Sri Lanka’s foreign policy will remain neutral: Foreign Minister

Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena reiterated today as a Sovereign, free, independent nation,  Sri Lanka’s foreign policy will remain neutral. 

“Non-Aligned and Friendly. Conscious of the opportunities and responsibilities that come with our strategic location, we see the importance of maintaining freedom of navigation in our seas and air space also protecting sea lines of communication and the undersea cables. We believe all countries should adhere to and respect international law, including the UN Convention on Law of the Sea [UNCLOS]. We share views on the potential multifaceted Maritime cooperation which Sri Lanka is keen to progress,” Minister Gunawardena said during a joint press briefing with visiting US Secretary of State Micheal Pompeo today. 

Indicating tomorrow, the 29th of October 2020 marks the significant milestone of the 72nd anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Sri Lanka, then Ceylon, and the United States of America, he said over the years, this engagement has significantly matured into a multifaceted relationship, covering political, economic, educational, cultural and defence spheres including maritime matters.

The United States is one of Sri Lanka’s major development partners with over US$ 2 billion worth of development assistance in wide-ranging areas including: Agriculture, Environment, Natural Resources, Health, Education, Business Development, Trade, and Humanitarian Assistance. 

Foreign Minister Gunawartdena stressed that the US remained Sri Lanka’s largest single market with exports of US$ 3.1 billion in 2019 and even in the present context of COVID-19 related market downturn remains in a similar position with US$ 1.1 billion for the 1st half of this year. 

The US has been a friend and assisting Sri Lanka in times of difficulty and we remain deeply grateful for your support. US assistance to Sri Lanka after the Asian Tsunami in 2004 was significant. “I recall the visits of former President George Bush (Senior) and former President Bill Clinton; the assistance in the aftermath of Easter-Sunday terrorists attacks in April 2019; and, most recently for COVID-19 mitigation. Especially, I also extend my sincere thanks and appreciation once again for proscribing the LTTE terrorist organization even before the 9/11 attacks and up to now,”