Sri Lanka committed to move the country forward; US

US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Nisha Desai Biswal noted that while there is still much to be done to pursue justice, strengthen political rights, and establish enduring peace, the Srilankan government is committed to moving the country forward.

"Sri Lanka deserves special attention as it continues to consolidate democratic gains in the past two elections and put the country on a path to reconciliation. The United States was among the first to welcome these moves and offer our support and assistance. Both Secretary Kerry and Ambassador Power visited last year – and I myself visited four times in 2015 – and this year we launched our first-ever Partnership Dialogue," she said.

In her remarks on the US Policies and Priorities for this year at Center for a New American Security in Washington, she said the government had taken many moves on that task including returning over 3,400 acres to displaced families, including another 177 acres just this past week.

"USAID has launched several programs to stimulate economic growth and development in the country’s north and east, and U.S. businesses are seeing many new and attractive investment opportunities. The positive momentum of Sri Lanka stands in sharp contrast to the largely negative trajectory of Maldives, which has seen a steady weakening of its fragile democracy and an erosion of the rule of law."she said.