The People for Equality and Relief in Lanka (PEARL) welcomed the UK government's decision to sanction Sri Lankan war criminals but called on the international community to do more to advance accountability for Sri Lanka’s war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide against the Tamil nation. 

Yesterday, the UK government sanctioned senior figures from both the Sri Lankan military and a government-affiliated paramilitary group, including individuals linked to extrajudicial killings, torture, and sexual violence.

The United Kingdom has announced sanctions against four individuals implicated in “serious human rights violations”, in a move it says is aimed at promoting accountability and challenging the culture of impunity that continues to shield perpetrators.

Sri Lanka continues with its militarisation of the Tamil homeland, from the army running inter-school dance competitions, to the navy transporting pilgrims to shrines.

Infrastructure and Education Infiltration

The third reading of Sri Lanka's 2025 budget was passed last Friday in the country's parliament with a majority of 114 votes. 

Former Sri Lankan president, Ranil Wickremesinghe, reiterated in a recent interview his opposition to Sri Lanka being taken to the International Court of Justice (ICJ), reported the Jaffna daily Maalaikathir last Friday. He accused Western nations of double standards and criticised the UN, asserting that without Sri Lanka’s contributions to World War II the modern human rights framework would not exist.