US to offer options for SL on economic development partnership

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will present options for Sri Lanka to partner with the US on economic development, Deputy Assistant Secretary Dean Thompson said on Thursday.

According to the Hindu, Mr. Thompson said, “In the interest of strengthening our longstanding partnership with Sri Lanka and reinforcing our long-term commitment to the region, we encourage Sri Lanka to review the options we offer for transparent and sustainable economic development in contrast to discriminatory and opaque practices,”

“We urge Sri Lanka to make difficult but necessary decisions to secure its economic independence for long-term prosperity, and we stand ready to partner with Sri Lanka for its economic development and growth,” he said.

Mr. Pompeo is scheduled to meet President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa and Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena during his visit in Sri Lanka.

“He will discuss regional maritime cooperation and democracy, human rights, reconciliation, religious freedom and justice with Sri Lankan leaders,” Mr. Thompson said.