No U.S. forces present,’Military on in Embassy in Sri Lanka’
Posted on March 3rd, 2012
The United States Embassy in Colombo has denied a report attributed to the Pentagon, which said the U.S. had special forces stationed in Sri Lanka.
In a release issued in Colombo, the U.S. Embassy said: ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-References in the press to U.S. Special Forces being stationed in Sri Lanka are misleading. Members of the U.S. military are assigned to work in the U.S. Embassy in Colombo as part of the bilateral engagement between the United States and Sri Lanka.
The Embassy Defense AttachƒÆ’†’ƒ”š‚© is the lead representative for the U.S. Department of Defense and those assigned to that office support programmes and training that enhance cooperation.
Through U.S. Pacific Command, the Embassy has contributed $9 million since 2009 toward projects such as renovating and rebuilding hospitals and schools in communities across Sri Lanka.
The U.S. military has recently participated in joint programmes with Sri Lanka such as the Pacific Airlift Rally and Joint/Combined Exchange Training for medical and humanitarian assistance.ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚
In a separate statement, Sri Lanka too denied the presence of U.S. troops on its soil.
March 3rd, 2012 at 6:43 pm
What is the truth? Cant belief any of them! Politicians are inherently liers anywhere. keep being aware! why should that Pentagon official lie!? All kind of durty tricks from the book are played out. Its dangerous to play war games with this people!
March 4th, 2012 at 2:39 am
I am not sure who posted the above news item, but following is how ADADERANA posted on their online site.
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References in the media to U.S. Special Forces being stationed in Sri Lanka are misleading, the US Embassy in Colombo said today.
Members of the U.S. military are assigned to work in the U.S. Embassy in Colombo as part of the bilateral engagement between the United States and Sri Lanka, it said in a release.
“The Embassy Defense Attaché is the lead representative for the U.S. Department of Defense and those assigned to that office support programs and training that enhance cooperation,” the Embassy clarified.
It was reported yesterday that US Special Forces teams are currently stationed in five South Asian countries including Sri Lanka as part of the counter-terrorism co-operation with these nations.
These teams have been deployed by US Pacific Command as part of its effort to enhance their counter-terrorism capabilities, in particular in the maritime domain, Admiral Robert Willard, the PACOM Commander was quoted as saying.
“We have currently special forces assist teams – Pacific assist teams is the term – laid down in Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Maldives, as well as India,” Willard told lawmakers at a Congressional hearing.
Through U.S. Pacific Command, the US Embassy has contributed $9 million since 2009 toward projects such as renovating and rebuilding hospitals and schools in communities across Sri Lanka, the Embassy press release stated.
The U.S. military has recently participated in joint programs with Sri Lanka such as the Pacific Airlift Rally and Joint/Combined Exchange Training for medical and humanitarian assistance.
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How come the references to Robert Willard’s statement is missing from the Lankaweb news item?
March 4th, 2012 at 4:59 am
The truth is US military IS present in SL.
March 4th, 2012 at 5:04 am
The best thing to do is for Muslims to peacefully protest against genocidal US troops stationed in SL to kill Al Qaeda REBELS and MUSLIM CIVILIANS in Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Then GOSL can tell them to leave to quell the situation.
Create a reason to send them off.
March 4th, 2012 at 12:30 pm
Dear lorenzo, world sinhalese should arriange a meeting and put a foundation to make a legal move mean this threat of american against SL should be deal law and has to meet them with lawyers right in new york. More Sinhalese go backward more they come faward. this phrase I stated before. American need to be chalenge with law on their on Country. I need is SL orgs in US and other part of the world to be firmly be behind us. We will raise the fund and provid lawyers. what SL org do is just represent SL.
March 4th, 2012 at 2:06 pm
Dear lorenzo, world sinhalese should arriange a meeting and put a foundation to make a legal move mean this threat of american against SL should be deal with law and has to meet them with lawyers right in new york. More Sinhalese go backward more they come faward. this phrase I stated before. American need to be chalenge with law on their on Country.we need is SL orgs in US and other part of the world to be firmly behind us. We will raise the fund and provid lawyers. what SL org do is just represent SL.