The Sri Lankan government on Sunday expressed hope for improved relations with the United States under the new U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry.

Kerry replaced Hilary Clinton as the Secretary of State on Friday and in a congratulatory message, Sri Lanka’s External Affairs Minister G.L. Peiris said that he looks forward to working closely with Kerry to further strengthen the bilateral partnership based on his understanding of the importance of the relations and the challenges Sri Lanka faces after emerging from a protracted conflict that spanned three decades

“I recall with pleasure that Sri Lanka has engaged your attention over the years, as borne out by the report you co- authored in December 2009 recommending a re-evaluation of the U.S. Sri Lanka relationship,” Peiris said.

Peiris noted that Kerry will bring to the office the wisdom and experience gained during a long and distinguished political and professional career.

“I am confident that your pragmatic outlook, particularly having been the Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, will stand in good stead in steering the foreign relations of your country in these challenging times,” he said.

Under former U.S. Secretary of State Hilary Clinton, the Sri Lankan government had faced severe criticism over its human rights record.

During the UN Human Rights Council session in Geneva last year the U.S. sponsored a resolution against Sri Lanka which was eventually adopted by the Council. - Xinhua