Government MPs briefed on US-Lanka defence pact

COLOMBO: The Government parliamentary members group meeting was held at Temple Trees, chaired by President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday.

The members were briefed on the recently signed US-Sri Lanka defence agreement. Following the briefing by Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, the members have expressed their acknowledgement of the pact through which the country is to benefit by way of friendly defence assistance from the US.

The Defence Secretary assured that the agreement will not allow exchange of military hardware or arrival of US troops in the country.

Over 100 MPs attended the meeting which lasted for nearly two hours.

Other issues of national interest were also discussed.