US delegation in Sri Lanka for top level defence talks

15 February 2023 12:30 pm 26 Bookmark

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A 20-member US delegation team comprising high-level defence officials arrived in the country in two special aircraft of the United States Air Force last night at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA), the Daily Mirror learns.

The delegation includes US Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defence for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs Jedidiah Royal.

It was reported that the security in and out of the Bandaranaike International Airport and its surrounding areas had been tightened during the last few days due to the arrival of the US delegation team.

The delegation arrived at the BIA aboard Boeing C-17 Globemaster III special aircraft.

An official of the Airport said that this visit was a top level defence discussion.

The delegation was escorted to Colombo from the BIA amid tight security and the lane towards Colombo at the Colombo - Katunayake Expressway had been closed for traffic during their arrival.

It was reported the delegation is scheduled to meet top Sri Lanka security officials during the visit. (Kelum Bandara and Darshana Sanjeewa Balsuriya)

A 20-member US delegation team comprising high-level defence officials arrived in the country in two special aircraft of the United States Air Force last night at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA), the Daily Mirror learns. The delegation includes US Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defence for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs Jedidiah Royal. It was reported that the security in and out of the Bandaranaike International Airport and its surrounding areas had been tightened during the last few days due to the arrival of the US delegation team.<center><a href="https://www.hi.lk/himag" target="_blank"><img src="https://bmkltsly13vb.compat.objectstorage.ap-singapore-1.oraclecloud.com/cdn.sg.dailymirror.lk/assets/uploads/advr_7fec3b236e.jpg" /></a></center> The delegation arrived at the BIA aboard Boeing C-17 Globemaster III special aircraft. An official of the Airport said that this visit was a top level defence discussion. The delegation was escorted to Colombo from the BIA amid tight security and the lane towards Colombo at the Colombo - Katunayake Expressway had been closed for traffic during their arrival. It was reported the delegation is scheduled to meet top Sri Lanka security officials during the visit. (Kelum Bandara and Darshana Sanjeewa Balsuriya)

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Comments - 26

Malin Wednesday, 15 February 2023 01:57 PM

So we will know what has been discussed only after everything is signed and sold to US?

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BuffaloaCitizen Wednesday, 15 February 2023 02:08 PM

As if they told you when they gave H'tota Port to China for 99y. Even Asgiriya, Gamanpilla and Weerawansa had pittu in their mouths at that time.

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Dee Wednesday, 15 February 2023 02:11 PM

What do you expect? All discussions to be aired live on all channels?

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Lasantha Wednesday, 15 February 2023 02:21 PM

Yes. As in any corporate certain discussions and decisions are tightly held. When ever are sensitive and confidential discussions held in public? Ask Putin or Biden they will both confirm likewise. Let's stop whinging and seeing every act as wrong and criticize and oppose them like what the NPP and SJB would normally do.

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KJ Wednesday, 15 February 2023 02:33 PM

better.. at least we re-gain our real independence..

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Dr Sriwardana Wednesday, 15 February 2023 02:35 PM

If the Americans are prepared to offer a cast iron guarantee to defend us should India ever try to invade Sri Lanka then we must be prepared accommodate some of the things they want from us.

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Karalasingam Sivalingam Wednesday, 15 February 2023 02:28 PM

Sign an agreement inorder to facilitate America to pay all our debts and bring our foreign exchange crisis to an end, despite dogs barking the caravan should move on.

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Sandy Wednesday, 15 February 2023 02:37 PM

How did a person connected to easter sunday attack get asylum in new zealand . Which western powers worked behind the scenes.

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Lank Wednesday, 15 February 2023 02:39 PM

Ranil is planning to give away some more land to USA now this time to get some money and this is nothing USA army is planning to land in Sri Lanka with this ...A good move ? A Bad move ? Time will tell us ? We don't want to see another Ukraine in this part of the world in the name of defence and security...we don't want to be sandwiched between these geopolitical giants such as India ; China and USA .our experts and diplomats must advice these inept ruelers about the danger of sandwiching in the geopolitical conflicts between all these world power ..please follow the non alliance policy in this ..we don't want to anger neither China nor India and no USA ..but we must secure our community and country with all peaceful means ...I hope our politicians have good knowledge and skills on this matter

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DOT Wednesday, 15 February 2023 02:47 PM

Badly need a top level Poverty Elevators!

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Cholmondeley Pinto Wednesday, 15 February 2023 02:55 PM

There we go again. Defence pact with one super power. When the Chinese vessel docks in hambanthota India protest but not for secret pacts with USA. Hope the Chinese and Russian won't react.

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Patriot Wednesday, 15 February 2023 03:00 PM

It would be advisable to handover Sri Lanka to India or Japan to clean up the whole mess, develop economically, financially and socially and handover back Sri Lanka to new generation politicians after 30 years. If not, then there is no hope with present day politicians even up to 100th Independence Anniversary.

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GKA Wednesday, 15 February 2023 03:00 PM

TRINCOMALEE......

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Chris Wednesday, 15 February 2023 03:47 PM

So what? USA is a more reliable partner than China on any day. We fail to realise that even now most of our apparel exports is to USA. As long as USA is in SL India will not mind as then they have a guarantee that SL will not become a Chinese satellite state. US must be accommodated in order we gain economically and security wise. To hell with sceptics

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We are done Wednesday, 15 February 2023 03:54 PM

MCC, SOFA and many more back on agenda full steam ahead! Only gainer is RW one more opportunity rubbing shoulders with top yanks similar to what the fox did!

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Jeff Wednesday, 15 February 2023 05:08 PM

The US will not stop until it has got a base in Sri lanka.

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Buddhist Wednesday, 15 February 2023 05:19 PM

Even if Ranil gives away land to build a base, the land is still in SL and there will be US$$ pouring into the economy.

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Karalasingam Sivalingam Wednesday, 15 February 2023 06:24 PM

If we protest when a foreign delegation arrives, how can we overcome the debt crisis? Will IMF help us? We Sri Lankans have not sorted out our problems persisting among communities after 75 years of independence. It is definite that our internal issues will never be sorted out due to pressures from non-political groups. How could we strengthen our currency. Power thirsty politicians without patriotism is the main cause. Copy Singaporean anticorruption laws to prune corruption in this country, we cannot impose Arabic laws here.

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John Wednesday, 15 February 2023 07:06 PM

We are a poor nation (repeat: POOR). We can harp how civilised we are. WE HAVE NO SAY WHO DOMINATES OUR BEAUTIFUL COUNTRY - Dutch, Portugese, British, Chinese, Indians, Americans, etc. etc. Our politicians have failed us and treating us like ATM.

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Gayan Wednesday, 15 February 2023 07:32 PM

Soft invasion.

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Parakrama Siriwardena Wednesday, 15 February 2023 08:12 PM

Last time we lost a valuable agreement on MCC because of negative propaganda spread for cheap political gains and now we are paying the price for it. Let’s not speculate things. Let’s try to gain something and make it a win win situation. Remember most of the good investments come from the western part of the world. What we need is jobs FDI and forex and technology. If not for 1983 riots we would have had fine FDIs like Motorola here.

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Having US base vital to repeal 13A without later Indian invasion Wednesday, 15 February 2023 08:36 PM

13A is still in the Constitution because of fear of India. If 13A is to be removed, then we must have a counter to India. If there is US base we can finally be fearless of India and make decisions that favour ourselves ahead of Indian interests.

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GHT Thursday, 16 February 2023 01:31 PM

Beginning of the end for United Sri Lanka, the LTTE TERRORISM is going to be a LEAD issue with regrouping to bring back the 80s ERA, for which the United States taking every step to DESTABILIZE the nation and the hard earned PEACE will be in TROUBLE.

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Anura Nanayakkara Thursday, 16 February 2023 01:57 PM

Personally I think it is good if all three big countries USA ,CHINA AND INDIA COME TOGETHER TO PROVIDE SECURITY FOR SRI LANKA. THEN THERE WILL BE A BALANCE ,WITHOUT GOING IN ONE DIRECTION.

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Sammy Thursday, 16 February 2023 02:31 PM

@ Dr. Siriwardana what is this paranoia about an Indian invasion. If they really wanted to they would have done it by now. Furthermore, India-US ties are at an all time high. It is about a possible Chinese invasion of SL that US and India are worried about.

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Seqi Thursday, 16 February 2023 03:57 PM

US trying to put pressure on India for continuing to buy Russian oil and for giving Blinken the middle finger. India is too smart for Sleepy Joe. Sri Lanka should take a lesson from Indias play book.

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