After Geneva, US relaxes embargo on Lanka; more weapons from Russia, China

It is now clear that the United States is adopting a carrot-and- stick policy on Sri Lanka. Otherwise, how can one explain the US decision to ease an embargo on the sale of military surveillance equipment to Sri Lanka on the very day it had got the resolution on Sri Lanka passed at the United Nations Human Rights Council?

The US State Department this week said Washington had eased its embargo on Sri Lanka to allow exports of surveillance-related defence equipment.

However, the relaxation only applies to surveillance equipment and does not extend to other military hardware and military aid, a Jane's Defence Industry report said adding that the suspension on military aid would continue until Sri Lanka introduces a range of human rights reforms.

Data from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) shows that the US transferred a range of platforms to Sri Lanka between 2000 and 2007 - most of which was paid for using military aid -- including AN/TPQ-36 Firefinder radars, Bell 412 helicopters, a refur- bished Reliance-class offshore patrol vessel and a Raytheon SWR- series sea search radar.

The Jane's Defence Industry journalist Jon Grevatt in an analysis notes Sri Lanka's defence acquisition ambitions have been assisted by Russia and China while aid from Washington has been held back.

"In February 2010 Sri Lanka signed a deal with Moscow that provided Colombo with credit valued at US$300 million to purchase Russianmade military equipment and technologies. These funds are thought to have paid for 14 Mil Mi-17 helicopters. Sri Lanka is also thought to have secured other Russian credit to support purchases of six MIG-27MS during the past decade and six Mikoyan MIG-29 fighter aircraft in 2008.

"China, meanwhile, has provided credit to support Sri Lanka's recent acquisitions of MA 60 twin-engine turboprop aircraft, Y-8 medium transport aircraft and K-8 Karakorum jet trainer/light attack aircraft. In 2012 Sri Lanka's defence budget reached LKR 230 billion (US$2.1 billion), an increase of nearly 7 per cent on spending in 2011," the Jane's journalist says.