Visiting US Congressmen see tremendous progress

A Congressional delegation concluded an official tour of Sri Lanka last week by commending the nation’s defeat over terrorism and its expansive reconciliation and redevelopment efforts after nearly three decades of conflict. “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 President Mahinda Rajapaksa, senior government officials and Members of Parliament, including members of the United National Party and Tamil National Alliance and others.

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

The congressmen also toured Colombo, Jaffna, Sigiriya and 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.

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 said that the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission, which is examining the conflict, should continue its work.

The delegation, accompanied by Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to the United States Jaliya Wickramasuriya, arrived on October 18 and took a morning tour of Colombo to explore the city’s ethnic diversity. The delegation also held official meetings with External Affairs Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris, who gave a detailed overview of the conflict, post-conflict period and reconciliation.

Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa also offered a briefing on the LTTEs global terrorism network and front organizations, including groups in the U.S.

The delegation also took part in a dinner hosted by U.S.

Ambassador of Sri Lanka Patricia Butenis.

In Jaffna, the congressmen received separate briefings from the commander of security forces in Jaffna, Major General Mahinda Hathurusinghe and government agent Emelda Sukumar.

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 vendors and business people. Afterwards, the congressional delegation travelled to Sigiriya. In Kandy, the U.S. delegation visited the Temple of the Tooth.

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.