The Power and Energy Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka has slammed US sanctions against Iran, saying they ‘infringe’ on the rights of Sri Lankans.
Ranawaka is reported to have made the comments during separate discussions with the Russian and Iranian ambassadors.
He told the Iranian ambassador to Sri Lanka that electrification of 1000 villages has been halted due to the sanctions.
The minister also defended Iran’s right to nuclear power and said that Iran’s unity in the face of US sanctions is a good example to Sri Lanka. It is unclear from reports whether he was suggesting that his country may also face sanctions.
"U.S. sanctions against Iran are infringing on the basic rights of our people,
"Iran has a right to proceed with its nuclear program with peaceful intentions to meet its domestic needs. This is something that 45 other countries are also doing and is a right of Iran,
"Although America has posed embargo on Iran, the people of Iran are still not divided. That is a good example for Sri Lankans," the minister said.
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