IMF NOTES SRI LANKA’S ECONOMIC EXPANSION, CONTINUED GROWTH
The International Monetary Fund has projected, “strong growth this year” for Sri Lanka’s economy, noting that the island nation’s “fiscal performance so far remains consistent with achieving the government’s full-year deficit target of 8 percent of GDP.”
The IMF, which has extended a $2.6 billion standby loan facility to Sri Lanka, regularly reviews the nation’s economic performance. In the review just ended, the IMF notes that, “Overall economic conditions are improving as expected in the last visit, and the economy is likely to show strong growth this year.”
The IMF found that a recent rate cut by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka was “appropriate,” as bank lending is rebounding.” The review found “little sign of emerging demand-driven inflation, and average inflation for the year as a whole is expected to remain in the single digits.”
Sri Lanka’s continued strong economic performance is notable because it suffered through nearly three-decades of conflict against the terrorist group Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, which it defeated in May 2009. While Sri Lanka’s economy managed to show strong resilience during the conflict years, the fighting kept wary foreign investors and tourists away.
Today, however, foreign investment and tourism have both shown notable increases, the IMF found.
“External balances are strong,” the review stated,” remittance inflows continue at a high rate, tourism prospects continue to improve rapidly, and gross reserves remain at comfortable levels.
“The end of the 30-year war has led to a surge in investor enthusiasm, bolstered by the decline in the risk of a short-term balance of payments crisis—and future growth prospects have improved markedly.”
The IMF stated that Sri Lanka is also meeting the conditions of its loan program: “Performance under the program has been good. End-June performance criteria on domestic budget borrowing, reserve money, and net reserves have been met. With budget revenues increasing and expenditure restraint continuing, fiscal performance so far remains consistent with achieving the government’s full-year deficit target of 8 percent of GDP. Financial sector reforms continue to go forward in line with the program.”
Like most economies, Sri Lanka faces future challenges as the global recovery continues. The IMF noted that, “significant near- and medium-term macroeconomic challenges will need to be addressed, however, if Sri Lanka is to take full advantage of the current favorable environment.”
The report notes, however, that those challenges are being met.
“First,” the IMF states, “a fundamental tax reform is needed—and planned—to simplify the existing system, broaden the tax base (including by restricting concessions), spread the tax burden more equitably, and support economic growth, all while boosting the revenue-to-GDP ratio.”
The Fund also suggested that private-sector investment, “will need to play a critical role,” in Sri Lanka’s continued growth and stability.
Sri Lanka has already launched ambitious programs to expand foreign direct investment, including a Private-Public Partnership Initiative by the Embassy of Sri Lanka in the United States and the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative.
SRI LANKAN EMBASSY AND TOURISM DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY LAUNCH “SIGNATURE TOURS” FROM THE UNITED STATES
Sri Lankan Ambassador to the U.S. leads the Inaugural Tour
"Signature Tour" participants at Dulles International Airport prior to their
departure for Sri Lanka
Ambassador Jaliya Wickramasuriya and the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Washington, D.C., in collaboration with Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority, today launched the first in a series of “Signature Tours,” that will bring more American travelers to Sri Lanka to see and experience the magnificence of the island.
The group of 25 tourists is visiting Sri Lanka from August 20–29, 2010 and is accompanied by Ambassador Wickramasuriya. Travelers on the inaugural trip include an award-winning travel writer, a Hollywood film professional and executives from a variety of companies.
“It is our pleasure to bring this group of American travelers to Sri Lanka,” said Ambassador Wickramasuriya. “I look forward to introducing the travelers to our island of unrivaled splendor and our welcoming culture. I know our journey will be an eye-opening experience that will highlight Sri Lanka’s boundless potential.”
The 12-day itinerary includes travel from the Sri Lankan capital of Colombo to the U.N. World Heritage site of the Galle Fort and then a visit to the renowned countryside and tea fields of Nuwara Eliya. Working with the Embassy, the itinerary was organized by Jetwing Travels, a leading travel company in Sri Lanka.
Earlier this year, The New York Times named Sri Lanka its number one travel destination in 2010 and National Geographic ranked Sri Lanka second among its top 25 places to visit in 2010.
The Embassy plans to arrange Signature Tours on an annual basis.
Sri Lanka Ambassador in U.S. refutes Amnesty International Claims
On Aug. 9, 2010 the Washington Post published a letter from James McDonald of Amnesty International suggesting that a shipload of Sri Lankans arriving illegally in Canada should be given asylum because they faced persecution if they returned to Sri Lanka.
I am compelled to respond to this letter because Mr. McDonald misstates so many facts and makes so many blind allegations that he must be corrected.
First, Mr. McDonald states that during Sri Lanka’s “civil war, both the government and Tigers committed human rights abuses including war crimes.”
Sri Lanka’s long fight against a terrorist army, the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, was not a civil war. That’s a convenient Western characterization. The LTTE ruthlessly took over parts of Sri Lanka and killed any person – many of them Tamil – who stood in their way.
Secondly, it is outrageous to suggest that the government of Sri Lanka committed human rights abuses and war crimes as it defeated the LTTE in May 2009. In fact, the government rescued nearly 300,000 people who were held hostage as human shields by the LTTE. Furthermore, Sri Lankan forces are trained in human rights. Mr. McDonald of course cites no evidence for his allegations; in fact there is none. Sri Lanka has established a Lessons Learned and Reconciliation Commission to examine the most intense years of the conflict.
Finally, Mr. McDonald accuses Sri Lanka of holding hardcore LTTE militants without due process. These militants escaped by posing as civilians. They are terrorists. Yet the government of Sri Lanka has initiated a program that will offer them amnesty and rehabilitation.
Sri Lanka is working hard to provide Tamils and all others affected by the conflict with a new beginning, and so it is also outrageous to suggest, as Mr. McDonald does, that Tamils who return to Sri Lanka will be persecuted. In fact many Tamils have already returned to renew lives that were disrupted by the LTTE's violence -- another fact ignored by Mr. McDonald.
Accusations come easy without facts, but facts make it difficult to sustain tired arguments. I should think that Mr. McDonald and Amnesty International would be heartened by the fact that terrorist violence against innocent civilians has been halted in Sri Lanka for more than a year.
Sincerely,
Jaliya Wickramasuriya
Ambassador of Sri Lanka to the United States
WHAT FILLS THIS PORT IS THE FUTURE PROSPERITY OF OUR NATION – PRESIDENT AT HAMBANTOTA PORT CEREMONY
“Every drop of water that fills up this great port should dissolve and wipe out the feelings of weakness and inability that once prevailed among us”
It is not sea water that will fill this port, but the future prosperity of our nation. From this port will emerge our true economic independence. This a great symbol of our moving away from the days when we said we are unable to develop for lack of funds, to a time when we can show how the country can be developed through our own strength, said President Mahinda Rajapaksa addressing the large gathering at the Karadiyawara Mangallaya, the ceremonial sea water intake completing Phase One of the Hambantota Port Development today (15).
President Rajapaksa said: “We are now engaged in building our future. Ours is the rising economy in Asia. This is our own vision. It is of our own construction. This new emerging economy will be enriched with a knowledge economy in addition to the physical and infrastructural facilities.”
He added that: “We must announce to the world that this is a massive technological achievement built in Sri Lanka. Therefore, we will not anymore be a nation that is satisfied with supplying only fuel and water to ships. This port must lead to the emergence of tens of thousands of employment opportunities.
We must transform our country as an economic centre that spreads the national brand name “Made in Sri Lanka” throughout the world. … Not only the South, Hambantota, Moneragala and Embilipitiya but the entire Eastern region too will become a single vibrant economic region from these infrastructure developments. This development is not confined to a single region. It will help make the entire country one large economic zone.
AMBASSADOR MEETS WITH SRI LANKAN EXPATRIATES
IN CALIFORNIA
Tamil expatriates impressed Ambassador’s willingness to engage in a dialogue with an open mind
Ambassador Jaliya Wickramasuriya addresses Sri Lankan Expatriates in California
Ambassador Wickramasuriya with Sri Lankan Tamil Expatriates in California
Pictures by Moran Perera
SANTA MONICA, Calif. -- Jaliya Wickramasuriya, Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to the United States, met recently with Sri Lankan community members as part of Sri Lanka’s efforts to unify the Sri Lanka Diaspora in the U.S.
Assisted by Mr. Jeff Goonewardena, who was recently appointed as Sri Lanka’s Consul General to California, the Ambassador met with members of the Tamil, Sinhalese and Muslim Sri Lankan community in California.
The meeting between the Ambassador and community members focused on ways to strengthen relations within the Sri Lankan Tamil communities and extending their support towards the post-conflict development of Sri Lanka.
The Ambassador’s California visit continues a series of meetings he has held with members of the Sri Lankan community throughout the United States following Sri Lanka’s defeat of the LTTE terrorist group in May 2009.
Since then, the Sri Lankan government has engaged in a broad reconciliation effort at home and abroad to bring together all members of the Sri Lankan community, including Tamils, Sinhalese, Muslims and many others.
The discussion put particular focus on economic development in Sri Lanka’s Northern and Eastern provinces, which are majority Tamil areas and where the heaviest fighting in the 26-year-long conflict took place.
SRI LANKA AMBASSADOR DESCRIBES PEACE, PROGRESS, GROWING PROSPERITY IN SRI LANKA
Thousands Turn Out for "Sri Lanka Day Expo 2010"
Ambassador Jaliya Wickramasuriya lighting the traditional oil lamp at the
Sri Lanka Day Expo
Ambassador Wickramasuriya enjoying the cultural pageant with (L-R) Consul General Jeff Goonewardena, Mrs Wickramasuriya and Dr. Walter Jayasinghe, Founder & President of Sri Lanka Foundation
Cutural parade
Pictures by Moran Perera
SANTA MONICA, CALIF. -- Ambassador Jaliya Wickramasuriya served as “Chief Guest” at the recent “Sri Lanka Day Expo 2010” in Santa Monica, Calif., a festival that celebrates Sri Lankan culture, heritage and community.
During the Expo, Ambassador Wickramasuriya, told the gathering that Sri Lanka has entered into a new era of peace and prosperity, one unrivaled in the nation's modern history.
He expressed thanks to the Sri Lanka Foundation and its Founder and Chairman, Dr. Walter Jayasinge, and the Serandib Foundation as well as all other organizations.
Launched in 2006, the “Sri Lanka Day Expo”, is spearheaded by the Sri Lanka Foundation. Today the Expo has grown to be one of the biggest events in the expatriate community calendar, allowing the Sri Lankan Diaspora to share their culture and heritage with the American public.
STATEMENT BY THE GOVERNMENT OF SRI LANKA ON AMBASSADOR RAPP'S REPORT TO CONGRESS
The Government of Sri Lanka has received the text of the report by Ambassador Rapp of the US State Department to Congress titled "Report to Congress on measures taken by the Government of Sri Lanka and international bodies to investigate incidents during the recent conflict in Sri Lanka, and evaluating the effectiveness of such efforts."
The Government wishes in this regard to observe that in May 2009, Sri Lanka defeated the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), recognized globally as a brutal terrorist organization. The conflict situation had a devastating effect on the people of Sri Lanka and the Government has set a vigorous goal of rebuilding the nation to move forward into a new era of peace and prosperity.
U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT REPORT: LTTE'S INTERNATIONAL NETWORK OF FINANCIAL SUPPORT HAS SURVIVED DESPITE THE END OF SRI LANKA'S WAR
In spite of losing the war on the ground in Sri Lanka, the LTTE’s international network of financial support was suspected of surviving largely intact, according to the US State Department’s 'Country Reports on Terrorism for the year 2009' released yesterday (05 August).
"However, the international network likely suffered a serious blow by the August arrest in Southeast Asia and rendition to Sri Lanka of Selvarajah Patmanathan (aka KP), the LTTE’s principle financier and arms supplier. This network continued to collect contributions from the Tamil Diaspora in North America, Europe, and Australia, where there were reports that some of these contributions were coerced by locally-based LTTE sympathizers. The LTTE also used Tamil charitable organizations as fronts for fundraising," stated the report.
The Sri Lankan government effectively dismantled much of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), after cornering remaining LTTE fighters and several hundred thousand civilians in the northeast of the island, the US report said.
SECRETARY DEFENCE GOTABAYA RAJAPAKSA ADDRESS THE INAUGURAL SESSION OF THE GALLE DIALOGUE MARITIME CONFERENCE
Your Excellencies, Heads of Missions based in Colombo
Secretary to the President
Secretaries to Other Ministries
Chief of Defence Staff
Service Commanders
Admiral Arun Prakash, former Chief of Staff, Indian Navy
Prof. James Clad
Invited Speakers
Ladies and Gentlemen
I am glad to have this opportunity to address you at the Inaugural Session of the Galle Dialogue Maritime Conference, which is being organized by the Ministry of Defence of Sri Lanka. This Conference takes place at an opportune time, one year after the defeat of the LTTE, one of the world's worst terrorist groups, by the Sri Lanka Defence Forces.
The importance of this achievement cannot be overstated. It has not only created the space for an economic resurgence within Sri Lanka, but has also strengthened security and stability in the region as a whole. Furthermore, this military defeat of terrorism is an unprecedented event. There are many lessons that other countries can draw from the Sri Lankan experience. One of the reasons behind the organizing of this Conference is to provide a forum for this exchange of information to take place.
EMBASSY OF SRI LANKA
COUNTRY INFORMATION UPDATE
JULY 16, 2010
PRESIDENT RAJAPAKSA PROPOSES AN EXECUTIVE PREMIER HEAD OF STATE RESPONSIBLE TO PARLIAMENT
Constitutional Change Required
President Mahinda Rajapaksa has proposed that Sri Lanka adopt a new national leadership position of an Executive Premier who would be responsible to Parliament through a Constitutional amendment at a future date.
President Rajapaksa was of the opinion that the Constitution should not be amended for personal reasons as it is essential to do so under a definite vision.
He said the present Executive Presidency has been created as a lone post and that it should be transformed into that of a Head of State who would be responsible to and would co-operate with the Parliament.
From 1948, when it gained independence from Britain, until 1978, Sri Lanka had a prime minister and parliamentary government similar to the British system.
Ministers Dinesh Gunawardena and Basil Rajapaksa explained to the UNP delegation the basis on which the forthcoming Local Government elections could be held. The two sides also discussed the issue of empowering the statutory bodies under the 17th Amendment to the Constitution. They agreed to empower these bodies and accepted that officials appointed to them should be responsible to the Cabinet of Ministers.
Both sides agreed on the necessity of a stable Government and agreed that a future Constitutional reform should ensure such stability. They also agreed to implement the decisions taken through a committee comprising representatives of both sides.
MINISTER G. L. PEIRIS MEETS WITH EU AMBASSADOR AND REPRESENTATIVES OF EU MEMBER STATES ON GSP+
The Minister for External Affairs G.L. Peiris met today with the Heads of Missions/Representatives of EU Member States and the European Union in order to discuss matters relating to the future of the EU GSP+ process. The Deputy Minister for External Affairs Gitanjana Gunawardena was also associated with the discussions.
The Minister stated that on 24th June 2010, following a discussion in the Cabinet of Ministers, the Ministry of External Affairs issued a comprehensive response to the letter of 17th June 2010 from the European Commission. The Statement of 24th June 2010 detailed the reasoning behind the GoSL decision to reject the unacceptable conditions and deadlines stated in the letter dated 17th June 2010. The Minister further reiterated that over the past several months, the GoSL had engaged in what it believed was a constructive process of dialogue with the European Commission relating the continuation of GSP+ benefits for the people of Sri Lanka. During this process, the Government had shared with the Commission the significant progressive steps it had taken relating to, inter alia, human rights, child soldiers, emergency regulations and welfare of IDPs as they related to the GSP+ process. In a spirit of open discussion, the Government had also informed the Commission that revoking certain limited measures essential for public safety and national security could not be considered in the present context in Sri Lanka and could be re-considered at a later date. It was against this background that the GoSL was taken by surprise by the further conditions, and the deadlines stipulated in the letter dated 17th June 2010 by the European Commission.
The attention of the Ministry of External Affairs has been drawn to the Statement made in New York on 8th July and attributable to the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General of the United Nations. The Statement claims that the Sri Lanka authorities have failed to prevent the disruption of the normal functioning of the United Nations Offices in Colombo.
The Ministry of External Affairs wishes to categorically emphasize that throughout the situation, the Government of Sri Lanka has looked after the safety of the United Nations premises. The demonstrations taking place outside have not resulted in harm to anyone. Access has continued to be afforded to the premises, through the facilitation of the movement of persons wishing to enter or exit.
SRI LANKA: FROM WAR TO RECONCILIATION By Jaliya Wickramasuriya, Sri Lankan Ambassador to the United States
Just one year ago, Sri Lanka prevailed in its decades-long war on terrorism, a victory that promises an era of reconciliation and prosperity in my country. Over the past month, senior U.S. officials have praised Sri Lanka’s journey from war to peace. White House advisers visiting Colombo expressed President Obama’s admiration for the Sri Lanka’s defeat of terrorism. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton noted Sri Lanka’s successful rebuilding efforts. Most important, the secretary endorsed Sri Lanka’s Lessons Learned and Reconciliation Commission, an independent panel tasked with the authority to investigate alleged abuses during the last stages of the war on terror. The commission “holds promise” and “the steps that have been taken by the Sri Lanka government are commendable and we are supporting that effort,” the secretary of state said after a recent meeting with Sri Lankan Minister of External Affairs G.L. Peiris.
I want to thank the Obama administration for its encouragement of our efforts and its appreciation of Sri Lanka’s accomplishments over the past 12 months. As the secretary stated, Sri Lanka and the United States “share a history of democratic institutions.” I hope other nations will also take note of Sri Lanka’s accomplishments.
We understand that military victory is not the end but a beginning. We believe the victory over terrorism can usher in a new era of peace, reconciliation and prosperity. Despite much of the world’s focus on Sri Lanka’s past, Sri Lanka’s future is now.
We have no intention of squandering Sri Lanka’s peace dividend. In fact, Sri Lanka has experienced a "sea change" that defines our nation’s economic potential. While the world economy remains in a slump, Sri Lanka expects a growth rate of close to 7 percent this year and higher in 2011. Inflation is down from a high of almost 29 percent in June 2008 to roughly 4 percent this year. Trade barriers are being reduced. Import duties on automobiles and other consumer good have been slashed to spark economic activity.
We are determined that the peace dividend reach all Sri Lankans by spreading economic development throughout the island. Approximately $6 billion is being dedicated to spending on Sri Lanka’s infrastructure, including new roads, ports, a new international airport and the construction of enough coal and hydroelectric power plants that electricity will soon reach every Sri Lankan.
STATEMENT ON THE APPOINTMENT OF THE SRI LANKA – PANEL OF EXPERTS BY THE SECRETARY GENERAL OF THE UNITED NATIONS
The Government of Sri Lanka strongly opposes the appointment, by the Secretary General of the United Nations, of the Sri Lanka – Panel of Experts announced by his Spokesperson in New York on Tuesday, 22nd June 2010.
Sri Lanka was ravaged by the scourge of terrorism for over 30 years. The people of Sri Lanka have, during this period, suffered violence and terror of unimaginable proportions, unleashed on them by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, the most ruthless terrorist organization in the world. After a long and difficult struggle the Government of Sri Lanka has successfully rid the country of terror, and is in the process of rebuilding the lives of her people. As an important part of this process His Excellency the President of Sri Lanka has appointed a Commission on “Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation” under the Commissions of Inquiry Act, a statutory regime available under Sri Lankan law. The Government is confident that the Commission would make a most significant contribution to the further strengthening of national amity, through a process of restorative justice.
SRI LANKA EMBASSY IN USA HERALDS FIRST ICC CRICKET MATCH IN AMERICA FEATURING SRI LANKAN NATIONAL TEAM
Historic Match in the U.S. Marks Launch of Cricket Diplomacy
The Sri Lankan Cricket Team is pictured with the Embassy of Sri Lanka, USA staff at the start of a dinner honoring the team.
Ambassador Jaliya Wickramasuriya welcomes the 400 dinner guests for the Gala dinner with the Sri Lanka Cricket Team.
Ambassador Jaliya Wickramasuriya meets with Sri Lankan cricket fans at the Lauderhill, Florida cricket grounds as the Sri Lanka Cricket team defeats New Zealand on May 23, 2010.
Sri Lankan Cricket Team captain Kumar Sangakkara tells the dinner audience how cricket can play a vital role in healing the wounds of conflict in Sri Lanka.
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., -- Members of the Sri Lankan National Cricket Team were guests of honor at a May 22 charity dinner for nearly 400 people co-hosted by the Sri Lankan Development foundation and Ambassador Jaliya Wickramasuriya, Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to the United States.
The dinner was the highpoint of a historic cricket weekend, when two teams - Sri Lanka and New Zealand - played two cricket games in the first-ever International Cricket Council match in the United States.
Nearly 5,000 people attended the two matches at the cricket grounds at the Central Broward County Regional Park in nearby Lauderhill, Fla. Sri Lanka lost the May 22 opening game to New Zealand, but stormed back on May 23 to take a decisive victory.
During a Sunday, May 23 awards ceremony, the two teams shared the Pearls Cup trophy.
County officials said it was the largest crowd so far for the stadium.
Some Sri Lankans flew in for the matches from across the United States and Canada. Others drove hours to be part of the historic event.
U.S. SECRETARY OF STATECLINTON EXPRESSES STRONG SUPPORT, OPTIMISM FOR SRI LANKA
The U.S., she says, fully supports Sri Lanka’s Lessons Learned
and Reconciliation Commission
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton welcomes G.L. Peiris, Sri Lanka's Minister of External Affairs, to the U.S. Department of State for a meeting Friday.
Sri Lankan External Affairs Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris and U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton talk to reporters after their meeting at the U.S. Department of State Friday.
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Sri Lankan External Affairs Minister G.L. Peiris (center) and Jaliya Wickramasuriya, Sri Lanka's Ambassador to the U.S., confer Friday at the U.S. Department of State.
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton offered strong support Friday for Sri Lanka’s efforts to rebuild after a successful 25-year struggle against terrorism.
Following a meeting with Sri Lanka’s External Affairs Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris, Secretary Clinton praised the Government of Sri Lanka’s decision to establish a Lessons Learned and Reconciliation Commission to examine conduct at the conflict’s conclusion.
"The United States strongly supports political and ethnic reconciliation in Sri Lanka,” Secretary Clinton said. “Such commissions of inquiry have played an important role in advancing accountability and redressing wrongs in other countries emerging from periods of internal strife.
“I think the steps that have been taken by the Sri Lankan Government are commendable and we are supporting that effort.”
The cordial meeting was the first for Prof. Peiris, the Minister of External Affairs, with the U.S. Secretary of State. The United States is Sri Lanka’s largest export trading partner, and it continues to provide humanitarian assistance and development aid to Sri Lanka.
MINISTER OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS PROFESSOR G.L. PEIRIS'S INTERVIEW WITH
AL JAZEERA ENGLISH
BILL
GATES ON SRI LANKA
24-HOUR
SERVICE
The Embassy of Sri Lanka in Washington
DC wishes to announce the launch of the 24-hour service
to assist the public. Those who need assistance can
now call the hotline 202-352-0355 to reach an officer
24 hours a day, including weekends and holidays.
SRI
LANKAN EXPATRIATES IN THE U.S. INVITED TO CONTACT
THE EMBASSY
The Embassy of Sri Lanka in Washington
DC is pleased to invite all Sri Lankans and Sri
Lankan Americans throughout the US to establish
contact with the Embassy.
SRI LANKA DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION 
