US Secretary of State John Kerry says the government of the United States highly appreciates and admires the direction of the new government of Sri Lanka, and extended every possible assistance towards the country.
He made these comments when he called on President Maithripala Sirisena on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly being held in New York today (Sep. 21), according to the President’s Media Division said.
President Sirisena said that the current government of Sri Lanka continues the path towards economic progress and reconciliation.
He further stated that the government is facing lot of challenges from the destabilizing forces in the North as well as the South, who want to deter the reconciliation process. “For example, some of the small minority of the people in the North refused to go back to their lands due to pressure from the extremist groups”, he said.
“Similarly, some Southern groups are engaged in decrying the reconciliation process. But the unity government is determined to implement the intended programs despite such oppositions”, he said.
He clarified that although there are differences among the policies of the unity government they have agreed upon a broad policy formula and continue to implement it. “Therefore, the strengthening the stability of the government remains uncompromised as it is committed to fulfilling aspirations of the people who elected this government on January 08, 2015”, he said.
The US Secretary of State congratulated the President on the achievements of the government during past 15 months and reassured US support to the Sri Lankan government, the PMD said.
According to the State Department, John Kerry made the following remarks before their meeting:
“Very happy to meet with President Sirisena, and it’s the second time at UNGA we’ve been able to meet. And we’re very encouraged by the steps that the president is taking and Sri Lanka is taking with respect to reconciliation, and they’re also making important economic reforms. So the story of Sri Lanka is a great one and we’re really happy to be able to meet. Thank you.”
