US responds to Wimal's allegations on US nationals : Wimal demands more information on US nationals

Colombo (News 1st): The US Embassy in Colombo issued a statement over an incident where the baggage of a group of American's who visited a leading hotel in Colombo on July 30th was not allowed to be screened. National Freedom Front leader MP Wimal Weerawansa speaking to reporters today (September 06) said by making such a statement, the American mission had accepted such an incident took place. MP Weeawansa noted that after the incident was exposed, the US Embassy in Colombo issued a statement admitting the incident and stating that there was a misunderstanding. He added that the US Embassy must reveal the contents of those bags and why they did not allow the bags to be screened. The parliamentarian noted that if they are admitting an incident, they should make aware as to what happened to those bags. He said this is not a country where Americans or people from any other country can act as they please. He went onto note that there may be countries which operate to the tune of the Americans, but Sri Lanka will not be a country like that, therefore, he stressed that the embassy must reveal why the group was here with those bags and not evade the issue. He urged that the US Embassy reveal the details. MP Wimal Weerawansa pointed out that in an even more surprising fact the Government is yet to make a statement on this matter. He added that there is no need to sign the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) because they are already enjoying the benefits, they come into the country in their own planes and are not screened. He said if the personnel at Hilton had agreed to allow the bags to pass security without any screening, this matter would never have been revealed. He noted that according to information available, the group was in Sri Lanka for almost two weeks. He questioned; "Why were they here? What did they bring? What were the contents of those bags and who were they given to? Does this not affect national security?" The MP noted that the current government is one which failed to secure the security of the state.