Blake and Otero in Lanka

12 February 2012 01:06 pm

US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia Robert O. Blake and Under Secretary for Civilian Protection, Human Rights and Democracy Maria Otero arrived in Sri Lanka on Saturday night and this morning respectively, officials confirmed today.

The two top US diplomats will meet President Mahinda Rajapaksa, External Affairs Minister G. L. Peiris and other government officials during their stay upto February 14, an External Affairs Ministry spokesman said.

Blake, who was in the Maldives was also scheduled to hold discussions with the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) this evening.

The visit comes amidst speculation that the US would move a resolution against Sri Lanka at the next session of the UNHRC getting underway later this month in Geneva. (DS)