A request by the US embassy in Colombo to discuss electricity tariffs has been rejected by the Sri Lankan government.
Ms. Allison V. Areias-Vogel, the Economic and Commercial Affairs Chief of the embassy, is reported to have written to the chairman of the Ceylon Electricity Board W B Ganegala to discuss issues regarding the refusal of the Petroleum Corporation to continue to issue fuel to the CEB on a deferred payment basis.
Ganegala is reported to have felt that this was interference in the internal matters of the government and sought instructions from his seniors.
The government had rejected the request and said that the proposed increase in electricity tariffs and issues confronting the Petroleum Corporation and the CEB were purely domestic matters and that the US embassy had no mandate to interfere in them, reported the DailyMirror.
Meanwhile, US Secretary of State John Kerry congratulated those who celebrate Sinhala and Tamil New Year and said America will “partner with Sri Lanka” as it deals with its issues, in a statement released on Thursday.
“On behalf of President Obama and the American people, I am eager to support the Sri Lankan people in this journey as you work to make progress on reconciliation and accountability four years after the end of the conflict which divided your country.
“The United States stands ready to partner with Sri Lanka and all Sri Lankans as you deal with these important issues.”
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