US Human Rights report accuses Sri Lankan government of unlawful killings

Although the overall number of extrajudicial killings appeared to decrease from previous years, killings and assaults on civilians by government officials continued in 2012, the United States said in a report released Friday.

U.S. reiterates call for Sri Lanka to protect freedom of expression

The United States Monday expressed concern about threats to freedom of expression in Sri Lanka and reiterates its call for Sri Lankan authorities to protect freedom of expression.

US prepares to bring resolution against Sri Lanka at UNHRC

The United States said Friday that it will sponsor and support a new resolution against Sri Lanka at the current session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva to put pressure on Sri Lanka to show progress in reconciliation and accountability issues.

US expresses concern over Sri Lanka's moves to stifle free expression

The United States today expressed concern about recent threats to freedom of expression in Sri Lanka. Issuing a statement today the U.S. Embassy in Colombo said the Wednesday's (November 28) beating of a reporter in Jaffna, harassment by Government of Sri Lanka officials of independent media outlets, and searches without warrants of journalists all serve to stifle media freedom.

U.S. Embassy helps strengthen education across southern Sri Lanka

The United States Ambassador to Sri Lanka Michele Sison Tuesday visited several of the English language programs sponsored by the U.S. Embassy in Sri Lanka's Southern Province.

US will remain engaged with Sri Lanka despite some differences of opinion - Ambassador

The United States will remain engaged with Sri Lanka despite some differences of opinion on the political front, the US ambassador to Sri Lanka Patricia Butenis has said Wednesday.

US proffers qualified 'sorry,' Pakistan reopens Nato supply routes

The United States on Tuesday proffered a token ''sorry'' to Pakistan for the losses its military suffered in the American attack on the Salala checkpost last November, enabling reopening of vital supply routes into Afghanistan which Pakistan closed after the incident.

US to continue GSP concession to Sri Lanka without any change to trade benefits

The United States Trade Representative on Friday has announced that it has closed the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) country practice review on worker rights in Sri Lanka without any change to Sri Lanka' GSP trade benefits.

U.S. Embassy in Sri Lanka supports development projects in Eastern Province

The United States Ambassador to Sri Lanka and Maldives Patricia A. Butenis visited Batticaloa in the Eastern Province Tuesday (19) to open projects completed by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the development arm of the U.S. Embassy.

America persuades India to expand Afghan footprint

India and the United States on Wednesday pledged to hold a regular trilateral dialogue with Afghanistan, signaling a long-term commitment to stability in the war-ravaged country in the face of Pakistan's depredations.

No meeting between Sri Lanka Tamil party and Secretary Clinton

The United States rejected media reports that said Sri Lanka's major Tamil party, Tamil National Alliance has been invited to Washington for a meeting with the Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. Issuing a statement, the U.S. Embassy in Colombo said "Recent media reports incorrectly state that Secretary Clinton has invited the TNA to visit Washington.

The US eases restrictions on Sri Lanka defense sales

The United States has eased restrictions on defense sales to Sri Lanka to allow exports of equipment for aerial and maritime surveillance, Associated Press report said.

US look forward to discuss future actions on Sri Lanka with External Affairs Minister

The United States said today it, along with the international community, has sent a strong signal that Sri Lanka will only achieve lasting peace through real reconciliation and accountability and is ready to help to achieve the objectives of the resolution. "Today's action by the UN Human Rights Council encourages the Government of Sri Lanka to continue on the path toward reconciliation following 27 years of civil war.

Time is slipping away in Sri Lanka for lasting peace, US concerned

The United States said Friday that three years after the war ended the time is slipping away for Sri Lanka to achieve reconciliation and lasting peace. Addressing the 19th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland on Friday, Maria Otero, Under Secretary of state for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights of the US said

US to support UN resolution against Sri Lanka

The United States will support a resolution against Sri Lanka to be tabled at the United Nations Human Rights Council sessions later this month to pressure the Sri Lankan government to take prompt measures to implement the recommendations made by the Lessons Learnt And Reconciliation Commission (LLRC) and address the accountability issues. Addressing a press conference in Colombo today

US keen to increase trade with Sri Lanka

The United States is keen to increase trade with Sri Lanka as the island nation has shown an impressive economic growth, a top US official has said. Deputy Assistant Secretary for Africa, the Middle East, and South Asia at the U.S. Department of Commerce, Ms. Holly Vineyard who visited the island on January 17-19 has said that Sri Lanka's impressive economic growth is motivating the U.S. Department of Commerce to urge their companies to have a second look at the island nation.

Several U.S. government officials to visit Sri Lanka

Several officials of the United States government will visit Sri Lanka over the next two weeks, the U.S. Embassy in Colombo said in a statement today.

US extends GSP program till July 2013

The United States congress has passed a reauthorization bill to extend the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP), which expired earlier this year, through 31 July 2013.

US welcomes lifting emergency in Sri Lanka, reiterates its stance on a transparent investigation

Washington, DC: The United States, while welcoming the lifting of emergency regulations in Sri Lanka that was imposed during the decades-long war against the Tamil Tiger terrorists, reiterated its call on Thursday for Sri Lanka to conduct a transparent investigation into the alleged war crimes.

US reiterates call for an investigation on Sri Lanka's allegations of war crimes

The United States Monday reiterated its call for an investigation on the allegations of war crimes made against Sri Lanka in the report prepared by the United Nations Panel of Experts and in a documentary aired by a British television station.