The Canadian government announced it would be granting over CAD $56,000 (approximately 7.5 million LKR) “to support Sri Lanka’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic” through a body affiliated to Sri Lanka’s Presidential Covid-19 Task Force, headed by Shavendra Silva.
A Canadian statement said the grant would go to the National Peace Council of Sri Lanka (NPC), which is “part of the Civil Society Committee of the Presidential Covid-19 Task Force”. The task force is currently headed by Silva, a credibly accused war criminal who is currently barred from travel to the US due to his role in overseeing rights abuses.
“I am impressed by the resolve of individuals, organizations and the various levels of government in Sri Lanka in responding to this unprecedented global crisis,” said David McKinnon, High Commissioner of Canada to Sri Lanka. “Through Canada’s support, we hope to assist the most vulnerable communities as they combat this disease and its severe economic impacts. I am glad we could work with the NPC to respond quickly to an identified need, working across communities and around the country”.
“The NPC will engage in crisis mitigation interventions by supplying dry rations to institutions, marginalized individuals and families identified by its partner network and state officials nation-wide” the statement added.
The Sri Lankan military, which Silva also heads, has maintained a curfew across the island, including in the North-East where tens of thousands of soldiers remain disproportionately stationed.
Earlier this month the European Union (EU) announced it would provide a grant of €22 million to Sri Lanka k after ambassadors met with Basil Rajapaksa, the Sri Lankan president’s brother who was appointed head of a Presidential Task Force.
A 2007 leaked US embassy cable noted that Basil “worked for the Ministry of Mahaweli Development, where he earned the nickname "Mr. Ten Percent" for demanding a ten percent commission on every project”. “Embassy contacts say Basil has no close advisors and more enemies than friends in Sri Lanka because he makes a habit of trying to "buy people”,” the cable added, noting that at the time “Basil continues to be accused of significant corruption in his current position”.
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