The British government said any arms deals with Sri Lanka “take into account international humanitarian and human rights law” last week,
Britain’s Secretary of State for International Trade, Graham Stuart, responded to a question by the former Chairman of the Conservative Party Grant Shapps on the UK’s weapons sales to Sri Lanka, stating that “all export licence applications are considered on a case-by-case basis against the Consolidated EU and National Arms Export Licensing Criteria”.
The criteria are based on “the most up-to-date information and analysis available, including reports from NGOs and our overseas network” he added.
Speaking specifically on Sri Lanka, Mr Stuart went on to state “licensing decisions for Sri Lanka take into account international humanitarian and human rights law as well as the type of goods”.
“We do not issue any export licences where we assess there is a clear risk that the goods may be used for internal repression or external aggression.”
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