UK, and the government continues to engage with Sri Lankan authorities on matters of truth, justice, and accountability.   

She highlighted that the UK’s Global Human Rights sanctions regime is a key tool in their foreign policy, with sanctions being applied when deemed effective to achieve broader foreign policy objectives.