Every voice matters as Sri Lanka stands at a crucial point in its history. I encourage protesters to remain peaceful, using their voices & solidarity to advocate for change. And I encourage the government to draw on SL’s best minds to identify and implement solutions quickly.
— Ambassador Julie Chung (@USAmbSL) April 5, 2022
Responding to the ongoing crisis in Sri Lanka that has seen the entire cabinet resign, besides the Prime Minister, US Ambassador to Sri Lanka Julie Chung has stressed the need for the government to “identify and implement solutions quickly”.
Chung’s statement follows island protests against the Rajapaksa regime which has poorly managed the economy leading to massive shortages in food, fuel and medicines as well as record inflation. Her statement follows earlier statements in which she stressed the need for the state to safeguard democratic rights. Her statement was supported by a number of international powers including the European Union.
Read more here: EU urges Sri Lanka to respect democratic rights
Responding to the crisis in Sri Lanka, MP for Scarborough-Rouge Park, Gary Anandasangaree, stressed that an IMF bailout must be conditional.
“If Sri Lanka is to move forwards, it must severely curtail its military spending, return lands to Tamils, repeal the Prevention of Terrorism Act and release all those being held under the act, ensure accountability for international crimes, account for the disappeared, and ensure there is a just political solution that recognises the inherent right of Tamils to self-determination” he added.
Sri Lanka's military budget accounts for 15% of total government expenditure for 2022, a 14% increase over the allocation in 2021. Despite the armed conflict ending over a decade ago, the military has failed to demilitarise the North-East. Instead, the military's inflated presence has intruded into civilian life, including running farms, canteens, and schools.
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet, wrote in her latest report that there has been a "further drift towards militarisation". Bachelet also expressed that the "concentration of civilian positions in the hands of military officials, affects the democratic governance and the long-term character of the state."