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SJB Parliamentarian Dr. Harsha de Silva
By Darshana Abayasingha
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| SJB Parliamentarian Eran Wickramaratne |
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| SJB Parliamentarian Kabir Hashim
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The main Opposition the Samagi Jana Balawegaya yesterday charged that for the first time, the focus of the United Nations Human Rights Commission (UNHRC) sessions has shifted to economic crimes
committed by politicians and officials in Sri Lanka, as the world has come to accept that Sri Lankans are suffering due to corruption and mismanagement led by the Rajapaksas.
Allegations of war crimes and illegal detention have dominated UNHRC sessions and today the country is faced with another unique situation, the main Opposition party said, adding that no Sri Lankan can disagree with these charges when more than 60% of the population are forced to change their food habits due to hardships brought about by the economic crisis.
Pix by Lasantha Kumara
“The council is saying it will support investigations and bring charges against politicians and officials responsible for this crisis,” averred Dr. Harsha de Silva, adding it would be interesting to note how the Government responds to these latest charges.
“We have also asked for a special committee in Parliament to seek out and produce charges against those parties and persons responsible for manufacturing this crisis, but neither the President or Government have responded to this call,” de Silva said.
The concerns discussed at the Geneva council demonstrate the extent of failure of this Government and how it reverberates within the international community. How could Sri Lanka expect any more aid form the world community, when such serious concerns are raised that affect confidence in this country, asked SJB MP Kabir Hashim. He lamented that despite hardships and the lack of confidence, the Government has still proceeded to appoint 38 new State Ministers that will require further maintenance.
“This has become a disgusting topic. It will waste public funds further. Though we have an Executive President in power, it appears he has become a puppet of a Rajapaksa. Because things that are happening now are very similar to what took place before,” Hashim stated.
Joining the discussion, SJB MP Eran Wickramaratne said the Government had indicated assets and liabilities of politicians and certain public officials would be monitored, whilst the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery and Corruption would be made independent. These laws are expected before Parliament this month, but are insufficient to deal with financial crimes, he said.
“Financial crimes are where leaders and prominent family members of the ruling party have stolen the assets of the country and hidden them in the country or abroad. The UN has a Stolen Assets Recovery Program (STAR) to combat this international menace. We have demanded the present Government to bring in laws to persist with stolen asset recovery.
“This is absolutely essential. We have a new President just making proclamations that he is going behind those who robbed. This cannot be delayed any further, but there has been silence on the part of the Government in this regard,” Wickramaratne added.
With regard to the IMF plan, Wickramaratne stated the agency had informed Japan, India and China must first agree on debt restructuring on the loans provided to Sri Lanka. He said that it is not possible to get the international community to help us if the country was shielding corrupt officials.
Colombo district MP S.M. Marikkar stated the UNHRC’s war crimes charges are levelled against the Rajapaksas, and the blame for economic crimes too has fallen squarely on the Rajapaksas. He charged all Sri Lankans are suffering from hunger and child malnutrition rising due to the acts of the Rajapaksa Government.
