JO spreading malicious stories about deal with US: Mangala

27 June 2019 11:42 pm - 8 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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The disinformation, misinformation, fabrication and absolute lies spread by the joint opposition on three highly beneficial proposed agreements to Sri Lanka to be signed with the US are derived on sheer jealousy, political hypocrisy and vengeance, Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera said today.

The Status Of Force Agreement (SOFA), Acquisition and Cross Servicing Agreement (ACSA) and the Millennium Challenge Cooperation (MCC) are not new to Sri Lanka but for the political ghosts (avatar) in the JO, the problem is that this government has renewed these agreements with added benefits which the previous regimes failed to obtain and the friendship, cooperation and good name earned by this government among the global community and in particular with the US, EU, and other developed countries, Minister Samaraweera charged.

Addressing a news briefing at his Ministry, Minister Samaraweera said the ACSA was signed in 2007 for ten years when Gotabhaya Rajapaksa was the Defense Secretary and Robert Blake was the US envoy in Sri Lanka. The MCC agreement was signed in 2004 when late Lakshman Kadirgamar was serving as the Foreign Minister and SOFA in 1997. In 2017, the ACSA was renewed after ten years.

"No one uttered a word when these agreements were first signed. The JO is afraid and envious as these agreements are a blessing to Sri Lanka economically as it will improve technology and generate employment and infrastructure," he added.

"It is completely false, malicious and mischievous to say that the US and the EU would invade Sri Lanka and establish bases of the US Army under conditions of these agreements. This fake news is spread with the aim of denying Sri Lanka's victories gained in international forums and to hoodwink the public," Minister Samaraweera said.

Referring to the comments that had been made by JO members that the ACSA and SOFA are bulky documents containing new conditions, Minister Samaraweera said those are addendums that explain the services obtained mutually by both countries and areas of cooperation between the two countries.

"Nothing mentioned about setting up of US camps or acquiring of lands or other state assets of Sri Lanka as suggested by the JO," he said. (Sandun A Jayasekera)

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Comments - 8

Neville Jayakody Friday, 28 June 2019 03:41 AM

Could you post the conditions and addendum on internet so that public can scrutinise or you do not trust the Sri Lankan public to expose American conditions! If you are genuine do so that next government too will have to do the same in future. Have trust on public because they appointed you not the American government!

Sameen Jan Friday, 28 June 2019 07:05 AM

This is v ripe for a former simple dress designer because in his other 'avatar' in 2008 when he was against the defeat of the LTTE, he described Sarath Fonseka "falsely, maliciously and mischievously" as a Salvation Army Commander.Was he then not guilty of "political hypocrisy and vengeance" to begin with?

SKM Friday, 28 June 2019 07:50 AM

Just because GR did it, you should not continue it. Rajapakses were sent out and you are for Yahapalanaya.

Rex Friday, 28 June 2019 07:55 AM

Mangala is a Liar. Do not believe him.

jaliya Friday, 28 June 2019 08:39 AM

ACSA and SOFA can only benefit both countries, we all can only predicate the content, but cannot confirm anything we hear from anyone. Publish those contracts or release to media. The ACSA contract that was signed in 2007 which expired in 2017 there was nothing wrong with it.

Haramanis Friday, 28 June 2019 08:51 AM

Lets judge for ourselves - let the agreements of the past and of the present be both made public

Manu Friday, 28 June 2019 09:38 AM

Yahalapalanaya is a curse than a blessing to Sri Lanka Mr. Minister.

Ronnie Bugger Friday, 28 June 2019 11:12 AM

What does JO stand for - well, its JOKERS ORGANIZATION. So what does one expect from these jokers??

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JO spreading malicious stories about deal with US: Mangala

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