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Mahinda’s expensive foreign visits raised in Parliament
30 Nov, 2016
The expensive overseas visits undertaken by former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, was discussed in Parliament today.
Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera said that Rajapaksa took large delegations with him during his overseas visits, wasting Government funds.
Samaraweera also defended the foreign policy of the current Government which has resulted in a close relationship with all countries.
The Foreign Minister told parliament that since Sri Lanka gained independence in 1948 the country has had good relations with countries like China and India.
However he said relations with some countries were affected as a result of the foreign policies of the former Government.
Samaraweera said the current government has managed to reversed the downward trend in the relations Sri Lanka had with some countries, including the United States.
He said Sri Lanka’s improving relationship with other countries has also seen the European Union considering giving Sri Lanka the GSP plus trade concession once again.
Sri Lanka lost the GSP plus trade concession after the former government failed to agree to conditions related to human rights. (Colombo Gazette)
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