Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to the US Ravinatha Aryasingha in an Independence Day speech called upon stakeholders in the US not to be misled by efforts of certain groups to vilify Sri Lanka and its leadership.
“I ask all to pay heed to the facts and recognise the difficult tasks the Government has embarked upon in a short time notwithstanding grappling with a global pandemic that has crippled most of the world,” he said during an Independence Day event in Washington.
He said US-Sri Lanka ties today are multifaceted. The visit of US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo in October 2020, is testimony to the importance placed by the US Government on Sri Lanka.” This visit provided a platform to discuss a number of areas of bi-lateral and regional importance to both countries at the highest level.
‘It also gave an opportunity to brief the Secretary of State on the initiatives undertaken by the new Government to address Sri Lanka’s economic and national security challenges and strengthen reconciliation and promote and protect human rights through domestic mechanisms, he said.
‘President Gotabaya Rajapaksa stated in his congratulatory message to US President Joe Biden that Sri Lanka under his leadership based on the mandate received from the people, is committed to further strengthen and consolidate this multifaceted partnership with the United States, grounded in mutual respect, shared values and common interest.’ Ambassador Aryasingha said.