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.
We need your support
Sri Lanka is one of the most dangerous places in the world to be a journalist. Tamil journalists are particularly at threat, with at least 41 media workers known to have been killed by the Sri Lankan state or its paramilitaries during and after the armed conflict.
Despite the risks, our team on the ground remain committed to providing detailed and accurate reporting of developments in the Tamil homeland, across the island and around the world, as well as providing expert analysis and insight from the Tamil point of view
We need your support in keeping our journalism going. Support our work today.
For more ways to donate visit https://donate.tamilguardian.com.