US, Lanka to establish ?Partnership Dialogue?

Sri Lanka is looking to have?more robust engagement with the US, including through a ?Partnership Dialogue? between the two countries that envisages to encompass all issues of mutual concern and benefit, Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to the US, Prasad Kariyawasam said.

Ambassador Prasad Kariyawasam said this when he was hosted by the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, a premier Washington-based think tank, to speak on prospects for U.S.-Sri Lanka relations following the elections in Sri Lanka, the Foreign Ministry said.

To a full room of attendees comprising former and current U.S. government representatives, think tanks, journalists and Sri Lanka-enthusiasts, the Ambassador detailed the transformation that has been taking place in Sri Lanka, since the presidential elections in January, and the reaffirmation of the new government?s policies in August through the parliamentary election and as to how these?path breaking developments positively impact relations between Sri Lanka and the United States.

Echoing Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera?s address to the Human Rights Council in Geneva, the Ambassador reiterated the Government?s?intentions?to comprehensively address the issue of human rights and reconciliation in line with the mandate received by the Government through both elections.

In this context and recalling Secretary of State John Kerry?s fruitful visit to Sri Lanka in May this year, Ambassador alluded to the plans and prospects for a closer and more robust engagement with the U.S., including through a ?Partnership Dialogue? between the two countries that envisages to encompass all issues of mutual concern and benefit.

The remarks were followed by a question and answer session which focused on the way forward and as to how the government would address challenges that may impede the path of unprecedented progress made by the government. (Colombo Gazette)