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US wants military bases in SL: Vitharana
Recent statements made by an incoming ambassador of the US to the region and a high ranking military official of the US indicated that the US intended establishing military bases in Sri Lanka, leader of the Lanka Sama Samaja Party (LSSP) Prof. Tissa Vitharana said.
“The senior military official in charge of South East Asia and the ambassador have publicly said that they intend on including Sri Lanka in its security ring in this part of the region. This is nothing but a clear indication that they want to establish a military base,” he said.
Speaking at a press conference attended by Udaya Gammanpila and General Secretary of the Communist Party D.E.W. Gunasekara, Prof. Vitharana said that the United National Party was in agreement for a US military base.
“The UNP seems to have come into an agreement with the US regarding this because the statements have made recently anticipating a UNP win and following the last election. There were secret agreements in 2002 when they came into power and there is a good chance that such agreements have been drawn now,” he said.
He said that the Left and the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) fought for the removal of the British Army following Independence and the UNP was taking the country back to imperialist forces.
Prof. Vitharana said that the call for federalism by the Tamil National Alliance had also fuelled racist elements in the South.
“We are displeased and condemn the call for a Federal State by the TNA at this crucial juncture. It has done nothing but fuel racist elements in the south at a time when we all want reconciliation” he said.
He said the election manifesto of the UPFA stated that the LLRC recommendations would be implemented within a year and such was indicative of the UPFA’s commitment to reconciliation. (Sanath Desmond)
Video by Sanath Desmond
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