U.S. response to Defense Secretary’s comments

(February 11, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) There is no truth to the Sri Lankan Defense Secretary’s claims that the U.S. provided financial support to the opposition candidate in Sri Lanka’s presidential election. the US said in a press statement short while ago.

According to the statement, "as noted in previous U.S. Embassy statements, the United States backed no candidate but strongly supported a free, fair, and credible democratic process. In that spirit, we now urge the Sri Lankan Government to protect the rights of those who supported the opposition or other candidates in the election and to ensure the safety and security of representatives of the press."

" The free expression of opinion and peaceful participation in the political process are fundamental democratic rights, which all citizens of Sri Lanka should enjoy."