The United States yesterday praised the restoration of Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, who was controversially ousted by President Maithripala Sirisena and replaced by a former president Mahinda Rajapaksa in October, and voiced eagerness to work with him.
U.S. State Department spokesman Robert Palladino, has said that Sri Lanka is a valued partner in the Indo-Pacific and the U.S. expects to work with the Prime Minister and the new government to advance the bilateral cooperation, AFP reported.
“We are pleased that the leadership in Sri Lanka has resolved the political crisis of the past several weeks in accordance with constitutional norms and the rule of law,” State Department spokesman said.
“Sri Lanka is a valued partner in the Indo-Pacific, and we look forward to engaging with Prime Minister Wickremesinghe and his cabinet to advance cooperation on bilateral and regional issues of common interest,” Mr Palladino said.
Mr. Wickremesinghe’s dismissal sparked an outcry at home and abroad, with his allies saying that China, which forged a close economic relationship with Mr. Rajapakse, was involved, a claim denied by China.
Meanwhile, several countries have extended congratulatory messages on the reappointment of Mr. Wickremesinghe to the Prime Minister post.
The European Union representing 17 countries, Norway, Australia, Switzerland and India, welcomed the Prime Minister’s appointment.
Courtesy: Colombo Page
