They praise Sri Lanka’s triumph
Over terrorism and its reconciliation and Redevelopment efforts

COLOMBO – A Congressional delegation concluded an official tour of Sri Lanka last week by commending the island nation’s defeat over terrorism and its expansive reconciliation and redevelopment efforts after nearly three decades of conflict.

Three U.S. Congressmen meet with His Excellency Mahinda Rajapaksa during a recent fact-finding tour of Sri Lanka.

“It’s quite remarkable how the country has grown both economically and in terms of safety within the community,” said Rep. Heath Shuler, (D-NC), at a press conference as the visit concluded. “Now you have the opportunity to show the rest of the world how vigilant you can be, how great you can be as a nation, that you can succeed because of the great things that this country has stood for.”

The trip was attended by Representatives Shuler, Ben Chandler (D-KY) and Jack Kingston (R-GA., as well as two professional staff members. They expressed support for Sri Lanka’s post-conflict development work, noting that Sri Lanka has a thriving economy in a time of global economic downturn.

During a press conference, Rep. Shuler said that he visited Sri Lanka two years before and that the country has made “tremendous strides” since then.

The delegation met with President Mahinda Rajapaksa, senior government officials and members of Parliament, including opposition members of the United National Party and Tamil National Alliance, and others.

Afterward, the members of Congress commented on President Rajapaksa’s policies that led to the defeat over terrorism.

The congressmen also toured Colombo, the northern city of Jaffna, a world heritage site at Sigiriya and the ancient capital of Kandy.

Rep. Kingston emphasized the historic ties between Sri Lanka and America, which he noted have encompassed areas that include trade, political and military cooperation. He said those ties need to be strengthened.

He added that Sri Lanka’s Indian Ocean location was important from a strategic standpoint. Kingston said that even though the LTTE had been physically defeated, he warned that it was still active in various parts of the world through front organizations.

Rep. Chandler (D-Kentucky), said that human rights issues were important, but that a balanced view had to be taken following the end of a nearly 30-year conflict with the LTTE. He stated that Sri Lanka’s independent Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission, which is examining the conflict, should continue its work.
The delegation, accompanied by Jaliya Wickramasuriya, Sri Lanka’s ambassador to the United States, arrived on Oct. 18, f2011 and took a morning tour of Colombo to explore the city’s ethnic diversity.

In Colombo, Sri Lankan Tamils make up 42 percent of the population, followed by Muslims and Sinhalese respectively. The Congressional tour included a Hindu Korvil, a Buddhist temple and Sea Street, a business district dominated by Sri Lankan Tamils.

The delegation also held official meetings with Prof. G.L. Peiris, Sri Lanka’s minister of external affairs, who gave a detailed overview of the conflict, post-conflict period and reconciliation.

Defense Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa also offered a briefing on the LTTE’s global terrorism network and front organizations, including groups in the U.S.

The delegation also took part in a dinner hosted by Patricia Butenis, U.S. Ambassador of Sri Lanka.
In Jaffna, the congressmen received separate briefings from the commander of security forces in Jaffna, Major General Mahinda Hathurusinghe, and Mrs. Emelda Sukumar, the government agent there. Both briefings highlighted the combined efforts of Army Civil Affairs and the government in their work on resettlement, rehabilitation and the rebuilding homes and livelihoods.

The group also toured a market place in Jaffna, speaking with local vendors and businesspeople.
Afterward, the congressional delegation traveled to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Sigiriya, an ancient city perched on a towering land formation. In Kandy, the U.S. delegation visited the Temple of the Tooth, the most important site in Buddhism.

The group’s trip was the second official visit by members of Congress within the past month. Rep. Steve Chabot (R-Ohio), also visited Sri Lanka in late September. Chabot is the chairman of the House Foreign Affair Subcommittee on the Middle East and South Asia.

More Pictures:

Picture I: Three U.S. Congressmen meet with His Excellency Mahinda Rajapaksa (center) during a recent fact-finding tour of Sri Lanka. The Congressmen, picture from the left, are Rep. Ben Chandler (D-KY), Rep. Jack Kingston (R-GA), and Rep. Heath Shuler (D-NC). To the right of President Rajapaksa is Prof. G.L. Peiris, Sri Lankan Minister of External Affairs, Lalith Weeratunge, presidential secretary and Jaliya Wickramasuriya, Sri Lanka’s ambassador to the United States.

Picture II: Meeting with External Affairs Minister G.L. Peiris (center). From left to right, Ambassador Jaliya Wickramasuriya, U.S. Rep. Heath Shuler, G.L. Peiris, Rep. Ben Chandler and Rep. Jack Kingston Embassy of Sri Lanka.

Picture III: U.S. Congressional delegation meet with Defense Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa (center). Left to Right: Ambassador Jaliya Wickamsuriya, Rep. Heath Shuler, Defense Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Rep. Jack Kingston and Rep. Ben Chandler.