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