First annual US-Sri Lanka Partnership Dialogue discusses all aspects of bilateral relationship

Washington, DC: The inaugural meeting of the United States-Sri Lanka Partnership Dialogue took place in Washington last Friday with the participation of Sri Lanka’s Foreign Affairs Minister Mangala Samaraweera.

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry welcomed the Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera to the State Department in Washington, D.C., on 25 February for the inaugural U.S.-Sri Lanka Annual Partnership Dialogue, which the two had announced during Secretary Kerry’s visit to the country in May 2015.

Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Thomas Shannon led the U.S. delegation for discussions on democratic governance, development cooperation, people-to-people ties, economic cooperation, security cooperation, international and regional affairs, and other issues of mutual interest.

The Partnership Dialogue is a regularly planned policy consultation designed to advance the common agenda and opportunities for cooperation across the full range of bilateral and regional issues.

The annual meeting would provide an opportunity to discuss all aspects of the relationship and ways in which the U.S. may engage directly with the people and government of Sri Lanka.

“The United States looks forward to broadening and deepening its relationship with Sri Lanka on the basis of these candid and constructive conversations,” the State Department said in a release.