"I think we have to separate propaganda from reality. Sri Lanka did not fall into a trap." Talking about critics of the Belt and Road Initiative accusing China of pursuing a policy of "debt-trap diplomacy", Sri Lanka's former Ambassador to China, Dr. Palitha Kohona, refuted the allegations. On the contrary, BRI-related investments will help Sri Lanka to extricate itself from the massive financial crisis that it is facing. He said BRI will help developing countries achieve a higher level of development.