Colombo, May 22 (UNI) US ambassador to Sri Lanka says her country has no pact with Sri lanka for a permanent base in the country.
US Ambassador Alaina Teplitz in her first interview with the print media after the Easter Sunday attack exclusively told the Daily Mirror that there has been talk in the press around concern of a permanent US base in Sri Lanka. But, "this agreement would provide for nothing of that sort. It is about visiting forces here temporarily at the request and invitation of the Sri Lankan government for the conduct of exercises,” she added.
The US envoy said the ‘Visiting Forces Agreement’ that the US has been negotiating with the Sri Lankan government updates an existing agreement that dates way back to 1995.