The Chief Whip of the Liberal Democrats reiterated earlier calls for an international arrest warrant to be issued for Gotabaya Rajapaksa, as pressure mounts of governments around the world to prosecute him for genocide.
The former Sri Lankan president is currently thought to be in Singapore after having fled Sri Lanka.
“The situation in Sri Lanka has been at the forefront of everyone’s minds, as the Rajapaksa Government force their country into crisis with unsound economic policies, corruption and draconian police powers,” said Wendy Chamberlain at a debate on British sanctions in parliament this week.
“My right hon. Friend Ed Davey recently called in the House for an international arrest warrant to be issued for President Rajapaksa. I reiterate that call and hope that the Minister can respond to that point.”
Last week, Ed Davey, leader of the Liberal Democrats, placed blame for the “horrible appalling situation for the people of Sri Lanka” on the “corruption of the Rajapakse government".
He called for an economic package with the IMF with the caveat that such support should include “a political package which includes an international arrest warrant for President Rajapaksa and his cronies”.
“Can it also include a demand for political freedom, the respect of rights and human rights of everyone on the island of Sri Lanka; including the Tamil and Muslim minorities,” he added.
Protests took place in cities around the world this week, with Tamils calling for Rajapaksa to face prosecution for his crimes.
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