US Ambassador in Colombo Julie Chung said the United States will not impose sanctions against third countries that import oil.
“We have sanctioned Russian oil into the United States, but that’s also because we have the production capacity and energy capacity already in the US. So, there’s no third country sanctions by the United States,” Chung said.
She said that they understand that there is a need for fuel and the Sri Lankan Government will go to any sources to try to get fuel, at this time. However she said that there are sanctions in the world on Russian banks and logistics, transportation and finance.
“That’s something that the Sri Lanka Government should be aware of and take into consideration,” she said.
“In terms of Sri Lanka’s relationship with Russia, they will have to determine what path they want. If they consider Russia a reliable partner, a good democratic partner that will actually bring benefits to the Sri Lankan people, that’s what the Sri Lankan Government has to assess,” Ambassador Chung said. She made these remarks during an interactive session with a group of journalists at her official residence in Colombo 7 on Thursday.
Chung said that it is inaccurate that some countries are awaiting the change of Government to offer aid or assistance to Sri Lanka.
“There has been some misinformation for some reason that the international community is holding back support or assistance to Sri Lanka at this time of need.
She insisted that the US support and friendship with Sri Lanka is not based on who is sitting in the chair of the President or Prime Minister. “We want to see, promote and encourage good governance and positive reforms that reflect the voices of the people,” she said.
The US Envoy said that it is not the Government Ministers or elites who are standing in the fuel queues but the poorest of the poor and the most vulnerable”, she said.
She said that the IMF debt restructuring programme and many of its recommendations to get assistance are in the best interest of Sri Lanka’s economy.
She said that the people will benefit by implementing these recommendations.“For instance, bringing more transparency into the debt structuring process. That’s something Sri Lanka shouldn’t do just because the IMF recommends it. but it’s actually good for the country”.
However, Chung said that there will be tough measures that the Sri Lankan government is going to have to take. “I think the IMF and we as bilateral partners all want to make sure that as these steps are taken, that the social safety net, the safety net for the most vulnerable and the poor are also addressed. This is why our humanitarian concerns, humanitarian.
The US Envoy said that no one cannot neglect the long term human rights and accountability issues in the North even amidst the economic crisis.
There are so many challenges that have not been resolved with the ethnic and religious and minority groups. That has to be also addressed.
She said that investors seek predictability, stability and transparency before bringing investment to country.“If you want to attract more investment, more private sector investment, investors want predictability, stability, transparency. They want to know that their contracts will be honoured,” she said.
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