Minister of Development Strategies and International Trade Malik Samarawickrema, issuing a statement yesterday, rejected a media report which said that an agreement has been reached without Cabinet approval or the knowledge of the Foreign Affairs Ministry to hire a United States lobbying firm, Travis and Rosenberg (ST&R).

According to the statement the Sri Lanka embassy in Washington received the proposals and after evaluating it, the ambassador had recommended the engagement with the company, ST&R.

It was reported that the firm is hired to educate officials on a non-existent peace process, increase economic ties and market access.

The Minister informed that a Cabinet Paper disclosing the complete details of the proposals received from two US firms were submitted to the Cabinet and the approval was received from the Cabinet to engage Sandler, Travis and Rosenberg as the government’s lobbyist for a specific period at a fee of US$ 30,000 per month.

Samarawickrema further pointed out that as the Minister of Foreign Affairs is a member of the Cabinet and his Secretary is also privy to the decision to the Cabinet, the Foreign Ministry would have been aware of the issue.

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Matters (CCEM) is reported to have given the nod for hiring ST&R.