Sri Lankans Welcome Inauguration of Barack Obama

UNCLAS COLOMBO 000100 STATE FOR SCA/INS(KBILLINGSLEY),SCA/PPD(JPFLEIDERER) E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KPAO PREL KMDR CE SUBJECT: Sri Lankans Welcome Inauguration of Barack Obama ¶1. Summary. Sri Lankans welcomed the inauguration of President Barack Obama with widespread enthusiasm. Ambassador hosted a viewing of the occasion with high level contacts and attended services at two Buddhist temples where monks blessed the President. Sri Lankan media carried a congratulatory message from President Mahinda Rajapaksa. Media coverage of the inauguration and transition has been overwhelmingly positive, expressing optimism for a new era in American leadership. End Summary. Inauguration ¶2. Ambassador and Mrs. Blake hosted a dinner and viewing of the inauguration for top Embassy contacts and their spouses on the evening of January 20. Approximately 60 senior government officials, educators, business people, journalists and other contacts attended the event. In introductory remarks, Ambassador welcomed the new administration and reaffirmed that relations between the people of the United States and Sri Lanka will remain strong under an Obama presidency. Attendees applauded the President's comments about foreign policy and expressed overwhelming enthusiasm and hope for the new administration. Photos of the event were carried in the Daily Mirror, a leading daily independent newspaper. Buddhist Blessings for the President ¶3. Ambassador also participated in a pair of ceremonies at two of Colombo's most important Buddhist temples. During a January 26 service at Colombo's largest temple, Gangarama Temple, members of Sri Lanka's four main religious communities (Buddhist, Hindu, Muslim, and Roman Catholic),gave their blessings for President Obama. In remarks at the service, Ambassador praised the inter-faith gathering and commented that President Obama's message of unity rather than division is a concept that can bring positive change beyond the United States. Sri Lankan press covered the event. In a service the following day at Sambodhi Vihara Temple, Ambassador received blessings for President Obama from religious leaders. The temple is home to Buddhist TV, a popular Sri Lankan television station which covered the event. Sri Lanka's Chief Justice Sarath Silva joined the Ambassador and monks from the temple for tea and discussion following the service. President Rajapaksa Letter ¶4. Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa delivered his congratulations to President Obama in a letter that appeared in the 
local press. The text of the letter follows: Excellency: It gives me great pleasure to extend to you, Mr. President, the warmest best wishes of the Government and the people of Sri Lanka and my own on the occasion of your inauguration as president of the United States of America. Your unprecedented victory reflects the trust that the American people have placed in your leadership and vision. The warm and cordial relations that exist between our two countries are based on a long tradition of friendship, trust and mutuality of interests. We share common democratic values and perspectives on a broad range of political issues, particularly in combating terrorism. The Government and people of Sri Lanka deeply appreciate the principled stand taken by Government of United States that the integrity and sovereignty of Sri Lanka is non-negotiable. The role the United States is playing in achieving peace in Sri Lanka through the consolidation of democratic institutions and promoting economic development has earned our admiration and gratitude. As you prepare to embark on the first term of your Presidency, I wish to convey to Your Excellency my best wishes for a successful tenure of office and your personal well-being. I am confident that during your term of office there will be greater opportunities for our two countries to develop our bilateral relations further. It will be my pleasure to work with you closely for the promotion of world peace and prosperity. I wish you all the success: Mahinda Rajapaksa ¶5. Sri Lankan press coverage of the inauguration was extensive and highly positive. Recent local news coverage has been dominated by stories and commentary regarding war; however, for the past week, the media has also given wide coverage to the new administration and its possible impact on Sri Lanka. Following are excerpts from editorials in the Sri Lankan press. The Island, a nationalist-leaning, independent daily wrote: "In his (Obama's) speech, he held out the hope of remaking America and reaching out to the rest of the world as a friend...However, in the same breath, he sent a message to America's enemies...He defended the scale of US ambitions and faulted those who questioned it." The Island, in another editorial, reported: "Just a few years ago, being white was widely considered an essential prerequisite for those aspiring to run for the American presidency, just as much as being of the same cultural and religious background as the majority community in Sri Lanka, is considered by many in Sri Lanka today as essential for one running for the position of President of Sri Lanka." The Sunday Leader, the paper of slain journalist Lasantha Wickrematunge, wrote: "Barack Obama's greatest attribute may turn out to be his greatest weakness - his captivating oratory...This man's brilliant speaking and acute mind had brought him into the White House...To overcome the greatest financial crisis America is facing is one daunting task. To settle two wars in Iraq and Afghanistan while attempting to resolve the 100 year old war between Israelis and Palestinians and bring in peace to the Middle East is another. Blake