Contradiction in US policy on Sri Lanka

COLOMBO (News 1st): Ambassador Alice Wells, the Acting Assistant Secretary for South & Central Asian Affairs of the U.S. Department of State commented about a free and open Indo Pacific region at the hearings on U.S. Interests in South Asia and the Fiscal Year 2020 Budget of the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the U.S. House Representatives. Speaking at the event she said that both India and the US believe in free and open Indo-Pacific region. She continued to say that they are also worried about the Chinese ambitions and aggressions through which they manifest themselves in the region. Wells claimed that they are concerned by predatory lending, unsustainable loans, loans that don't adhere to labour and environmental standards, the loans that have led to the loss of sovereignty in the Indian Ocean whether its in Sri Lanka or Pakistan or about to happen in the Maldives. She also said that they are not attempting to make this whole endeavour a game but instead are aware on the need to act with like-minded democracies like Japan and Australia to provide alternatives to the countries in the region. Further, she said that countries pursuing necessary infrastructure development should not go down a road which will compromise their national security and the economic wellbeing. She further said that while also conducting bilateral and quadrilateral sessions with India, Japan and Australia that practical measures are taken to coordinate the finance development. She cleared that the practical measures would involve their assistance through their programs like USAID or MCC for promoting regional connectivity. She added that they will get an opportunity to highlight this new partnership at the Presidents meeting with PM of India and Japan at the G20. Perhaps all nations concerned about Sri Lanka might do well to remember that Sri Lanka is a civilization that has survived and thrived for millennia and wasn't born yesterday. Perhaps it is that geopolitical immaturity and intoxication of power that has led nations to believe they can pontificate to smaller democracies on how they should be handling themselves on the world stage. Ms Wells in her statement quite rightly points out that it is wrong for a nation to have to compromise its sovereignty and national security in exchange for economic infrastructure development. However, she seems to contradict herself when she then refers to USAID and MCC as assistance programmes that are aimed at promoting regional connectivity. That the MCC is shrouded in controversy considering a focus on creating an economic corridor from Trincomalee to Colombo, is public knowledge. And not to mention the massive national objections to the terms and conditions of the so-called ACSA and SOFA agreements that, when combined, border on occupation and infringe on the very sovereignty and national security Ms Wells purports her government is committed to protect. Perhaps Ms Wells is fully aware of the lack of educated, patriotic politicians in the Sri Lankan parliament and is playing up to that unfortunate situation. However, while 225 parliamentarians may be pliable to this rhetoric, 22 million Sri Lankans are not as easily convinced as they are not only educated but also vehemently opposed to Sri Lanka being considered a doormat in the pursuit of the interests of other nations. By all means, bring your funds into Sri Lanka. But we DO NOT need charity. We DO NOT need protection. Invest, in Sri Lanka. Or leave us alone!