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Sri Lanka has potential to become next Asian Tiger: US

8 February 2017 03:47 pm - 25     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Sri Lanka has the potential to become the next Asian Tiger, a top US official said, lauding the government's renewed commitment towards reconciliation and unprecedented level of cooperation between the two countries.

"The United States will continue to stand with you as your friend and your partner. While our level of cooperation today is unprecedented, there is always more progress to be made," Acting Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs Bruce Wharton said during his address at the celebrations hosted by the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Washington on Monday to mark 69th anniversary of Sri Lanka's independence.

"Today Sri Lanka has the potential to become the next Asian Tiger," Wharton said.

Lanka, he said, boasts one of the most strategic maritime locations in the entire Indo-Pacific: at the nautical crossroads of Africa, South Asia, and East Asia, with the Strait of Hormuz to its west and the Strait of Malacca to its east.

"Forty per cent of all seaborne oil passes through the former and half the world's merchant fleet capacity sails through the latter, making the sea lanes off of Sri Lanka's southern coast some of the world's most important economic arteries," Wharton said.

Pointing to US economic cooperation with Sri Lanka, he said, all of this cooperation would not be possible without the democratic progress Sri Lanka has made and its renewed commitment to reconciliation, accountable government, and freedom of expression.
Sri Lankan Ambassador to the US, Prasad Kariyawasam said leaders of Lanka look forward to working with new US Administration to build on the exponential progress of the multi-faceted bilateral relationship, nurtured especially during the last two years.

As an "island nation" considered a pre-eminent maritime hub of the Indo-Asia-Pacific, Sri Lanka values its ever-growing partnership with the US, Kariyawasam said.

The US can be a natural partner to Sri Lanka as it progresses on the challenging transformative journey, to develop the nation as a modern democracy, rapidly integrating with the world of business and trade, in peace and friendship, for the mutual benefit of both countries, the Ambassador said.

The celebrations were attended by a large gathering of Sri Lankan Americans, the diplomatic community, senior US government officials and several Representatives from the US Congress, including Chairman of the Congressional Caucus on Sri Lanka Robert Aderholt, member of the Sri Lanka Caucus David Price, and Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Asia and the Pacific Subcommittee Ted Yoho.(PTI)


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  Comments - 25

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  • Senewi Wednesday, 08 February 2017 07:09 PM

    The tiger is not a veterinarian.

    seqi Thursday, 09 February 2017 08:14 PM

    go pump for trump via DM Android App

    Srian Thursday, 09 February 2017 11:53 AM

    Absolutely...we only have potential.. not realised

    Shan Thursday, 09 February 2017 09:04 AM

    yes, but only if not bother us with UNHRC resolutions

    donnyjoe Thursday, 09 February 2017 09:02 AM

    the only likeness between a Tiger and Sri Lanka right now is the fact that both should be on an endangered list via DM Android App

    kamal Thursday, 09 February 2017 08:42 AM

    Agree potential is there but no brains. political brains are all dead.

    Punny Pellow Thursday, 09 February 2017 06:50 AM

    Anyway, we do not wish to be tigers!!!

    CJ Thursday, 09 February 2017 04:50 AM

    We have been always known as Lions....not Tigers! Uncle Sam!

    kondaya77 Wednesday, 08 February 2017 11:08 PM

    Tigers are been extinct.

    DN Wednesday, 08 February 2017 10:54 PM

    Bodu Bala Sena will protest against this statement.

    Kumar Wednesday, 08 February 2017 09:56 PM

    Singapore became a powerhouse because it was a right-wing authoritarian gonvt. You lefties are blind. The island will only prosper if get rid of all you liberal/socialist.

    Kumar Wednesday, 08 February 2017 09:54 PM

    With the help of the chinese, SriLanka was going to be next superpower in SA under President Mahinda Rajapaksa but the lefties ruined.

    sss Wednesday, 08 February 2017 08:00 PM

    Only if our 80 year old higher education beneficiaries show professionalism and creativity

    Pf Wednesday, 08 February 2017 04:06 PM

    As per this article the Government should re-consider not to lease out Magampura Port. via DM Android App

    Mason Wednesday, 08 February 2017 06:17 PM

    These type of empty boosts is only feeding the ego of the government, but in practical terms we are sliding down in every sphere, besides bribery and corruption.

    spirit Wednesday, 08 February 2017 06:17 PM

    Sir, Tigers in your country were chased away by Trump. So called Hilary's Tigers are now in UNHRC. We do not want Tigers now. Thank you sir.

    Hadam Wednesday, 08 February 2017 05:55 PM

    Don't mention the word tiger when envisaging Sri Lanka.

    shihan Wednesday, 08 February 2017 05:49 PM

    ha ha ha ha via DM iOS App

    Missaka Wednesday, 08 February 2017 05:30 PM

    My GOD, We have had enough TIGER Problems. Do not need whatever good name ending up with TIGER.

    shamon Wednesday, 08 February 2017 05:26 PM

    We have been hearing this for the past 30 years... via DM Android App

    mm Wednesday, 08 February 2017 05:14 PM

    Asian tiger or LTTE tiger via DM iOS App

    Hiran's Thoughts Wednesday, 08 February 2017 04:54 PM

    Sri Lanka has potential to become next Asian Tiger DEN. US -

    PISSU POOSA Wednesday, 08 February 2017 04:48 PM

    Asian tiger kesewethath adumagane poosa wenna puluwan unoth lokudeyak

    Hiran Wednesday, 08 February 2017 04:31 PM

    We have a little problem sir! We have loads of corrupt and unpatriotic politicians who play petty politics for their survival at the cost of the development and progress of the country

    Afzal Wednesday, 08 February 2017 04:15 PM

    Sri Lanka a next Asian tiger? It will always remain a day dream as Sri Lanka is not committed to so called reconciliation, accountable government, and freedom of expression.


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