SL's steady post-conflict progress to continue - Ambassador Wickramasuriya

HOUSTON - Sri Lankan ambassador to the United States Jaliya Wickramasuriya used a three-day stop in Houston last week to highlight Sri Lanka's continuing redevelopment and reconciliation work more than two years after it successfully concluded its long conflict against terrorism.

Noting a recent visit to Sri Lanka by three U.S. congressmen who issued positive reports of post-conflict progress, Ambassador Wickramasuriya urged Sri Lankans living in Houston to share Sri Lanka's success story with their American friends and neighbours.

"If any of you have not been to Sri Lanka recently, I invite you to do so, Ambassador Wickramasuriya said.

'It is a good time to be there. And if you have been there recently, go again and you won't believe the changes that have taken place even in a short period. Seeing is believing.

'One thing that you will notice right away, is that the people of Sri Lanka are very happy. The long conflict is over and they feel safe again." Ambassador Wickramasuriya spoke during an October 27, 'Wonder of Asia' reception, which was organized by Dr. Bandula Wijay, Sri Lanka's newly-appointed Honorary Consul in Houston, at the Double Tree Hotel. The audience comprised of consuls general, honorary consuls, representatives from the Houston mayor's office and several Congressional offices, business people and members of the Sri Lankan community.

Ambassador Wickramasuriya thanked Dr. Wijay for organizing such an event, which showcased what Sri Lanka could offer to the world. Dr. Wijay, an accomplished scientist in the United States, also highlighted U.S. investment opportunities in Sri Lanka and invited U.S. citizens to visit Sri Lanka to experience an astonishing diversity.

Ambassador Wickramasuriya told the gathering of Sri Lanka's innovative efforts to resettle civilians displaced by the conflict and to rehabilitate former terrorists. "We have cleared more than 500,000 LTTE landmines, and de-mining operations are continuing, he said. This work has allowed people to move back into their homes and communities. We have given amnesty and provided job and educational training to 11,600 former LTTE militants. They are being released to society.

"We have also rehabilitated more than 1,000 child soldiers who were kidnapped by the LTTE and forced to fight. These children have now returned to their families, he said.

During his visit, the ambassador also met with members of the World Affairs Council of Houston, where he discussed Sri Lanka's economic progress, gas and oil prospects and redevelopment and reconciliation programmes.

"Despite the global economic problems, Sri Lanka recorded an 8.2 percent GDP in 2010, and it should be higher for 2011, the ambassador said. Sri Lanka is the most business-friendly country in South Asia, according to a recent World Bank study reported in the Wall Street Journal. Foreign investment is also up, Ambassador Wickramasuriya noted, because Sri Lanka has achieved a lasting peace. A number of government initiatives, he said, were responsible for that.

"Our post-conflict reconciliation and development progress has been steady and will continue," the ambassador said.

During his visit, Ambassador Wickramasuriya also met with a number of Texas business groups, including the Greater Houston Partnership (GHP).

Ambassador Wickramasuriya invited a GHP delegation to visit Sri Lanka during Expo 2012, which will be held in Colombo from March 28-30, 2012. The Expo features high-quality goods manufactured in Sri Lanka. Members of the Houston business community expressed interest in oil and gas exploration in Sri Lanka. Several guests at the reception had already signed up for tours to Sri Lanka.