Ottawa: The Canadian government has imposed sanctions on four Sri Lankan state officials, including former presidents Gotabaya Rajapaksa and his brother Mahinda Rajapaksa, over human rights violations, officials said on Tuesday.

"The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today announced Canada imposes targeted sanctions under regulations pursuant to the Special Economic Measures Act against four Sri Lankan state officials responsible for gross and systematic violations of human rights during armed conflict in Sri Lanka, which occurred from 1983 to 2009," read a statement issued by the Canadian Foreign office.

"The regulations pursuant to the Special Economic Measures Act impose on listed persons a dealings prohibition, which would effectively freeze any assets they may hold in Canada and render them inadmissible to Canada under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act," read the statement.

Despite continued calls from Canada and the international community to address accountability, the Government of Sri Lanka has taken limited meaningful and concrete action to uphold its human rights obligations.

This jeopardizes progress on justice for affected populations, and prospects for peace and reconciliation, read the statement.

Victims and survivors of gross human rights violations deserve justice. That is why Canada continues to call on Sri Lanka to fulfill its commitment to establish a meaningful accountability process.

"These sanctions send a clear message that Canada will not accept continued impunity for those that have committed gross human rights violations in Sri Lanka," the Ministry said.

“Over the past four decades, the people of Sri Lanka have suffered a great deal due to the armed conflict, economic and political instability, and gross violations of human rights.  Canada is steadfast in its support to attain peace, reconciliation, justice and accountability on the island.  Canada has taken decisive action today to end international impunity against violators of international law. Canada stands ready to support Sri Lanka’s path to peace, inclusion and prosperity through the advancement of accountability, reconciliation and human rights, including international assistance to address the domestic crisis," Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, said.