Lot of work to be done for SL-Biswal

4 February 2015 10:08 am

U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Nisha Biswal, who just concluded her two-day visit to Sri Lanka, said there was a lot of work to be done for Sri Lanka to pursue a future that is peaceful, inclusive, and prosperous.


In a statement she expressed her government willingness to work with Sri Lankan government continuously.


"It was a privilege to visit Colombo to witness for myself the sense of excitement and optimism that the Sri Lankan people have ushered in through the historic January 8 election. In my meetings with government, civil society, private sector, and political parties, I heard a consistent message of hope about translating this promise into a brighter reality for all Sri Lankans," U.S. Assistant Secretary Nisha Biswal said.


According to her, she has had very productive conversations with President Maithripala Sirisena, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremasinghe, Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera, Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake, Urban Development Minister Rauff Hakeem, and Defence State Minister Ruwan Wijewardene.


After having a conversation with the TNA leadership, Mrs. Biswal said she could hear their perspective for meaningful progress on reconciliation and political inclusion to ensure a peaceful, prosperous future for their constituents within Sri Lanka.


"I congratulated President Sirisena on his victory and expressed the United States' willingness to work with the new government" she said adding that "Clearly there is a lot of work to be done."