Video: US not a threat- Mangala

13 February 2015 03:54 am - 30 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Sri Lanka’s new foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera says the US is not a threat to Sri Lanka.

"For us, for the new administration, the United States of America is not a threat but a great opportunity," Samaraweera says just before the meeting with Secretary of State John Kerry in Washington on Thursday.

Kerry, Sri Lanka FM Samaraweera Before Their Meeting

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesperson
February 12, 2015

REMARKS

Secretary of State John Kerry
And Foreign Minister of Sri Lanka Mangala Samaraweera
Before Their Meeting
Treaty Room
Washington, D.C.

SECRETARY KERRY: Good afternoon, everybody. It’s my great pleasure to welcome Foreign Minister Samaraweera from Sri Lanka. And this is an exciting moment for all of us here because Sri Lanka on January 8th had an historic election in which there has been really a vote for change, a vote to move Sri Lanka in a new direction, to open up greater accountability and possibility for the preservation of human rights, for democracy, for fighting corruption and putting together a government that will speak for and to the people. And we’re particularly excited about the 100-day plan that the new government has put forward. We wish them well in the days ahead, and we’re going to talk today about President Sirisena’s thoughts about how to move Sri Lanka away from 30 years of war with the Tamils to a country that is inclusive and prosperous and peaceful.

And so I’m happy to welcome the foreign minister of this new government here, and we look forward to working with him. Thank you.

FOREIGN MINISTER SAMARAWEERA: Thank you. Thank you, Secretary of State Kerry, for the warm, cordial welcome. It is indeed a great pleasure for me to be here in Washington, and I come here at a time when Sri Lanka is going through a democratic revival and we have embarked on a very ambitious program, the 100-day program, as the Secretary just mentioned, which is a program of far-reaching democratic reforms and constitutional amendments. And we will also be giving pride of place to the reconciliation process because we believe a new Sri Lanka based on the principles of unity in diversity – the diversity of cultures, diversity of ethnic groups, and diversity of religions – will be the cornerstone of the new Sri Lanka we are envisaging.

And we also hope to revive and strengthen the very strong bonds we have had with the United States for several decades, but of course, there have been – the relations have been somewhat strained given the last few years. And my job I feel is to ensure that we put back our relations to a irreversible state of excellence in the coming months, and I look forward to working very closely with Secretary of State Kerry and, of course, with the United States of America. For us, for the new administration, the United States of America is not a threat but a great opportunity. Thank you.

SECRETARY KERRY: Thank you, my friend.

FOREIGN MINISTER SAMARAWEERA: Thank you.

SECRETARY KERRY: Thank you, sir. Thank you very much, everybody.

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Comments - 30

Lahiru Friday, 13 February 2015 02:32 PM

So USA is the police?

Waco Sunday, 15 February 2015 07:13 AM

Mr.Minister do some thing constructive with USA. Going behind India is just a wastage of time and will not do any good.

Dr I.M.C.Fernando, UK Saturday, 14 February 2015 11:09 PM

An American has said and I Quote: "America has no permanent friends and no permanent enemies. Only american interests." Samaraweera take note !!

riz Saturday, 14 February 2015 09:52 PM

You are thinking primitively.. remember Kuwait smaller than SL. Then why US involving in Kuwait matters, reason is obvious , oil. US z intrested only there benefits. They want only money. They r ready to anything for money...

Waco Saturday, 14 February 2015 05:53 PM

Is US capable of developt Trincomalee Harbour to be our main Commercia Harbour of international standards ?

Lanka Saturday, 14 February 2015 04:23 AM

Please give one reason for US to be a threat to Sri Lanka? What do they need from this tiny little dot in the map?

Nims Saturday, 14 February 2015 02:31 AM

But they continued to supply weapons to both parties directly and indirectly. This is US and the West. Ask yourself mate, who created the entire shit in ME

gayan Saturday, 14 February 2015 02:10 AM

USA is not a treat to SL but to the entire peace loving world at large.

Eds Friday, 13 February 2015 07:38 PM

Horaa police !

Taco Friday, 13 February 2015 05:09 PM

and ???. for what ??

Waco Friday, 13 February 2015 03:43 PM

When Secretary of State Mr. John Kerry come take him to see the entire country. Our upcountry Tea Plantations, Warer-Falls, Kataragama, Yala, Segiriya etc,etc,

Waco Friday, 13 February 2015 03:37 PM

Doors are vide open for US to come direct.

Process Watch Friday, 13 February 2015 03:23 PM

Mr Kerry, The 30 year war was not against the Tamils as stated by you, but against a terrorist group which happened to be of Tamil ethnicity.Please stand corrected.

WILLY Friday, 13 February 2015 03:15 PM

USA is not a threat!! WHy and for What?? USA has the power to do what is correct as and when it wishes too..Mangala stop wasting public funds and get back home and make investigations into the GENEVA GATE

AJA Friday, 13 February 2015 03:06 PM

U know nothing about USA ..FM agenda is running behind USA

Waco Friday, 13 February 2015 09:35 AM

US has never been a threat to Sri Lanka.

True lankan Friday, 13 February 2015 02:22 PM

Great speach..

Waco Friday, 13 February 2015 02:21 PM

My favourite sports men and women are from US.

sds Friday, 13 February 2015 01:50 PM

by saying so you confirm its a threat, just wonder how we will be able to get rid of them? remember Korea

Peace Loving Chaminda Friday, 13 February 2015 01:30 PM

US i always a friend if Sri Lanka. But Mahinda mama portrait as villains for his political survival. Uncle Gota and uncle Basil are US citizens but they shed tears for Sri Lanka. Even today Gota cant go to US fearing prosecution for war crimes. US will help us for our ambitious 100 days programme. Don't listen to Wimal Iya.

BuffaloaCitizen Friday, 13 February 2015 11:52 AM

For a criminal, the police will always be a threat. Thus MR always felt insecure with the west and USA.

Monkey Business Friday, 13 February 2015 11:38 AM

Thank God SL is sensible and at last sees USA for what it is, It can be your best friend or your worst enemy. USA has loads more to offer us than China.

Sri Lankan. Friday, 13 February 2015 11:36 AM

Great!. Need more Damage Control activities with Western.

CLIVE Friday, 13 February 2015 11:31 AM

Who said America is a threat?

Senator Friday, 13 February 2015 11:28 AM

OMG Carri is not a threat.

deshapremi Friday, 13 February 2015 11:10 AM

Well Done Hon Minister Mr Samaraweera , we need educated people like you to head office of the foreign ministry. No matter the trips you are doing a great service to the country. US is the world leader and we need good relationship with them. Ignorant will say various things but the country is with you

Desmond Jeromme Friday, 13 February 2015 10:14 AM

Mangala atleast try to find a Life Partner in US.

Nish Friday, 13 February 2015 10:02 AM

Priceless slave.

Prometheus Friday, 13 February 2015 09:57 AM

People keep forgetting that it was the US that 1st banned the LTTE in the west and not just on paper like the UK/EU but a true clamp down. US also played a major role in pushing the LTTE to a corner from 2006-2008.

Vijith Pieterz Friday, 13 February 2015 09:49 AM

Mangala - this is Trip No???????

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Video: US not a threat- Mangala

Comments - 30

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