US Secretary of State notes Sri Lanka’s democratic gains this year

Washington, DC: The United States Secretary of State John Kerry has noted Sri Lanka’s progress in restoring democracy in the island this year.

In an op-ed to The Boston Globe, the US Secretary of State said Sri Lanka achieved important democratic gains in 2015.

“The past year also marked important democratic gains in such countries as Nigeria, Burma, Sri Lanka, and Venezuela,” the Secretary wrote.

During his visit to the Indian Ocean island nation in May this year, Secretary Kerry said Sri Lanka in a short time has made enormous progress that can be measured.

“Sri Lanka has made in just a few short months progress on restoring democratic institutions and progress on creating more accountable governance,” he said.

He noted that the passage of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution, in which the president kept his promise to reduce the powers of the presidency and move them more to the people through a broader sharing, is an example of the progress the island nation made by the new government.

Kerry said the government made progress in combatting corruption and progress on reconciliation that can lead to a much more enduring peace and to shared prosperity for all Sri Lankans.