Dinesh seeks intervention of US State Dept over Resolution on Sri Lanka

Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena conveyed to Charge d’ Affaires a.i. of the US Embassy in Colombo Martin T. Kelly about the government’s deep concerns on the proposed resolution No. H.Res.413, which was introduced by Congresswoman Deborah Ross on 18 May 2021.

Charge d’ Affaires a.i. of the US Embassy Kelly called on Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena at the Foreign Ministry today, according to the Foreign Ministry.

The Minister also explained that the said Resolution will not be useful for reconciliation efforts in Sri Lanka.  He sought the immediate intervention of the US State Department to convey the concerns and the position of the government vis-à-vis the above resolution to the Chair and members of the House Foreign Affairs Committee as well as the respective Congresspersons in order to withdraw or amend it.

Foreign Minister thanked the government and people of the United States for the continued support extended to Sri Lanka.  He particularly appreciated the US President’s recent announcement that Sri Lanka will be one of the countries receiving COVID-19 vaccines through the COVAX programme.

He also thanked for the consignment of USAID emergency medical supplies which arrived on 04 June 2021 and possible US technical assistance to mitigate adverse environmental impact caused by the MV X-Press Pearl disaster.

A wide range of bilateral matters, including convening of Partnership Dialogue and Joint Commission of Trade & Investment Framework Agreement, were also discussed.