Diplomats call on Opposition Leader ahead of Chinese Defence Minister’s visit

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa in discussion with diplomats yesterday  

• Two diplomatic delegations meet Sajith, discusses broad range of topics 
• Defense Minister General Wei Fenghe on two-day visit, expected to meet PM and President

By Asiri Fernando

Several diplomats, including a delegation from the European Union (EU), met with Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa yesterday, hours before Chinese Defence Minister Wei Fenghe’s visit to Sri Lanka.

The EU delegation led by Ambassador Denis Chaibi, French Ambassador Eric Lavertu, German Ambassador Holger Seubert, Italian Ambassador Rita Giuliana Mannella and the Ambassador of Romania, Dr. Victor Chiujdea met MP Premadasa at the Opposition Leader's office yesterday morning.

Premadasa also met with another group of diplomats last evening, which included; the High Commissioner of the United Kingdom to Sri Lanka Sarah Hulton, High Commissioner of Canada David McKinnon, US Ambassador Alaina B. Teplitz, Swiss Ambassador Dominik Furgler, Norweigan Ambassador Trine Jøranli Eskedal and Deputy High Commissioner of Australia Amanda Jewell.    

According to the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), a broad range of topics had been discussed at the meetings held yesterday.

These included the current global situation of the COVID-19 pandemic, the domestic mechanism to manage the spread of the virus, shrinking democratic space in the country, upholding the rights of the public, foreign policy and national security challenges.

“The meetings saw the discussion of a wide range of topics including the COVID-19 situation, the post-Geneva environment, shrinking democratic space and challenges faced by civil society, unity and rights of the public, Sri Lanka's engagement with the world and the national security outlook. It was a thorough discussion,” SJB Parliamentarian Dr. Harsha De Silva told the Daily FT.

“We appreciate the invitation extended from the Opposition Leader to hear their views on a number of pressing issues, including recent arrests of politicians and environmental resource management,” the US Embassy Spokesperson Nancy VanHorn told Daily FT in response to a query about the meetings.

The SJB also briefed the diplomats on how the party was facing alleged oppression by the Government.

The anticipated visit by China Defense Minister General Wei Fenghe will include meeting with Presi-dent Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa during his stay, the Government Department of Information said yesterday.

The Chinese Defence Ministers visit comes in the background of the proposed Port City Colombo Bill being challenged in the Supreme Court. 

Sri Lanka has seen several high profile visits by foreign state officials in the recent past, with the Pakistani Prime Minister visiting in February, the Indian External Affairs Minister in January, the Indian National Security advisor in November last year and the then US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, visiting the country in October last year.