Concerns raised on possibility of a US base in Trincomalee

Colombo (News1st) - The matter relating to the aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis sailing within close proximity to Sri Lanka and receiving supplies via the Bandaranaike International Airport as part of a temporary cargo transfer initiative in Sri Lanka, has become a contentious topic. Certain groups are concerned about attempts to establish a US Military Base centring Trincomalee. A number of ideas were shared during several press conferences today. Prof. Thissa Vitharana leader of Lanka Sama Samaja Party said that Sri Lanka is going to end up as one of the tools of the US by the time "Yankee Wickee", Ranil Wickremesinghe is done. He supported his idea adding "When the former ambassador Keshap came to Sri Lanka to provide the objective of his arrival in writing. He had mentioned that obtaining Trincomalee as a US base was one of his main objectives." Prof. Thissa Vitharana also added that the Naval Cheif in charge of Asia Pacific following his arrival to Sri Lanka said that their programme is moving accordingly. He finally added that John Pilger, a war journalist in a report on the Washington post had said that despite 400 US bases around China they always had a gap in the south, but now it's been filled with the intervention of India and Sri Lanka. Vasudeva Nanayakkara said that "These matters are not known by the majority. Only the US Airforce is aware of details. This is the first time Sri Lanka contributed to a fleet of a superpower" Udaya Gammanpila, leader of Pivithuru Hela Urumaya party said that an agreement to establish a US base in Sri Lanka has been approved without the consent of the President. He noted that the Defense Coorperation Office established in the US Embassy is in the center of the process. He further elaborated the consequences of letting the American army into the country taking Panama as an example. "We have to warn the government if you do not take this situation into consideration, the country will be lead to catastrophe" he concluded. Finally, Rohitha Abeygunawardhena shared his view on the matter and said that a US flight unloaded a consignment of equipment at BIA and no one was allowed to inspect it. He concluded referring to a bit from the recent history. "In 2001 and 2004 the MoU signed between the LTTE and Ranil Wickremesinghe helped High Tech Communications Equipment to be taken to Iranamaud through the BIA. It was the same PM back then, it is the same PM at present."