Sri Lanka coup attempt needs to be investigated

Last Thursday’s election in Sri Lanka ended the decade-long rule of former president Mahinda Rajapakse and raised fears at the time that he was building a dynastic leadership where nepotism was rampant and powers concentrated in his hands. When the results became clear and Maithripala Sirisena seemed headed for certain victory, the public announcement by Rajapaske that he had accepted the will of the people seemed like a gracious act at a difficult time.

Privately, though, the reality seems much different and sinister, if reports now emerging from Colombo are to be believed. Rajapakse is accused of calling military chiefs and senior police officials in a desperate bid to stage a coup d’etat. If true, his actions are treasonous, an insult to every Sri Lankan who cast a vote, and merely gives credence to the claims that he had become out of touch, was dictatorial and had built a powerful cadre of aides around him — while lining his and his family’s pockets at the same time. Every credit must be given to the military and police for refusing to take part in this treason. And now Rajapakse must face justice for trying to subvert the course of democracy.