New Consul briefs Lankans in California

The newly appointed Consul General for Sri Lanka to the Western States of the USA based in Los Angeles Jeff M. Goonewardena invited the Sri Lankan Tamil, Sinhala and Muslim communities living in California to the Consulate Office on August 8.

The Consul General was also joined by Sri Lanka Ambassador to the USA Jaliya Wickramasuriya.

The Consul General and the Ambassador attended several official functions that included the 'Sri Lanka Day Expo 2010' organized by the Sri Lanka Foundation in Southern California, on August 7.

Goonewardena said his first priority is to strengthen the existing cordial relations between communities and the Consulate office to its highest possible level, by building a strong bridge of cooperation in support of community development activities.

He said he would support Sri Lanka to receive at least US$ 20 million Foreign Direct Investment annually from the USA to support national economic development, thereby generating hundreds of employment opportunities for Sri Lankans.

He highlighted that he would ensure to support the Sri Lankan Government in lobbying with the US political hierarchy that includes the US Senators, Congressmen, the City Mayors, as well as the Government officials.

The Consul General and the Ambassador before the main event met the Sri Lankan Tamil community living in California to discuss various matters in support of strengthening the relations between the Sri Lankan Tamil community and extending their support towards the development of Sri Lanka with particular focus on Northern and Eastern provinces.

The participants extended sincere thanks for the genuine interest taken in promoting the link between the Sri Lankan Diplomatic institutions in the USA and the community.

They also showed their willingness in supporting Sri Lanka towards economic progress and the well focused programme of the Consul General in strengthening the bondage.