Marikkar blames Rajapaksa clan for UNHRC ‘Economic Crimes’ allegation against SL

Friday, 16 September 2022 00:25 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Says Rajapaksas caused economic crisis
Calls on President to take legal action against them
Adds those who gave incorrect directives must also be held responsible

SJB Parliamentarian S.M. Marikkar

Samagi Jana Balawegaya Spokesman S.M. Marikkar yesterday blamed the Rajapaksas for the ‘Economic Crimes’ allegation levelled against Sri Lanka at the 51st session of the United Nations Human Rights Council.

Marikkar said all parties who opposed war crimes allegations against Sri Lanka are now remaining silent as it is the same party which has been accused of committing economic crimes against the people of Sri Lanka.

“They are silent because the entire population of 2.2 million people are suffering as a result of this economic crisis. It is the Rajapaksas who made Sri Lanka the country with the second highest rate of child malnutrition in Asia. They took away the Thriposha given to the children and committed an economic crime,” he said.

Pointing out the latest data on nutrition related to Sri Lanka issued by the World Food Program, Marikkar said it is the Rajapaksa clan that is responsible for committing economic crimes resulting in the lack of food and drink for the country’s people.

Marikkar said the Rajapaksa family obtained dollar loans prior to 2015 for fruitless projects leading to the collapse of Sri Lanka’s economy. “As Samantha Power pointed out, Sri Lanka’s crisis is a result of corruption and excessive debt. All this was done by the Rajapaksa family,” he said.

He said instead of appointing various committees, the President should seek to punish those responsible for these economic crimes. He added those such as P.B. Jayasundera who provided directives to the Central Bank Monetary Board over the Finance Minister and the then Central Bank Governor Nivard Cabraal must also be held responsible.