Office of the Spokesperson
The below is attributable to Principal Deputy Spokesperson Cale Brown:
Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo met today with Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Secretary Pompeo reaffirmed the United States’ commitment to a strong, sovereign Sri Lanka and to advancing our shared interests in a free and open Indo-Pacific region. Secretary Pompeo and President Rajapaksa discussed post-pandemic economic recovery and development and noted the benefits of long-term U.S. private sector trade and investment, which offers sustainable, transparent, and high-quality partnership. The Secretary also stressed the importance of strengthening democratic governance, human rights protections, and of fundamental freedoms to ensure long-term stability and prosperity. The two leaders agreed to remain in contact on issues of mutual concern, including cooperation on counterterrorism, and the post-pandemic economic recovery.