US eases restrictions on defence sales to Lanka

The United States has announced it had eased restrictions on defense sales to Sri Lanka to allow exports from the US of equipment for aerial and maritime surveillance, media reports said.

However a senior military officer said the requirement for Us-manufactured equipment was at zero level. “We have not been a major buyer of US weaponry,” he said.

Most of the weapons are procured from China, Russia, Israel and Pakistan. However the Air Force and the Navy had bought weapons and aircraft from the United States.

The senior officer said if restrictions were eased then it was good for the country because being an island we could buy equipment for a strong maritime and reconnaissance force because countries usually prefer to obtain the latest

The requirement for Us-manufactured equipment is at zero level. We have not been a major buyer of US weaponry We have had no official confirmation from the US about the easing of restrictions. If it is true we can buy the latest make of the Beechcraft to boost our reconnaissance capabilities

technology.

“But we have had no official confirmation from the US about the easing of restrictions. If it is true we can buy the latest make of the Beechcraft to boost our reconnaissance capabilities,” he added.

The easing of restrictions from Thursday will be carried out on a case-by-case basis and the equipment includes light aircraft, cameras, and related components.

The announcement came soon after the UNHRC on Thursday passed a Us-sponsored resolution calling on Sri Lanka to carry out a proper investigation into alleged war crimes during the last phase of the 26-year war with the LTTE. The export restrictions dates back to the start of the civil conflict in the 1980’s.