Non cabinet Minister of Media and State Minister of Defense, Ruwan Wijewardene, has strongly denied the allegation made by Joint Opposition and certain parties that the government has entered into an agreement allowing the U.S. army to enter and establish a military base in Sri Lanka.
A Media release issued by Director General of Government Information Nalaka Kaluwewa said Minister Wijewardene had made a special statement in Parliament in this regard.
The Minister further states that the government has not signed such agreement with the government of United States of America as well as there is no intention of signing such an agreement.
The Minister emphasized the fact that not only the government of United States of America but also no other country is allowed to camp in Sri Lanka.
The Minister further says that the government is not prepared to sign any agreement, which would adversely affect national security and if an agreement is signed, it will be signed by the Secretary to the Ministry of Defense on the instructions of the President in his capacity as the Minister of Defense.
In addition, Minister Wijewardene states that the US Ambassador in Sri Lanka has also issued a statement declaring that the US government has not entered into any such agreement with Sri Lanka.
Courtesy: Colombo Page
