COLOMBO: The United States has imposed sanctions on another Sri Lankan military officer for human rights abuses in its latest move to promote accountability for corruption and human rights abuses around the world. On the occasion of Human Rights Day on Friday, the US State Department, in a statement named Prabath Bulathwattethe former leader of an underground Sri Lankan army platoon known as the Tripoli Platoon, for “gross violation” of human rights and “degrading treatment” of a Sri Lankan journalist.
“Pursuant to Section 7031(c), the Department of State is designating Bulathwatte for his involvement in a gross human rights violation, namely torture and/or cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment of a Sri Lankan journalist, Keith Noyahr in May 2008,” the statement read.
He said all property and interests in property of individuals or entities in the United States or under the control of the United States are blocked, and they and their immediate family members are rendered ineligible for entry. in the USA.
Last year, the US State Department also listed two Sri Lankan soldiers, Chandana Hettiarachchi, a naval officer, and Sunil Ratnayakestaff sergeant of the Sri Lankan Army holding them responsible for gross violations of human rights.
In 2020, the US State Department also sanctioned Sri Lanka’s current Chief of Defense Staff Gen Shavendra Silvaand former commander of the Sri Lankan army, on allegations of war crimes committed during the final phase of the armed conflict with the LTTE in 2009.
“Pursuant to Section 7031(c), the Department of State is designating Bulathwatte for his involvement in a gross human rights violation, namely torture and/or cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment of a Sri Lankan journalist, Keith Noyahr in May 2008,” the statement read.
He said all property and interests in property of individuals or entities in the United States or under the control of the United States are blocked, and they and their immediate family members are rendered ineligible for entry. in the USA.
Last year, the US State Department also listed two Sri Lankan soldiers, Chandana Hettiarachchi, a naval officer, and Sunil Ratnayakestaff sergeant of the Sri Lankan Army holding them responsible for gross violations of human rights.
In 2020, the US State Department also sanctioned Sri Lanka’s current Chief of Defense Staff Gen Shavendra Silvaand former commander of the Sri Lankan army, on allegations of war crimes committed during the final phase of the armed conflict with the LTTE in 2009.
