MS puts US deals on notice

As controversy grows over key agreements being discussed between the US and the Government, President Maithripala Sirisena yesterday asserted that he would not allow any agreement which poses a threat to Sri Lanka’s sovereignty to be signed.

The President took note of some media reports where concerns have been raised over the Government’s negotiations with the US on the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA), the Millennium Challenge Corporation Sri Lanka Compact, and the Acquisition and Cross Servicing Agreement (ACSA).

The President said that no matter what progress had been made in the discussions, he would not allow the deals to be signed if they posed a threat to Sri Lanka’s sovereignty.

“Some foreign powers are attempting to make Sri Lanka their base. But I will not allow any agreement which poses a threat to our country to be signed,” he said.

The President was speaking at the “Let’s Stand Together for the Country” Monaragala District Programme held at the Bibile public grounds.

The US has maintained that there is no move to establish a US military base in Sri Lanka.

The Government has also rejected claims that the deal with the US will pose a threat to Sri Lanka’s sovereignty.