GL accuses govt. of jeopardising relations with China, Russia

Former External Affairs Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris yesterday alleged the Sirisena-Wickremesinghe government had caused irreparable damage to Sri Lanka’s relations with China and Russia.

Prof. Peiris, who is also the Chairman of Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) said that now Russia had been accused of helping MP Namal Rajapaksa run a special propaganda operation targeting the government. Prof. Peiris said so at a media briefing at the Nelum Mawatha Office of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa in Battaramulla.

Prof. Peiris said that allegations had been directed at Russia close on the heels of controversy over accusations made in respect of China funding President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s re-election bid in January 2015.

Finance and Media Minister Mangala Samaraweera, who previously held the foreign ministry portfolio recently alleged that the government was aware of clandestine Russian operation involving Namal Rajapaksa.

Responding to a query, Prof. Peiris asserted that the government seemed bent on destabilizing relations with UN Security Council members Russia and China, who had always stood by Sri Lanka especially at the world body, when others were trying to target the country with various resolutions. Denying China and Russia interfered in domestic politics, Prof. Peiris said that the government was responsible for the current turmoil.

The former law Professor said that the recent presidential intervention to reduce fuel prices soon after the Finance Ministry announced an increase reflected the crisis in the government. He said that the government owed an explanation as to whether the Finance Ministry briefed the Cabinet regarding the sudden price revision.