After Ranil became president in 2022, it took some time to receive the first instalment from the IMF. Foreign media reported that there was uncertainty in obtaining the first instalment. Amidst this uncertainty, Jedidiah Royal, the U.S. Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs, arrived in Sri Lanka and met with Ranil. Foreign media also reported, that the head of the CIA secretly came to Sri Lanka and met with Ranil. Following these meetings, Ranil received the first instalment from the IMF. The media reported that the CIA chief came to Sri Lanka after claiming that the country had gone bankrupt due to the Chinese debt trap during the time of the Aragalaya (People’s Struggle). It was also reported by sources close to Ranil that during this time, Ranil explained to the CIA chief about the rise of the JVP (Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna) in Sri Lanka and said that IMF assistance was necessary to prevent the JVP from gaining power. However, Ranil’s prediction came right after Anura became the president.
Three weeks into Aura’s presidency an American admiral visited Sri Lanka when it was predicted that the IMF review and the next instalment could be delayed. It appears there is a connection between the IMF loans and U.S. policy, as the first instalment from the IMF was received after the CIA chief and the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary visited Sri Lanka and met with Ranil.
After Anura became president, for the first time, a Chinese military ship arrived in Sri Lanka. Following the arrival of the Chinese military ship, the U.S. Pacific Fleet Commander, Navy Admiral, came to Sri Lanka and met with Anura Kumara. During his visit, he emphasized the need to support the rule-based international order, indirectly targeting China. It is not clear if he discussed China with Anura during the meeting, but official statements from the Presidential Media Unit suggest that Anura’s response to the meeting was positive.
Since Anura became president, visits by American, Indian, and IMF representatives have received considerable attention, but there have been no reports of interactions between Anura and China. It is unclear whether the JVP is deliberately promoting American and Indian relations while downplaying Chinese relations. Since Anura became president, no high-ranking Chinese official has visited Sri Lanka, only a Chinese military ship.
It would be able to gauge the relationship between Anura and China by the end of this year when the ban on Chinese research ships imposed by Ranil’s government is set to expire. Whether Anura will extend or lift this ban will be decided by the end of the year. At that point, whether Anura aligns more with the U.S. and India, or with China would be seen.
