SRI LANKA: NON-COMMITTAL ON PRESSING TRADITIONAL

C O N F I D E N T I A L COLOMBO 001091

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR SCA/INSB
DEPARTMENT FOR EAP/MLS LAURA SCHEIBE

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/08/2019
TAGS: PREL PGOV CE
SUBJECT: SRI LANKA: NON-COMMITTAL ON PRESSING TRADITIONAL
FRIEND BURMA

REF: STATE 121789

Classified By: CHARGE D' AFFAIRES VALERIE C. FOWLER. REASONS: 1.4 (B,
D)


1. (C) On November 30, POLOFF delivered reftel points to Sri
Lankan MFA Additional Director General for East Asia and
Pacific Affairs Ranjith Gunaratna urging Sri Lanka's support
for engaging Burmese authorities to offer a dialogue with
National League for Democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi.
Gunaratna was non-committal on pressing the Burmese on a
dialogue with the opposition. He informed POLOFF that the
Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) historically has had a friendly
relationship with Burma. Gunaratna saw the GSL's position as
neither "approving nor disapproving" of Burma's leadership
and actions in regards to Burma's internal politics.
Gunaratna noted that the GSL's relationship with Burma was
two-fold. Sri Lanka and Burma both saw themselves as
Buddhist States, and Burma was a trade partner in the supply
of rice to Sri Lanka.


2. (C) POLOFF inquired on the nature of the five-day visit to
Sri Lanka of Burmese leader General Than Shwe last month.
Gunaratna explained that the Burmese visit was purely a
"religious pilgrimage." Gunaratna noted that Burma held Sri
Lanka, in particular President Rajapaksa, in high regard and
was keen on continuing their excellent relationship.
Gunaratna informed POLOFF that Burma was looking at
establishing a defense relationship with the GSL.
FOWLER