Rajapaksa family enriched themselves at expense of Sri Lankan people – US Senator

 

As the United Nations General Assembly convenes in New York this week, U.S. Senator Bob Menendez, Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, was joined by Senators Dick Durbin, Patrick Leahy, and Cory Booker in introducing a Senate resolution calling for a comprehensive international approach to address Sri Lanka’s current political and economic crisis, including challenges related to poor governance and economic policy under the Rajapaksa family’s rule. 

“As the country grapples with its worst domestic crisis since the end of its civil war, the international community must continue to provide robust support and ensure that accountability for war crimes and respect for human rights in Sri Lanka remain top priorities. “The Rajapaksa family enriched themselves at the expense of the Sri Lankan people, ruthlessly silencing their opponents, inciting ethnic tensions, and leaving the country in economic shambles,” Senator Leahy said. 

“After years of civil war and government mismanagement and abuse, Sri Lanka needs a government that is committed to ethnic tolerance, equitable economic development, human rights, and justice. Furthermore, the international community must continue to push for justice, transparency, and accountability for human rights violations committed during the civil war to help the people of Sri Lanka move forward.”