Julie’s exit gladdens Udaya’s heart

Leader of the Pivithuru Hela Urumaya (PHU), Udaya Gammanpila, yesterday launched a scathing attack on outgoing United States Ambassador to Sri Lanka Julie Chung, accusing her of interfering in Sri Lanka’s internal affairs and exerting undue influence over recent political developments.

- BY ANURADHA HIRIPITIYAGE

Gammanpila eating milk rice during yesterday's press conference to celebrate Ambassador Chung's departure

Addressing a press conference in Colombo, Gammanpila said Chung’s departure, after a four-year tenure, marked a “day of national relief,” claiming her presence had been harmful to the country.

He said patriots marked the occasion by sharing kiribath (milk rice), which he described as a symbolic celebration.

Gammanpila alleged that Ambassador Chung had remained in Sri Lanka longer than the customary three-year diplomatic term because of, what he described as, her success in bringing the country under American influence. Drawing comparisons with past foreign diplomats, he claimed that Chung was the most influential envoy since Indian High Commissioner J.N. Dixit in the 1980s. He alleged that successive Sri Lankan governments had failed to challenge what he described as interference by the envoy.