Colombo, Aug 31 (newsin.asia) – The United States considers Sri Lanka as an important partner in South Asia and would continue to extend whatever possible assistance towards the development of the island country, a visiting US official said here Thursday.
United States Acting Assistant Secretary of State, Alice Wells who is on an official visit in the country met President Maithripala Sirisena and extended US’s support to Sri Lanka’s development process and reconciliation.
She said that President Donald Trump had finalized the new strategy programme for South Asia and the Pacific Region and Sri Lanka was prominent among the partners of the US in this region.
She said Sri Lanka has also been listed for assistance under the US government foreign aid agency, Millennium Challenge Corporation in the near future.
Wells also praised the progress made by the Sri Lankan government on its reconciliation process and democratic reforms.
She expressed appreciation over the progress made by Sri Lanka in many areas such as transitional justice, communal amity, constitutional reforms, development and peace and stability.
During the discussions, Sirisena pointed out that few extreme elements in the North and South of the island levelled baseless allegations against the government to take undue political advantages, but the government was determined to implement its programmes for reconciliation and development undeterred.
Though the progress is slow, it is steady and stable, he said.