-By A Defence Analyst
(Lanka-e-News -25.Jan.2025, 7.25 PM) In a stunning revelation, Basil Rajapaksa, the former Sri Lankan Minister of Finance and a dual US-Sri Lankan citizen, has admitted to breaching international sanctions by procuring weapons from North Korea during the height of Sri Lanka's civil war. This admission is more than a historical footnote; it potentially implicates Rajapaksa in violations of both United Nations sanctions and US federal laws. The fallout from this revelation has ignited a global outcry and raised serious questions about accountability, international law, and the role of the United States in addressing breaches committed by one of its own citizens.
Basil Rajapaksa, a member of Sri Lanka's powerful Rajapaksa family, served as the country’s Finance Minister during the bloody final years of Sri Lanka's civil war. His elder brother Mahinda Rajapaksa was the President at the time, while Gotabaya Rajapaksa, another brother, served as Defence Secretary. Together, they presided over a brutal military campaign against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) that culminated in allegations of war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Now, Basil has admitted to procuring weapons from North Korea—a country under stringent United Nations sanctions. More alarmingly, as a US citizen, his actions directly violate US laws, including the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) and the Trading with the Enemy Act (TWEA). These laws prohibit US citizens from engaging in any trade or financial transactions with sanctioned entities, including North Korea. Violations of these laws carry severe penalties, including heavy fines and lengthy prison sentences.
Rajapaksa’s admission came during an interview with The Sunday Divayina, where he revealed that he and other Sri Lankan officials resorted to purchasing arms from North Korea using US dollars sourced from Colombo's black market. This acknowledgment directly contradicts years of official denials by the Sri Lankan government, which has consistently refuted allegations of weapons deals with Pyongyang.
North Korea has been under UN-backed sanctions since 2006, with an arms embargo explicitly banning the trade of weapons and military equipment. By procuring arms from North Korea, Rajapaksa not only breached these international sanctions but also undermined global efforts to isolate a regime infamous for its nuclear weapons program and human rights abuses.
As a US citizen, Basil Rajapaksa’s actions constitute a clear violation of federal law. Under the US Federal Penal Code, any American citizen who engages in trade or financial transactions with sanctioned entities can face criminal charges, including hefty fines and potential life imprisonment for severe offenses.
Yet, despite these admissions, US authorities have not initiated any investigation into Rajapaksa’s activities. This inaction has drawn criticism from human rights organizations and legal experts, who argue that failing to hold Rajapaksa accountable undermines the credibility of US sanctions and its commitment to upholding international law.
The US Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), which oversees the enforcement of sanctions, have yet to respond to calls for an investigation. This silence has left many questioning whether political considerations are outweighing legal obligations.
Rajapaksa’s admission sheds light on a broader, darker network of illicit financial transactions. According to his statements, Sri Lankan officials obtained US dollars from the black market in Colombo’s bustling Pettah district—a hub for underground economic activity. These funds were then funneled to North Korean authorities in exchange for weapons.
The scale of these transactions remains unclear, but experts estimate that Sri Lanka’s arms deals with North Korea during the civil war may have been worth hundreds of millions of dollars. A leaked US embassy cable from 2009 corroborates these allegations, revealing that Sri Lankan officials were in active negotiations with Pyongyang for arms deals at the time.
Where did this money come from? Rajapaksa’s interview points to illicit sources, including black-market currency exchanges and potentially even proceeds from corruption. This revelation highlights the role of unregulated financial networks in sustaining conflict and circumventing international sanctions.
Rajapaksa’s actions not only violated US laws but also placed Sri Lanka’s government in direct opposition to international norms. During the period in question, the US was one of Sri Lanka’s largest providers of development aid, funneling millions of dollars into the country to support post-tsunami reconstruction and humanitarian efforts.
For a US citizen to use illicitly acquired funds to purchase arms from North Korea while receiving US taxpayer dollars for development aid represents a stark betrayal of trust. It raises critical questions about the extent to which the Rajapaksa family leveraged their political power and international connections to bypass accountability.
The revelation has sparked calls for action from human rights organizations, legal experts, and Sri Lanka's Tamil diaspora. These groups have urged US authorities to launch a thorough investigation into Rajapaksa’s actions, including his financial dealings and potential violations of federal law.
The following steps are crucial:
1. DOJ and OFAC Investigation: The US Department of Justice and the Office of Foreign Assets Control must initiate an investigation into Rajapaksa’s activities. This includes tracing financial transactions and determining whether US laws were violated.
2. UN Involvement: The United Nations should revisit allegations of sanctions violations by Sri Lanka and consider punitive measures against individuals involved in illegal arms deals.
3. Congressional Oversight: The US Congress should demand accountability and transparency from federal agencies regarding their handling of this case. Lawmakers must ensure that US citizens who breach sanctions face consequences.
4. Independent Inquiry in Sri Lanka: Sri Lanka must establish an independent inquiry to investigate the Rajapaksa family’s financial dealings during the civil war, including allegations of corruption, arms deals, and human rights abuses.
This isn’t the first time the Rajapaksa family has faced allegations of corruption and wrongdoing. During Mahinda Rajapaksa’s presidency, the family amassed immense wealth and political power, controlling key sectors of the government. From questionable infrastructure projects to allegations of war crimes, the Rajapaksas have been implicated in numerous scandals.
However, accountability has remained elusive. Successive governments in Sri Lanka have failed to prosecute the family for their alleged crimes, citing political pressures and fears of destabilization.
The Basil Rajapaksa scandal underscores the challenges of enforcing international sanctions in a world where political power and financial networks often operate above the law. When individuals like Rajapaksa can openly admit to breaching sanctions without fear of repercussions, it sends a dangerous message to others who might consider similar actions.
The United States, as a global leader in sanctions enforcement, must act decisively to uphold the integrity of its laws and demonstrate its commitment to justice. Failing to do so risks undermining the very principles that sanctions are meant to uphold.
Basil Rajapaksa’s admission of procuring weapons from North Korea is more than a personal scandal; it’s a litmus test for the rule of law. Will the United States hold one of its own citizens accountable for breaching sanctions and enabling a regime that threatens global security?
The world is watching, and the stakes couldn’t be higher. For Sri Lanka, the case highlights the urgent need for transparency and accountability in governance. For the United States, it’s a chance to reaffirm its commitment to justice and the principles of international law.
As the story unfolds, one thing is clear: the game is far from over, and the consequences of inaction could be as damaging as the violations themselves.
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by (2025-01-25 13:56:09)
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