SL has made tremendous progress - US Congressional delegation

Chaminda PERERA

A high level US Congressional delegation yesterday said that Sri Lanka has made tremendous progress in a number of fields, in just 29 months after the country succeeded in eradicating terrorism.

The US Congressional delegation led by Rep Albert Benjamin made this observation at a press conference in Colombo yesterday.

Rep Joseph Heath Schuler, representing the State of Kentucky, said that they visited Jaffna and many areas in the country and met officials, government representatives and the ordinary people. Schuler added that they met opposition members, who have disagreements in terms of policies and opinion with the government.

"The economy is growing and showing remarkable progress. Within a very short period, Sri Lanka has made great progress," he added.

Rep Albert Benjamin, who led the delegation said that Sri Lanka has a great future and the country has made great progress and achieved a lot in almost all fields during the last two years.

He stressed the importance of having a balanced picture of what the government has done in the country during the past two years. Benjamin said that the government has recorded a great achievement in eradicating the LTTE, which is a well-known terrorist organization in the world.

Benjamin, who represents North Carolina State added that they were impressed with what they saw in Sri Lanka, especially in the Northern Province. He said that the members of the delegation would submit individual reports and a collective report on the prevailing situation in Sri Lanka to US authorities.

He opined that the opportunities for the people of the country, specially, in the Northern Province were constrained due to the 30-year conflict and the government should lay more emphasis of ensuring more opportunities specially for the people in the Northern Province to prosper.

"These things do not happen overnight. There will be difficulties," he said. We urge the government to strike a proper balance. That is not an easy solution and an easy thing.

Jack Hedens Kingston representing Georgia said that they saw development taking place in the Northern Province and visited the areas where the demining process is continuing. He said their team also visited agricultural fields in the region.

He was of the view that Sri Lanka should build closer rapport with the United Nations. He said Sri Lankan goods are directly imported to Georgia which is represented by him.

He opined that the two nations can forge closer ties in the field of mitigation of natural disasters and military cooperation.

Kingston added that the delegation met Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa and discussed a gamut of issues including development, housing and presence of LTTE activities in foreign countries.

Sri Lankan envoy in the US Jaliya Wickremasuriya also spoke.