Pompeo set to arrive in Sri Lanka on Tuesday
Govt says visit on FM’s invitation; will hold official discussions with SL leadership
COLOMBO – The government on Saturday (24) confirmed US Secretary of State, Michael R. Pompeo’s visit to Sri Lanka, saying he will be arriving on an official two-day visit on Tuesday (27).
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in a statement issued on Saturday, said Pompeo is visiting Sri Lanka on an invitation extended by his Sri Lankan counterpart, Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena.
It said Pompeo will hold official discussions with the Sri Lankan leadership as well as with his counterpart, and that the discussions will cover several areas of the multifaceted engagement between the two countries.
The statement also noted that Pompeo is the highest-level US dignitary to visit Sri Lanka during the tenure of US President Donald Trump.
US officials on Thursday (22) said Pompeo will ask Sri Lanka to make “difficult” choices on its growing relationship with China and also planned to warn the country of risks surrounding China.
Dean Thompson, the top US diplomat for South Asia, said Pompeo will raise with Sri Lanka “human rights, reconciliation and our common commitment to democracy.”
“We’re looking to frame a discussion with them about a more positive trajectory,” he told reporters.
“We encourage Sri Lanka to review the options we offer for transparent and sustainable economic development, in contrast to discriminatory and opaque practices,” he said, in clear reference to China.
“We urge Sri Lanka to make difficult but necessary decisions to secure its economic independence for long-term prosperity.”
-ENCL