Opposition questions US interest on Sri Lanka

The opposition today questioned the keen interest the United States is having on Sri Lanka with several top US officials already having visited the country this year.

Opposition Parliamentarian?Dullas Alahaperuma said that while the Government says it is following a middle line in Sri Lanka’s foreign policy, the reality does not seem to be the case.

Alahaperuma said that over the past four months top US officials including Nisha Biswal, Samantha Power and?Thomas Shannon visited Sri Lanka and had talks with the Government.

“I the last four months there were six US officials who visited Sri Lanka. In the past six months so many US officials have not gone to any other country. Are they coming with a good intention,” he asked.

Alahaperuma noted that even after the August 17 Parliament elections, before the cabinet took oaths, three Ministers took oaths so they could have talks with US Assistant Secretary of State Nisha Biswal who was visiting the country at the time.

US Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs (Designate) Thomas Shannon is the latest US official to visit Sri Lanka.

Speaking at an event today?Shannon said Sri Lanka?is an example of the power of citizens to reinvigorate their democracy, to retake control ? through the ballot box ? of their country?s trajectory, and to set a course to a brighter future.

He said the US now looks to Sri Lanka to also provide inspiration to others around the world, to show them how justice and compassion can overcome a difficult past and help create a stable and prosperous future, and strengthen a nation?s security, prosperity, and prestige.?(Colombo Gazette)