Wasantha Karannagoda blacklisted for his involvement in a gross violation of human rights during his tenure as a Naval Commander.”…reports Asian Lite News
The United States on Thursday banned the Governor of North Western Province in Sri Lanka, Wasantha Karannagoda and his family from entering the country over gross violation of Human Rights, the US State Department said in a release.
“The United States is designating Wasantha Karannagoda, Governor of North Western Province in Sri Lanka, pursuant to Section 7031(c) of the Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2023, due to his involvement in a gross violation of human rights during his tenure as a Naval Commander,” the US State Department said in a release.
“The United States is designating Sri Lankan Governor and retired Admiral Wasantha Karannagoda for a gross violation of human rights. The United States continues to seek truth and justice for victims of the Sri Lankan civil war,” State Secretary Antony Blinken tweeted.
“As a result of today’s action, Karannagoda and his wife, Srimathi Ashoka Karannagoda, are ineligible for entry into the United States,” the release stated further.
The US State Department release said, “The allegation that Wasantha Karannagoda committed a gross human rights violation, documented by NGOs and independent investigations, is serious and credible.”
By designating Wasantha Karannagoda, the United States reaffirms its commitment to upholding human rights, ending impunity for human rights violators, acknowledging the suffering of victims and survivors, and promoting accountability for perpetrators in Sri Lanka, the release read.
The bilateral relationship between the United States and the Sri Lankan government is based on 75 years of shared history, values, and a commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific, the release read further.
“As we continue to build our bilateral relationship, we are committed to working with the Sri Lankan government on advancing justice, accountability, and reconciliation, including promoting security reform that maintains human rights at the forefront while ensuring Sri Lanka has the resources and training to properly address emerging security concerns,” the release stated.
Lanka voices concerns
Sri Lankan Foreign Ministry said it regrets the decision by the U.S. to designate Admiral of the Fleet Wasantha Karannagoda. The Ministry said in a statement that Foreign Minister Ali Sabry expressed Sri Lanka’s grave concerns associated with this decision to the US Ambassador Julie Chung, Newswire reported.
As a longstanding bilateral partner of Sri Lanka, such unilateral action by the US without following due process is counter-productive to the holistic approach that Sri Lanka has taken to addressing national unity and reconciliation.
It is also unfortunate that the announcement emanates against the backdrop of the tangible progress made by the Government in strengthening the country’s democratic governance and reconciliation structures, the statement said.
The Foreign Ministry further said that despite these challenges, Sri Lanka will continue in its ongoing efforts to achieve reconciliation, economic recovery and socio-economic development. (with inputs from ANI)
