No need to change SL foreign policy: Gota

25 November 2013 07:33 am - 13 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Refering to relations with China and India, Sri Lanka said today there was no reason to change its current non-aligned foreign policy.

“China’s support for the Hambantota Port is commercial in nature, and should not be misconstrued as fitting the “String of Pearls” paradigm. Sri Lanka has always pursued a non-aligned foreign policy. We continue to provide logistical and other support to ships including naval vessels or warships belonging any country that call over at our ports. There is no reason for this state of affairs to change in the future,” Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa said.

He expressed these views when delivering the keynote address at the ‘Galle Dialogue-2013, which began this morning.

He also said: There is much speculation in the international community about the ambitions of these nations with regard to the Indian Ocean. The intention of both China and India to increase instruments of maritime power is an interesting aspect of great power strategic competition.

Much attention is given to the potential tension between Chinese security concerns regarding sea lines of communication in the Indian Ocean, which are critical to its economy, and India’s supposed attitude to this region as its backyard. There is also wariness about China’s relationships with India’s near neighbours, and Indian commentators in particular are concerned about ports funded by China in these countries, which they dub “the string of pearls”.

From Sri Lanka’s perspective, India is our largest neighbour and the most important country in the region. Notwithstanding occasional bilateral issues, our social, cultural, economic and political ties are both historic and robust. At the same time, it has to be noted that Sri Lanka’s relationship with China also dates back many centuries, into historic times. Sri Lanka recognised the People’s Republic of China in 1950 and formal diplomatic relations between the two nations were established in 1957. This bilateral relationship is multi-faceted and deep rooted.

There is great mutual trust and friendship between the two nations. China has been one of Sri Lanka’s foremost development partners over the last few years, and Chinese support for many infrastructure projects in Sri Lanka is particularly noteworthy. Chinese support for construction of the Hambantota port was instrumental in fulfilling a longstanding need in Sri Lanka to cater to the shipping lines passing south of the island.

Full Statement

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Comments - 13

Chugum Monday, 25 November 2013 07:42 AM

Firstly there has to be "foreign policy" to change it.

SADA Monday, 25 November 2013 08:15 AM

Well said. Can you say what is our foreign policy

Aaaa Monday, 25 November 2013 12:23 PM

My dear GL, who is this guy

seeya Monday, 25 November 2013 12:30 PM

Sir.. with RESPECT!! You are not a ELECTED member...so you don't dictate..if foreign policy to be changed or not after all do you know whats our foreign policy is. do we have one in Sri Lanka?

nalaka Monday, 25 November 2013 12:59 PM

ohh Chugums foreign policy is suck up to US EUROPE and INDIA

ANTON Monday, 25 November 2013 01:34 PM

MORE FOREIGN TRIPS AND MORE AND MARE LOANS

Bushel Perera Monday, 25 November 2013 01:43 PM

Our foreign policy is no policy

johan Tuesday, 26 November 2013 08:52 AM

Who cares about our Foreign Policy.We have only Veddha
Policy under Jungle Era

Pratap Tuesday, 26 November 2013 09:18 AM

Beware of China, this is one country which though > 2.5 times larger than India in Landmass is claiming all the islands around south china sea. China is always very arrogant and assertive against all other countries like Japan, Taiwan, Veitnam, Philiphines, etc. The country is a communist nation and their ideologies are totally
different. Beware " A known devil is always better than an unknown Angel"
In the intension of putting pressure on Indian and Other international community SL must not get lost in the Chinese trap. Maintaining friendly relation with Chinese is always welcome but the line must be clearly drawn by SL.Orelse,
the Srilankan foreign policy will be dictated by Chinese once
they lay their hands on SL resources.

C.K.Lankaputhra Tuesday, 26 November 2013 12:33 PM

A Secretary in Minister's label. Can any other secretary talk like this?

C.K.Lankaputhra Tuesday, 26 November 2013 12:35 PM

A Secretary in Minister's label. Can any other secretary talk like this.

Nims Wednesday, 27 November 2013 05:17 AM

Its time for Mr Rajapaksa to think of the country's future and punish the Tourists killer and other politically influenced murderers and reduce the number of Ministers and Deputies gang and show the world that you respect the law in the country.

Andrew Pitugala Wednesday, 27 November 2013 05:41 AM

There will not be any Srilankan policy, as Srilanka will be a province of China very soon.

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No need to change SL foreign policy: Gota

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