(COLOMBO, LANKAPUVATH) –The United States has not reached any agreement to establish a permanent US military base in Sri Lanka, U.S. Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Alaina B. Teplitz said.
Ambassador Teplitz made this remark speaking to the media after calling on the Chief Prelates of Malwatta and Asgiriya in Kandy yesterday (23).
The US ambassador visited the Asgiri Maha Viharaya and called on the CHIEF PRELATE Most Ven. Warakagoda Sri Gnanarathana Maha Nayaka Thera. Subsequently, the Ambassador visited the Malwathu Maha Viharaya and received blessings from Chief Prelate Thibbatuwawe Sri Sumangala Maha Nayaka Thera.
Speaking to the media after meeting with the Chief Prelates, the US ambassador said that a solid foundation for security has been established through the cooperation between the two countries.
“We have an agreement with Sri Lanka to conduct combined security operations. We have entered into such agreements with the past government also. However, we have not decided to establish a permanent American base in Sri Lanka. There is no agreement. We have only reached an agreement to allow the U.S. forces to tour the country so we can work together. This assistance is very important to strengthen the security of the country as well as to strengthen other sectors,” Ambassador Teplitz said.
“Our bilateral relations will allow further strengthening of the security of the two countries as well as regional security,” the Ambassador stressed.
