The United States on Monday called on the Sri Lankan government to take advantage of the opportunity to expand efforts toward greater reconciliation by working with the newly elected Northern Provincial Council.

Issuing a statement the US Department of State said, “now that the people of Sri Lanka have chosen provincial councils to represent their interests, it is incumbent upon the Government of Sri Lanka to support the new civilian leadership of the provinces.”

It also congratulates the people of Sri Lanka on their successful elections in three provinces on September 21. These polls were a historic first for the Northern Province since the end of decades of civil war in 2009.