US - Sri Lanka Ties Cordial - US Under Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Robert Blake

11th December 2009, www.news.lk

US Under Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Robert Blake was highly taken up with the Sri Lankan Government’s resettlement process. He said he was pleased to witness the greater freedom granted to civilians in welfare villages to move freely.

He claimed that US - Sri Lanka relationship were cordial and close as it had been in the past.

Robert Blake was addressing the media recently ending a three-day visit to Sri Lanka said that for the first time in over a generation, Sri Lankans live in a country that is not divided by war or marred by terror and violence. To bring unity and peace to the island, the Government and people of Sri Lanka must now undertake the difficult process of reconciliation and reconstruction,he added.

The United States welcomed the recent progress by the Government of Sri Lanka to return a majority of these Sri Lankans displaced by the war to their homes and allow increased freedom of movement to those still in the camps. He said he visited Menik Farm and saw evidence of this progress.

He was pleased to see that those living in the camps have greater freedom to come and go. He also visited some returnees in the Mannar area and witnessed some of the ongoing de-mining activity, where again progress is being made.

Blake pointed out that he met with President Rajapaksa and Foreign Minister Bogollogama, and also met with other political leaders during his visit.

The United States stands ready to continue giving assistance in these areas. He referred to the contributions the US has already made for de-mining activities in the North. And assured continued support for the removal of mines and are working with the Government of Sri Lanka to identify how and where their resources can be most effective.