The US Assistant Secretary for Democracy, Human Rights and Labour Tom Malinowski said Sri Lanka has a chance to achieve peace and reconciliation, but that this will require accounting for the "wrongdoing of the guilty", on all sides.

Mr Malinowski is currently in Sri Lanka and met with government officials on Thursday before arriving in the North-East on Friday, where he paid respects to those who died in Mullaitivu.

'Success depends on accountability and reconciliation' in Sri Lanka says US official (02 Apr 15)

Speaking at the Forum on Women's Role in Post-War Reconciliation in Colombo, Mr Malinowski said the US will continue to encourage those processes.

"Sri Lanka has a chance now to achieve reconciliation, justice and true peace. That will require, in part, looking backward, to acknowledge the suffering of the innocent and account for the wrongdoing of the guilty, on every side,

"The United States will continue to encourage that process, because experience has taught us that no society can move forward by burying the past. But our greatest hope is that you will keep moving forward," he said.

Mr Malinowski highlighted the role women are playing in developments on the island.

"They help the needy and displaced, encouraging people to build secure and prosperous communities. They’re supporting ex-combatants and survivors of sexual and gender-based violence, among other human rights abuses, providing counseling and psycho-social services."

The assistant secretary said the US welcomes the actions taken by Sri Lanka and will do everything in its power to help the country in the "hard choices" that need to be made.

"We welcome actions taken by the Sri Lankan government to rebuild trust with the Sri Lankan people; and we stand ready to support your efforts in establishing just and lasting peace,

"And while only you can make the hard choices needed to keep moving forward, we will do everything in our power to help you if you do."