Foreign Minister briefs Biswal on reconciliation measures
Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera today briefed a high-powered US delegation on the measures taken by its government regarding promoting reconciliation and strengthening the rule of law respecting human rights and strengthening the economy.
The subjects figured when Mr Samaraweera met with Ms Nisha Biswal, Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia and Mr. Tom Malinowski, Assistant Secretary for Democracy, Human Rights and Labour of the US State Department.
The newly appointed US Ambassador to Colombo Atul Keshap also accompanied them.
‘In keeping with the specific pledge in President Maithripala Sirisena’s Manifesto, and now that we have achieved political stability through one of the most free and fair elections held in this country, I outlined measures being taken to address concerns regarding alleged human rights violations including through independent domestic mechanisms’, Mr Samaraweera told the media.
‘Several new areas of cooperation were identified during the very successful visit of Secretary Kerry to Colombo in May this year. Our discussions today focused on follow-up on those understandings and on working towards even closer and tangible links’, he added.
‘We have continued the dialogue that began following the election of President Sirisena in January and my appointment as Foreign Minister’, he added.
He said they agreed on prioritizing closer economic cooperation.
‘The United States is Sri Lanka’s single largest export market. 23% of our total exports enter the US market. We want to enhance our trade and business relations and to encourage more US investors to take advantage of the economic opportunities in Sri Lanka’, he said.
Assistant Secretary Biswal was due to call on President Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe later in the day.
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