INITIAL SRI LANKAN RESPONSE TO INTERNATIONAL

UNCLAS COLOMBO 001594 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KSCA EAGR EAID ECON PREL SOCI TBIO CE SUBJECT: INITIAL SRI LANKAN RESPONSE TO INTERNATIONAL PARTNERSHIP ON AVIAN AND PANDEMIC INFLUENZA REF: SECSTATE 164134 Per reftel, Ambassador raised the implementation of the International Partnership on Avian and Pandemic Influenza with Foreign Secretary Palihakkara during a September 9 meeting. Palihakkara said the Foreign Ministry thought such a partnership was an excellent idea, but that it had referred the matter to the Ministry of Health (MOH) for comment. While he did not foresee a problem with Sri Lankan participation, he promised to respond when they had MOH clearance. Palihakkara will be traveling to New York the evening of September 9, so additional points on this could be referred directly to the Sri Lankan delegation in New York. LUNSTEAD