In response to the claim of TNA MP Shanakiyan Rasamanickam that if China truly wishes to stand with the people of Sri Lanka during difficult times they should corporate with the debt restructuring process and the entire IMF Negotiations are at a standstill due to this, the Chinese Embassy in Sri Lanka stressed the MP’s knowledge on the matter is incorrect and incomplete.
In a long thread of tweets, the embassy said China is the biggest supporter of Sri Lanka in fighting COVID-19 & livelihood relief, including in Rasamanickam’s district Batticaloa.
“China is also the first responder to LK’s financial crisis since its default in April. Chinese President & Premier reiterated China’s willingness and readiness to help Sri Lanka in various occasions. Financial departments of both countries have been maintaining communication at a high level and working level.”
Financial institutes of China reached out to the Ministry of Finance and the Central Bank of Sri Lanka in April without delays. Working teams of different banks visited the island. Bilateral negotiations are on, the embassy said.
Furthermore, as a major shareholder of the IMF, China has been encouraging IMF and other international financial institutes to promptly support Sri Lanka. China actively participated in all the creditors’ meetings of Sri Lanka, and China is not the only or the largest creditor of the island, the embassy added.
“Our assistance never attached with any political strings and we never seek any selfish political gains in our investment & financing in Sri Lanka. @ShanakiyanR please verify in advance,” the tweets concluded.
