Top US Senator in SL to discuss economic crisis, HR and reconciliation

Influential US Senator Chris Van Hollen arrived in Sri Lanka yesterday as a part of a three-nation (Sri Lanka, Nepal and Maldives) tour and will focus on ways the US can further assist efforts to overcome Sri Lanka’s economic crisis and discuss the way forward on human rights and reconciliation.

Senator Van Hollen, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and Appropriations Subcommittee on State and Foreign Operations is expected to hold talks with key government officials, civil society organizations, industry leaders etc.  

It is learnt that the visiting US Senator is scheduled to meet President Ranil Wickremesinghe during his visit, but no official confirmation has been issued so far in this regard.  
Issuing a statement last week, his office stated that “in visiting Sri Lanka, the Senator will focus on ways the United States can further assist efforts to overcome its economic crisis; strengthen our partnership on maritime security and climate change issues, and discuss the way forward on human rights and reconciliation to ensure that all the people of Sri Lanka can participate fully and fairly in the democratic process. He will also join the people of Sri Lanka in celebrating 75 years of friendship between our two nations.”  

“The goal of the trip is to strengthen the bonds between the United States and each of these countries, including through enhanced security cooperation, deepening economic ties, combating climate change, and advancing democracy and human rights.”  

“When we build strong and meaningful partnerships across the world, we strengthen our security, create more opportunities for American exports and workers, and brighten the future of all our peoples. On this trip, I look forward to promoting closer ties between the United States and these important countries in South Asia and the broader Indo-Pacific region and to discussing a wide range of issues, including our mutual security interests, expanding economic opportunities for all, addressing the climate crisis, and protecting human rights. I hope this trip will further deepen the bonds of friendship between the United States and the peoples of Sri Lanka, Nepal and Maldives,” said Senator Van Hollen.