In an unexpected move, Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) leader Sajith Premadasa, during a meeting with a delegation from the Communist Party of China (CPC), has expressed willingness to mediate between two Asian giants, understood to be India and China, sources tell the Daily Mirror.
A source familiar with the meeting revealed that Premadasa made this offer during discussions between his party and the visiting CPC delegation.
However, it is reported that the CPC advised Sri Lanka against granting special status to any country in its foreign relations.
The CPC delegation, led by Deputy Minister of the International Affairs Department Sun Haiyan, met with Premadasa and several other MPs as part of engagements with Sri Lankan political parties.
During the meeting, Premadasa, apparently referring to the Indo-China conflict, stated his readiness as a political leader to facilitate mediation between the two Asian giants.
Ms. Sun reportedly responded that Sri Lanka should maintain an impartial stance in its dealings with all countries and refrain from granting special privileges to any.
Historically, former Prime Minister Sirimawo Bandaranaike is noted to have played a similar role during the 1962 Indo-China war. She initiated a conference of non-aligned countries in December 1962 in Colombo, aiming to mediate between India and China.
India and China hold competing strategic interests in Sri Lanka and vie for regional influence, placing the island nation in a delicate diplomatic position.
The CPC delegation recently visited Sri Lanka and engaged in discussions with key political parties, including the National People’s Power (NPP) and Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP).
Source – dailymirror.lk
