'DON'T BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU HEAR, COME AND SEE'

Rasika Somarathna and Anushika Ranadewa

'They are mere allegations', said Denise Rollins, the visiting Senior Deputy Assistant Administrator Asia Bureau, USAID, at a press conference at the U S Embassy in Colombo yesterday, when asked by the media whether some US government affiliated organizations including the USAID have been 'working with grassroots level people in some countries', trying to instigate unrest.

Referring to the speculative nature of such allegations Rollins said, "Don't believe everything you hear."

She said that anybody could come and witness the work done by the USAID and added the organization was very open and transparent.

Commenting on development, resettlement etc, in North and East after the conflict, Rollins said that much progress has been made but there were a lot more to be done.

Rollins said the USAID and other US affiliated organizations will continue to work in close cooperation with the Sri Lankan government on rebuilding and development efforts. Answering a question, she also noted that US has no intention of holding back assistance towards development initiatives taken for the benefit of people in Sri Lanka.