The Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs (DAS) Afreen Akhter assured Minister of Justice Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe this week that the United States is invested in Sri Lanka’s economic recovery.
DAS Akhter, who arrived in Sri Lanka earlier this week, highlighted the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries as she engaged in wide range of consultative meetings. In many of her meetings, DAS Akhter shared details of the $270 million in new support that the United States has delivered over the last year and encouraged the Sri Lankan government to continue to see through economic reforms and transparency measures under the IMF agreement, according to a statement issued by the US embassy in Colombo.
On Monday, Akhter met with the Minister of Justice Dr. Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe to discuss Sri Lanka’s ongoing reform efforts. During the meeting DAS Akhter highlighted that the United States continues to encourage the collaboration by the Sri Lankan Government with civil society and underscored the importance of considering all voices on pending legislation including the Anti-Terrorism Bill.
DAS Akhter also had productive discussions with both State Minister of Foreign Affairs Tharaka Balasuriya and with State Minister of Defense Pramitha Bandara Tennakoon on a range of issues, including ongoing collaboration in maritime security and tackling our shared regional challenges.
A Sri Lanka Air Force Bell 212 helicopter belonging to the No. 72 squadron has crashed into the Madhuru Oya reservoir this morning, Air FOrce Media Spokesman Eranda Geeganage said.
Update: Five of the twelve passengers on board the bell 212 aircraft that crashed into the Maduru Oya today, have succumbed to their injuries, the SLAF said.
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