President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has tweeted that Sri Lanka will not be embroiled in the conflicts between power blocs and insisted on maintaining a neutral stance in the country’s foreign policy.
[caption id="attachment_103149" align="alignleft" width="300"]
President of Sri Lanka Gotabaya Rajapaksa and US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo engaged in a forward looking cordial interaction, 28 October 2020. Photo President Media Unit[/caption]
The remarks were made following the bilateral discussions held with US Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo last morning (28).
Talks between the two leaders focused on the post-pandemic economic recovery and development and the importance of the US-Sri Lanka partnership to bolster sustainable and transparent trade and investment that benefits the people of Sri Lanka, the State Secretary said in a tweet.
President Rajapaksa appreciated the State Secretary’s stance on the need to strengthen the bilateral relationship and support for defence co-operation.
The US and China are currently embroiled in a power struggle over mutual economic, political, and security interests. The North American nation accused China of debt-trap diplomacy and benefitting more from the development and infrastructure projects than its presumed recipients.
State Secretary Pompeo, during yesterday’s joint press conference, reiterated: “We see, from bad deals, violations of sovereignty, and lawlessness on the land and sea, the China Congress Party as a predator. And the US comes in a different way. We come as a friend and as a partner.”
However, Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena stressed that Sri Lanka, as a sovereign, free independent nation, will maintain a neutral, non-aligned and friendly foreign policy.
“We see the importance of maintaining the freedom of navigation in our seas and air space and also protecting the sea lines of communication and undersea cables. We believe all countries should adhere to and respect international law including the UN Convention on the law of the sea,” Minister Gunawardena told his US counterpart.
Prior to the joint press conference, the duo held two-way discussions focusing on furthering a robust partnership between the two countries.
The Embassy of China in Colombo, meanwhile, hit back at the US State Secretary’s comments, tweeting: “Sorry Mr. Secretary @SecPompeo, we’re busy promoting #China-#SriLanka friendship and co-operation, not interested in your #AlienVsPredator game invitation. The US can play two roles at the same time as always.”
President of Sri Lanka Gotabaya Rajapaksa and US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo engaged in a forward looking cordial interaction, 28 October 2020. Photo President Media Unit[/caption]
The remarks were made following the bilateral discussions held with US Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo last morning (28).
Talks between the two leaders focused on the post-pandemic economic recovery and development and the importance of the US-Sri Lanka partnership to bolster sustainable and transparent trade and investment that benefits the people of Sri Lanka, the State Secretary said in a tweet.
President Rajapaksa appreciated the State Secretary’s stance on the need to strengthen the bilateral relationship and support for defence co-operation.
The US and China are currently embroiled in a power struggle over mutual economic, political, and security interests. The North American nation accused China of debt-trap diplomacy and benefitting more from the development and infrastructure projects than its presumed recipients.
State Secretary Pompeo, during yesterday’s joint press conference, reiterated: “We see, from bad deals, violations of sovereignty, and lawlessness on the land and sea, the China Congress Party as a predator. And the US comes in a different way. We come as a friend and as a partner.”
However, Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena stressed that Sri Lanka, as a sovereign, free independent nation, will maintain a neutral, non-aligned and friendly foreign policy.
“We see the importance of maintaining the freedom of navigation in our seas and air space and also protecting the sea lines of communication and undersea cables. We believe all countries should adhere to and respect international law including the UN Convention on the law of the sea,” Minister Gunawardena told his US counterpart.
Prior to the joint press conference, the duo held two-way discussions focusing on furthering a robust partnership between the two countries.
The Embassy of China in Colombo, meanwhile, hit back at the US State Secretary’s comments, tweeting: “Sorry Mr. Secretary @SecPompeo, we’re busy promoting #China-#SriLanka friendship and co-operation, not interested in your #AlienVsPredator game invitation. The US can play two roles at the same time as always.”