Washington to work with Sirisena govt

GANDHINAGAR, India: Washington pledged Monday to work with Sri Lanka’s newly-elected government to help improve human rights and democracy, voicing hope the election will mark the start of a new chapter in ties.
US Secretary of State John Kerry telephoned President Maithripala Sirisena late Sunday to say the US now hoped to strengthen its ties with the tear-shaped Indian Ocean island.
Veteran leader Mahinda Rajapaksa had alienated many foreign leaders by refusing to cooperate with an international probe into alleged wartime abuses during a crackdown on Tamil Tiger rebels.