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Washington, DC - Senator John McCain and Ambassador Jeane Kirkpatrick honoured Milinda Moragoda, Sri Lanka's Minister for Economic Reform, Science and Technology, at a reception hosted by the International Republican Institute (IRI) on Thursday. The occasion was the American release of Minister Moragoda's book, titled "A Warm Heart, a Cool Head and a Deep Breath".

The 266-page volume is a compendium of speeches and essays on a range of topics, including leadership, peace, economic development, and military transformation. Minister Moragoda's book contains forewords by Senator McCain, Australian Prime Minister John Howard and Norwegian Foreign Affairs Minister Jan Petersen. The reception was attended by over 100 dignitaries from American politics, journalism, and diplomacy. Among the guests were Devinda R. Subasinghe, Sri Lanka's Ambassador to the United States, and E. Ashley Wills, Teresita Schaeffer and Shaun Donnelly, former US Ambassadors to Sri Lanka. Attending IRI Board members were: Dr. Jeane Kirkpatrick, former US Ambassador to the United Nations; * William J. Hybl, President Emeritus of the US Olympic Committee; * Frank J. Fahrenkopf, Jr., former Chairman of the Republican National Committee; * Peter Madigan, former US Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Legislative Affairs.

"In his book as in his life, Minister Moragoda shows how politics can serve the people politicians represent, rather than politicians alone," said Senator McCain. "His is a message of optimism and hope that should encourage service to causes greater than self." Former US Ambassador to Sri Lanka Ashley Wills said, "I have always admired Minister Moragoda's courage and clear thinking regarding the problems facing Sri Lanka. This book documents his insights into the challenges facing the country and the public policies and public behaviour that are called for to move the nation forward." "Senator McCain has been and continues to be an inspiration for my own political philosophy, which is based on believing in a cause greater than ourselves," said Minister Moragoda in his remarks.

Minister Moragoda has played a pivotal role in peace negotiations to end Sri Lanka's 20-year old civil war. He has previously represented Sri Lanka in negotiations with the World Bank and IMF, served as advisor to the leader of the United National Party, managed the UNP leader's campaigns, served as Founder Chairman of the Mercantile Merchant Bank, and lectured widely in Europe and the United States. Moragoda was elected to Parliament in December 2001 and was subsequently appointed Minister for Economic Reform, Science and Technology.

IRI, the International Republican Institute is a non-profit organisation based in Washington, DC, dedicated to advancing democracy, freedom, self-government and the rule of law worldwide. IRI programmes are nonpartisan and adhere to the fundamental American principles of individual freedom, equal opportunity and the entrepreneurial spirit. IRI is working in over 40 countries in Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe, Latin America and the Middle East.

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