COLOMBO (News1st): Prime minister Mahinda Rajapaksa was not keen to meet US State Secretary Mike Pompeo, minister Wimal Weerawansa has said.

Speaking to media a day after Pompeo’s visit, the minister pointed out that the president had strongly declared that the country would maintain a non-aligned policy.

“The influence exerted by the US State Secretary towards India to enter into agreements was not exerted towards us,” the government parliamentarian added.

He pointed out that the opposition that has vehemently opposed Pompeo’s visit, did not express similar sentiments when former US State Secretary John Kerry visited the country under their administration.

“Since a Mahinda (Rajapaksa) – Gotabaya (Rajapaksa) government is in place now, they opposed Pompeo’s visit,” Weerawansa, who heads the National Freedom Front party remarked.

He refuted claims that the government would ink the Millenium Challenge Corporation agreement with the US to obtain a financial grant.

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