Sri Lanka Top Court Allows Case Against Rajapaksas

The Supreme Court of Sri Lanka has given permission for legal proceedings against former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, who is among those blamed for the unprecedented economic crisis that has gripped the country. The court also allowed proceedings against his brothers Mahinda and Basil, who served as prime minister and finance minister, respectively as also former central bank and finance ministry heads. In response to some petitions filed over breach of fundamental rights, the court asked the auditor general to submit a report by November 30 on the monetary board’s decision to devalue the currency, the reasons for delaying seeking assistance from the IMF and the repayment of sovereign dollar bonds. The court also sought copies of all communications and recommendations given by the central bank to Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Mahinda Rajapaksa Basil Rajapaksa, the Cabinet of Ministers and the monetary board.