Question in UK Parliament on US sanctions on Gen. Silva

Answering a question raised on the sanctions imposed by the US on General Shavendra Silva in the House of Commons on Tuesday, a British Government Minister said they regularly engage with the US and other partners on issues relating to Sri Lanka, but did not speculate on possible future sanction targets.

“The UK Government keeps all evidence and potential designations under the UK Global Human Rights sanctions regime under close review, guided by the objectives of the sanctions regime. We would not normally speculate about future sanctions targets, as to do so could reduce their impact,” Minister of State – Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office Amanda Milling said.

She said this in response to a question raised by Liberal party MP Siobhan McDonagh, who queried from the Secretary of State what assessment she has made of the implications for her policies of the sanctions imposed by the US on General Shavendra Silva of the Sri Lankan Army.