Ottawa: Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, has announced that Canada has imposed targeted sanctions under regulations pursuant to the Special Economic Measures Act against four Sri Lankan state officials responsible for gross and systematic violations of human rights during armed conflict in Sri Lanka, which occurred from 1983 to 2009.
Despite calls from Canada and the international community to address accountability, the Government of Sri Lanka has taken limited meaningful and concrete action to uphold its human rights obligations. This jeopardizes progress on justice for affected populations, and prospects for peace and reconciliation.
The regulations pursuant to the Special Economic Measures Act impose on listed persons a dealings 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.
Canada continues to call on Sri Lanka to fulfill 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.
Canada will continue to collaborate alongside international partners, including through relevant multilateral bodies to advocate for human rights and accountability in Sri Lanka. 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 peace on the island.
Canada supports efforts towards urgent political and economic reforms to alleviate the hardships faced by the people in Sri Lanka.
In addition to the announcement, and in response to the humanitarian crisis in Sri Lanka, Canada announced $3 million to the appeals launched by the United Nations and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies to address immediate needs, including food security and livelihoods, shelter and non-food items, as well as nutritional assistance and primary healthcare services for vulnerable children and women.
Minister Joly said: “Over the past four decades, the people of Sri Lanka have suffered a great deal due to the armed conflict, economic and political instability, and gross violations of human rights. Canada is steadfast in its support to attain peace, reconciliation, justice and accountability on the island. Canada has taken decisive action to end international impunity against violators of international law. Canada stands ready to support Sri Lanka’s path to peace, inclusion and prosperity through the advancement of accountability, reconciliation and human rights, including international assistance to address the domestic crisis.”
• Canada continues to help advance human rights in Sri Lanka, including in such areas as language rights and the rights of women and girls, among others.
• Canada has been working with its like-minded partners, including as a member of the Core Group on Sri Lanka at theUN Human Rights Council since 2018, and will continue to do so.
• Canada is closely monitoring the evolving humanitarian situation and has provided support to Sri Lanka to help address immediate food and medical needs.
• Canadian assistance in Sri Lanka is also helping to procure emergency medical supplies and medicines.