Namal’s call for probe into USAID projects here:

Former parliamentarian Prof. Rajiva Wijesinha said that SLPPer Namal Rajapaksa should have raised USAID operations here much earlier.

Prof. Wijesinha said so when The Island sought his take on former Minister Namal Rajapaksa’s call for an investigation into projects and grants operated under USAID in Sri Lanka.

SJB Colombo District MP Mujibur Rahuman pointed out that USAID had operated here throughout the Rajapaksa administrations. Perhaps, MP Namal wanted to exploit the ongoing new US administration’s attacks on USAID. If the Rajapaksas were sincere, action should have been taken years ago, MP Rahuman said.

National List MP Rajapaksa called for a detailed report to be presented in Parliament, including an account of the NGOs that benefited from USAID funds.

Taking to X, Rajapaksa highlighted concerns raised by a section of the media, particularly after the election of Donald Trump as President, regarding USAID’s involvement in global projects.

The MP referred to allegations that USAID funds have been used to create instability in other countries, under the guise of humanitarian aid.

MP Rajapaksa said Sri Lanka has received millions of dollars in USAID funding in recent years, with over 100 NGOs, politicians, and media personalities benefiting from these grants. However, he claimed there has been no clear account of how these funds were utilized.

The MP also called for long-awaited regulations on NGO financing to be introduced, stressing the need for transparency in foreign-funded projects.