Comments at the daily press briefing of the US Department of State made by its Spokesperson on 2nd October 2014, with regard to a report from a Sri Lanka newspaper stating that the “US stance on Sri Lanka softens”, have been noted.
In this context, the Ministry of External Affairs wishes to clarify that the Government of Sri Lanka did not issue a press statement or comment on the meeting which took place between President Mahinda Rajapaksa and the US Secretary of State John Kerry on the margins of the on-going UNGA. Any reference in the media to the contents of this discussion are of a speculative nature and does not in any way reflect the view of the Government of Sri Lanka. In fact, reference to this meeting has been published in the schedule of State Secretary Kerry, which is in the public domain.
The Government of Sri Lanka however, appreciates this meeting having taken place, as a dialogue has now begun at high level, which befits the importance attached to this bilateral relationship and for its further strengthening.
Ministry of External Affairs
Colombo
6 October 2014
