July 21, Colombo: The United States Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Robert O. Blake, Jr. has met Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa for a breakfast meeting this morning at the President's House, the Government Information Department announced.

External Affairs Minister Prof. G. L. Peiris, Secretary to the President Mr. Lalith Weerathunga, Finance Secretary Dr. P. B. Jayasundara, and US Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Ms. Patricia Butenis were also present.

The details of their discussion will be issued later, an official of the President's Office has said.

The former US Ambassador to Sri Lanka is expected to have consultations with the Sri Lankan government, political parties, business leaders, and civil society, the State Department said in a press release yesterday.

Blake will travel to Male, Maldives tomorrow from Sri Lanka.

(Pictures by Sudath Silva)