• Ali Sabry summons Canadian Envoy, says unilateral sanctions based on unsubstantiated allegations 

The Government of Sri Lanka (GoSL) has expressed deep regret yesterday (11) in protest against the decision taken by the Government of Canada to impose sanctions on former State officials including former Presidents Mahinda Rajapaksa and Gotabaya Rajapaksa over alleged gross and systematic human rights violations linked to the war. 

Accordingly, it was mentioned on the official Twitter account of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs that the subject Minister, President’s Counsel M.U.M. Ali Sabry had summoned the Acting Canadian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Daniel Bood to the Ministry yesterday (11) to express deep regret of the Government on the announcement of unilateral sanctions brought against four individuals including two former Presidents of Sri Lanka by the Government of Canada based on unsubstantiated allegations. 

Canada imposed sanctions against Gotabaya Rajapaksa, incumbent Government Parliamentarian Mahinda Rajapaksa, Army Staff Sergeant Sunil Ratnayake who was convicted over the Mirusuvil massacre and subsequently pardoned by Gotabaya Rajapaksa, and Navy Lieutenant Commander Chandana Prasad Hettiarachchi implicated in the alleged abduction of youths.

The sanctions have been imposed under regulations pursuant to Canada’s Special Economic Measures Act for their responsibility for “gross and systematic violations of human rights during the war”, Canada’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Mélanie Joly announced on Tuesday (10).

The sanctions include a dealings related prohibition, which would effectively freeze any assets they may hold in Canada, and render them inadmissible to Canada under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.

“Despite continued calls from Canada and the international community to address accountability, the GoSL has taken limited meaningful and concrete action to uphold its human rights related obligations. This jeopardises progress on justice for affected populations, and prospects for peace and reconciliation. Victims and survivors of gross human rights violations deserve justice. That is why Canada continues to call on Sri Lanka to fulfil its commitment to establish a meaningful accountability process. These sanctions send a clear message that Canada will not accept continued impunity for those that have committed gross human rights violations in Sri Lanka,” the Canadian Foreign Ministry said in a press release. 

It added that Canada will continue to collaborate alongside international partners, including through relevant multilateral bodies to advocate for human rights and accountability in Sri Lanka, which, it said, is an important step toward securing a safe, peaceful, and inclusive future for the country. Canada, as part of the Core Group on Sri Lanka at the United Nations Human Rights Council, will continue to advocate for the full implementation of Resolution 51/1 and support efforts towards attaining accountability and peace in the Island, it further said. 

“Canada supports efforts towards urgent political and economic reforms to alleviate the hardships faced by the people in Sri Lanka. We strongly encourage the Sri Lankan Government to promote democracy, human rights, and maintain the rule of law as it works to address this crisis,” the press release concluded.