U.S to remain engaged with Sri Lanka: Envoy

Xinhua | China Radio International

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The United States will remain engaged with Sri Lanka despite some differences of opinion on the political front, the U.S. ambassador to Sri Lanka said on Wednesday.

In a message released in Colombo to mark America's Independence Day, the U.S. envoy in Colombo Patricia Butenis noted that the Sri Lankan government has made progress on the resettlement issue and post war development.

"When I arrived in 2009 the war had just ended and there were literally hundreds of thousands of displaced people that needed to be resettled. Now that's down to just a few thousand. The government has also made great progress with the rehabilitation of ex-combatants. Demining is another significant achievement," she said.

The Sri Lankan military defeated the Tamil Tiger rebels three years ago after 30 years of war and the government has almost completed the resettlement of over 300,000 war displaced in the north.

Most of rebels who surrendered to the military have also been rehabilitated and released back into society but the most hardcore rebels remain in prison.

Butenis noted however that there still remains a lot to be done and her government stands ready to help Sri Lanka to move forward.

The United States had in March sponsored a resolution against Sri Lanka at the UN Human Rights Council (UNHCR), a resolution which Sri Lanka had termed as ill timed and unwarranted.

The resolution had called on the government to implement the recommendations of a local war commission known as the Lessons Learned and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC).

"On the political level we have had to weather some storms. But we've come through, and I am certain of our future cooperation. As a friend the United states will continue to partner with Sri Lanka as it moves from a post conflict nation to one truly at peace with others and with itself," Butenis said.

She also said that her government will continue with the development programs with the public and private sector in Sri Lanka while helping especially the communities most affected by the conflict.

© CRI