Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
04COLOMBO1146
2004-07-09 05:59:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Colombo
Cable title:  

OFFICIAL INFORMAL NUMBER 090 (07/09/04)

Tags:  AMGT CE MV LTTE 
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C O N F I D E N T I A L COLOMBO 001146 

SIPDIS

OFFICIAL INFORMAL

FOR SA/INS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/09/14
TAGS: AMGT CE MV LTTE
SUBJECT: OFFICIAL INFORMAL NUMBER 090 (07/09/04)


Classified by Ambassador Jeffrey J. Lunstead for reasons 1.5
d and g.

Contents: Japanese Deputy Foreign Minister Meeting
with U/S Larson
- Hingurakgoda Temple Bombed
- July 10 Provincial Council Elections

Japanese Deputy Foreign Minister Meeting with U/S Larson
--------------------------------------------- -----------

C O N F I D E N T I A L COLOMBO 001146

SIPDIS

OFFICIAL INFORMAL

FOR SA/INS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/09/14
TAGS: AMGT CE MV LTTE
SUBJECT: OFFICIAL INFORMAL NUMBER 090 (07/09/04)


Classified by Ambassador Jeffrey J. Lunstead for reasons 1.5
d and g.

Contents: Japanese Deputy Foreign Minister Meeting
with U/S Larson
- Hingurakgoda Temple Bombed
- July 10 Provincial Council Elections

Japanese Deputy Foreign Minister Meeting with U/S Larson
-------------- --------------


1. (SBU) Two Japanese Embassy Econ officials called on Dean
yesterday to discuss our reaction to the UPFA's recently
announced economic plan (reporting septel). During the
meeting they mentioned that they had been instructed to ask
about our perceptions on the economy, particularly anything
we thought relevant to a July 15 meeting between E and
Deputy FM Fujisaki. They did not know specifically what the
DFM wants to discuss relative to Sri Lanka. They said their
overall impression is that economic fundamentals in Sri
Lanka are sound, but that the UPFA's new economic plan lacks
information on how it will be implemented (an assessment we
share). We did not know about this meeting but wanted to
highlight that Sri Lanka may be on the agenda in some form.
One issue that was raised in the meeting that E might want
to mention is greater USAID/Japan cooperation in Sri Lanka.
The Japanese reps said they have been pressured by Tokyo to
increase cooperation, but are simply too busy. USAID has
also tried to cooperate, on Washington's instructions, but
often gets rebuffed. If this is a priority of both
governments, perhaps Tokyo could lean on its folks in
Colombo to restructure their priorities somewhat. (ECON)

HINGURAKGODA TEMPLE BOMBED
--------------


2. (C) As part of the problems in the East possibly
contributing to the July 7 suicide bombing in Colombo,
we reported (Colombo 1132) that 14 Tamil youths had been
arrested on July 5 for suspected weapons possessions at
a Buddhist temple in the eastern town of Hingurakgoda.
The youths, who were later released, were suspected to
be loyal to breakaway LTTE rebel Karuna. Late on the
evening of July 8, the residential area of the temple's
chief monk was firebombed. The chief monk was seriously
injured and transported to Colombo for medical
attention. Although it appears that the monk was
directly targeted, he was not at the temple during the
July 5 incident. No one else seems to have been injured
and the main part of the temple was not damaged. The
LTTE are suspected in the July 8 attack -- which is
perhaps seen as another message to cease support for pro-
Karuna elements. (POL)

JULY 10 PROVINCIAL COUNCIL ELECTIONS
--------------


3. (C) FYI. Six of Sri Lanka's nine provincial
councils will hold elections on July 10. Given likely
voter fatigue from the April 2 parliamentary elections,
observers do not anticipate a huge turnout or any major
upsets. The President's United People's Freedom
Alliance (UPFA) is dominant in five of the six provinces
facing elections, while the Opposition United National
Party (UNP) controls the sixth. The UPFA has only a
narrow majority in the Western Province (which includes
Colombo),and it is possible that the balance of power
in the council may switch after the election. While
local media has reported on a possible heart attack by
the Elections Commissioner -- he has a history of health
problems -- it has not been confirmed. His health will
not have an impact on the elections, however, as there
is an Acting Elections Commissioner. (POL)

LUNSTEAD