The Chinese Embassy in Sri Lanka has listed out the assistance provided to Sri Lanka over the past few years, in response to a statement made by Batticaloa District MP Shanakiyan Rasamanickam yesterday (30).
Addressing Parliament, MP Shanakiyan said that China was the true friend of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa and not Sri Lanka.
He said if China truly wishes to stand with the people of Sri Lanka during difficult times they should corporate with the debt restructuring process, adding that he believes the entire International Monetary Fund (IMF) negotiations are at a standstill due to this.
Responding to the MP’s claims, the Chinese Embassy in Colombo refuted the allegations in a Tweet, stating, “Sorry Mr. MP, your understanding is incorrect and incomplete.”
The Embassy further said China is the biggest supporter of Sri Lanka in fighting COVID-19 and providing livelihood relief, including in the Batticaloa district.
“China is also the first responder to Sri Lanka’s financial crisis since its default in April. The Chinese President and Premier reiterated China’s willingness and readiness to help Sri Lanka on various occasions. Financial departments of both countries have been maintaining communication at a high level and working level,” it said.
The Chinese Embassy further said that financial institutes of China reached out to the Ministry of Finance and the Central Bank of Sri Lanka in April without delays, adding that working teams of different banks visited the island and bilateral negotiations are currently underway.
“As a major shareholder of IMF, China has been encouraging IMF and other international financial institutes to promptly support Sri Lanka. China actively participated in all the creditors’ meetings of Sri Lanka, and China is not the only or the largest creditor of Sri Lanka,” the Embassy further said in its Twitter message.
Stating that the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcomes Sri Lanka Foreign Minister Ali Sabry’s rebuttal of ‘Debt-Trap’, the Embassy said China reiterates that its assistance is never attached to any political strings and that China never seeks any selfish political gains in its investment and financing in Sri Lanka.
The Chinese Embassy in Colombo also urged MP Shanakiyan Rasamanickam to verify facts prior to making statements. (NewsWire)
Sorry Mr. MP, your understanding is incorrect and incomplete.
China is the biggest supporter to Sri Lanka in fighting COVID19 & livelihood relief, including in your district Batticaloa.
China is also the first responder to LK's financial crisis since its default in April:
— Chinese Embassy in Sri Lanka (@ChinaEmbSL) November 30, 2022