SL yet to request for exemption from US sanctions on Iran: Top US official

Sri Lanka is unlikely to win exemption from US sanctions on Iran by reducing its imports of crude oil from Iran by at least 10% per year, as the country imports 93% of its crude oil requirements from that country.

The value of Iranian crude oil imports by Sri Lanka is very high, and the country can earn a waiver from the sanctions only if it significantly reduces trade with Iran, Counsellor Economic and Commercial Affairs- US Embassy in Sri Lanka, Edward P. Heartney told reporters in Colombo on Thursday.

But he specifically noted that Sri Lanka has not made any request for exemption or waiver from US sanctions on Iran. He pointed out that Sri Lankan authorities were also yet to inform of their decision to reduce crude oil imports by 10%, if there is any such decision.

The proposal for a 10% cut-back on oil imports from Iran was mentioned by one of the journalists.

Answering a question raised by

Petroleum Minister Susil Premajayantha yesterday reiterated that Sri Lanka had appealed to the US for exemptions from its sanctions on Iran, on the grounds that it would have an adverse impact on the country’s economy.

The request was made during talks between visiting US Deputy Assistant Sec- the Sunday Times, Mr. Heartney said that to his knowledge, no country has been granted exemptions by the US so far. He added that the US retary of Treasury, Luke Bronin and Petroleum Ministry Secretary R.H.S. Samaratunga, early last month, he told the Sunday Times.

Mr Premajayantha said that there was not much hope of the appeal made, and the Government was devising its own plans on fuel purchases. has offered to provide any technical expertise that may be of assistance for Sri Lanka to tackle the fuel crisis during recent talks here with Treasury officials. US Embassy officials including himself have been engaged in discussions with Sri Lankan Treasury officials on this issue, before and during the February 2 visit of US Treasury Deputy Assistant Secretary Luke Bronin, as well as at subsequent meetings.

The US wants to further strengthen trade relations with Sri Lanka, and it has nointention to push the country and the people into economic difficulty.

Mr Heartney said, "If a country significantly reduces its imports of Iranian oil, then the legal provisions cutting off access of that country's financial institutions to the US financial system are exempted. Under US

law, eligibility for this exemption solely depends on significant reductions in Iranian oil imports, and it is not tied to any human rights issues."

He added, "There is no connection whatsoever between sanctions and human rights records, and thus, Sri Lanka's request could not be granted."