US suspends discussions on SOFA till after elections - Sunday Times

COLOMBO (News 1st):- The Sunday Times reported today (August 18) that the United States has told Sri Lanka, it will suspend discussions on the controversial Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) with Sri Lanka until the presidential election is over. US Ambassador Alaina B.Teplitz outlined her country’s position during a meeting with President Maithripala Sirisena. Ambassador Teplitz also told President Sirisena that the time frame for the MCC Sri Lanka Compact for the US$ 480 million had now ended. The UNF Government together with the MCC identified transport and land issues. The government arrived at a final package of country-led, country-owned activities for potential MCC funding in these two fields. Teplitz told President Sirisena, “We respect Sri Lanka’s right to discuss the matter on a later occasion.” Following the controversy generated by the SOFA, the President weeks earlier said that such an agreement should not be signed without his approval. He also made clear that he was the Minister of Defence and SOFA was a subject that came under his purview. In the immediate aftermath of the April 21st attack, conversations regarding SOFA intensified. Due to the huge public outcry over such an agreement, very little progress was made. Today, we see a step back taken by the US when it comes to the SOFA agreement. The public will remain alert to this situation and its developments.