Foreign
SRI Lanka on Wednesday raised strong objections with Canada over a decision to impose sanctions on two former Sri Lankan Presidents.
Foreign Minister Ali Sabry said that he raised Sri Lanka’s concerns at a meeting with Canada’s acting high commissioner to Sri Lanka.
State Minister of Foreign Affairs, Tharaka Balasuriya also said Canada’s decision to impose sanctions came at a time when Sri Lanka was attempting to take forward a post-war reconciliation process.
Meanwhile, Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs announced on Tuesday that Canada has imposed targeted sanctions against four Sri Lankan state officials, including former presidents Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Mahinda Rajapaksa.
Melanie Joly said the two presidents were allegedly responsible for gross and systematic violations of human rights during the armed conflict in Sri Lanka, which occurred from 1983 to 2009.
Mahinda Rajapaksa was president when Sri Lanka defeated Tamil Tiger rebels in 2009.
Gotabaya Rajapaksa was the defense secretary at the time and was president between 2019 and 2022 before resigning following protests in the country. (Xinhua/NAN)
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Tags: Ali Sabry president Mahinda Rajapaksa presidents Gotabaya Rajapaksa Tharaka Balasuriya
