US assures support to new Govt., seeks enhanced cooperation

Wednesday, 4 February 2015 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Nisha Biswal meets Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena The United States on Tuesday assured to support the new government of Sri Lanka to meet its “difficult challenges”, pledging support for the government’s 100-day program. Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Nisha Biswal, who was on a two-day visit to Sri Lanka, said Washington is a friend and partner of Sri Lanka and is ready to help the island nation on a range of issues, including its human rights.

Assistant Secretary for South and Central Asian Affairs Nisha Desai Biswal (right) shakes hands with Sri Lanka’s Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe during their meeting in Colombo, 2 February, 2015 - REUTERS/Dinuka Liyanawatte The top US diplomat to visit Sri Lanka after the new government of President Maithripala Sirisena was installed early last month, Biswal met with the President at the Presidential Secretariat. The Assistant Secretary, congratulating the new President, stressed the long friendship between the two countries and assured that the United States stands ready to be a partner and a friend to “expand the bonds between our people, our governments and our civil societies and our businesses.” Assistant Secretary Biswal also met with Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe at Temple Trees. Earlier the Assistant Secretary met the Foreign Affairs Minister Mangala Samaraweera at the Ministry and held official talks reviewing a range of issues. She conveyed the US Government’s desire to work closely with the newly elected Government of President Maithripala Sirisena.

Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Nisha Biswal meets Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera During the discussion, the forthcoming visit of Foreign Minister Samaraweera to Washington was discussed, the Foreign Ministry said. The Minister is scheduled to meet Secretary of State John Kerry on the 12 February. Speaking to media after the meeting, Minister Samaraweera said Sri Lanka wants to raise the relationship between the two countries to a new level of cordiality and he hopes to continue the dialogue when he visits Washington next week and meets the Secretary of State. The Foreign Minister informed Assistant Secretary Biswal about the 100-day program of the Government and its implementation. They also explored prospects for enhanced cooperation, particularly collaboration in strengthening economic ties between the two countries.

The US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia Nisha Biswal as part of her two-day tour met State Minister of Defence, Ruwan Wijewardene on Tuesday - Pic by Pradeep Pathirana. Speaking to reporters, Biswal said Sri Lanka could count on the US to be a partner and a friend in meeting the difficult challenges the country faces. “Sri Lanka can count on the US to be a partner and a friend in the way forward, whether it is in rebuilding the economy, preventing corruption and advancing good governance and ensuring human rights and democratic participation for all of its citizens,” she said. She reiterated that the US wants to work with Colombo to find constructive ways forward on all the areas of interest between the two nations.