Kerry promises closer US ties with Sri Lanka

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka — U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry on Saturday championed the new Sri Lankan government’s push for democratic reform and promised closer ties with the strategically located Indian Ocean nation.

“In this journey to restore your democracy, the American people stand with you,” said Kerry, on the first visit to the island in a decade by the top U.S. diplomat.

Kerry met with Sri Lanka’s president, prime minister and foreign minister.