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Sri Lanka has shown it will not fall for imperialist propaganda – President -SLCFA
Sri Lanka China Friendship Association (SLCFA) yesterday praised the government for having told US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo that Sri Lanka will remain true to its non-aligned foreign policy principles and that it would never take any action that undermines Sri Lanka’s sovereignty. The SLCFA also thanks all patriotic and progressive forces that convinced the government if there was any doubt, that most Sri Lankans were opposed to American imperialism and bullying tactics.
During the last few weeks USA and its allies had been engaged in a massive campaign of misinformation and disinformation about Sri Lanka’s relationship with China. Despite the fact that Chinese loans to Sri Lanka being less than 10% of our overall debt burden and the fact that these loans, overwhelmingly, are concessionary loans, with an interest rate of around 2%, Pompeo and other US officials have tried to portray that China has Sri Lanka in a ‘debt trap.’
The desperation of the US officials, who see that their military and economic strength dwindling and their country, in chaos due to systematic racism against its minorities, can be seen by US Defense Secretary Mark Esper’s veiled threat to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, on August 30, where he hinted that the US could again exert pressure on Sri Lanka at the UNHRC. It’s laughable that on the same breath Pompeo saying they want “the people of Sri Lanka to have sovereignty and independence,” SLCFA President, Attorney-at-Law, Ananda Goonatilleke said.
In response to these baseless allegations and threats, foreign minister Dinesh Gunawardena told a joint press conference, in the presence of Pompeo, that Sri Lanka would remain non-aligned in its foreign relations. However what the most clear indication that the government was not buying into imperialist propaganda was President Rajapaksa’s claim that China had assisted in the development of Sri Lanka’s infrastructure since the end of the separatist war in May 2009 and that Sri Lanka had not been caught in a debt trap as a result.
SLCFA has always insisted that Sri Lanka is a nonaligned country, must stay true to its non-aligned foreign policy, which had served it so well in the past, not to be a “Strategic Partner” of any other country, and must resist attempts by imperialist and expansionist nations to bring us into their sphere of influence. Goonatilleke said that the Sri Lankan people, of various political persuasions, came together in recent weeks to demonstrate that this is how most Sri Lankans feel.
“The SLCFA is conscious of the unholy alliance of the USA, India and two other countries under the guise of safeguarding the Ocean around our country. Though South Asian neighboring nations are constantly faced with our own regional oceanic issues, we must resist interference of various distant powers who try to fish in the troubled Indian Ocean, not only to rob our fish and other oceanic vales but also to intrude into our geopolitical existence,” Goonatilleke said.
The newly appointed Cabinet Committee tasked with ensuring the uninterrupted functioning of Sri Lanka’s public service held its inaugural meeting on Thursday (19) at the Presidential Secretariat under the patronage of Prime Minister Dr Harini Amarasuriya.
The Committee convened to discuss strategies to maintain seamless government operations in the face of potential disruptions caused by the ongoing conflict situation in the Middle East, with particular focus on energy resource management.
According to officials, the discussions emphasised sustaining essential government services, ensuring continued service delivery to the public, and addressing the operational challenges faced by public sector employees during the current circumstances. The Committee also examined measures to mitigate any disruptions that could affect day-to-day administrative and service functions across ministries and departments.
Key attendees at the meeting included the Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government A. H. M. M. H. Abayaratne; Secretary to the President Dr Nandika Sanath Kumanayake; Secretary to the
Prime Minister Pradeep Saputhanthri; Chief of Staff to the President Prabath Chandrakeerthi; and senior secretaries from key ministries including Health and Mass Media, Transport, Highways and Urban Development, Energy, and Digital Economy.
Representatives from state institutions such as the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation were also present, highlighting the government’s focus on energy security as a central priority. The Committee’s deliberations underscored a coordinated approach to balancing uninterrupted public service delivery with effective management of limited energy resources amid the ongoing geopolitical uncertainties.
Observers note that the formation of this Cabinet Committee reflects the government’s proactive stance in safeguarding national administrative functions and ensuring that critical public services remain resilient during times of external pressures.The Committee is expected to meet regularly to monitor developments, evaluate emerging risks, and implement practical measures to maintain operational continuity across the public sector.
Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa on Friday lashed out at President Anura Kumara Dissanayake in Parliament, accusing him of failing to uphold international law during wartime.
Premadasa said the President’s claim of neutrality ignored breaches of the UN Charter—including Articles 2.4 and 2.7—and other global conventions. “A neutral stance requires openly acknowledging violations,” he argued, criticizing the absence of ethical mechanisms to safeguard international law.
He also questioned the President’s handling of maritime issues, particularly whether Sri Lanka had been informed of the alleged attack on the Iranian vessel IRIS Dena, stressing that the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) permits only peaceful activity.
On the economic front, Premadasa condemned the government for missing a chance to buy Russian oil during a 30-day U.S. sanctions suspension.
He said attempts to advise the Foreign Ministry, including a meeting with the Russian Ambassador, yielded no progress.
Premadasa further ridiculed the government’s earlier dismissal of the QR code fuel system, noting that officials are now adapting to it.
Turning to broader economic concerns, he called for immediate negotiations with the IMF to secure a new agreement, warning that the current primary balance of 2.3 is unsustainable. He stressed the urgent need for a poverty-reduction program, highlighting that one-third of Sri Lankans live in poverty.
He also demanded that surplus Treasury funds be used to support relief packages, arguing billions in reserves could aid households struggling with income shortfalls.Concluding his address, Premadasa criticized the government for failing to prepare for foreseeable crises, leaving the country vulnerable.
Former Minister Johnston Fernando, his two sons, and three others were remanded by the Wattala Magistrate’s Court yesterday (20) until April 2, the court confirmed.
The suspects, including Fernando’s elder son Johan, younger son Jerome, and a former transport manager of Lanka Sathosa, are under investigation by the Police Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID).
Authorities allege the Lanka Sathosa lorry was misused for operations linked to an ethanol company reportedly owned by Fernando, causing an estimated Rs. 2.5 million loss to the state.
Showers may occur at several places in the Western, Sabaragamuwa and Southern provinces and in Nuwara-Eliya district after 1.00 pm.
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