Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Sabry has called on United States Under Secretary for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights Uzra Zeya.
The two parties discussed Sri Lanka’s work to ensure political reforms in detail.
Zeya said they also discussed protecting the most vulnerable, advancing human rights, transitional justice, and reconciliation for all.
During Minister Sabry’s meeting with US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, the US urged Sri Lanka to continue its efforts toward economic and political reforms focused on transparency, inclusion, and good governance.
Secretary Blinken congratulated Foreign Minister Sabry on the approaching 75th anniversary of Sri Lanka’s independence.
They held productive discussions at the Department of State on Friday 02, focused on further elevating Sri Lanka – U.S. relations in diverse spheres, including the 75th Anniversary of diplomatic relations which will be marked in 2023.
The two discussed the United States’ support for Sri Lanka during its economic crisis, including nearly $240 million in new U.S. government assistance, and the importance of comparable treatment for all creditors as critical to debt restructuring and securing an IMF program.
Secretary Blinken urged the Government of Sri Lanka to continue its ongoing efforts toward economic and political reforms focused on transparency, inclusion, and good governance.
The Secretary also welcomed Sri Lanka’s agreement to join the Global Methane Pledge. Both sides affirmed their common interest in tackling the climate crisis by accelerating the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, transitioning to clean energy, and strengthening resilience to climate impacts.
The leaders also discussed the two countries’ shared commitment to advance democratic principles, including respect for human rights.
In addition to the meeting with Secretary Blinken, the Embassy of Sri Lanka to the U.S. facilitated further interactions during the visit which included meetings with key U.S. interlocutors including political leaders from both the House of Representatives and the Senate representing both major parties and high officials of the State Department.
Minister Ali Sabry met with a member of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, Senator Bill Hagerty, (Republican – Tennessee).
He had talks with members of Congress Rep. Bill Johnson (Republican – Ohio), Co-Chair of the Caucus on Ethnic and Religious Freedom in Sri Lanka and Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (Democrat – Illinois) who has shown an interest in Sri Lanka.
The Minister also had a meeting with Administrator, United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Samantha Power and expressed his appreciation of USAID for their generous support to Sri Lanka.
The Ambassador of Sri Lanka in United States Mahinda Samarasinghe along with diplomatic officers of the Embassy of Sri Lanka and officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs were also associated with the Foreign Minister at the meetings.