Govt. concerned over MoU between US Embassy and Trinco UC

24 May 2013 01:48 am - 40 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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The Sri Lanka government yesterday expressed concern over the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the US embassy in Colombo and the Trincomalee Urban Council to jointly establish a public information and activity centre known as the American Corner, without the knowledge or the authorisation of the Sri Lanka External Affairs Ministry.

Government sources said that foreign missions based in Colombo should obtain prior approval or inform to the External Affairs Ministry of Sri Lanka whenever they need to engage with local authorities - which is the international norm.

Currently there are two American Corners - in Kandy and Jaffna.

The signatories to the MoU for establishing and American Corner were Christopher Teal, Director, Press, Cultural and Educational Affairs of the US embassy in Colombo and the chairman of the Trincomalee Urban Council, K. Selvarajah.

The MoU between the Public Affairs Section of the Embassy of the United States of America and the Trincomalee Urban Council was signed on May 22, 2013 at the Public Library of Trincomalee. The Embassy and the Trincomalee Urban Council intend to jointly establish a public information and activity center known as the American Corner for a period of at least five years.

The fact sheet of the US embassy stated: “The host institution, the Urban Council, plans to provide support for the maintenance and operation of the Corner. The American Corner will provide access to current and reliable information about the United States via book collections, the internet and through of variety of events such as public readings, films, speaker programs, workshops, meetings and exhibits. Products and services will include books and multimedia collections, periodicals and databases, hi-speed internet access, and cultural and educational programs.”

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Comments - 40

Grace Friday, 24 May 2013 11:43 AM

Those who are responsible for this issue should be punished for bypassing the authorities.

paia nayake Friday, 24 May 2013 09:41 AM

Gone....,...Sri Lanka gone,........Get the motayas to burn them self a.and protest. Bloody Portuguese lankens

Thatta Friday, 24 May 2013 09:58 AM

This is the starting point.End with the end of the Sri Lanka

Dave Friday, 24 May 2013 10:13 AM

YES these are the areas always have brains but dont use them. I mean , unused fresh brains.. so they are always fooled by LTTE and it rumps

crick Friday, 24 May 2013 10:44 AM

Exactly! good point.

Kamal-USA Friday, 24 May 2013 10:53 AM

Why do you need these from these imperialists? We dont need you in SL. People in should work more to safeguard our country.

Myth Numba One Friday, 24 May 2013 11:04 AM

Brains? Only book worms who use the beach as toilet in the morning.

Man Friday, 24 May 2013 11:08 AM

Next time MOU to test Drone attacks in sri lanka with jaffna UC.,

Ashanti Friday, 24 May 2013 11:21 AM

This move by US . Is to spy on us

CHOGM Friday, 24 May 2013 11:30 AM

Tamil Nadu beware soon go hiding

Jeewan Friday, 24 May 2013 09:36 AM

A Trojan horse or a Camel head........????

Udurawana Friday, 24 May 2013 11:43 AM

Coming colours no good.....

paaru Friday, 24 May 2013 11:40 AM

Wait till they give provincial councills.. this time they can't win..US drones will be sent to protect the Centre.

Wild Creature Friday, 24 May 2013 11:47 AM

Hay USA........! What are you really up to?????
Just leave us alone and mind your own business!

Dalu Banda Friday, 24 May 2013 11:55 AM

Look at the good side of it "reliable information about the United States via book collections, the internet and through of variety of events such as public readings, films, speaker programs, workshops, meetings and exhibits. Products and services will include books and multimedia collections, periodicals and databases, hi-speed internet access, and cultural and educational programs.”

chams Friday, 24 May 2013 01:24 PM

Wimal, where are you? Don't you see, this is an international conspiracy?

sri Friday, 24 May 2013 06:10 PM

Education is key to opening closed minds.

Mr. Bernard Wijeyasi Friday, 24 May 2013 06:33 PM

This MOU should be cancelled. The US is slowly penetrating Sri Lanka. That is obvious. The main problem is that such an intrusion would jeopardize Sri Lanka's relationship with Russia and China who have stood with Sri Lanka while the US has gone out of its way to push human rights issues including the demand to implement the India drawn 13th amendment. The US Tamil Lobby as in Britain is pulling the strings on the internal affairs of Sri Lanka. This Tamil problem is not shared in China or Russia. Time for the US Embassy to mind her own business and only engage in ceremonial activities. As for "Learning" about the US any desk top computer would surmise.

LBJ Saturday, 25 May 2013 06:35 AM

Why don't you tell your leaders to renounce their American citizenship and green cards, also no more going to America for health matters (prime minister) and with the begging bowl..... I BET YOU CANT!

Nims Friday, 24 May 2013 06:24 AM

We have no trust, faith or any respect to US or the West. They are just a part of Diaspora

Chewing Gum Friday, 24 May 2013 02:05 AM

Thanks USA for providing such centers. It is in these areas that the brains are.

shakir Friday, 24 May 2013 02:42 AM

SL be on alert!

akashi Friday, 24 May 2013 12:00 AM

looking at the current state of the MFA....no wonder..!!! via DM Android App

raviraj Friday, 24 May 2013 03:16 AM

"better" facilities with China, you must be kidding

fazel Friday, 24 May 2013 04:06 AM

If it is a southern UC there won't be any Ha hoo. No change in the mindset.

Sunny Friday, 24 May 2013 04:33 AM

This is why we do not want Provincial councils

RAJU Friday, 24 May 2013 04:28 AM

IT IS NOT AN AMERICAN BASE TO CONCERN.

Naz Friday, 24 May 2013 04:35 AM

We need this education centers. We are having lack of proper public library with good quality books. What an idiot to oppose education in this country, simply because it is provided by US.

charly Friday, 24 May 2013 06:22 AM

You can find american corners all around the world with bombs.

lal Friday, 24 May 2013 02:05 AM

Another Syria, Libya in the making with US "aid"? Open dozen such centres jointly with China, with better facilities and real friendship.

. Amila.G Friday, 24 May 2013 06:46 AM

Pickle in the making .

. Amila.G Friday, 24 May 2013 06:49 AM

Every body is trying a piece , Finally who will benefit.

. Amila.G Friday, 24 May 2013 06:50 AM

And we call our selves Non aligned .

Vaz Friday, 24 May 2013 07:06 AM

Wimal must protest against this as its American involvement

sach Friday, 24 May 2013 08:36 AM

Read the article before commentin, it is because they need prior approval from gov.

De Silva Friday, 24 May 2013 08:57 AM

American.... away from our country don't make us angry

shifan Friday, 24 May 2013 09:09 AM

this is the strategy of US...they do the same in India..Eg. they deal with states instead of central govt...

Kith udugamamakith Friday, 24 May 2013 09:31 AM

Beginning of the end !!! arrest the bas---ds

Santhusita Senevirat Friday, 24 May 2013 09:31 AM

This is why country should think twice before giving police and land powers to Northern Provincial Councils

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Govt. concerned over MoU between US Embassy and Trinco UC

Comments - 40

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