US says SL to face tough challenges

26 March 2015 04:57 am - 19 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Though President Maithripala Sirisena was pivoting the country away from the harmful policies of his predecessor, the US government said Sri Lanka would face tough challenges in the months ahead including the financial mess they have inherited.

“The Sri Lankan people, and the Sirisena government, face tough challenges in the months ahead including the financial mess they inherited. But I want to reiterate the assurances made by President Barrack Obama and Secretary Kerry that the US looks forward to deepening our partnership with Sri Lanka and working with them to advance democracy,” US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Nisha Desai Biswal said.

Addressing the house of foreign affairs subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific on Tuesday, she said that this commitment was not reflected in the President’s budget request for assistance to Sri Lanka.

“I would like to underscore that this budget request was written before Sri Lanka’s democratic transition and reflects the more constrained environment created by the previous government, which forced us to draw down our programs. That is not the Sri Lanka of today and we see tremendous opportunities to assist the country in improving governance, accountability, commerce, and more. We look forward to working closely with this committee and with key committees in the House and Senate to explore options for supporting the democratic transition in Sri Lanka,” she said.

Ms. Biswal said that the prospects for strengthened democratic institutions, equitable economic growth, and reduced ethnic tensions were much greater under President Sirisena’s leadership than they were during the previous regime.

“President Sirisena, working in a government of national unity with Sinhalese and minority political parties, is pivoting the country away from the harmful policies of his predecessor. His coalition took actions that reflect their commitment to a comprehensive governance reform agenda, including development assistance and support for civil society and vulnerable communities,” she said.

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Comments - 19

Anticleon Thursday, 26 March 2015 01:40 PM

There were no troubles under any ruler other than those created by the USA itself and their goons.

Sudath Friday, 27 March 2015 12:37 AM

Uncle Sam, thanks for ur comments n praise.. n pls make sure they remain only comments.. China n Sri Lanka both have long journeys to go.. n the car is full.

weda karaya Thursday, 26 March 2015 06:47 PM

Thanks to you sir oh enlightened one!!

wee Thursday, 26 March 2015 05:34 PM

pl; look after your finances ,we can look after us

Suq Madique Thursday, 26 March 2015 03:46 PM

in the same way the majority in the north have been brainwashed by the Tigers and will believe anything against the previous and present govt

mailman Thursday, 26 March 2015 03:00 PM

Sri Lankans will not understand the importance of having a good relationship with US as they have adopted MRs anti west theories. Sri Lankan interllectuals and the educated have left SL seeking greener pastures. The ones left are those who claim development is at a stand still not realising all the project deals have to be reviewed the ones left are those who claim every Tamil is a member of the LTTE the ones left believe in lawlesness as good gourvanance the ones left believe high cost of living cannot be controlled. In short the ones left believe MR cares about the people and not hus wallet. The educated who are left please dont leave we need you Sri Lanka needs you. via DM Android App

dilip Thursday, 26 March 2015 02:42 PM

Good timing, are you getting worried America? President My3 is in China. How much you love Sri Lanka ,has been proved before. Just after the war ,du you rember how you Americans and the Europeans blocked a loan asked by Sri Lanka from the IMF ,just for our existence at that time? It was a personal friend of Mr. Mahinda and a leader from another country who came to our aid . We do not need friends like America nor India. Keep far away.

Lankan Pathi Thursday, 26 March 2015 02:08 PM

I totally agree with Biswal. But Weerawansa will come with some cock and bull story. It is true Rajapakses left with a big financial mess. His supporters will not agree that. Some 500 million dollars is wasted with two investments in Hambantota and Mattalan. Thanks to that peoples man MR.

pras Thursday, 26 March 2015 01:50 PM

our fools in cbo cannot understand that this is all about China. my3 given 500m patali 100m rathana 200m etc by ciaraw. we hv fallen fm frying pan to fire. via DM Android App

ranga Thursday, 26 March 2015 01:44 PM

English he might not...while being able to read English, you have not understood either by the looks of to be happy about these comments...

nalaka Thursday, 26 March 2015 10:59 AM

challenge is who will bend more towards obama

Deshapremi Thursday, 26 March 2015 01:32 PM

Do not understand. Can some one explain this.

Suny J fm Melbourne Thursday, 26 March 2015 01:17 PM

Your valuable comment will not go though well with the so called Patriotic Sri Lankans

Cheers Thursday, 26 March 2015 01:13 PM

How can you help and assure SL out of the financial mess firstly USA wanted to push Rajapake away and you funded secondly you are in a terrible financial mess even shut the govt under Obama so your assurances are just a joke

JJ Thursday, 26 March 2015 01:05 PM

Majority has been brainwashed by MR and his cronies into believing in the "emotional" rather than the "rational". The last 10 years have simply grounded and suppressed the development of rationality and hence the herd instinct has gained upper hand. The only way that this situation can be reversed is to bring in tough policies, rules and regulations on the social responsibilities of people. Education is key. Perhaps the present government can learn from the late Lee Kuan Yew of Singapore. (Better late than never)

BuffaloaCitizen Thursday, 26 March 2015 12:35 PM

Majority population will not understand this statement. This is bcos, through out the years, they have been drilled in believing pseudo patriotism, threats from other minority groups and religions and pure cowboy style solutions to these same problems that amounted euphoria amongst this same majority population, while the governors robbed the nation left, right and center.

W W Wansa Thursday, 26 March 2015 12:27 PM

Still looking for that plug ...

RMW Thursday, 26 March 2015 11:34 AM

Neither you

Nevil Thursday, 26 March 2015 11:16 AM

I dont think weerawansa will understand what is mentioned in this news item.

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US says SL to face tough challenges

Comments - 19

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