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Adopt new Constitution for more economic benefits: Keshap

5 July 2018 05:35 pm - 17     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Outgoing US Ambassador Atul Keshap at a meeting with TNA leader R. Sampanthan today highlighted that Sri Lanka will be able to attract more investors and will have more economic benefits if it adopts a new Constitution, the TNA said in a media release.

“Mr Sampanthan appreciated the role played by the Ambassador and his team and the US state department in the past with regard to Sri Lanka and appealed that the same level of engagement should continue with all parties in the future,” it said.

Ambassador Keshap paying a courtesy call also said that the Government was yet to accomplish most of its commitments to the International community. “The positive image that the Government of Sri Lanka has in the international stage should not be taken for granted,” the statement said quoting the US envoy.

Mr. Sampanthan said the expectations of the international community in the best interest of the people of Sri Lanka has not been fulfilled by the Government of Sri Lanka.

Highlighting the commitments made by the Sri Lankan Government in the co-sponsored resolution adopted at the United Nations Human Rights Council in 2015, Mr Sampanthan said “the Office of the Missing Persons was established after a long delay, the Reparations Bill is not yet passed, there had been no steps taken to address Accountability issues, the Commission on Truth Justice Reconciliation and non-Recurrence has not been constituted, the Constitutional process took a positive start but there seem to be delays in taking it forward”.

Given the fact that there had been plenty of work done around the framing of a new Constitution for over 25 years, I don’t see any justifiable reasons for delays in this. Our primary interest is in the best interest of the country, and everyone in this country will benefit from a new Constitution said Mr Sampanthan. Mustering a two-thirds Majority in Parliament need not be that difficult to adopt a new Constitution said Mr Sampanthan.

The vast majority of the Tamil People who live all over the country including the North and the East want a solution within a united, undivided Sri Lanka, there are sections of people not substantial but vocal who adopt a hardline view, but the only way to silence them and keep them away from negatively influencing the community is to deliver on the promises, said Mr. Sampanthan. We have been absolutely reasonable in our demands said Mr Sampanthan. If the Government does not deliver, the Tamil people are not going to be second-class citizens in this country.

The Ambassador pointed out that as far as the United States is concerned that the UNHRC Resolution remains operative and it is fundamental for several bilateral relationships. Further, he said the objectives of the country should remain positive in order to achieve peace and reconciliation. The positive image that the Government of Sri Lanka has in the international stage should not be taken for granted. He also highlighted that Sri Lanka will be able to attract more investors and will have more economic benefits if it adopts a new Constitution. Further, he said the United States of America will remain fully engaged with the progress made by the Sri Lankan government in the future. He also thanked Mr Sampanthan for his support during his tenure as the Ambassador.

Along with Mr Sampanthan TNA Spokesman and the Jaffna District parliamentarian M.A. Sumanthiran was also present at the meeting while the Ambassador was accompanied by Deputy Chief of Mission Robert Hilton and Joanna Pritchett, the Political Officer.


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  Comments - 17

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  • sach Thursday, 05 July 2018 06:05 PM

    USA paying for Yahapalana gov? Sri Lanka became unstable thanks to America. They did not even help their puppet economically. The yahapas had to run towards china.

    Jayamini Perera Thursday, 05 July 2018 08:03 PM

    It's the Americans who are buying our finished garments and giving us business amounting to almost Us $ 7 billion. If they really want to unstable Srilanka, stopping the orders will do the trick. Imaging what will happen to our country if that happens.

    vithura Thursday, 05 July 2018 08:23 PM

    Had USA turned the screw on the then Govt., the war would not have been won, learn to be grateful!

    Jiff Thursday, 05 July 2018 08:50 PM

    @vithuran They certainly tried to force a ceasefire. That is why we are grateful for the previous government

    Chami Thursday, 05 July 2018 06:12 PM

    Mind your own business Mr.Keshap. Shame on your country's double standards.

    Buddhi Perera Thursday, 05 July 2018 06:36 PM

    "Adopt new Constitution for more economic benefits" : Keshap - The latest invention

    Ari Thursday, 05 July 2018 06:48 PM

    Tamil are not second class citizens in Sri Lanka. Just take a walk around Pettah the business city and see for yourself. It is the Tamil politicians who are third class and want to separate and not integrate.

    vithura Thursday, 05 July 2018 08:33 PM

    Though not all Tamils are clean, third class politicians and looters galore amongst the Sinhalese. As regards not being send class citizens let the Tamils or any objective unbiased person or persons be the judge of it.

    Ganesh Thursday, 05 July 2018 06:56 PM

    If anyone says anything for the good of the country , some fools do not like such advice because they think they are infallible.

    lkboy Thursday, 05 July 2018 07:20 PM

    So how many constitutions did US adopt to receive economic benefits?

    Mandayan Thursday, 05 July 2018 08:45 PM

    Because they don’t change nation’s constitutions for personal needs

    Menike Thursday, 05 July 2018 08:05 PM

    The U.S. thinks UNHRC is a "cesspit" and withdrew so why does the U.S. think Sri L. should abide by a U.S. instigated resolution from UNHRC when there is no legal obligation to do so? Why does Sri Lanka need a new constitution now for economic benefits when it has not got much from the U.S. in particular?

    peter Friday, 06 July 2018 04:51 PM

    why should you get anything from the US. Learn to stand on your own two feet

    Laiya Thursday, 05 July 2018 08:51 PM

    Do they take us for monkeys now? How can a constitution attract more investments?

    JeffK Thursday, 05 July 2018 08:52 PM

    And there are Sri Lankans ( they should not be called sri lankans ) who think that the new constitution isn't forced down upon us by the West.

    Lokka Friday, 06 July 2018 09:29 AM

    TNA leader with his WISH LIST!!!

    wishva Friday, 06 July 2018 02:15 PM

    Economic benefits!. those are have to be used for boarder fights as new constitution pave ways to several independent states.


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