SRI LANKA AND MALDIVES: 62ND UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

UNCLAS COLOMBO 001077 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR SCA/INS, IO/PPC (BATLLE),SCA/RA (PFLEIDERER,MICALLER); USUN (MCBRIDE); NSC (MCDONALD) E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL ITRA OVIP KSEP UNGA CE MV SUBJECT: SRI LANKA AND MALDIVES: 62ND UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY HIGH-LEVEL ATTENDANCE REF: STATE 101170 ¶1. (SBU) On July 26, A/DCM called on Sri Lankan Ministry of Foreign Affairs Additional Secretary for UN and Multilateral Affairs Sarala Fernando to request a list of high-level officials planning to attend the 62nd UN General Assembly (UNGA). Fernando replied that President Mahinda Rajapaksa and Minister of Foreign Affairs Rohitha Bogollagama plan to attend, and that additional delegates may be named later. Presidential Secretary Lalith Weeratunga informed Charge on July 31 that the President's wife, Shiranthi Rajapaksa, is planning to travel with the President. Political Section followed up with Sri Lankan MFA on August 1, but was unable to obtain further specifics on additional members of the delegation or flight plans. Post will report further information as it becomes available. ¶2. (SBU) Charge called Maldivian Foreign Minister Ahmed Shaheed on July 31 to request a list of Maldivian officials planning to attend UNGA. Shaheed reported that he will lead the Maldivian delegation, and will be accompanied by Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Abdulla Shahid and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdulla Hameed. Political Section followed up with Maldives MFA on August 2. There is no further information about the specific travel plans of the delegation at this time. Post will report this as it becomes available. MOORE