US help with reconciliation process, encourage investments – Senator Van Hollen

Visiting US Senator Chris Van Hollen while stressing to continue strong security partnership with Sri Lanka, yesterday said that his country has provided assistance to Sri Lankan Navy to protect Sri Lanka’s Exclusive Economic Zone and prevent drug smuggling and human trafficking in its territorial waters.

Van Hollen added that US Coast Guard has provided three ships aiming to strengthen and develop partnerships to overcome common challenges in the maritime domain. They will help carry out rescue operations too, he said.

The visiting US Senator made these remarks during a roundtable discussion with a group of journalists at the Water’s Edge Hotel in Battaramulla yesterday. He was of the view that Sri Lanka needs to double its effort to find solutions to the issues of families of missing persons.He added that truth and justice play very crucial role in the reconciliation process of Sri Lanka.

He said that he will encourage US investors to make investment in Sri Lanka and the country should ensure transparency and stability in the country. The visiting US Senator also welcomed the passage of Anti-Corruption Bill in Parliament.

“The Anti Corruption Bill is very important to provide confidence to the world. Sri Lanka has to see its proper implementation,” Van Hollen said.

The US senator added that Sri Lanka must address the issues that cropped up in the aftermath of the protracted conflict in the country. The Senator said that Peace Corps will be back in Sri Lanka which will focus on English language skills which Sri Lanka considers essential for the economic stability. The programme was first introduced to then Ceylon in 1962.

“Peace Corps coming back in Sri Lanka focusing on English language training young volunteers will have an opportunity through this programme”, he said.

He was of the view that the election should be held in time for the people to express their opinion democratically and free media is important for the people to air their views freely.

“My understanding is that Sri Lanka is holding the Presidential election next year same time the US holding its Presidential Election,”, he said. US Ambassador Julie Chung was also present.

The US Senator whose father was US Ambassador in Colombo between 1972 to 1976 said that a lot of changes has taken place in the country for the past 50 years except the close friendship between the two nations.

He recollected how his father celebrated the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Sri Lanka and the United States in 1973. We are witnessing the 75th anniversary since the establishment of diplomatic ties between Sri Lanka and the United states this year”, he said.

The post US help with reconciliation process, encourage investments – Senator Van Hollen appeared first on DailyNews.