The United States urging Sri Lanka to make “difficult but necessary” decisions to secure its economic independence for long-term prosperity, said the superpower stands ready to partner with Sri Lanka for its economic development and growth.

In an apparent reference to Sri Lanka’s ties with China, the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Dean R. Thompson, Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs of the State Department said the United States offers Sri Lanka transparent and sustainable economic development in contrast to discriminatory and opaque practices

Briefing reporters via teleconference on Secretary of State Michael Pompeo’s travel to India, Sri Lanka, Maldives, and Indonesia next week, Thompson said Secretary Pompeo will travel to Colombo from New Delhi and meet with President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Prime Minister Rajapaksa, and Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena.

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