Washington: The United States pledged its support for the peace process in Sri Lanka and expressed hope that the constitutional crisis in the island nation would be resolved within the framework of its democratic institutions.

Far from the political turmoil at home, Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe went ahead with a scheduled meeting with US President George W. Bush at the White House and elicited his support for ushering peace in the civil-war ravaged nation.

"The President (Bush) expressed strong support for the Lankan Prime Minister's leadership and his commitment to peace," White house Press Secretary Scott McClellan said describing the meeting between Bush and Wickremesinghe's team as "very good."

"The President made it very clear that the US supports the Lankan Prime Minister's efforts and reaffirmed out strong support for the peace process and the democratic institutions there.

PTI