US commends Sri Lanka’s rebuilding process

President Maithripala Sirisena with US Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Thomas Shannon

US Under Secretary for Political Affairs Thomas A. Shannon says the political, social and economic rebuilding process of Sri Lanka in the post- conflict era is highly commendable.

He made these remarks when he called on President Maithripala Sirisena on the sidelines of the 72nd Session of the UNGA, in New York on 21 September.

Sirisena recalled the long-standing friendship between Sri Lanka and the US and extended his gratitude for the assistance provided to Sri Lanka.

The President also appreciated the assistance given by the US to achieve success in the reconciliation process carried out in the country and to build sustainable peace after a three-decade-long war as well as for the support given for the development activities in the war-affected areas. 

The Under Secretary further expressing his views said that today Sri Lanka had a good foreign policy and appreciated the cooperative approach carried out by Sri Lanka with the countries in the region, as a country which is positioned in a strategic location in the Indian region. He said that President Maithripala Sirisena was an exemplary leader who was working closely with all the member states.

The President said that as a result of Sri Lanka being located in strategically important location in the Indian Ocean, the country had to face challenges as well as a positive situation.

He also said that today Sri Lanka was able to take forward better bilateral relationships with all the friendly states under a middle path foreign policy while maintaining good relations regarding security of the region. “Sri Lanka is committed to build peace in the Indian Ocean region,” he added. 

The President further said that Sri Lanka was facing an economically problematic situation, after the end of the nearly three-decade-long warand that Sri Lanka expected continuous assistance of the US for development activities in the country in the fields of tourism, fisheries and marine.Sirisenacommenting on the current political situation in the country said that the future activities of the Government would be carried out by the two main political parties in the country jointly in a cooperative manner.

The Under Secretary assured the President that the US would provide its continuous assistance to Sri Lanka and he is expected to undertake a tour to Sri Lanka.