Sri Lankan government called on to reveal its foreign policy to the public

An anti-imperialist movement backed by Sri Lanka's Marxist party Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) today said the government's foreign policy was not clear to the country and called on the state to reveal its foreign policy. JVP politburo member and head of the National Trade Union Center (NTUC), K.D. Lalkantha told a press conference in Colombo that
there were doubts over the government's foreign policy. He said
the government's foreign policy seems to have changed from a non-aligned policy to a duplicitous policy. He explained that it was important for the country to know the government's foreign policy since it is the Ministry of External Affairs that is now playing a decisive role in the country's battles with the international community. "During the period of the war it was the Defence Ministry that was being focused, but now the war has shifted to the international arena and it is the Ministry of External Affairs that is playing a decisive role," he said. "The government after the Geneva resolution is now making changes in the overseas missions and is opening new ones, while scaling down operations in missions that are already in place. Why are all these being done? Is there a shift in the foreign policy? If so what are they?" he queried. According to Lalkantha, the government needs to reveal to the country the discussions between Sri Lanka and the international community and the outcome of such discussions. He added that details about the bilateral agreements signed with nations should also be revealed to the country. Referring to External Affairs Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris' visit to the US, Lalkantha noted that the government has kept details about the visit a secret. "The people have the right to know, what is in the agenda for talks between Sri Lanka and the US and what will Sri Lanka present?" he asked.