The United Nations Human Rights Commission has allocated a sum amounting to US$ 6 million for the purpose of investigating economic crimes and human rights violations in Sri Lanka.
This is in line with the UNHRC resolution passed against Sri Lanka at the 51st session.
Following the decision of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to investigate matters related to economic crimes, diplomatic sources pointed out that a group of officials is planning to visit America and Europe to ascertain the allegations of financial crimes.
They have planned to send a team to Europe and the United States of America to investigate the related matters, including whether the foreign exchange has been fraudulently invested in other countries, which led to the economic meltdown in Sri Lanka. They will also collect information relating to human rights violations.
The same source mentioned that it has been proposed to appoint a 16-member staff to accomplish the work connected to this mission.
The related programme and budget have already been sent to the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights by Johannes Huisman, Director of the United Nations Program Planning and Budgeting Office, detailing the budget related to the implementation of the resolution passed against Sri Lanka as well as the budget and work related to future activities up to 2024.
According to the work schedule, two five-day trips to Europe and one five-day trip to North America have been planned for each of the two staff members recruited for this purpose in order to gather relevant information during 2023 and 2024.
In addition, it is stated that these staff members are planning to travel to Sri Lanka and to two unnamed places in the region to gather relevant information and meet the victims.
An amount of 6 million dollars has also been set aside as office and operational expenses necessary to take relevant measures in relation to Sri Lanka in the period up to 2024. It is considered to be the highest amount allocated by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights for work in Sri Lanka so far.
