COLOMBO, March 26 (Xinhua) -- Sri Lanka's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism said on Wednesday that the unilateral action taken by the British government to sanction four Sri Lankans complicates the national reconciliation process underway in the country.

The ministry said in a statement that the British Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office on Monday sanctioned these individuals for "Human Rights Violations and Abuses during the Sri Lankan Civil War."

The ministry said that the unilateral move, which involves an asset freeze and travel ban on the individuals concerned, does not assist but serves to complicate the national reconciliation process underway in Sri Lanka.

The ministry said the government is in the process of strengthening domestic mechanisms on accountability and reconciliation, and any past human rights violations should be dealt with through domestic accountability mechanisms.

Sri Lanka's position was conveyed by Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath to the British High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Andrew Patrick, on Wednesday at the ministry.

Former head of the Sri Lankan Armed Forces Shavendra Silva, former Navy Commander Wasantha Karannagoda, former Commander of the Sri Lankan Army Jagath Jayasuriya, and former military commander of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam Vinayagamoorthy Muralitharan were sanctioned by Britain on Monday. Enditem

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