Reply To:
Name - Reply Comment
Last Updated : 2024-04-25 17:00:00
The United States has no intention to build a military base or establish a permanent military presence in Sri Lanka, US Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Alaina B. Teplitz said yesterday.
The Ambassador said this during a live Facebook discussion held on Wednesday afternoon.
She said the US would not gain any land ownership or control through the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) Compact.
She also commented on the prosed agreements of Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) and the Acquisition and Cross Servicing Agreement (ACSA).
“The draft VFA, which is under negotiation and has not been concluded, and the ACSA, which was signed in 2007 and renewed in 2017, aim to facilitate military cooperation, particularly our joint exercises and disaster relief. The ACSA agreement is designed to provide a legal framework for logistical support between the US and Sri Lankan militaries and to exchange supplies and services, as well as payment for those supplies and services. The VFA addresses the status of US military and civilian employees of the US Department of Defence who may be temporarily present in Sri Lanka for exercises or official duty at the invitation of the Government of Sri Lanka,” she said.
Commenting on the MCC, Ambassador Teplitz said it was not contingent on the VFA and ACSA, and is not a military agreement.
“The MCC “Compact” is a development assistance agreement to support economic development. It is a gift from the people of the United States, not a loan,” she said.
Add comment
Comments will be edited (grammar, spelling and slang) and authorized at the discretion of Daily Mirror online. The website also has the right not to publish selected comments.
Reply To:
Name - Reply Comment
US authorities are currently reviewing the manifest of every cargo aboard MV
On March 26, a couple arriving from Thailand was arrested with 88 live animal
According to villagers from Naula-Moragolla out of 105 families 80 can afford
Is the situation in Sri Lanka so grim that locals harbour hope that they coul