(LANKAPUVATH | COLOMBO) – Minister of Foreign Affairs M.U.M. Ali Sabry participated in a conversation hosted by the United States Institute of Peace (USIP) in collaboration with the Embassy of Sri Lanka at the USIP headquarters on 28 September 2023 in Washington D.C.
President and the Chief Executive Officer of USIP Lise Grande welcomed and introduced the Foreign Minister to the audience consisting of government officials including the Department of State, Department of Defence, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), and think tanks. In her opening remarks Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan, and the Maldives, as well as the Office of Security and Transnational Affairs Afreen Akhter highlighted the steadfast diplomatic relations between the two countries which marked the 75th anniversary this year.
Foreign Minister Sabry engaged in a dialogue with the USIP on the contemporary situation in Sri Lanka and its prospects for the future whilst responding to several questions from the audience. He underscored the long-standing bilateral relations between Sri Lanka and the United States whilst stating Sri Lanka’s aspiration to renew its enduring 75 years of diplomatic friendship based on mutual respect, shared values and a common objective – the betterment of humanity across the world. Director, South Asia Program Taman Salikuddin moderated the conversation with the Minister.
USIP is a national, nonpartisan, independent institute, founded by Congress and dedicated to the proposition that a world without violent conflict is possible, practical and essential for U.S. and global security. The institute pursues its mission by linking research, policy, training, analysis and direct action to support those who are working to build a more peaceful, inclusive world.
