SL included in US national security strategy

7 February 2015 07:31 am - 17 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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The United States has pledged to assist Sri Lanka's new government in creating a more open and democratic society.

In a speech on Friday, laying out President Barack Obama's updated national security strategy U.S. National Security Adviser Susan Rice included Sri Lanka alongside Myanmar - which is also known as Burma - and Tunisia as a country ‘in transition.’

“We’ll help countries in transition - like Burma, Tunisia, and Sri Lanka - become more open, more democratic, and more inclusive societies,” Rice said in a speech at the Brookings Institute.

Earlier, State Department spokeswoman Marie Harf said the United States had commended steps by new Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena to address post-war reconciliation and long-standing issues such as governance and accountability.

“Certainly have seen some positive steps here,” she told a regular news briefing.

On Thursday, Nisha Biswal, the U.S. State Department's senior official for South Asia, who visited Sri Lanka last week, told reporters Sri Lanka still faced ‘big challenges’ dealing with issues such as reconciliation.

“But there’s such a strong commitment that’s visible in this government to want to address these issues that we very much want to work with them to see that happen,” she said.

The United States is keen to bolster ties with countries throughout Asia as part of its effort to counterbalance an increasingly powerful and assertive China, which has sought strategic influence in Sri Lanka.

The Sri Lankan government said this week it was planning a new investigation into accusations of human rights abuses in the final stages of a 26-year civil war that ended in 2009, amid international frustration at the failure of former president Mahinda Rajapaksa to look into numerous civilian deaths. (Reuters)

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Comments - 17

Aruna Saturday, 07 February 2015 02:18 PM

Hey you are mistaken, there is no such transition here and we are not cowered countries like Myanmar or Tunisia or devastated Iraq, it was just a matter of election taken place. Also remember there is no power devolution than united Sri Lanka no matter you come on our way or not.

JJ Saturday, 07 February 2015 09:16 PM

Aja you donkey, who is going to buy your exports? China. Do you know that USA is SL

Waco Saturday, 07 February 2015 03:21 PM

We trust USA and China but not India and Indians.

Waco Saturday, 07 February 2015 03:24 PM

Madam, USA is very welcome in Sri Lanka. But please come direct.

Waco Saturday, 07 February 2015 11:05 PM

USA President visited India recently. This is the end result. India is helping us.

Waco Saturday, 07 February 2015 11:10 PM

Madam, you are insulting Sri Lanka by comparing it Tunisia and Burma.

Cheers Saturday, 07 February 2015 04:52 PM

Their shame has not gone away SL showed how to finish a war which they could not and rajapakse never trusted USA as their motives were different and they always want to poke in to other affairs and to be the super power and they have so much of shit in comparison to Sri lanks

Waco Saturday, 07 February 2015 11:14 PM

Rulers, our non-alined policy is not going to work.All big world powers are eying on Sri Lanka. Better to be alined. If not big shark will swallow us.

Waco Saturday, 07 February 2015 05:46 PM

Solution is every one must comply with the common law of the country. The day Tamils do that, no more issues.

Nims Sunday, 08 February 2015 04:04 AM

Mangala S must remember that no country that followed the US and the West ever a peaceful place. Dont forget how they turned a blind eye when the terrorists were engaged in mass murders and ruining our economy how they reacted immediately after eliminating the terrorists. They are only interested in places where they can do their dirty business of weapons.

moodayo Saturday, 07 February 2015 01:14 PM

Yes, exactly like you did in Iraq, Afghanistan etc.

petriot Saturday, 07 February 2015 07:28 PM

If we need to be a developed nation in the world it is mandatory to be pro USA, and we must always act according to the pules of south Asian regional power also.During the 2500 years of Sri Lankan written history we have faced more than 50 foreign invasions. Thoes all invations are Indian invasions other than 3 western nations.The main reason for all Indian invations were the wrong foreign policies adopted by Sri Lanka during respective periods. We should learn lessons from our history. Other thin is only the Pro Amarican states became to the developed countries in Asia including Japan, S Korea SIN, and ASIAN countries. And let me know any body who is unwilling to migrate USA if you get Green Card?

dwickra Saturday, 07 February 2015 07:32 PM

it shows your knowledge in gobal politics

aja Saturday, 07 February 2015 01:45 PM

Whats stupid rush by USA ..let us be in peace never wanted you in our country who wants be included in your agenda

sg Sunday, 08 February 2015 08:35 AM

To be carefully handled diplomacy with these..

ramola Sunday, 08 February 2015 09:41 AM

Best USA does not meddle. They only cause trouble judging from their past records. They bring war and destruction.

brainmaster Saturday, 07 February 2015 01:58 PM

I trust more the USA then the Chinese !

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SL included in US national security strategy

Comments - 17

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