US would always help Sri Lanka - Ambassador Blake

Rasika SOMARATHNA

Outgoing US Ambassador Robert Blake in his parting remarks yesterday asserted that the United States would remain engaged in helping Sri Lanka to achieve a lasting end to terrorism and emerge as a truly united nation.

In his final interaction with the media as the US envoy in Sri Lanka Blake said "I don't know whether I could have chosen a more defining three years to serve in Sri Lanka.

I arrived in September 2006 shortly after the Government began its campaign to free the Eastern Province.

And now I depart one day after the President's announcement of the end to the decades long battle with the LTTE, and his subsequent call for all to unite in rebuilding the nation."

"For the country this is a new beginning. Now begins the critical process of national reconciliation. Although the wounds of a 26 year old conflict would take time to heal I am convinced that there is a national desire among Sinhala, Tamil, Muslim and others to make this national reconciliation happen to build a united and prosperous Sri Lanka," Blake said.

The Ambassador also claimed that the people who were directly affected by the conflict had undergone tremendous suffering with thousands of lives lost. Thus the humanitarian needs of those affected including the displaced numbering nearly 300,000 should be effectively met, he added.

During his final media briefing, Blake also said that he was of the opinion that the Government should work hand-in-hand with the UN and other relief organizations in expediting relief\rehabilitation efforts in the north.

The Government should rope in the Tamil diaspora too to supplement the programs he said adding that the US too was ever willing to back these efforts.

"The US Government has already provided $ 21 million worth of aid so far to meet the urgent humanitarian needs of the IDPs and we intend to provide more in the future," he added.

He also noted that the Sri Lankan Government had professed to resettle IDPs as soon as possible and pledged US support in the effort.

"To achieve the promise of this new beginning and to assure a lasting end to terrorism, bold actions are needed now, to share power and to assure all Sri Lankan communities a future of hope, respect and dignity. Through such bold actions, a truly united Sri Lanka can emerge," Blake said.

With his Sri Lankan mission over Ambassador Blake is slated to take up the position as US Assistant Secretary to the Asia/Pacific region shortly.