Colombo, Feb 4 (IANS): The US Wednesday said there is a lot of work to be done in Sri Lanka after a new government came to power last month.

US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Nisha Biswal, who just concluded a visit to Sri Lanka, said her government looked forward to partnering with the Sri Lankan people to address the challenges and help Sri Lanka realise its true potential.

"It was a privilege to visit Colombo to witness for myself the sense of excitement and optimism that the Sri Lankan people have ushered in through the historic Jan 8 election. In my meetings with government, civil society, private sector, and political parties, I heard a consistent message of hope about translating this promise into a brighter reality for all Sri Lankans," Xinhua news agency quoted Biswal as saying in a statement issued at the conclusion of her visit.

Biswal said during her Sri Lanka visit she had very productive conversations with President Maithripala Sirisena, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremasinghe, Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera, Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake, Urban Development Minister Rauff Hakeem and State Minister for Defence Ruwan Wijewardene.

"I also had a chance to meet with other political, civil society, religious and business leaders. In all of these meetings I reiterated our desire to see the US-Sri Lanka relationship grow to the benefit of both our nations. I congratulated President Sirisena on his victory and expressed the United States' willingness to work with the new government as it pursues a future for Sri Lanka that is peaceful, inclusive and prosperous," she added.