The first meeting of the United States, Sri Lanka Partnership Dialogue will take place in February 2016 in Washington, US Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Thomas Shannon says.

“This annual meeting will provide an opportunity to discuss all aspects of the relationship and ways in which the United States may be able to engage directly with the people of Sri Lanka and the Government,” Shannon said.

He was speaking after the meeting with Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera at the Foreign Ministry.

“We welcome Sri Lanka’s contributions to global peacekeeping and humanitarian disaster assistance and believe that your armed forces can also play a constructive role in ensuring a bright future. 

In May, Secretary Kerry and the Foreign Minister announced that our two governments would launch a Partnership Dialogue to build on that history of exchange and to intensify our cooperation across the board and to further enhance our relationship.

This annual meeting will provide an opportunity to discuss all aspects of the relationship and ways in which the United States may be able to engage directly with the people of Sri Lanka and the Government. 

These efforts will be wide ranging, to the benefit of both countries. Our cooperation benefits communities where returnees are facing hardship. We will assist reconciliation and broader transitional efforts at the household level, community level, and national levels. We will foster greater trade and investment to raise incomes, create jobs, and improve standards of living in both countries. I look forward to what promise to be very productive meetings during my time here,” he added.