Obama sees new hope in Sri Lanka

The President of the United States, Barack Obama, notes that there is new hope for democracy in Sri Lanka and that India can help countries like Sri Lanka forge a better future.

In a transcript posted on the White House website of a speech Obama made at the Siri Fort Auditorium in India, the US President is quoted as saying that India can help other countries with their elections by using the experience India has with its elections.

“Of course, as I’ve said before, with power comes responsibility.  In this region, India can play a positive role in helping countries forge a better future, from Burma to Sri Lanka, where today there’s new hope for democracy.  With your experience in elections, you can help other countries with theirs.  With your expertise in science and medicine, India can do more around the world to fight disease and develop new vaccines, and help us end the moral outrage of even a single child dying from a preventable disease.  Together, we can stand up against human trafficking and work to end the scourge of modern day slavery,” President Obama said.

Obama concluded an official visit to India today saying he believes America can be India’s best partner but only Indians can decide India’s role in the world.

“But I’m here because I’m absolutely convinced that both our peoples will have more jobs and opportunity, and our nations will be more secure, and the world will be a safer and a more just place when our two democracies — the world’s largest democracy and the world’s oldest democracy — stand together,” he said.

(Colombo Gazette)