Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to the US Meets with Members of Congress

Sri Lanka’s ambassador to the United States, Jaliya Wickramasuriya, recently met with several members of Congress in Washington, D.C., to update them on issues such as economic growth, foreign investment and the reconciliation process, according to a statement by the Sri Lankan embassy.

Wickramasuriya met with Democratic Sen. Mary Landrieu of Louisiana, Rep. Glenn Thompson, D-Pa., Ohio Democrat Rep. Steve Driehaus, Rep. Jim Moran, D-Va., and North Carolina Republican Rep. Howard Coble.

The Sri Lankan ambassador briefed the American lawmakers about developments in Sri Lanka after the war between government forces and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) ended in May 2009.

The statement noted that officials also discussed U.S. support extended to the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC) and the resettlement activities of persons displaced by the war.

Landrieu was one of the first American lawmakers, along with then Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-Tenn) to visit Sri Lanka after the 2004 Asian tsunami. After visiting the tsunami-affected areas of Galle, Amparai and Kalmunai just weeks after the disaster, Landrieu described what they experienced during their tour of the regions.

"What we have seen has been surreal, but the pain and suffering is very real," Landrieu said. "We really must focus on rebuilding these families. Countries are not built through infrastructure alone; they are built through families and communities. The best way to protect these children from the threats of abduction and the sex trade is to connect them with loving families."

The current press release did not mention any discussion of tsunami recovery as a part of the conversations between Wickramasuriya and U.S. officials.