Washington (Reuters): The United States urging Sri Lanka to make “difficult but necessary” decisions to secure its economic independence for long-term prosperity, said the superpower stands ready to partner with Sri Lanka for its economic development and growth.

In an apparent reference to Sri Lanka’s ties with China, the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Dean R. Thompson, Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs of the State Department said the United States offers Sri Lanka transparent and sustainable economic development in contrast to discriminatory and opaque practices Briefing reporters via teleconference on Secretary of State Michael Pompeo’s travel to India, Sri Lanka, Maldives, and Indonesia next week, Thompson said Secretary Pompeo would travel to Colombo from New Delhi and meet with President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Prime Minister Rajapaksa, and Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena.

The official said Secretary Pompeo during his meetings would emphasise the US commitment to a strong, independent, and democratic Sri Lanka.

“We want to partner with Sri Lanka on our shared goals of sustainable economic development and a free and open Indo-Pacific,” Assistant Secretary Thompson said.

“In the interest of strengthening our longstanding partnership with Sri Lanka and reinforcing our long-term commitment to the region, we encourage Sri Lanka to review the options we offer for transparent and sustainable economic development in contrast to discriminatory and opaque practices,” Thompson said.

“We urge Sri Lanka to make difficult but necessary decisions to secure its economic independence for long-term prosperity, and we stand ready to partner with Sri Lanka for its economic development and growth.”

“The Secretary will also emphasise the ties between our people, our shared commitment to democracy, and the importance of our ongoing regional maritime security cooperation,” he added.

The Assistant Secretary said the United States would continue to urge Sri Lanka to advance democratic governance, human rights, reconciliation, religious freedom, and justice, which promote the country’s long-term stability and prosperity and ensure the dignity and equality of all Sri Lanka’s diverse communities.

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