US Assistant Secretary Blake’s visit to Sri Lanka yet to be rescheduled

Washington, DC: No new dates have been scheduled yet for the visit of United States Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Robert O. Blake to Sri Lanka that had to be postponed due to Hurricane Irene, the State Department spokesperson Victoria Nuland said Monday.

Responding to a query on his trip Nuland Assistant Secretary, said Blake was supposed to fly out on Saturday but his flight was delayed by the hurricane.

Blake was scheduled to arrive in Colombo on Monday for a three-day visit.

The delay has caused him to miss some previously scheduled meetings.

“He is now endeavouring to reschedule those meetings so he can go at the next appropriate opportunity,” the spokesperson said.  During his stay he was expected to meet Sri Lankan government officials, civil society representatives, university students and political leaders, the State Department said Thursday. (Colombo Page)