The US Assistant Secretary of State Nisha Biswal, who arrived in Sri Lanka on Monday for a three day visit of the island, said that a lot of hard work and some difficult challenges remained.

Speaking to reporters after a meeting with Sri Lanka's foreign minister, Mangala Samaraweera, Ms Biswal said:

"President Sirisena and Prime Minister Wickremasinghe have put forth an ambitious agenda for their first one hundred days and much has already been accomplished in such a short time. But we recognise that there is a lot of hard work ahead and some difficult challenges."

"Sri Lanka can count on the United States to be a partner and a friend in the way forward. Whether it is on rebuilding the economy, on preventing corruption and advancing good governance, and ensuring human rights and democratic participation for all of its citizens."

"The United States stands with Sri Lanka. Our friendship dates back generations and since Sri Lanka's independence, the United States has provided over $2 billion in assistance. No country in the world buys more Sri Lankan products than the United States and we look forward to growing and deepening our partnership, to advancing trade and investment."

Stating that a "range of issues aimed at further strengthening our bilateral relations" were discussed, Mr Samaraweera, said he hoped to continue the dialogue in Washington next week, where he is scheduled to meet with the US Secretary of State John Kerry on February 12.