APD | US officials visit controversial China funded port in Sri Lanka

By APD writer Easwaran

COLOMBO, Mar.7 (APD) -- A delegation headed by the US Ambassador to Sri Lanka and the Maldives, Alaina B. Teplitz, visited a Chinese funded port in southern Sri Lanka and had talks with the officials, the port said on Thursday.

The US and India have raised concerns over the port alleging it will be used for military purposes, an allegation China has consistently denied.

The US Ambassador visited the Hambantota International Port as a part of the US Government’s mission to meet senior Government and private sector officials, to discuss investment opportunities in Sri Lanka as well as to tour key economic development projects.

The Ambassador was accompanied by U.S. Embassy Public Affairs Officer, David McGuire and Senior Defense Officer/Defense Attaché, Lt. Colonel Douglas Hess.

COO of Hambantota International Port Group (HIPG), Tissa Wickremasinghe, met with the three member delegation, along with Rear Admiral (Retd) Jayantha de Silva, Head of Security, Hambantota International Port Services (HIPS).

The US delegation was briefed on the port’s facilities, while the COO explained the development status and future planning of the Port to Ambassador Teplitz.

Last year US Vice-President Mike Pence said Hambantota “may soon become a forward military base for China’s growing blue-water navy.” 

However Sri Lanka denied claims the port will be used for military purposes.

(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)