Two defence cooperation agreements between the United States and Sri Lanka, the acquisition and cross-service agreement already signed (ACSA) and the under-negotiated Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA), are causing concern, criticism and controversy on the Indian Ocean island. “The discussion policy agreement appears to be aimed at streamlining procedures for authorizing the U.S. military`s visit,” said Nilanthi Samaranayake, director of strategy and political analysis at CNA, a non-profit research organization in the Washington area. Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, who heads the right-wing National Party (UNP), which has a majority in Parliament, is responsible for renegotiating SOFA. On July 10, Wickremesinghe told parliament that the proposed SOFA “is not a military pact, but only an agreement that defines the rights and privileges enjoyed by the U.S. military if they were in the country,” according to Reuters. “SOFA is a peace document,” he said. Mr Wickremesinghe assured Parliament that he would not support any agreement threatening Sri Lanka`s sovereignty. Minister Mangala Samaraweera, cited as the party that advanced sofa`s signature without consulting the Ministry of Defence, continues to assure a press conference last week that the agreement poses no danger and warns instead that the delay in signing could be jeopardized, that Sri Lanka could lose economic benefits and significant employment opportunities.

The agreement also provides exceptions to all inspections, licences, duties, taxes and other taxes assessed in Sri Lanka, as well as freedom of inspection and inspection, meaning that no local law enforcement or army authority, including the Sri Lankan navy or coastguard, would have a say in U.S. military vessels or their troops or would not submit to local laws on Sri Lankan territory. (b) the binding obligations of this party under a multilateral international agreement under the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade, which will enter into force after the signing of this agreement. The footprint of the United States in all regions of the Third World in the last century has been disastrous for these countries. Readers should appeal to U.S. foreign policy and their commitments in South America, Asia and the Middle East, where millions of innocent people have died as a direct result of U.S. action. No self-respecting poor nation would hear of such an agreement, and local officials who would allow such “arrangements” should be brought to justice for high treason. Considering that acceptance of the treatment to be granted will promote capital flows and economic development of the parties; (c) Sri Lankans remain skeptical, however, that the terms of an investment agreement or authorization under Article VI, paragraph 1, point (a) or (b) will be respected and enforced.