SL paid 85 mn to US Company for DPL work

20 February 2015 03:23 am - 24 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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The Sri Lankan Embassy in the United States paid Rs. 85 million to a company named ' Patton Boggs' within a period of three years to carry out various activities on behalf of the government of Sri Lanka though they could have been done easily by diplomatic officers, Parliament was informed yesterday.

The Foreign Affairs Ministry of the new government revealed such details to the House in response to a question by JVP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake. According to the answer tabled in the House, this company had been assigned to cultivate allies in Congress for Sri Lanka, and to prevent any bills or resolutions coming up against the country at the Congress.

It had also been hired to help get the 2010 travel advisory on Sri Lanka lifted, and get the country off the Trafficking in Persons List. It had been contracted to organize a US business delegation to Sri Lanka.

The cultivation of genuine allies within the US congress for Sri Lanka, organising official delegations of US congressmen visiting Sri Lanka, the prevention of bills and resolutions on Sri Lanka, conducting negotiations on behalf of the mission to get the US State Department to lift the travel advisory were cited as the benefits derived from hiring this company.

However, Foreign Affairs Minister Mangala Samaraweera has said in his answer that such activities could have been carried out by diplomatic officers as such responsibilities came under their purview.

In 2010, Rs.35 million had been paid to this company. Rs.46 million had been paid in 2011 and Rs.12 million in 2012. (Kelum Bandara and Yohan Perera)

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Comments - 24

Senator Friday, 20 February 2015 01:07 PM

Sri Lanka needed a crooked man to get rid of the Terrorist anyway.

galwije Saturday, 21 February 2015 10:24 AM

Bullshit. Noone can start a war only people can if they have a voice against injustice

AL Saturday, 21 February 2015 08:10 AM

If this story holds true, then it is money well spent. If our diplomatic officers across the world had so much clout, by now this country would be in a very different state. Can our Diplomats life a travel ban? They never could in the past? We cannot lift a fishing ban? So need we say more!!!!!!!!!!! Manga, find something more useful to do to help the people instead of digging up some stories that only blow up in your face

Jay Friday, 20 February 2015 11:35 PM

This shows us excellent work done by Srilankan government ... Use the right ppl for right thing, This JVP idiots have no clue what they talks about. Pls. get rid of these idiots even they dont represent 5% of Srilankans.

WV Friday, 20 February 2015 07:19 PM

Lobbying is a big business in D.C. lobbyists can change US policies... even start a war. Those who do not know that may fail as foreign ministers.http://congress.indiana.edu/the-growing-power-lobbyists

Dom Friday, 20 February 2015 05:13 PM

Most likely it would be stopped. but some of them might continue temporary.

lankan Friday, 20 February 2015 04:14 PM

Check properly Sachin Vass (Waste) petrol shed payment of Rs.17 million to (Minister A-Pavitra) Petroleum Corp is may be there. via DM Android App

anand Friday, 20 February 2015 02:48 PM

LTTE is a terrorist entity SL Government is a demicratic entity can a Government behave like a terrorist organisation.

BuffaloaCitizen Friday, 20 February 2015 02:36 PM

What nonsense. In that case, Middle East would have bought Obama long time ago for the Muslim cause instead of Israel.

BuffaloaCitizen Friday, 20 February 2015 02:34 PM

His crookedness is going to cost historical shame on the Sinhalese race.... watch out for September when the UN report is released.

Freebird Friday, 20 February 2015 02:02 PM

Are we continuing to pay this via DM Android App

KST Friday, 20 February 2015 01:13 PM

The LTTE spends way more than that to lobby the US Congress AGAINST Sri Lanka. Lobbyist money has totally corrupted the US political system in the past 2 decades. If Sri Lanka wants any US politicians on their side, they have to spend the money.

Thanga Friday, 20 February 2015 09:28 AM

To Mahinda Rajapaksa lavish spending is not a problem because it is not his money. It is the money of poor tax payers.

Banda Friday, 20 February 2015 12:01 PM

Are we blind and deaf or BLINDED and DEAFENED !!!!

Tilak Friday, 20 February 2015 10:42 AM

Former President has done unforgivable waste and damage to the people of Sri Lanka. Waste of the money and the corrupt practice did during his tenure was enormous. Do we need a man of this caliber to be the Executive Prime Minister of this country?

Lima Friday, 20 February 2015 10:38 AM

IF YOU PUT QUALIFIED PEOPLE FITTING IN TO THOSE POSITON , MAHINDA FAMILY AND THE CLAN COULD NOT HAVE EARNED THOSE MONIES , SO THEY PUT THE FOOLS AND PAID MONEY THRU BACK DOOR AND CLAIMED TEN TIMES OF THAT TO THEIR POCKET , THIS IS WHAT HAPPENED

nishan Friday, 20 February 2015 10:22 AM

meanwhile our fools belive Mahinda when he keeps shouting anti-American things! same time our tax money is being paid by him to American pr companies!

Commoner Friday, 20 February 2015 10:10 AM

What is wrong in building allies ? When politicians swing sides likes monkeys on trees for personal gains, 85 mn is peanuts to spend on behalf of a nation. This too over 3 years. One would expect billions to be spent if for corruption!

de silva Friday, 20 February 2015 10:02 AM

Ask the diplomats or the persons who authorized these payments to pay back the money and close down our Embassy.We can hire companies to carry out the diplomatic affairs.

Jinadasa Friday, 20 February 2015 09:46 AM

As our FM Mangala Samaraweera stated, under normal circumstances it could have been carried out by Foreign Service Diplomats. However, as the majority of our Diplomatic Missions are staffed by incompetent political appointees this would have been highly unlikely.

Veda-mama Friday, 20 February 2015 09:45 AM

Why the Hell did the government maintain a Diplomativ Mission in USA if they are unable to perform their duties???

LogicalCitizen Friday, 20 February 2015 09:34 AM

Understand the power of "lobby" companies in the US! Lobbying is the word used there and it is "legal".

kamal Friday, 20 February 2015 09:29 AM

Because of those diplomatic officers less qualifications in such positions we would have used this company it seems.

Thanga Friday, 20 February 2015 09:28 AM

To Mahinda Rajapaksa lavish spending is not a problem because it is not his money. It is the money of poor tax payers.

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SL paid 85 mn to US Company for DPL work

Comments - 24

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