Malaysia has reportedly been the top investor in Sri Lanka for the last four years, but this is being viewed with alarm by non-governmental organisations.

tamil tigers defeated in sri lanka conflict 210509 02 Coalition of Malaysian NGOs head K Arumugam pointed out that these have been high-risk investments because Sri Lanka has been involved in a protracted armed conflict with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). There are also allegations of human rights abuses.

“It is all the more reason for the investors to stress the need for greater accountability and transparency in addressing human rights violations,” he said.

"If they don’t, they will be seen as being involved with a government that stands accused of war crimes with genocidal tendencies.”

He was asked to comment on a Utusan Malaysia report that current Malaysian investments comprise18 commercial projects worth RM3.2 billion in Sri Lanka.

Jiwi Kathiah of the Tamil Foundation commented:“You can be the largest investor but that should not be at the expense of human rights. Money should not be the yardstick of measuring human rights.

“Any government that mortgages human rights to gain an investment edge must be condemned by its citizens whether they are Indians or otherwise. I demand that Malaysia withdraws all its investment in a country that does not respect human rights.”

On May 19, the Sri Lanka government had claimed victory over the LTTE. Separatist leader V Prabakharan was killed as the rebellion was crushed by the army.

However, thousands of Tamil-speaking Sri Lankans have been displaced from their homes, while there are also allegations of civilian deaths.