Sri Lanka crisis a result of human rights abuses, economic crimes, says UN

Sri Lanka is facing a devastating economic crisis, a UN report has said, noting that impunity for past and present human rights abuses, economic crimes and corruption were the underlying causes for the island nation's collapse.

The report, prepared by the UN Rights High Commissioner Michele Bachelet, was released on Tuesday, also suggested fundamental changes to address the current challenges and to avoid repetition of the human rights violations of the past.

Interestingly, it comes ahead of the 51st session of the UN Human Rights Council Session, to be held in Geneva from September 12 to October 7, where a resolution on Sri Lanka is expected to be tabled.

This is also the first time that the top UN body has linked the economic crisis with Sri Lanka's gross human rights violations.

For sustainable improvement, it is vital to recognise and assist Sri Lanka to address the underlying factors, which have contributed to this crisis, including embedded impunity for past and present human