President briefs US, UK envoys

• Western Ambassadors express high appreciation over 100-day 
• program successExtend support to strengthen democracy and eliminate bribery and corruption.
• Sirisena informs Parliament will be dissolved after 19th Amendment approval

Envoys of the United States and United Kingdom have extended fullest support to President Maithripala Sirisena’s policies to strengthen democracy and eliminate bribery and corruption. The envoys called on President Sirisena at the Presidential Secretariat yesterday and the President’s Office said they congratulated the President on his successful implementation of several important programs under the 100-day program of the new Government. President Sirisena said that his intention was to obtain approval of Parliament for the Constitutional Amendment and then dissolve Parliament and hold fresh elections. He added that he had had long hours of discussions with MPs during the last three days to break the political deadlock. However, he said he was confident that Parliament would give approval to the amendment. UK Deputy High Commissioner Laura Davies said that three teams from the United Kingdom would arrive next month in Sri Lanka to discuss, investments, defence cooperation and assistance to the Commission on Bribery and Corruption. US Chargé d’Affaires ad Interim Andrew Mann said there was immense potential for expansion of bilateral cooperation and the forthcoming visit of Secretary of State John Kerry would be a boost to bilateral ties. He said that President Sirisena’s new regime has generated tremendous enthusiasm in the international community and that the United States would increase assistance to Sri Lanka in many development spheres, while urging the Government to specify special requirements. President to meet Indian and Chinese envoys today President Maithripala Sirisena is scheduled to meet envoys of India and China today, his office said last night. Hear, hear Maithri today! President Maithripala Sirisena will make a special address to the nation tonight at 9, the Government announced yesterday. Today also marks the completion of the interim Government’s 100-day program. Sirisena’s address to the nation comes hot on the heels of crucial Constitutional reform, the 19th Amendment, being delayed and the impasse over electoral reforms as well as widespread opposition to the Government’s crackdown on the previous regime’s bribery and corruption.