Involvement of Indian company in ECT; it is essential for SL’s maritime future-Teplitz

26 January 2021 08:24 pm - 14 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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-Asks Govt to come up with a meaningful plan at UNHRC
-Urges to implement what it promised
-Reiterates need to reverse mandatory cremation policy

U.S. Ambassador Alaina B. Teplitz, who commented on the development of the East Container Terminal of Colombo Port, said the involvement of an Indian company in this exercise was essential for Sri Lanka’s maritime future, obviously with India being the beneficiary of Sri Lanka’s port facilities or rather transshipment activities.

She said it was important to have the private sector involvement in this case, and Sri Lanka could look for the best in its economic arrangement.

She made these remarks during a virtual round-table discussion with a group of journalists.

Responding to a query about China, she said partnerships between countries should be open, transparent and mutually beneficial and it was what the U.S. encouraged as far as Sri Lanka’s relations with China were concerned.

Commenting on economic cooperation, she said there are some proposals for cooperation in the energy sector. Emphasising the need to ensure equitable treatment for all the companies that have put forward proposals in this regard, she said, “They are well aware that they need to respect the laws of Sri Lanka, tender and other procedures. I hope procedures are applied equitably.”

She said the U.S. companies could deliver cutting edge technology and green technology.

Besides, she urged the Government to carry forward the promises it had already made and come up with a meaningful plan at the next session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC).

She said the U.S. is interested in Sri Lanka’s commitments. She referred to Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardane’s reiteration last year that there would be a comprehensive reconciliation strategy through a domestic process.

“I would like to see some follow-through on that,” she said. She added that this was not a departure from the consistent policy of the U.S. in this regard.

Asserting that there is a degree of concern that there is not much progress on what everyone had hoped for, she said it was the reason for the U.S. and other countries to offer help to Sri Lanka. She said it was not bullying Sri Lanka but helping Sri Lanka to realise the pledges made by it to its people.

She also conveyed concerns about the mandatory cremation policy of Covid-19 victims and stressed the need to respect the faiths of all the communities in this regard.(Kelum Bandara)

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Comments - 14

Sri Lanka has 5000 year written history Tuesday, 26 January 2021 09:17 PM

She was an Obama appointed person, now Trump is gone she is trying to open her mouth.

gammini Tuesday, 26 January 2021 09:22 PM

This shows how Indians have fed into the Western paranoia about China, and using the West for their own Indian interest .

Michael Ranasinghe Tuesday, 26 January 2021 09:22 PM

Please focus on statements within your purview and not to an investment analyst of our national assets . Has the US sold part of its ports to other countries ?

Jeeves Tuesday, 26 January 2021 09:27 PM

Let's translate that another way- It's important FOR AMERICA that India, her ally, is involved!

Lasith Tuesday, 26 January 2021 09:33 PM

Have we become colonised again? Why are we being directed by another foreign country?

bandula chandraratna Tuesday, 26 January 2021 11:10 PM

Ignore this woman! Don't fall into her trap! What she is trying to do should be obvious. Because Sri Lanka is not going to sign the 'MCC', she is trying to stirrup discontent of the new American administration against Sri Lanka. Her aim is to create chaos in Sri Lanka. That is why suddenly she started to talk about Muslim covid infected body burials to the possible management agreement of the Eastern-terminal agreement with India. She wants Sri Lankan people to protest against America. She wants that agitation. I hope our leaders can see through this woman's intentions. She is over-stepping her diplomatic status and interfering in the internal affairs of Sri Lanka. Bandula Chandraratna from England.

KPS Tuesday, 26 January 2021 11:10 PM

It’s time for your departure. I guess by leaving the sovereign decision making process to Srilankans

Fact check Tuesday, 26 January 2021 11:11 PM

Yes. Most US ports are run by foreign owned and foreign government companies, including Dubai (Dubai govt owned DP World), Singaporean Govt owned APL Ltd, Chinese govt owned Orient Overseas (which exited in 2020), Dutch and Australian companies. Please do some research before commenting.

True democratic Tuesday, 26 January 2021 11:12 PM

Cat out of the bag mate! Looks like you are just another cog in the Indian wheel! Mind your own country’s business without poking your nose in ours !

bandula chandraratna Tuesday, 26 January 2021 11:15 PM

Addition to my comments posted two three minutes ago: I'm a writer. My name is bandula chandraratna. My details are available on the internet.

Adam Speak Wednesday, 27 January 2021 01:00 AM

Alaina B. Teplitz may be Obama or whoever's appointee, but 1000 times better than the stupid and dangerous Trump, who corrupted the whole world.

Vasantha de Silva Wednesday, 27 January 2021 01:15 AM

Sri Lanka doesn't need advice from her. Her main objective is to create unrest in the country and then regime change. Will US tolerate political advice from Sri Lankan ambassador to the US.

Ranaweera Wednesday, 27 January 2021 01:15 AM

So , bring human rights issue, push harbour terminal sale, allow berial of covid victims (it is worth noting that in several states if US , very isolated lands are being used to perform mass burials of covid victims. Sri Lanka does not have thst type land. The holes are dug very deep too. If we do that in most parts of the country we get water.

Tom Wednesday, 27 January 2021 10:02 PM

This another chapter of a same book,one previous is 'Swiss drama played by it's locally employee Gania Banister

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Involvement of Indian company in ECT; it is essential for SL’s maritime future-Teplitz

Comments - 14

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