Blinken: Lanka crisis opportunity for more democratic, inclusive govt

COLOMBO: Sri Lanka is in a moment of challenge and crisis but has an opportunity to create a more democratic and inclusive government, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a Reuters report.

Blinken made the remarks in Cambodia at the start of a meeting with his Sri Lankan counterpart Ali Sabry, who said his country appreciates the US role in securing support from the International Monetary Fund.

The two were meeting on the sidelines of a regional gathering in Cambodia.

Antony Blinken also said:

“Obviously, Sri Lanka is in a moment of challenge and crisis; the United States has worked hard to step in to support Sri Lanka in this moment.

We’ve provided about $179 million worth of assistance of one kind or another, including loans and direct support, since June.

But in crisis there is also opportunity, and I hope that — and we hope and will certainly support Sri Lanka in these efforts — there’s an opportunity in this moment to create a more inclusive, representative, democratic, responsive government and to use this crisis to seize that opportunity to make something very positive out of a very difficult situation. It would stand Sri Lanka in very, very good stead.

We’re also very supportive of Sri Lanka and the IMF working out an arrangement that also requires appropriate debt restructuring that has to be done on an equitable basis with all of the creditors doing what’s necessary to support Sri Lanka at this time.