US envoy assures support to reconciliation efforts

The Ambassador of the United States in Sri Lanka Atul Keshap assured the Government of the support of the US Embassy in Colombo and the US Government as Sri Lanka works towards reconciliation.

Speaking to reporters in Kandy, the US Ambassador said that he had discussions with the Chief Prelates in Kandy and learned more about Buddhism as well as Sri Lankan culture.

?I look forward to, during my tenure, of continuing close dialogue with the representatives of the Buddhist religion in Sri Lank,? he said.

Keshap was in Kandy this week at the same time the Minister of Justice and Buddhasasana was also visiting Kandy.
The US envoy said that as the Government work to advance their of achieving a Sri Lanka that is reconciled and unified and democratic, prosperous and free, with human rights and religious freedom and an opportunity for all, the US Embassy and the US Government will work to try to help advance that vision.

?And so I am very delighted to start off my first official travels here in Kandy. I look forward to my continuing travels around Sri Lanka,? he said.

In Kandy, Keshap visited the Sri Dalada Maligawa and paid his respects to the Most Venerable Galagama Sri Aththadassi Mahanayake Thero of the Asgiriya Chapter, Most Venerable Tibbatuwawe Sri Siddhartha Sumangala Mahanayake Thero of the Malwatta Chapter, and Most Venerable Napana Premasiri Mahanayake Thero of the Ramanna Chapter. (Colombo Gazette)