No MCC office at Temple Trees

The Government rejected Opposition charges that an office of the Millennium Challenge Corporation exists within Temple Trees.

Ports & Shipping and Southern Development Minister Sagala Ratnayaka told Parliament during the Committee Stage Program of Budget 2019 that no US agencies are allowed to set up offices inside the official residence of the Prime Minister.

Minister Ratnayaka, urging the Opposition lawmaker Wimal Weerawansa to stop spreading false information, said: “The Millennium Challenge Corporation, or any other US Agency, has not set up an office at Temple Trees. There must be a limit to lies. MP Weerawansa is creating boogeymen to get the media publicity.”

However, during the debate, MP Weerawansa alleged a branch of the Millennium Challenge Corporation of the United States is allowed to be established in Temple Trees, and it will be in charge of constructing a Special Economic Zone in the 200km strip from Colombo Port to Trincomalee, and that US law would be enforced in this zone.

The Millennium Challenge Corporation is a bilateral United States foreign aid agency established by the US Congress in 2004, applying a new philosophy toward foreign aid. It is an independent agency separate from the State Department and USAID. (AH)