OFFICIAL INFORMAL NUMBER 93 (06-19-03)

C O N F I D E N T I A L COLOMBO 001079

SIPDIS

OFFICIAL INFORMAL

DEPARTMENT FOR SA/INS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06-19-13
TAGS: AMGT CE MV
SUBJECT: OFFICIAL INFORMAL NUMBER 93 (06-19-03)

Classified by Joseph L. Novak, Charge d'Affaires,
Reasons: 1.5 (b,d)

CONTENTS: BAIL REFUSED FOR FORMER DEP. DEFENSE MINISTER
- NO JAZZ IN JAFFNA
- PM SPEECH
- VISA REQUEST FOR PROPOSED SRI LANKAN EMBOFF

BAIL REFUSED FOR FORMER DEP. DEFENSE MINISTER
--------------

1. (C) FYI: Former Dep. defense minister (and close
relative of President Kumaratunga) Anuruddha Ratwatte was
again refused bail by a Sri Lankan lower court on June

18. As previously reported, Ratwatte and 14 others
(including two of his sons) are incarcerated due to their
alleged involvement in the murder of 10 Muslims that took
place on election day in December 2001. The generally
pro-Kumaratunga Supreme Court had earlier directed the
lower court to consider the bail applications. It is not
clear whether the Supreme Court will intervene to
overrule the lower court. (POL)

NO JAZZ IN JAFFNA
--------------

2. (C) FYI. In preparation for a Mission-planned
cultural event in Jaffna, our PAO went north on June 18
to meet with the Additional Government Agent (AGA) and
tour possible concert venues. The PAO received a cool
reception from the AGA, who suggested that the event be
postponed until September or October from the planned
July 23 date. This response was in sharp contrast to a
June 16 meeting between the AGA and Pol FSN, when the
idea of the cultural event -- a jazz trio -- was warmly
received. The change in attitude from June 16 to June 18
is most likely due to the Tigers being briefed -- and
deciding that they did not like the jazz idea. (Note:
We don't think the Tigers have anything against Chet
Baker, per se. The group, however, has been assiduously
blocking other efforts to return life in Jaffna to
normal. The group, for example, scrubbed the re-opening
of the Jaffna library earlier this year.) In any case,
Public Affairs is relocating the venue to Kandy, which is
unfortunate because there has not been a USG-sponsored
cultural event in Jaffna for many a year. (POL/PAO)

PM SPEECH
--------------

3. (SBU) PM Wickremesinghe is slated to give a (pre-
recorded) national address re the peace process tonight
(June 19) on national TV. (Note: Per yesterday's o/i
note on this, we had originally been told that the speech
would consist of old video of the PM's remarks made at
Tokyo, but it now seems the PM is giving a brand new
speech.) We will be in touch with you if he makes any
dramatic announcements. (POL)

VISA REQUEST FOR PROPOSED SRI LANKAN EMBOFF
--------------

4. (SBU) Per our o/i note from June 18 and previous e-
mail traffic: In regards to the diplomatic visa for
Ilankoon Adikari, who the MFA has proposed for a public
relations slot at the SL Consulate General in Los
Angeles, we request that this appointment be turned off
by the SL MFA without our having to reject the
application. As was previously mentioned in the June 18
Desk(Waller) - Post(MWilliams) email, Ambassador
Subasinghe had offered to "kill" the case. The
Department, however, did not think this was necessary at
the time and had said Colombo could deny the visa if it
was not justifiable.


5. (SBU) In Mission's view, it would be far more
favorable if the GSL took action on this issue without a
formal denial from the Consular Section in Colombo.
Therefore, Mission would request that Ambassador
Subasinghe be taken up on his offer to "kill" the case.
This would result in the same outcome, but would be far
less contentious and not cause unnecessary difficulties
(which might include the MFA trying to take reciprocal
measures against us). (CONS)

NOVAK