GOVERNMENT OF SRI LANKA SUPPORT FOR CONTACT GROUPS

C O N F I D E N T I A L COLOMBO 001232 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/27/2016 TAGS: PREL PINS PTER MARR CE US SUBJECT: GOVERNMENT OF SRI LANKA SUPPORT FOR CONTACT GROUPS REF: A. STATE 120869 ¶B. STATE 94541 ¶C. STATE 107231 Classified By: CHARGE' JAMES F. ENTWISTLE FOR REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D) (C)Charge' reviewed the status of the contact groups on LTTE financing and weapons procurement with Foreign Secretary Palihakkara July 27. Palihakkara said that his government remains extremely enthusiastic about the groups and greatly appreciates this U.S. initiative. He said his government is ready to buttress U.S. efforts by making demarches in relevant capitals with an emphasis on the importance Sri Lanka places on the initiative. He will send out such an instruction shortly. Palihakkara noted that Sri Lanka had just obtained some sort of status in the ASEAN Regional Forum ("I'm waiting for our team in Kuala Lumpur to explain it to me.") which should enhance Sri Lanka's ability to lobby ASEAN members states on this issue. Charge' reviewed for Palihakkara the list of capitals in which the U.S. had made demarches and gave him an overview of preliminary reactions. ENTWISTLE