Congrats from US to Mahinda
The United States yesterday congratulated Mahinda Rajapakse on his
victory at the November 17 Presidential Election and commended Sri
Lankans who "peacefully exercised their democratic rights and
responsibilities".
"We remain committed to maintaining the historically close ties
between our two countries," a press release from the US Department of
State in Washington DC said.
Adam Ereli, Deputy spokesman, US Department of State, Sri Lanka said:
"The United States looks forward to working with President Rajapakse as
he confronts many significant and immediate challenges.
These include the need to strengthen the Ceasefire Agreement and
bring renewed vigour to the peace process so that progress may be made
towards a negotiated solution that meets the aspirations of all Sri
Lankans.
The United States regrets that Tamil voters in the northern and
eastern parts of the island did not vote in significant numbers due to a
clear campaign of intimidation by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).
As a result, a significant portion of Sri Lanka's people were deprived
of the opportunity to make their views known.
The United States condemns this LTTE interference in the democratic
process." |