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AA AADP AALC ABDALLAH FETHI ABDULHADI ABDULRAHMEN ABER ABLD ABLDG ABLG ABMC ABT ABUD AC ACABQ ACAO ACBAQ ACCELERATED ACCOUNT ACDA ACEC ACKM ACOA ACOTA ACS ACTION ADANA ADB ADCO ADCP ADEL ADEP ADIP ADM ADMIRAL ADPM ADRC AE AEC AECL AEGR AEIR AEM AEMED AEMR AER AESC AF AFAF AL HOURANI AFARI AFDB AFDIN AFFAIRS AFGHAN AFGHANISTAN AFIN AFL AFLU AFOR AFR AFSA AFSI AFSN AFU AFZAL AG AGAO AGENCIES AGENDA AGENGA AGIT AGMT AGOA AGR AGRI AGRIC AGRICULTURE AGS AGUILAR AGUIRRE AHMED AI AIAG AID AIDAC AIDS AIEA AIHRC AIN AINF AINFCY AINR AINT AISG AIT AJ AK AL ALAB ALAMI ALANAZI ALBE ALEXANDER ALI ALIREZA ALJAZEERA ALL ALNEA ALOUNI ALOW ALOWAR ALVAREZ AM AMAT AMB AMBASSADOR AMCHAM AMCHAMS AMCT AME AMED AMEDI AMEMR AMER AMERICAS AMEX AMG AMGE AMGMT AMGT AMIA AMLB AMPR AMT AMTC AMTG AN ANARCHISTS ANC AND ANDREW LEE WATKINS ANET ANTITERRORISM ANTOINE GHONDA ANTONIO ANTXON AO AOCR AODE AOIC AOMS AOPR AORC AORD AOREC AORG AORL AOWC AP APCS APDC APEC APECO APER APR APRC APRM AQ AR ARAB ARABBL ARABL ARABLEAGUE ARAS ARC ARCH ARENA AREP ARF ARG ARM ARMITAGE ARMS ARNOLD FREDERICK MORRIS AROC ARR ARRMZY ARSO AS ASA ASAC ASC ASCC ASCE ASCEC ASCH ASE ASEAN ASEC ASECARP ASECE ASECM ASECSI ASECVE ASED ASEDC ASEG ASEK ASES ASEX ASFC ASIC ASIG ASIR ASJA ASO ASOC ASPA ASR ASSEMBLY ASSK ASSSEMBLY ASUP AT ATFN ATPDEA ATRA ATRD ATRN AU AU-1 AUC AUNR AUSGR AUSTRALIAGROUP AV AVERY AVIAN AVIANFLU AVIATION AW AX AY AZ AZE B. BA BAGHDAD BAIO BAKOYANNIS BALKANS BAPOL BARACK BASHAR BATA BAYS BB BBG BBSR BC BCW BCXP BD BE BEAN BELLVIEW BEN BERARDUCCI BESP BEXB BEXP BEXPC BEXPPLM BEXT BF BFIF BFIN BFIO BG BGD BGMT BH BHUM BI BIC BIDOON BIH BILAT BIMSTEC BINR BIO BIOS BIOTECH BIOTECHNOLOGY BIT BITO BK BL BLR BLUE BLUNT BM BMENA BMGT BMOT BN BNUC BO BOIKO BOL BOND BOQ BORDER BOSNIA BOU BOUCHAIB KAKA BOUTERSE BP BPIS BPTS BR BRIAN BRITNEY BRITNY BRPA BRUSSELS BS BSSR BT BTA BTC BTIO BTIU BTRA BTT BU BUD BULGARIA BURMA BURNS BUSH BUY AMERICA BV BW BWC BX BXEP BY BZ CA CAC CACM CACS CAFTA CAIO CAJC CAMBODIA CAN CAPC CARC CARE CARIB CARICOM CARSON CAS CASA CASC CASCC CASCR CASE CASTILLO CAVO CB CBC CBD CBE CBG CBIS CBM CBSA CBTH CBW CCSR CCY CD CDB CDC CDCC CDCE CDG CDI CE CEA CEC CEDAW CEN CENSUS CENTCOM CENTRIC CEUDA CF CFE CFED CFG CFIS CFSP CG CGEN CGOPRC CH CHAD CHALLENGE CHAO CHAVEZ CHELIDZE CHENEY CHERTOFF CHG CHIEF CHN CHR CHR-1 CHRISTIAN CHRISTOF CHRISTOPHER CI CIA CIAT CIC CICTE CIDA CIO CIP CIS CITEL CITES CITIBANK CITT CIVAIR CIVS CJ CJAN CJUS CK CKGR CKOR CL CLEARANCE CLINTON CLMT CLO CLOK CM CMAE CMFT CMGT CMP CMT CN CNAR CNARC CNC CNO CO CODEL COE COL COLIN COLLECTIVE COLOMBO COM COMESA COMMERCE CON CONAWAY CONDOLEEZZA CONDOLEEZZA RICE CONEAZ CONG CONGO CONGRINT CONS CONSULAR CONTROL CONTROLS CORRUPTION COSI COUNTER COUNTER TERRORISM COUNTERTERRORISM COUNTRY COUNTRYCLEARANCE CP CPA CPAS CPC CPCTC CPPT CPUOS CQ CR CRIM CRIME CRIMES CRISTINA CRM CROATIA CROS CRS CRUZ CS CSCE CSEP CSIS CSW CT CTBT CTER CTERR CTM CTR CTRYCLR CU CUCO CUIS CUL CUSTODIO CV CVIA CVIC CVIS CVISU CVPR CVR CW CWC CWCM CWG CX CY CYNTHIA CYP CYPRUSARMS CZ DA DAC DAFR DAN DANFUNG DANIEL DAO DARFR DARFUR DAVID DAVID LEE HOWES DAVID WELCH DAVID WILLIAM RAY DB DC DCDG DCG DCHA DCI DCM DCOM DCRM DE DEA DEAX DEFENSE DEFENSEREFORM DELTAVIOLENCE DEM DEMARCHE DEMARCHES DEMETRIOS DEMOCRATIC DENNIS DEOC DEPORTATION DEPT DEPT FOR DS COMMAND CENTER DESI DHA DHLAKAMA DHLS DHRF DHS DHSX DIEZ DIPLOMACY DISENGAGEMENT DJ DK DKEM DMIN DMINE DO DOC DOD DOE DOJ DOMC DOMESTIC DOMESTICPOLITICS DONALD RUMSFELD DOT DPAO DPKO DPM DPOL DPRK DR DRC DRIP DRL DS DSR DSS DTFN DTRA DTRO DU DUNCAN CAMERON DVC DY EAC EAD EADI EADM EAG EAGER EAGR EAI EAIC EAID EAIDB EAIDCIN EAIDEGZ EAIDMG EAIDNI EAIF EAIG EAIO EAIR EAIS EAIT EAOD EAP EAPC EAR EARI EASS EATO EAUD EAVI EB EBEXP EBRD EBUD EC ECA ECCP ECCT ECE ECHEVARRIA ECIN ECIP ECLAC ECN ECOIN ECOM ECON ECONCS ECONEGE ECONOMIC ECONOMICS ECONOMY ECONOMY AND FINANCE ECOR ECOS ECOSOC ECOWAS ECPC ECPN ECPO ECPS ECPSN ECRM ECTRD ECUN ED EDA EDEV EDRC EDU EDUARDO EDUC EE EEB EEC EENG EENV EEOC EET EETC EFI EFIC EFIM EFIN EFIS EFLU EFN EFND EFNI EFQ EFTA EG EGAD EGAR EGEN EGHG EGOV EGOVSY EH EI EIAD EIAID EIAR EIB EICN EID EIDE EIDN EIFN EIN EIND EINDIR EINF EING EINN EINO EINR EINT EINV EINZ EIPR EIQ EISL EISNLN EITC EITI EIVN EK EL ELA ELAB ELAD ELAINE ELAM ELAN ELAP ELB ELBA ELBR ELEC ELECTIONS ELF ELIN ELN ELND ELNT ELTD ELTM ELTN ELTRN EMAIL EMED EMI EMIN EMN EMS EMW EN END ENDURING ENEG ENER ENERG ENERGY ENFR ENG ENGR ENGRD ENGRG ENGY ENIV ENLT ENNP ENR ENRC ENRG ENRL ENTG ENV ENVI ENVIRONMENT ENVR ENVT EON EOXC EP EPA EPAT EPCS EPE EPEC EPECO EPET EPIN EPIT EPPD EPRT EPSC EPTE EPTED EPWR EQ EQRD ER ERA ERD EREL ERGR ERICKSON ERIN ERTD ES ESA ESCAP ESCI ESDP ESENV ESF ESLCO ESOC ESOCI ESPS ESS ESSO ESTH ESTN ESTRADA ET ETA ETAD ETC ETCC ETD ETDR ETEL ETER ETEX ETFN ETIC ETIO ETLN ETMIN ETR ETRA ETRAD ETRB ETRC ETRD ETRDECD ETRG ETRK ETRN ETRO ETRP ETT ETTC ETTD ETTF ETTN ETTR ETTRD ETTW ETZ EU EUC EUCOM EUE EUEAID EUFOR EUM EUMEM EUN EUR EUREM EURM EURN EV EVENTS EVN EWRG EWT EWTR EWWT EX EXBS EXEC EXIM EXO EXPORT EXTERNAL EZ FA FAA FAC FAGR FAO FARC FARM FAS FATAH FBI FCC FCS FCSC FCSCEG FCUL FDA FDIC FEDULOV FEMA FERNANDO FGM FI FIGUEROA FIN FINANCE FINE FINR FINREF FINV FIR FISO FJ FK FKFLO FKLU FLU FM FMC FMGT FMLN FMS FO FOI FOOKS FOR FORCE FORCES FOREIGN FORWHA FP FPC FR FRA FRANCIS FRANCISCO RODENAS RUIZ FRANCISCO VILLA URBALEJO FRAZER FRB FREDOM FREEDOM FRELIMO FRIED FRN FRU FSC FSI FT FTA FTAA FWS GA GAERC GAMES GANGS GAO GARCIA GASPAR GATES GATT GAZA GAZPROM GB GBSLE GC GCC GCCC GE GEF GEORGE GERARD GESKE GF GG GH GI GIPNC GIWI GJ GKGIC GL GLOBAL GM GN GO GOG GOI GOMEZ GON GOVPOI GPGOV GPI GPOI GPOV GR GREGG RENE WALTER GRQ GS GT GTIP GTMO GTREFTEL GU GUAM GUANTANAMO GUIDANCE GUILLERMO GUTIERREZ GV GWI GY GZ GZIS HA HAMID KARZAI HARRIET HARRY HAWZ HCOPIL HDP HE HEAVEN HEBRON HECTOR HELGERSON HERCEGOVINA HG HHS HI HIGHLIGHTS HIJAZI HILARY HILLARY HILLEN HIPC HIV HIZ HK HKSX HL HLSX HN HNCHR HO HOA HOSTAGES HPKO HR HRC HRCS HRICTY HRIGHTS HRKSTC HSI HSTC HSWG HT HTCG HTSC HU HUD HUM HUMAN HUMANITARIAN HUMANR HUMANRIGHTS HUMOR HUMRIT HUNRC HURI HURRICANE HYDE HYLAND HYMPSK HZ IA IACHR IACI IACO IACW IADB IAEA IAES IAHRC IAIE IAII IASA IATTC IAZ IBB IBD IBET IBPCA IBRB IBRD IC ICAC ICAO ICC ICCAT ICCROM ICES ICJ ICRC ICRS ICSCA ICTR ICTY ID IDA IDB IDLI IDLO IDP IDR IE IEA IEAB IEF IF IFAD IFC IFIN IFM IFO IFR IFRC IG IGAD IGF IHO IICA IINS IIP IK IL ILAB ILC ILEA ILO IMC IMET IMF IMMIGRATION IMO IMSO IMTS IN INAUGURATION INCB IND INDO INF INFLUENZA INL INMARSAT INNP INPFC INR INRA INRB INRD INRO INRPAZ INS INSC INT INTEL INTELLECTUAL INTELSAT INTERNAL INTERPOL INV INVI IO IOC IOM IP IPET IPGRI IPK IPPC IPR IPROP IQ IQNV IR IRAN IRAQ IRAQI IRAQI FREEDOM IRC IRCE IRDB IRE IRL IRLE IRM IRMO IRNB IRPE IRQEGION IRS IS ISA ISAAC ISAF ISCA ISCON ISLAMISTS ISLE ISN ISNV ISO ISPA ISPL ISRAEL ISRAEL RELATIONS ISRAELI ISRAELI PALESTINIAN AFFAIRS ISSUES ISTC IT ITA ITALIAN ITALY ITECIP ITEIND ITELTN ITER ITF ITIA ITRA ITRD ITU IUCN IV IVIANNA IWC IWI IX IZ IZAORC JA JABER JAM JAMES JAPAN JAT JAWAD JCIC JE JEAN-PIERRE BEMBA JEFFERY JEFFREY JENDAYI JHR JI JIMENEZ JIMENEZ CHILDREN JK JKUS JM JN JO JOHANNS JOHN JOHN BOEHNER JOHNNIE JONATHAN CHAMAN JOSE ANGEL ALZUGUREN PERURENA JOSE NEY MILA ESPINOSA JOSE RAMOS HORTA JOSEPH BIDEN JP JS JSRP JUAN JULIAN RENE KIRCHOFF JUS JY KA KACP KACT KACW KADM KAID KALM KALR KANSOU KAPO KARIM WADE KATRINA KAUST KAWC KAWK KAWL KAWS KAWX KAYLA KBCT KBDS KBEM KBIO KBNC KBTC KBTR KBTS KBWG KCCP KCEM KCERS KCFC KCFE KCGC KCHG KCIP KCIS KCM KCMA KCMR KCOG KCOM KCOR KCPS KCRCM KCRI KCRIM KCRM KCRN KCRO KCROM KCROR KCRP KCRS KCRT KCSA KCSI KCSY KCUL KCUM KCVM KCWI KDCM KDDEM KDDG KDE KDEM KDEN KDET KDEV KDGOV KDGR KDHS KDM KDMR KDP KDRG KDRL KDTB KDUM KE KEAI KEANE KEBG KECF KEDEM KEDM KEDU KEIM KEM KEMPI KEMR KEMS KEN KENV KERF KERG KESO KESP KESS KEVIN KFAM KFCE KFE KFEM KFGM KFIN KFIU KFLD KFLO KFLU KFOR KFPC KFRD KFRP KFSC KFTFN KFTN KG KGCC KGCN KGHA KGHG KGIC KGICKS KGIT KGIV KGKG KGLB KGOR KGOV KH KHDP KHGH KHIB KHIV KHJUS KHLS KHMN KHOURY KHPD KHSA KHSL KHUM KI KIBL KICA KICC KICCPUR KICR KICT KID KIDE KIF KIFR KIIC KIIP KIL KILS KIMMITT KIMT KIND KINF KINL KINP KINR KINT KIPR KIPT KIRC KIRD KIRF KIRL KIRP KIS KISC KISK KISL KISM KISR KITA KIVP KIVR KJAN KJRE KJU KJUS KJUST KJWC KK KKIV KKNP KKOR KKPO KLAB KLAP KLBO KLEG KLFLO KLFU KLHS KLIG KLIP KLPM KLSO KLTN KM KMAC KMAR KMCA KMCC KMCR KMDR KMEPI KMFO KMGT KMIG KMNP KMOC KMPF KMPI KMPIO KMPL KMPP KMPT KMRD KMRS KMSG KMVP KMWN KN KNAO KNAP KNAR KNDP KNEI KNEP KNET KNMP KNN KNNA KNNB KNNC KNNF KNNO KNNP KNNR KNOP KNP KNPP KNPPIS KNPR KNPT KNRG KNRV KNSD KNUC KNUP KO KOC KOCI KOCM KOEM KOGL KOLY KOM KOMC KOMCCO KOMCSG KOMH KOMO KOMS KOR KOSOVO KOUYATE KPA KPAD KPAI KPAK KPAL KPALAOIS KPAM KPAO KPAS KPBT KPDD KPEM KPEO KPER KPET KPIN KPIR KPKO KPKP KPLS KPMI KPMO KPO KPOA KPOKO KPOL KPOP KPOV KPOW KPPAO KPPD KPRD KPRM KPRO KPROG KPRP KPRV KPSC KPTD KPTS KPWG KPWR KQ KQM KQRDQ KR KRAD KRAL KRCIM KRCM KRCS KRD KRDP KREC KREF KREISLER KREL KRF KRFD KRFR KRG KRGY KRIC KRIF KRIM KRKO KRM KRMS KRV KRVC KS KSA KSAC KSAF KSCA KSCI KSCS KSCT KSEAO KSEC KSEI KSEO KSEP KSI KSIA KSKN KSLG KSMT KSOC KSOCI KSPA KSPR KSRE KSTC KSTCC KSTCPL KSTH KSTS KSTT KSUM KSUP KT KTAO KTBD KTBT KTCRE KTDB KTDD KTDM KTER KTEX KTFIN KTFM KTFN KTFR KTFS KTIA KTIP KTLA KTNBT KTNF KTPN KTRD KTRF KTSC KTSD KTTB KTTC KTTP KU KUAE KUIR KUM KUNA KUNC KUNH KUNP KUNR KUS KUWAIT KV KVBL KVIP KVIR KVIS KVPR KVRC KVRP KW KWAC KWAK KWAWC KWBC KWBG KWBW KWCI KWCR KWGB KWHG KWIC KWIM KWIR KWKN KWM KWMJN KWMM KWMN KWN KWNM KWNN KWOMN KWPA KWPB KWPG KWPR KWRC KWRF KWRG KWUN KWWT KWWW KX KY KZ LA LAB LABOR LANSANA LANTERN LARREA LARS LAS LAURA LAVIN LAW LB LBAR LBY LE LEAGUE LEB LEBIK LEGAT LEGATT LEIS LEON LEVINE LEW LG LGAT LH LI LIB LICC LIMA LINE LK LMS LN LO LOG LOPEZ LORAN LOTT LOVE LR LS LT LTG LTTE LU LV LVPR LY LZ MA MAAR MACEDONIA MACP MANUEL MANUEL SERGIO GONZALEZ MAP MAPP MAPS MAR MARAD MARANTIS MARIA MARIE MARINO MARITIME MARK MARQUEZ MARR MARS MARTIN MARV MAS MASC MASS MATT MAYA MB MBM MC MCA MCAP MCAPARR MCAPN MCAPP MCAPS MCAT MCC MCCAIN MCCONNELL MCCP MCGRAW MCRM MCTRE MD MDA MDC MDO ME MEA MED MEDIA MEETINGS MENDIETA MEP MEPI MEPN MEPP MERCOSUR MESUR MEX MF MFA MFO MG MGL MGMT MGOV MGT MGTA MH MHUC MI MIAH MIC MICHAEL MICHEL MIGUEL FELIPE CANAHUATI YACAMAN MIGUEL VARGAS MALDONADO MIK MIKE MIL MILI MILITANTS MILITARY MILLENNIUM MINURSO MINUSTAH MITCHELL MJ MK ML MLS MMAR MMED MN MNLF MNNC MNNUC MNU MNUC MNUCH MNUCWA MNUM MNUN MNUR MNUS MNVC MO MOHAMAD MOHAMED HESHAM ELDIN YOUSSEF MOHAMMAD MOLINA MONTENEGRO MONUC MONY MOOPS MOP MOPP MOPPS MOPS MORALES MORG MOROCCO MORS MOS MOTO MOTT MP MPOL MPOS MPP MPS MQADHAFI MR MRCRE MRRR MRS MRSEC MS MSG MSIG MT MTAA MTAG MTCAE MTCR MTCRA MTCRE MTRCE MTRE MTRRE MTS MU MUC MUCN MUKASEY MULLEN MUNC MURAD MURRAY MV MW MX MY MZ NA NAC NACB NADIA NAFTA NAM NAMSA NANCY NAR NARC NARCOTICS NARR NAS NASA NAT NATEU NATGAS NATIONAL NATO NATOAFGHAN NATOBALKANS NATOIRAQ NATOOPS NATOPOLICY NATSIOS NAVO NB NBTS NBU NC NCCC NCD NCT NCTC NDI NDP NE NEA NEC NEGROPONTE NEI NELSON NEPAD NERG NET NEW NFATC NFMS NFSO NG NGO NGUYEN NH NI NICHOLAS NICOLE NIH NIPP NK NKWG NL NLD NLIAEA NLO NMFS NMNUC NMUC NNPT NO NOAA NOI NOK NON NONE NORAD NOTAG NOVO NP NPA NPG NPT NR NRC NRG NRR NRRC NS NSC NSF NSFO NSG NSSP NT NTDB NTSB NTTC NU NUC NUIN NV NW NZ NZUS OA OAO OARC OAS OASC OASCC OASS OAU OBAMA OBS OBSP OCBD OCEA OCED OCHA OCII OCRA OCS OCSE ODAG ODC ODIP ODPC OECD OECS OECV OES OESC OEXC OEXP OF OFDA OFDC OFDP OFDPQIS OFFICIALS OFPD OFSO OGAC OGIV OHCHR OHI OHIP OI OIC OICCO OIE OIF OIG OIIP OIL OIM OLY OLYAIR OLYMPICS OM OMAR OMB OMIG OMS ON ONA OPAD OPBAT OPC OPCD OPCR OPCW OPDAT OPDC OPDP OPEC OPET OPIC OPID OPOC OPPC OPRC OPREC OPREP OPS OPSC OPVIP ORA ORC ORCA ORECD ORED OREG OREP ORGANIZED ORP ORTA ORUE OSAC OSCE OSCI OSD OSEC OSHA OSIC OSTA OSTRA OTA OTAR OTHER OTHERSASNEEDED OTP OTR OTRA OTRABL OTRAO OTRAZ OTRC OTRD OUALI OVIP OVP OXEC OXEM OZ PA PAARM PAC PACE PAGE PAGR PAHO PAIGH PAK PAL PALESTINIAN PAMQ PAN PANAM PAO PAR PARALYMPIC PARCA PAREL PARK PARLIAMENT PARM PARMS PARN PARP PARR PARTIES PARTM PARTY PAS PASS PATRICK WARREN MAHURIN PATTY PAUL PAUM PB PBGT PBIO PBK PBOV PBPTS PBS PBST PBT PBTS PCI PCON PCOR PCRM PCUL PD PDA PDD PDEM PDIP PDOV PDRG PE PEACE PEACEKEEPINGFORCES PEDRO PEL PELOSI PEMEX PENA PENV PEPFAR PEPR PER PEREZ PERL PERM PERSONS PET PETER PETERS PETR PETRAEUS PETROL PF PFIN PFLP PFOR PFOV PG PGGOC PGIC PGIV PGKV PGO PGOC PGOF PGOG PGON PGOR PGOT PGOV PGOVE PGOVQL PGPV PGREL PGREV PGV PH PHALANAGE PHARM PHAS PHEM PHIM PHM PHSA PHU PHUH PHUM PHUMHUPPS PHUN PHUS PHYTRP PI PIA PICES PIF PIN PINB PIND PINER PINF PING PINL PINO PINOCHET PINR PINS PINT PINV PIR PIRF PIRN PJUS PK PKAO PKBL PKFK PKISL PKK PKMN PKNP PKO PKPA PKPAL PKPO PKPRP PKST PL PLAB PLAN PLEC PLN PLO PLUM PM PMAR PMAT PMDL PMIG PMIL PMIN PMR PMUC PN PNAT PNET PNG PNIR PNNL PNR PNRG PNS PNUC PNUK PNUM PO PODC POG POGV POINS POL POLG POLI POLICY POLINT POLITICAL POLITICS POLM POLMIL POLS POLUN POREL PORG POSTS POTUS POUS POV POWELL PP PPA PPAO PPD PPEF PPEL PPKO PPOL PQL PQM PRC PRE PREC PRED PREF PREG PREJ PREK PREL PRELEVU PRELM PRELPLS PRELTBIOBA PREM PREO PREP PRER PRES PRESIDENT PRESL PREV PREZ PRF PRFE PRFL PRGO PRGOV PRIL PRIVATIZATION PRL PRLE PRM PRO PROB PROCESS PROG PROL PROLIFERATION PROP PROPERTY PROTECTION PROTESTS PROV PROVE PRT PRTER PRWL PS PSA PSCE PSEC PSEPC PSHA PSI PSNR PSO PSOC PSOCI PSOE PT PTBS PTE PTEL PTEP PTER PTGOV PTIA PTR PTRD PU PUAS PUBLIC PUNE PUNR PUOS PV PVIP PVOV PVPR PVTS PWBG PWMN PY QA QADRI QEL QI QIZ QM QT QU QUAN QUOC RA RAED RAFAEL RAID RAMON RAMONTEIJELO RAS RATIFICATION RAY GUEVARA MILTON RBI RCA RCMP RE REA REACTION REALTIONS RECIN REF REFORM REFPAN REFUGEE REFUGEES REGION REGIONAL REID REIN REINEMEYER REL RELAM RELATIONS RELFREE RELIGIOUS REMON RENAMO RENE PREVAL REO REPORT REUBEN RF RFE RFIN RFREEDOM RGOV RGY RHUM RI RICE RICHARD RIGHTS RIGHTSPOLMIL RIMC RIVERA RL RLA RM RMA RO ROBERT ROBERT JOSEPH RODHAM RODRIGUEZ ROK ROME ROOD ROSS ROW ROY RP RPEL RPTS RQ RR RRB RREL RS RSO RSOX RSP RSZ RTT RU RUEHZO RV RW RWANDA SA SAAD SAARC SABAH SACU SADC SAFE SAIR SAIS SALOPEK SAMA SAN SANC SANR SAO SARB SARGSIAN SARS SASC SASEC SASIAIN SB SBA SC SCA SCCC SCE SCENESETTER SCHUL SCI SCIENCE SCNV SCOI SCOL SCOM SCPR SCRM SCRS SCRSERD SCUL SCVL SD SE SEC SECDEF SECI SECRET SECRETARY SECSTATE SECTOR SECURITY SEMAAN GABY EID SEN SENC SENG SENS SENU SENV SENVQGR SENVSPL SENVSXE SEP SERBIA SERZH SETTLEMENTS SEVN SEXP SF SFNV SG SGNV SGWI SH SHANNON SHI SHUM SI SILVASANDE SIMS SIPDI SIPDIS SIPR SIPRNET SIPRS SIUK SK SKCA SKEP SKI SKSAF SL SLM SLOVAK SM SMAR SMI SMIG SMIL SMIT SMITH SMRT SN SNA SNAP SNAR SNUC SO SOC SOCI SOCIA SOCIETY SOCIO SOCIS SOCISZX SOCR SOCY SOE SOFA SOI SOIC SOLI SOLIC SOM SOMALIA SOPN SORT SOSI SOVIET SOWGC SP SPAS SPC SPCE SPCVIS SPECI SPECIALIST SPILL SPP SPSTATE SR SREF SRIT SRS SRYI SSA SSH ST STAG START STATE STC STEINBERG STEPHEN HADLEY STET STP STR STUDENT SU SUCCESSION SUFFRAGE SULLIVAN SUMMIT SUR SUSAN SV SW SWHO SWMN SX SXG SY SYAI SYMBOL SYR SYRIA SYSI SYTH SZ TA TAGS TALAL TAUSCHER TAX TB TBI TBID TBIO TBIOZK TBKIO TBO TC TCOR TCSENV TD TDA TE TECH TECHNOLOGY TER TERAA TERFIN TERR TERROR TERRORISM TF TFIN TG TGRY TH THANH THE THERESE THIRDTERM THKSJA THOMAS THOMAS THOMMA THPY TI TIA TIBO TIFA TINT TIO TIP TITI TIUZ TJ TK TL TM TN TNDG TNGD TO TOPEC TORRIJOS TOURISM TP TPHY TPKO TPP TPSA TPSL TR TRAD TRADE TRAFFICKING TRBIO TRBY TRD TREAS TREASURY TREATY TREL TRG TRGV TRGY TRIO TRSY TRT TRV TRY TRYG TRYS TS TSA TSLP TSPA TSPL TSRL TSRY TSY TT TTFN TU TURKEY TV TVBIO TW TWRO TX TY TZ TZBY UA UAE UAID UAM UB UDEM UE UEU UG UGA UK UKR UKRAINE UM UMIK UN UNA UNAF UNAIDS UNAMA UNAMSIL UNAORC UNAUS UNBRO UNC UNCC UNCDF UNCDN UNCHC UNCHR UNCHS UNCITRAL UNCND UNCOPUOS UNCRED UNCRIME UNCSD UNCSW UNCTAD UNDC UNDEF UNDOF UNDP UNECE UNEF UNEP UNESCO UNFA UNFC UNFCYP UNFF UNFICYP UNFIYCP UNFPA UNGA UNGAPL UNGO UNHCR UNHRC UNICEF UNIDCP UNIDO UNIDROIT UNIFEM UNIFIL UNION UNKIK UNM UNMEE UNMIC UNMIK UNMIKI UNMIKV UNMIL UNMIN UNMOVIC UNO UNODC UNOMIG UNOPS UNP UNPAR UNPUOS UNRCCA UNRCR UNREST UNRWA UNSC UNSCAPU UNSCD UNSCE UNSCER UNSCR UNSCS UNSD UNSE UNTAC UNTERR UNTZ UNUS UNVIE UNYI UP UPU UPUO UR US USAID USAU USCC USCG USDA USDELFESTTWO USEU USG USGS USMS USNC USOAS USOP USPS USPTO USSC USTA USTDA USTR USTRD USTRIT USTRPS USTRUWR USUN UUNR UV UX UY UZ VA VANESSA VANG VAT VC VE VELS VEN VENZ VETTING VI VINICIO VIP VIS VISAS VISIT VM VN VO VOA VT VTEG VTFR VTIS VTPREL VTTBIO VTWCAR VXY VY VZ WA WAEMU WAKI WAR WARD WB WBEG WBG WCAR WCI WCL WCO WE WEBG WEBZ WEET WEF WEOG WET WEU WFA WFP WFPAORC WFPO WGC WGG WHA WHITMER WHO WHTI WI WILCOX WILLIAM WIPO WIR WITH WJRO WM WMD WMDT WMN WMO WOMEN WPO WRTO WS WSIS WTO WTRD WTRO WTRQ WW WWARD WWBG WWT WZ XA XAAF XB XC XD XE XF XFNEA XG XH XI XJ XK XL XLUM XM XO XP XQ XR XS XT XTAG XU XV XW XX XXX XY XZ YE YEH YI YL YM YMCS YS YU YURIY ZA ZANU ZB ZC ZCTU ZEALAND ZF ZFR ZH ZI ZIM ZJ ZK ZKGM ZL ZM ZN ZO ZOELLICK ZP ZR ZS ZT ZU ZW ZXA
AA AADP AALC ABDALLAH FETHI ABDULHADI ABDULRAHMEN ABER ABLD ABLDG ABLG ABMC ABT ABUD AC ACABQ ACAO ACBAQ ACCELERATED ACCOUNT ACDA ACEC ACKM ACOA ACOTA ACS ACTION ADANA ADB ADCO ADCP ADEL ADEP ADIP ADM ADMIRAL ADPM ADRC AE AEC AECL AEGR AEIR AEM AEMED AEMR AER AESC AF AFAF AL HOURANI AFARI AFDB AFDIN AFFAIRS AFGHAN AFGHANISTAN AFIN AFL AFLU AFOR AFR AFSA AFSI AFSN AFU AFZAL AG AGAO AGENCIES AGENDA AGENGA AGIT AGMT AGOA AGR AGRI AGRIC AGRICULTURE AGS AGUILAR AGUIRRE AHMED AI AIAG AID AIDAC AIDS AIEA AIHRC AIN AINF AINFCY AINR AINT AISG AIT AJ AK AL ALAB ALAMI ALANAZI ALBE ALEXANDER ALI ALIREZA ALJAZEERA ALL ALNEA ALOUNI ALOW ALOWAR ALVAREZ AM AMAT AMB AMBASSADOR AMCHAM AMCHAMS AMCT AME AMED AMEDI AMEMR AMER AMERICAS AMEX AMG AMGE AMGMT AMGT AMIA AMLB AMPR AMT AMTC AMTG AN ANARCHISTS ANC AND ANDREW LEE WATKINS ANET ANTITERRORISM ANTOINE GHONDA ANTONIO ANTXON AO AOCR AODE AOIC AOMS AOPR AORC AORD AOREC AORG AORL AOWC AP APCS APDC APEC APECO APER APR APRC APRM AQ AR ARAB ARABBL ARABL ARABLEAGUE ARAS ARC ARCH ARENA AREP ARF ARG ARM ARMITAGE ARMS ARNOLD FREDERICK MORRIS AROC ARR ARRMZY ARSO AS ASA ASAC ASC ASCC ASCE ASCEC ASCH ASE ASEAN ASEC ASECARP ASECE ASECM ASECSI ASECVE ASED ASEDC ASEG ASEK ASES ASEX ASFC ASIC ASIG ASIR ASJA ASO ASOC ASPA ASR ASSEMBLY ASSK ASSSEMBLY ASUP AT ATFN ATPDEA ATRA ATRD ATRN AU AU-1 AUC AUNR AUSGR AUSTRALIAGROUP AV AVERY AVIAN AVIANFLU AVIATION AW AX AY AZ AZE B. BA BAGHDAD BAIO BAKOYANNIS BALKANS BAPOL BARACK BASHAR BATA BAYS BB BBG BBSR BC BCW BCXP BD BE BEAN BELLVIEW BEN BERARDUCCI BESP BEXB BEXP BEXPC BEXPPLM BEXT BF BFIF BFIN BFIO BG BGD BGMT BH BHUM BI BIC BIDOON BIH BILAT BIMSTEC BINR BIO BIOS BIOTECH BIOTECHNOLOGY BIT BITO BK BL BLR BLUE BLUNT BM BMENA BMGT BMOT BN BNUC BO BOIKO BOL BOND BOQ BORDER BOSNIA BOU BOUCHAIB KAKA BOUTERSE BP BPIS BPTS BR BRIAN BRITNEY BRITNY BRPA BRUSSELS BS BSSR BT BTA BTC BTIO BTIU BTRA BTT BU BUD BULGARIA BURMA BURNS BUSH BUY AMERICA BV BW BWC BX BXEP BY BZ CA CAC CACM CACS CAFTA CAIO CAJC CAMBODIA CAN CAPC CARC CARE CARIB CARICOM CARSON CAS CASA CASC CASCC CASCR CASE CASTILLO CAVO CB CBC CBD CBE CBG CBIS CBM CBSA CBTH CBW CCSR CCY CD CDB CDC CDCC CDCE CDG CDI CE CEA CEC CEDAW CEN CENSUS CENTCOM CENTRIC CEUDA CF CFE CFED CFG CFIS CFSP CG CGEN CGOPRC CH CHAD CHALLENGE CHAO CHAVEZ CHELIDZE CHENEY CHERTOFF CHG CHIEF CHN CHR CHR-1 CHRISTIAN CHRISTOF CHRISTOPHER CI CIA CIAT CIC CICTE CIDA CIO CIP CIS CITEL CITES CITIBANK CITT CIVAIR CIVS CJ CJAN CJUS CK CKGR CKOR CL CLEARANCE CLINTON CLMT CLO CLOK CM CMAE CMFT CMGT CMP CMT CN CNAR CNARC CNC CNO CO CODEL COE COL COLIN COLLECTIVE COLOMBO COM COMESA COMMERCE CON CONAWAY CONDOLEEZZA CONDOLEEZZA RICE CONEAZ CONG CONGO CONGRINT CONS CONSULAR CONTROL CONTROLS CORRUPTION COSI COUNTER COUNTER TERRORISM COUNTERTERRORISM COUNTRY COUNTRYCLEARANCE CP CPA CPAS CPC CPCTC CPPT CPUOS CQ CR CRIM CRIME CRIMES CRISTINA CRM CROATIA CROS CRS CRUZ CS CSCE CSEP CSIS CSW CT CTBT CTER CTERR CTM CTR CTRYCLR CU CUCO CUIS CUL CUSTODIO CV CVIA CVIC CVIS CVISU CVPR CVR CW CWC CWCM CWG CX CY CYNTHIA CYP CYPRUSARMS CZ DA DAC DAFR DAN DANFUNG DANIEL DAO DARFR DARFUR DAVID DAVID LEE HOWES DAVID WELCH DAVID WILLIAM RAY DB DC DCDG DCG DCHA DCI DCM DCOM DCRM DE DEA DEAX DEFENSE DEFENSEREFORM DELTAVIOLENCE DEM DEMARCHE DEMARCHES DEMETRIOS DEMOCRATIC DENNIS DEOC DEPORTATION DEPT DEPT FOR DS COMMAND CENTER DESI DHA DHLAKAMA DHLS DHRF DHS DHSX DIEZ DIPLOMACY DISENGAGEMENT DJ DK DKEM DMIN DMINE DO DOC DOD DOE DOJ DOMC DOMESTIC DOMESTICPOLITICS DONALD RUMSFELD DOT DPAO DPKO DPM DPOL DPRK DR DRC DRIP DRL DS DSR DSS DTFN DTRA DTRO DU DUNCAN CAMERON DVC DY EAC EAD EADI EADM EAG EAGER EAGR EAI EAIC EAID EAIDB EAIDCIN EAIDEGZ EAIDMG EAIDNI EAIF EAIG EAIO EAIR EAIS EAIT EAOD EAP EAPC EAR EARI EASS EATO EAUD EAVI EB EBEXP EBRD EBUD EC ECA ECCP ECCT ECE ECHEVARRIA ECIN ECIP ECLAC ECN ECOIN ECOM ECON ECONCS ECONEGE ECONOMIC ECONOMICS ECONOMY ECONOMY AND FINANCE ECOR ECOS ECOSOC ECOWAS ECPC ECPN ECPO ECPS ECPSN ECRM ECTRD ECUN ED EDA EDEV EDRC EDU EDUARDO EDUC EE EEB EEC EENG EENV EEOC EET EETC EFI EFIC EFIM EFIN EFIS EFLU EFN EFND EFNI EFQ EFTA EG EGAD EGAR EGEN EGHG EGOV EGOVSY EH EI EIAD EIAID EIAR EIB EICN EID EIDE EIDN EIFN EIN EIND EINDIR EINF EING EINN EINO EINR EINT EINV EINZ EIPR EIQ EISL EISNLN EITC EITI EIVN EK EL ELA ELAB ELAD ELAINE ELAM ELAN ELAP ELB ELBA ELBR ELEC ELECTIONS ELF ELIN ELN ELND ELNT ELTD ELTM ELTN ELTRN EMAIL EMED EMI EMIN EMN EMS EMW EN END ENDURING ENEG ENER ENERG ENERGY ENFR ENG ENGR ENGRD ENGRG ENGY ENIV ENLT ENNP ENR ENRC ENRG ENRL ENTG ENV ENVI ENVIRONMENT ENVR ENVT EON EOXC EP EPA EPAT EPCS EPE EPEC EPECO EPET EPIN EPIT EPPD EPRT EPSC EPTE EPTED EPWR EQ EQRD ER ERA ERD EREL ERGR ERICKSON ERIN ERTD ES ESA ESCAP ESCI ESDP ESENV ESF ESLCO ESOC ESOCI ESPS ESS ESSO ESTH ESTN ESTRADA ET ETA ETAD ETC ETCC ETD ETDR ETEL ETER ETEX ETFN ETIC ETIO ETLN ETMIN ETR ETRA ETRAD ETRB ETRC ETRD ETRDECD ETRG ETRK ETRN ETRO ETRP ETT ETTC ETTD ETTF ETTN ETTR ETTRD ETTW ETZ EU EUC EUCOM EUE EUEAID EUFOR EUM EUMEM EUN EUR EUREM EURM EURN EV EVENTS EVN EWRG EWT EWTR EWWT EX EXBS EXEC EXIM EXO EXPORT EXTERNAL EZ FA FAA FAC FAGR FAO FARC FARM FAS FATAH FBI FCC FCS FCSC FCSCEG FCUL FDA FDIC FEDULOV FEMA FERNANDO FGM FI FIGUEROA FIN FINANCE FINE FINR FINREF FINV FIR FISO FJ FK FKFLO FKLU FLU FM FMC FMGT FMLN FMS FO FOI FOOKS FOR FORCE FORCES FOREIGN FORWHA FP FPC FR FRA FRANCIS FRANCISCO RODENAS RUIZ FRANCISCO VILLA URBALEJO FRAZER FRB FREDOM FREEDOM FRELIMO FRIED FRN FRU FSC FSI FT FTA FTAA FWS GA GAERC GAMES GANGS GAO GARCIA GASPAR GATES GATT GAZA GAZPROM GB GBSLE GC GCC GCCC GE GEF GEORGE GERARD GESKE GF GG GH GI GIPNC GIWI GJ GKGIC GL GLOBAL GM GN GO GOG GOI GOMEZ GON GOVPOI GPGOV GPI GPOI GPOV GR GREGG RENE WALTER GRQ GS GT GTIP GTMO GTREFTEL GU GUAM GUANTANAMO GUIDANCE GUILLERMO GUTIERREZ GV GWI GY GZ GZIS HA HAMID KARZAI HARRIET HARRY HAWZ HCOPIL HDP HE HEAVEN HEBRON HECTOR HELGERSON HERCEGOVINA HG HHS HI HIGHLIGHTS HIJAZI HILARY HILLARY HILLEN HIPC HIV HIZ HK HKSX HL HLSX HN HNCHR HO HOA HOSTAGES HPKO HR HRC HRCS HRICTY HRIGHTS HRKSTC HSI HSTC HSWG HT HTCG HTSC HU HUD HUM HUMAN HUMANITARIAN HUMANR HUMANRIGHTS HUMOR HUMRIT HUNRC HURI HURRICANE HYDE HYLAND HYMPSK HZ IA IACHR IACI IACO IACW IADB IAEA IAES IAHRC IAIE IAII IASA IATTC IAZ IBB IBD IBET IBPCA IBRB IBRD IC ICAC ICAO ICC ICCAT ICCROM ICES ICJ ICRC ICRS ICSCA ICTR ICTY ID IDA IDB IDLI IDLO IDP IDR IE IEA IEAB IEF IF IFAD IFC IFIN IFM IFO IFR IFRC IG IGAD IGF IHO IICA IINS IIP IK IL ILAB ILC ILEA ILO IMC IMET IMF IMMIGRATION IMO IMSO IMTS IN INAUGURATION INCB IND INDO INF INFLUENZA INL INMARSAT INNP INPFC INR INRA INRB INRD INRO INRPAZ INS INSC INT INTEL INTELLECTUAL INTELSAT INTERNAL INTERPOL INV INVI IO IOC IOM IP IPET IPGRI IPK IPPC IPR IPROP IQ IQNV IR IRAN IRAQ IRAQI IRAQI FREEDOM IRC IRCE IRDB IRE IRL IRLE IRM IRMO IRNB IRPE IRQEGION IRS IS ISA ISAAC ISAF ISCA ISCON ISLAMISTS ISLE ISN ISNV ISO ISPA ISPL ISRAEL ISRAEL RELATIONS ISRAELI ISRAELI PALESTINIAN AFFAIRS ISSUES ISTC IT ITA ITALIAN ITALY ITECIP ITEIND ITELTN ITER ITF ITIA ITRA ITRD ITU IUCN IV IVIANNA IWC IWI IX IZ IZAORC JA JABER JAM JAMES JAPAN JAT JAWAD JCIC JE JEAN-PIERRE BEMBA JEFFERY JEFFREY JENDAYI JHR JI JIMENEZ JIMENEZ CHILDREN JK JKUS JM JN JO JOHANNS JOHN JOHN BOEHNER JOHNNIE JONATHAN CHAMAN JOSE ANGEL ALZUGUREN PERURENA JOSE NEY MILA ESPINOSA JOSE RAMOS HORTA JOSEPH BIDEN JP JS JSRP JUAN JULIAN RENE KIRCHOFF JUS JY KA KACP KACT KACW KADM KAID KALM KALR KANSOU KAPO KARIM WADE KATRINA KAUST KAWC KAWK KAWL KAWS KAWX KAYLA KBCT KBDS KBEM KBIO KBNC KBTC KBTR KBTS KBWG KCCP KCEM KCERS KCFC KCFE KCGC KCHG KCIP KCIS KCM KCMA KCMR KCOG KCOM KCOR KCPS KCRCM KCRI KCRIM KCRM KCRN KCRO KCROM KCROR KCRP KCRS KCRT KCSA KCSI KCSY KCUL KCUM KCVM KCWI KDCM KDDEM KDDG KDE KDEM KDEN KDET KDEV KDGOV KDGR KDHS KDM KDMR KDP KDRG KDRL KDTB KDUM KE KEAI KEANE KEBG KECF KEDEM KEDM KEDU KEIM KEM KEMPI KEMR KEMS KEN KENV KERF KERG KESO KESP KESS KEVIN KFAM KFCE KFE KFEM KFGM KFIN KFIU KFLD KFLO KFLU KFOR KFPC KFRD KFRP KFSC KFTFN KFTN KG KGCC KGCN KGHA KGHG KGIC KGICKS KGIT KGIV KGKG KGLB KGOR KGOV KH KHDP KHGH KHIB KHIV KHJUS KHLS KHMN KHOURY KHPD KHSA KHSL KHUM KI KIBL KICA KICC KICCPUR KICR KICT KID KIDE KIF KIFR KIIC KIIP KIL KILS KIMMITT KIMT KIND KINF KINL KINP KINR KINT KIPR KIPT KIRC KIRD KIRF KIRL KIRP KIS KISC KISK KISL KISM KISR KITA KIVP KIVR KJAN KJRE KJU KJUS KJUST KJWC KK KKIV KKNP KKOR KKPO KLAB KLAP KLBO KLEG KLFLO KLFU KLHS KLIG KLIP KLPM KLSO KLTN KM KMAC KMAR KMCA KMCC KMCR KMDR KMEPI KMFO KMGT KMIG KMNP KMOC KMPF KMPI KMPIO KMPL KMPP KMPT KMRD KMRS KMSG KMVP KMWN KN KNAO KNAP KNAR KNDP KNEI KNEP KNET KNMP KNN KNNA KNNB KNNC KNNF KNNO KNNP KNNR KNOP KNP KNPP KNPPIS KNPR KNPT KNRG KNRV KNSD KNUC KNUP KO KOC KOCI KOCM KOEM KOGL KOLY KOM KOMC KOMCCO KOMCSG KOMH KOMO KOMS KOR KOSOVO KOUYATE KPA KPAD KPAI KPAK KPAL KPALAOIS KPAM KPAO KPAS KPBT KPDD KPEM KPEO KPER KPET KPIN KPIR KPKO KPKP KPLS KPMI KPMO KPO KPOA KPOKO KPOL KPOP KPOV KPOW KPPAO KPPD KPRD KPRM KPRO KPROG KPRP KPRV KPSC KPTD KPTS KPWG KPWR KQ KQM KQRDQ KR KRAD KRAL KRCIM KRCM KRCS KRD KRDP KREC KREF KREISLER KREL KRF KRFD KRFR KRG KRGY KRIC KRIF KRIM KRKO KRM KRMS KRV KRVC KS KSA KSAC KSAF KSCA KSCI KSCS KSCT KSEAO KSEC KSEI KSEO KSEP KSI KSIA KSKN KSLG KSMT KSOC KSOCI KSPA KSPR KSRE KSTC KSTCC KSTCPL KSTH KSTS KSTT KSUM KSUP KT KTAO KTBD KTBT KTCRE KTDB KTDD KTDM KTER KTEX KTFIN KTFM KTFN KTFR KTFS KTIA KTIP KTLA KTNBT KTNF KTPN KTRD KTRF KTSC KTSD KTTB KTTC KTTP KU KUAE KUIR KUM KUNA KUNC KUNH KUNP KUNR KUS KUWAIT KV KVBL KVIP KVIR KVIS KVPR KVRC KVRP KW KWAC KWAK KWAWC KWBC KWBG KWBW KWCI KWCR KWGB KWHG KWIC KWIM KWIR KWKN KWM KWMJN KWMM KWMN KWN KWNM KWNN KWOMN KWPA KWPB KWPG KWPR KWRC KWRF KWRG KWUN KWWT KWWW KX KY KZ LA LAB LABOR LANSANA LANTERN LARREA LARS LAS LAURA LAVIN LAW LB LBAR LBY LE LEAGUE LEB LEBIK LEGAT LEGATT LEIS LEON LEVINE LEW LG LGAT LH LI LIB LICC LIMA LINE LK LMS LN LO LOG LOPEZ LORAN LOTT LOVE LR LS LT LTG LTTE LU LV LVPR LY LZ MA MAAR MACEDONIA MACP MANUEL MANUEL SERGIO GONZALEZ MAP MAPP MAPS MAR MARAD MARANTIS MARIA MARIE MARINO MARITIME MARK MARQUEZ MARR MARS MARTIN MARV MAS MASC MASS MATT MAYA MB MBM MC MCA MCAP MCAPARR MCAPN MCAPP MCAPS MCAT MCC MCCAIN MCCONNELL MCCP MCGRAW MCRM MCTRE MD MDA MDC MDO ME MEA MED MEDIA MEETINGS MENDIETA MEP MEPI MEPN MEPP MERCOSUR MESUR MEX MF MFA MFO MG MGL MGMT MGOV MGT MGTA MH MHUC MI MIAH MIC MICHAEL MICHEL MIGUEL FELIPE CANAHUATI YACAMAN MIGUEL VARGAS MALDONADO MIK MIKE MIL MILI MILITANTS MILITARY MILLENNIUM MINURSO MINUSTAH MITCHELL MJ MK ML MLS MMAR MMED MN MNLF MNNC MNNUC MNU MNUC MNUCH MNUCWA MNUM MNUN MNUR MNUS MNVC MO MOHAMAD MOHAMED HESHAM ELDIN YOUSSEF MOHAMMAD MOLINA MONTENEGRO MONUC MONY MOOPS MOP MOPP MOPPS MOPS MORALES MORG MOROCCO MORS MOS MOTO MOTT MP MPOL MPOS MPP MPS MQADHAFI MR MRCRE MRRR MRS MRSEC MS MSG MSIG MT MTAA MTAG MTCAE MTCR MTCRA MTCRE MTRCE MTRE MTRRE MTS MU MUC MUCN MUKASEY MULLEN MUNC MURAD MURRAY MV MW MX MY MZ NA NAC NACB NADIA NAFTA NAM NAMSA NANCY NAR NARC NARCOTICS NARR NAS NASA NAT NATEU NATGAS NATIONAL NATO NATOAFGHAN NATOBALKANS NATOIRAQ NATOOPS NATOPOLICY NATSIOS NAVO NB NBTS NBU NC NCCC NCD NCT NCTC NDI NDP NE NEA NEC NEGROPONTE NEI NELSON NEPAD NERG NET NEW NFATC NFMS NFSO NG NGO NGUYEN NH NI NICHOLAS NICOLE NIH NIPP NK NKWG NL NLD NLIAEA NLO NMFS NMNUC NMUC NNPT NO NOAA NOI NOK NON NONE NORAD NOTAG NOVO NP NPA NPG NPT NR NRC NRG NRR NRRC NS NSC NSF NSFO NSG NSSP NT NTDB NTSB NTTC NU NUC NUIN NV NW NZ NZUS OA OAO OARC OAS OASC OASCC OASS OAU OBAMA OBS OBSP OCBD OCEA OCED OCHA OCII OCRA OCS OCSE ODAG ODC ODIP ODPC OECD OECS OECV OES OESC OEXC OEXP OF OFDA OFDC OFDP OFDPQIS OFFICIALS OFPD OFSO OGAC OGIV OHCHR OHI OHIP OI OIC OICCO OIE OIF OIG OIIP OIL OIM OLY OLYAIR OLYMPICS OM OMAR OMB OMIG OMS ON ONA OPAD OPBAT OPC OPCD OPCR OPCW OPDAT OPDC OPDP OPEC OPET OPIC OPID OPOC OPPC OPRC OPREC OPREP OPS OPSC OPVIP ORA ORC ORCA ORECD ORED OREG OREP ORGANIZED ORP ORTA ORUE OSAC OSCE OSCI OSD OSEC OSHA OSIC OSTA OSTRA OTA OTAR OTHER OTHERSASNEEDED OTP OTR OTRA OTRABL OTRAO OTRAZ OTRC OTRD OUALI OVIP OVP OXEC OXEM OZ PA PAARM PAC PACE PAGE PAGR PAHO PAIGH PAK PAL PALESTINIAN PAMQ PAN PANAM PAO PAR PARALYMPIC PARCA PAREL PARK PARLIAMENT PARM PARMS PARN PARP PARR PARTIES PARTM PARTY PAS PASS PATRICK WARREN MAHURIN PATTY PAUL PAUM PB PBGT PBIO PBK PBOV PBPTS PBS PBST PBT PBTS PCI PCON PCOR PCRM PCUL PD PDA PDD PDEM PDIP PDOV PDRG PE PEACE PEACEKEEPINGFORCES PEDRO PEL PELOSI PEMEX PENA PENV PEPFAR PEPR PER PEREZ PERL PERM PERSONS PET PETER PETERS PETR PETRAEUS PETROL PF PFIN PFLP PFOR PFOV PG PGGOC PGIC PGIV PGKV PGO PGOC PGOF PGOG PGON PGOR PGOT PGOV PGOVE PGOVQL PGPV PGREL PGREV PGV PH PHALANAGE PHARM PHAS PHEM PHIM PHM PHSA PHU PHUH PHUM PHUMHUPPS PHUN PHUS PHYTRP PI PIA PICES PIF PIN PINB PIND PINER PINF PING PINL PINO PINOCHET PINR PINS PINT PINV PIR PIRF PIRN PJUS PK PKAO PKBL PKFK PKISL PKK PKMN PKNP PKO PKPA PKPAL PKPO PKPRP PKST PL PLAB PLAN PLEC PLN PLO PLUM PM PMAR PMAT PMDL PMIG PMIL PMIN PMR PMUC PN PNAT PNET PNG PNIR PNNL PNR PNRG PNS PNUC PNUK PNUM PO PODC POG POGV POINS POL POLG POLI POLICY POLINT POLITICAL POLITICS POLM POLMIL POLS POLUN POREL PORG POSTS POTUS POUS POV POWELL PP PPA PPAO PPD PPEF PPEL PPKO PPOL PQL PQM PRC PRE PREC PRED PREF PREG PREJ PREK PREL PRELEVU PRELM PRELPLS PRELTBIOBA PREM PREO PREP PRER PRES PRESIDENT PRESL PREV PREZ PRF PRFE PRFL PRGO PRGOV PRIL PRIVATIZATION PRL PRLE PRM PRO PROB PROCESS PROG PROL PROLIFERATION PROP PROPERTY PROTECTION PROTESTS PROV PROVE PRT PRTER PRWL PS PSA PSCE PSEC PSEPC PSHA PSI PSNR PSO PSOC PSOCI PSOE PT PTBS PTE PTEL PTEP PTER PTGOV PTIA PTR PTRD PU PUAS PUBLIC PUNE PUNR PUOS PV PVIP PVOV PVPR PVTS PWBG PWMN PY QA QADRI QEL QI QIZ QM QT QU QUAN QUOC RA RAED RAFAEL RAID RAMON RAMONTEIJELO RAS RATIFICATION RAY GUEVARA MILTON RBI RCA RCMP RE REA REACTION REALTIONS RECIN REF REFORM REFPAN REFUGEE REFUGEES REGION REGIONAL REID REIN REINEMEYER REL RELAM RELATIONS RELFREE RELIGIOUS REMON RENAMO RENE PREVAL REO REPORT REUBEN RF RFE RFIN RFREEDOM RGOV RGY RHUM RI RICE RICHARD RIGHTS RIGHTSPOLMIL RIMC RIVERA RL RLA RM RMA RO ROBERT ROBERT JOSEPH RODHAM RODRIGUEZ ROK ROME ROOD ROSS ROW ROY RP RPEL RPTS RQ RR RRB RREL RS RSO RSOX RSP RSZ RTT RU RUEHZO RV RW RWANDA SA SAAD SAARC SABAH SACU SADC SAFE SAIR SAIS SALOPEK SAMA SAN SANC SANR SAO SARB SARGSIAN SARS SASC SASEC SASIAIN SB SBA SC SCA SCCC SCE SCENESETTER SCHUL SCI SCIENCE SCNV SCOI SCOL SCOM SCPR SCRM SCRS SCRSERD SCUL SCVL SD SE SEC SECDEF SECI SECRET SECRETARY SECSTATE SECTOR SECURITY SEMAAN GABY EID SEN SENC SENG SENS SENU SENV SENVQGR SENVSPL SENVSXE SEP SERBIA SERZH SETTLEMENTS SEVN SEXP SF SFNV SG SGNV SGWI SH SHANNON SHI SHUM SI SILVASANDE SIMS SIPDI SIPDIS SIPR SIPRNET SIPRS SIUK SK SKCA SKEP SKI SKSAF SL SLM SLOVAK SM SMAR SMI SMIG SMIL SMIT SMITH SMRT SN SNA SNAP SNAR SNUC SO SOC SOCI SOCIA SOCIETY SOCIO SOCIS SOCISZX SOCR SOCY SOE SOFA SOI SOIC SOLI SOLIC SOM SOMALIA SOPN SORT SOSI SOVIET SOWGC SP SPAS SPC SPCE SPCVIS SPECI SPECIALIST SPILL SPP SPSTATE SR SREF SRIT SRS SRYI SSA SSH ST STAG START STATE STC STEINBERG STEPHEN HADLEY STET STP STR STUDENT SU SUCCESSION SUFFRAGE SULLIVAN SUMMIT SUR SUSAN SV SW SWHO SWMN SX SXG SY SYAI SYMBOL SYR SYRIA SYSI SYTH SZ TA TAGS TALAL TAUSCHER TAX TB TBI TBID TBIO TBIOZK TBKIO TBO TC TCOR TCSENV TD TDA TE TECH TECHNOLOGY TER TERAA TERFIN TERR TERROR TERRORISM TF TFIN TG TGRY TH THANH THE THERESE THIRDTERM THKSJA THOMAS THOMAS THOMMA THPY TI TIA TIBO TIFA TINT TIO TIP TITI TIUZ TJ TK TL TM TN TNDG TNGD TO TOPEC TORRIJOS TOURISM TP TPHY TPKO TPP TPSA TPSL TR TRAD TRADE TRAFFICKING TRBIO TRBY TRD TREAS TREASURY TREATY TREL TRG TRGV TRGY TRIO TRSY TRT TRV TRY TRYG TRYS TS TSA TSLP TSPA TSPL TSRL TSRY TSY TT TTFN TU TURKEY TV TVBIO TW TWRO TX TY TZ TZBY UA UAE UAID UAM UB UDEM UE UEU UG UGA UK UKR UKRAINE UM UMIK UN UNA UNAF UNAIDS UNAMA UNAMSIL UNAORC UNAUS UNBRO UNC UNCC UNCDF UNCDN UNCHC UNCHR UNCHS UNCITRAL UNCND UNCOPUOS UNCRED UNCRIME UNCSD UNCSW UNCTAD UNDC UNDEF UNDOF UNDP UNECE UNEF UNEP UNESCO UNFA UNFC UNFCYP UNFF UNFICYP UNFIYCP UNFPA UNGA UNGAPL UNGO UNHCR UNHRC UNICEF UNIDCP UNIDO UNIDROIT UNIFEM UNIFIL UNION UNKIK UNM UNMEE UNMIC UNMIK UNMIKI UNMIKV UNMIL UNMIN UNMOVIC UNO UNODC UNOMIG UNOPS UNP UNPAR UNPUOS UNRCCA UNRCR UNREST UNRWA UNSC UNSCAPU UNSCD UNSCE UNSCER UNSCR UNSCS UNSD UNSE UNTAC UNTERR UNTZ UNUS UNVIE UNYI UP UPU UPUO UR US USAID USAU USCC USCG USDA USDELFESTTWO USEU USG USGS USMS USNC USOAS USOP USPS USPTO USSC USTA USTDA USTR USTRD USTRIT USTRPS USTRUWR USUN UUNR UV UX UY UZ VA VANESSA VANG VAT VC VE VELS VEN VENZ VETTING VI VINICIO VIP VIS VISAS VISIT VM VN VO VOA VT VTEG VTFR VTIS VTPREL VTTBIO VTWCAR VXY VY VZ WA WAEMU WAKI WAR WARD WB WBEG WBG WCAR WCI WCL WCO WE WEBG WEBZ WEET WEF WEOG WET WEU WFA WFP WFPAORC WFPO WGC WGG WHA WHITMER WHO WHTI WI WILCOX WILLIAM WIPO WIR WITH WJRO WM WMD WMDT WMN WMO WOMEN WPO WRTO WS WSIS WTO WTRD WTRO WTRQ WW WWARD WWBG WWT WZ XA XAAF XB XC XD XE XF XFNEA XG XH XI XJ XK XL XLUM XM XO XP XQ XR XS XT XTAG XU XV XW XX XXX XY XZ YE YEH YI YL YM YMCS YS YU YURIY ZA ZANU ZB ZC ZCTU ZEALAND ZF ZFR ZH ZI ZIM ZJ ZK ZKGM ZL ZM ZN ZO ZOELLICK ZP ZR ZS ZT ZU ZW ZXA
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Identifier | Subject | Date | Office | Classification | Tags |
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04COLOMBO321 | Campaigning begins in earnest as nomination [...] (C) SUMMARY: The proverbial dust has settled on the nomination process for Sri Lanka's upcoming April 2 parliamentary elections, with nominations closing February 24. Campaigns by the two major parties have kicked off as of February 26, and the stage is set for the fourth national election i [...] | 2004-02-26 11:03:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PINS PINR PHUM CE LTTE |
04COLOMBO322 | ISSUES FOR DISCUSSION WITH DHS SECRETARY [...] Ambassador Lunstead looks forward to the roundtable discussion with other COMs and DHS Secretary Ridge on March 8. Following is a list of relevant issues in Sri Lanka and Maldives, keyed to the format in reftel. A. Movement of People In both Sri Lanka and Maldives, we seek to improve th [...] | 2004-02-26 11:04:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | AMGT CVIS OTRA PREL PTER CE ECONOMICS |
04COLOMBO327 | FOLLOW-UP ON MADRID CONFERENCE DONORS FOR IRAQ [...] In response to Embassy queries, Mr. Weerakoon of Economic Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs relayed the follwing status report on the Government of Sri Lanka's assistance to Iraq. 2. Sri Lanka's commitment to Iraq was 100,000 kilograms of tea and 100,000 pieces of clothing. As o [...] | 2004-02-27 05:22:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | EAID ECON EFIN IZ CE |
04COLOMBO328 | OFFICIAL INFORMAL NUMBER 031 (02/27/04) [...] (C) The Ambassador and party report that the Maldives trip continues to go well, with a number of interesting meetings including with President Gayoom yesterday. Meanwhile, on the opposition front, you may see press reports that the GSL has ordered MDP organizer Mohammed Latheef (with whom w [...] | 2004-02-27 05:37:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | AMGT CE MV |
04COLOMBO331 | Historic Jaffna library opens on limited basis [...] (C) SUMMARY: The library in the northern city of Jaffna has reopened, albeit on a limited basis, after much contention on this subject between the GSL and the Tigers. The fact that the library -- one of the cultural centers of the war-torn Jaffna region -- has finally opened its doors is a [...] | 2004-02-27 05:57:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PINS PHUM KPAO CE LTTE |
04COLOMBO332 | FOREIGN GOVERNMENT EOI FOR DEVELOPING AN [...] No summary [...] | 2004-02-27 06:29:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | BTIO CE ECONOMICS |
04COLOMBO401 | Indo-Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement -- Booming Trade [...] Summary: Trade between India and Sri Lanka has grown significantly -- by 30 percent in 2003 to USD 1.3 billion. Indian exports to Sri Lanka grew by 28 percent and Sri Lankan exports to India grew by 43 percent over the same time period. The rapid increase in trade between India and Sri Lank [...] | 2004-03-08 11:03:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | ETRD ECON CE USTR ECONOMICS |
04COLOMBO406 | Sri Lanka: Ignoring orders of LTTE [...] (C) SUMMARY: The main Tamil Tiger organization in the north announced March 6 that it was replacing a dissident commander. The commander, Karuna, has refused to step down, however, and remains ensconced in his eastern jungle base. No violence has been reported, but the situation is becomin [...] | 2004-03-06 08:31:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PTER PINR MOPS CE NO LTTE |
04COLOMBO418 | In meeting with Ambassador, PM Wickremesinghe [...] (C) SUMMARY: Prime Minister Wickremesinghe intends to use the signed photo of his White House visit in his campaign. He hopes to win an absolute majority and will use it to push the President to return the powers she seized in November. He thinks the Election Commission is doing a good job. [...] | 2004-03-09 10:06:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PINS PTER PHUM CE |
04COLOMBO42 | Colombo Plan: Action Request regarding Drug [...] (U) This is an Action Request -- Please see Para 4. 2. (U) REQUEST FOR CANDIDATES: Throughout the Asia/Pacific region, the Colombo Plan's Drug Advisory Program (DAP) plays a major role in demand reduction and drug awareness efforts. The tenure of the DAP's current director, Tay Bian How [...] | 2004-01-09 05:56:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL SNAR CE |
04COLOMBO422 | Campaign Snapshot: Despite LTTE rift, Tamil [...] (C) In this message, Mission reviews the following items related to Sri Lanka's April 2 parliamentary election campaign: -- Despite LTTE split, pro-Tiger party carries on campaign; -- Extremist Buddhist monks launch effort; -- Incidents of campaign-related violence on low side, so far [...] | 2004-03-09 11:00:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PINS PINR PTER PHUM CE |
04COLOMBO424 | OFFICIAL INFORMAL NUMBER 037 (03/09/04) [...] (C) We continue to monitor the situation in the east. As you know, it is not clear exactly what is transpiring amid many conflicting reports. Here are some of the latest items: -- REPORTED KILLINGS: There are various reports that fighting has begun between the rival LTTE factions. The [...] | 2004-03-09 11:19:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | AMGT CE MV LTTE |
04COLOMBO43 | OFFICIAL INFORMAL NUMBER 003 (01/09/04) [...] (U) FYI. On January 8, Parliament passed a motion to appoint a parliamentary select committee to examine the differences between the findings of two reports on the 2002 police raid of a Sri Lanka Army safehouse. As reported in 03 Colombo 2121, a retired judge commissioned by President Kumar [...] | 2004-01-09 06:07:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | AMGT CE MV |
04COLOMBO432 | ATOLL TRIP UNDERSCORES VULNERABILITY AND PROMISE [...] (SBU) Summary: Ambassador traveled with UNDP reps to Felidhoo Island in the Felidhe Atoll (the atoll just south of the South Male Atoll) on February 26. During a two-hour visit to the island, Ambassador was greeted by Maldives' only female Atoll Chief and saw local handicraft production, the [...] | 2004-03-10 11:12:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON PREL MV ECOSOC |
04COLOMBO435 | Sri Lanka: Rebel eastern commander torques up [...] (C) SUMMARY: Rebel LTTE commander Karuna continues to lash out at the main Tamil Tiger organization in the north. In a March 9 interview with BBC TV, Karuna -- speaking at a base in Batticaloa -- asserted that he had left the LTTE because he thought the group was preparing for war pending t [...] | 2004-03-10 05:11:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PTER PINR MOPS KPAO CE NO IN LTTE |
04COLOMBO437 | TERRORIST FINANCE FOLLOW UP: SRI LANKA AND MALDIVES [...] (C) Summary: Post believes the GSL and the GORM have been fully cooperative with counterterrorism finance initiatives, to the extent they are able. While neither has frozen terrorist assets, we do not believe either Sri Lanka or the Maldives presents an attractive banking alternative for terr [...] | 2004-03-11 10:00:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | EFIN ETTC PREL PTER MV CE LTTE |
04COLOMBO438 | UNHRC: Ambassador reviews U.S. priorities at [...] (C) As requested Ref B, Ambassador discussed upcoming UNHRC session with Foreign Secretary Bernard Goonetilleke on March 11. Goonetilleke is the number two in the Foreign Ministry and highest-ranking career official. (Embassy had previously presented similar material to MFA's Director Gener [...] | 2004-03-11 10:52:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PHUM CE UNHRC |
04COLOMBO439 | OFFICIAL INFORMAL NUMBER 039 (03/11/04) [...] (C) The Ambassador met March 11 with Foreign Secretary Bernard Goonetilleke. As Goonetilleke is also SIPDIS chief of Sri Lanka's Peace Secretariat, the discussion focused mostly on the situation in the east. Goonetilleke -- who is clearly spending much time on the matter -- made the follo [...] | 2004-03-11 11:25:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | AMGT CE MV LTTE |
04COLOMBO44 | AMBASSADOR DISCUSSED POLITICAL SITUATION WITH [...] (C) SUMMARY: Milinda Moragoda says it is not clear if the PM wants a deal with the President, or a confrontation. The Indians continue to try to work the issue. Milinda sees proposed Tokyo co-chairs meeting as a way to keep attention focussed on Sri Lanka, but thinks outcome needs to be car [...] | 2004-01-09 06:43:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PINS CE |
04COLOMBO440 | Sri Lanka: Can rebel Tamil Tiger commander in [...] (C) A week after he split from the main LTTE organization in the north, rebel commander Karuna appears to be gradually consolidating his position in the east. With many loyal troops in strong defensive redoubts, his military position seems relatively strong. There are also signs that he is p [...] | 2004-03-11 11:28:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PTER PINR MOPS CE NO LTTE |
04COLOMBO441 | Humanitarian demining: USG program continues [...] (U) This message is Sensitive but Unclassified -- Please handle accordingly. 2. (SBU) SUMMARY: A major State Department-sponsored humanitarian demining training initiative has been making major strides in Sri Lanka. Run by the RONCO Corporation, the program has trained over two hundred [...] | 2004-03-11 11:30:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PTER PGOV EAID KHDP CE LTTE |
04COLOMBO444 | COUNTRY TEAM ASSESSMENT FOR USCG 41- [...] THE GOVERNMENT OF SRI LANKA HAS SUBMITTED REFERENCE (FORWARDED UNDER SEPARATE COVER) REQUEST FOR EDA TRANSFER OF 41-FOOT US COAST GUARD UTILITY BOAT. BOTH THE SRI LANKAN NAVY (SLN) AND SRI LANKAN POLICE - PARAMILITARY BRANCH, THE SPECIAL TASK FORCE (STF) HAVE EXPRESSED AN INTEREST IN OBTAINI [...] | 2004-03-12 05:07:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | MASS PREL PGOV PTER CE |
04COLOMBO446 | In meeting, senior MP from President's party [...] (C) SUMMARY: Polchief met March 10 with Dinesh Gunawardena, a senior MP in President Kumaratunga's People's Alliance (PA) party. Queried about the April 2 parliamentary election, he stated that he thought the alliance between the SLFP and radical JVP was having "a very good" campaign and wo [...] | 2004-03-12 05:30:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PINR PTER CE |
04COLOMBO45 | RESULTS OF COLOMBO LTTE THREAT LETTER INVESTIGATION [...] (SBU) Summary - REFTEL reported the text of a letter sent to Embassy Colombo claiming a LTTE terrorist plot in the U.S. RSO investigation indicates the threat information contained in the letter is most likely false. The letter appears to be the work of a jealous lover. End Summary. 2. ( [...] | 2004-01-09 11:12:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ASEC CE PTER |
04COLOMBO452 | In visit, a tense, brooding Jaffna is [...] (C) SUMMARY: Poloff visited Jaffna District in northern Sri Lanka, March 13-14. Preparations for Sri Lanka's April 2 parliamentary elections were proceeding apace, and interest in the campaign seemed relatively high. The pro-LTTE Tamil National Alliance (TNA) appears poised to do well. Ta [...] | 2004-03-15 10:53:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PINS PTER PHUM SOCI CE LTTE |
04COLOMBO453 | OFFICIAL INFORMAL NUMBER 041 (03/15/04) [...] (SBU) FYI. In a pre-recorded campaign speech televised on the evening of March 14, President Chandrika Kumaratunga addressed the nation in Sinhala, railing against the United National Party (UNP) government and promoting the election manifesto of her United Party Freedom Alliance (UPFA). In [...] | 2004-03-15 11:26:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | AMGT CE MV |
04COLOMBO456 | Norwegian Special Envoy Solheim reviews latest [...] (C) SUMMARY: In a March 13 meeting with the four local co-chairs (Japan, Norway, U.S. and the EU) and again to a wider donor group on March 15, Norwegian Special Envoy Erik Solheim discussed his latest visit to Sri Lanka. Ambassador Lunstead participated in the meetings. Most of Solheim's [...] | 2004-03-15 11:33:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PINR PTER CE NO LTTE |
04COLOMBO460 | COUNTRY TEAM ASSESSMENT FOR SURVEILLANCE RADARS [...] THE GOVERNMENT OF SRI LANKA HAS SUBMITTED REFERENCE (FORWARDED UNDER SEPARATE COVER) REQUEST FOR SURVEILLANCE RADARS FOR BOTH STATIC & MOBILE COASTAL RADAR STATIONS. THE MINISTRY OF DEFENSE CURRENTLY DESIRES TO ESTABLISH COASTAL RADAR STATIONS AND IS REQUESTING FOUR HIGH FREQUENCY OVER THE HO [...] | 2004-03-16 04:59:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | MASS PREL PGOV PTER CE LTTE |
04COLOMBO465 | Campaign Snapshot: Major parties issue dueling [...] (C) In this message, Mission reviews the following items related to Sri Lanka's April 2 parliamentary election campaign: -- President Kumaratunga defends record in nationally televised address; -- United National Party (UNP) releases strongly pro- peace process manifesto; -- President [...] | 2004-03-15 03:29:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PINS PINR PTER PHUM CE KWMM |
04COLOMBO469 | OFFICIAL INFORMAL NUMBER 042 (03/17/04) [...] (C) Norwegian Ambassador Hans Brattskar called Ambassador Lunstead March 17 to relay a conversation the Norwegians had with Pulithevan, head of the LTTE "Peace Secretariat." In his discussion with the Norwegians, SIPDIS Pulithevan stated that the LTTE had had no involvement with the rumor [...] | 2004-03-17 11:21:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | AMGT CE MV LTTE |
04COLOMBO470 | Sri Lanka: Background on long-standing [...] (C) SUMMARY: Since his split with the LTTE, rebel commander Karuna has made a big pitch that eastern Tamils have been mistreated by the main LTTE organization in the north. In wider societal terms, it is true that there have been long-standing tensions between eastern and northern Tamils. [...] | 2004-03-17 11:24:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PINR PTER SOCI CE LTTE |
04COLOMBO477 | Sri Lanka: Latest poll results appear to [...] (C) SUMMARY: Two recent polls on the attitudes of Sri Lankans ahead of the April 2 parliamentary elections seem to indicate that PM Wickremesinghe's UNP government is in trouble. While the polls do not breakdown which party Sri Lankans plan to vote for, per se, they do show that the UNP gov [...] | 2004-03-18 10:48:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PINS SOCI CE |
04COLOMBO480 | OFFICIAL INFORMAL NUMBER 043 (03/18/04) [...] (C) FYI. In a long interview with TamilNet posted on March 17, London-based LTTE spokesman Balasingham has made his first public comments on the Karuna situation. Balasingham said the Tiger split between the north and east was not a major politico-military crisis and that the LTTE would deal [...] | 2004-03-18 11:00:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | AMGT CE MV LTTE |
04COLOMBO486 | OFFICIAL INFORMAL NUMBER 044 (03/19/04) [...] (SBU) FYI. On March 17, President Kumaratunga abolished 13 non-Cabinet ministries by gazette notification and amalgamated their functions into Cabinet-level ministries. Two other ministries were also merged with Cabinet-level ministries. The 13 ministries that were abolished -- (Irrigatio [...] | 2004-03-19 04:30:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | AMGT CE MV |
04COLOMBO489 | Sri Lanka: Competing Muslim groups engage in [...] (C) SUMMARY: Muslim parties are engaged in fierce infighting ahead of the April 2 parliamentary election. Tensions are particularly high in the east, where there have been many incidents of violence between the pro-UNP Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) and Muslims who are loyal to President K [...] | 2004-03-19 05:30:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PINS PINR PTER CE LTTE |
04COLOMBO490 | PROMISES, PROMISES: ECONOMIC RHETORIC FROM [...] (C) Summary: As the march toward the April 2 parliamentary elections continues, much of the campaign rhetoric has focused on the economy. At the same time, the continued political instability caused by the dissolution of parliament and the ensuing campaign is casting a pall over the economy. [...] | 2004-03-19 05:30:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON PGOV CE ECONOMICS |
04COLOMBO497 | ADDITIONAL GSL RESPONSE ON UNCTAD XI [...] Per Ambassador's letter (Ref A),post received a response from Trade Minister Ravi Karunanayake regarding the inclusion of Doha Development Agenda (DDA) issues at UNCTAD XI. Karunanayake's response, repeated in full below, mirrored Trade Secretary Wickremesinghe's response (Ref B) that the GS [...] | 2004-03-22 09:36:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | ECON ETRD CE |
04COLOMBO499 | INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY TRAINING IN SRI LANKA [...] Summary: Sri Lanka is an ideal candidate for IP training assistance, as the public and private sectors are working together to develop an implementation plan for its new, strong IPR law. The law was passed in Nov. 2003, and the GSL requested assistance with enforcement. Econoff chairs a pri [...] | 2004-03-22 11:05:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | ECON ETRD KIPR CE WTO USTR |
04COLOMBO50 | OFFICIAL INFORMAL NUMBER 004 (01/12/04) [...] (C) FYI. Further to the January 8 email concerning Ambassador Subasinghe's comments to the desk regarding the possible re-swearing in of Ministers Amaratunga and Barkeer Markar to their old Interior and Mass Communications portfolios, respectively, we just want to flag to you that these mini [...] | 2004-01-12 09:54:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | AMGT CE MV LTTE |
04COLOMBO501 | OFFICIAL INFORMAL NUMBER 045 (03/22/04) [...] (SBU) FYI. President Kumaratunga's United People's Freedom Alliance (UPFA) party alleged over the weekend that foreign governments -- including the U.S. -- were trying to influence the outcome of the April 2 parliamentary elections by providing financial assistance to monitoring organization [...] | 2004-03-22 11:13:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | AMGT CE MV |
04COLOMBO503 | Sri Lanka: Radical JVP party ramps up [...] (C) SUMMARY: Ahead of Sri Lanka's April 2 parliamentary election, the radical JVP party is running hard in Sri Lanka's south. The party appears to be garnering strength, though some of its support may be siphoned away by a small party running an all-Buddhist monk slate of candidates. In a [...] | 2004-03-22 11:23:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PINS PHUM PINR SOCI CE |
04COLOMBO51 | In meeting with Ambassador, Prime Minister [...] (C) SUMMARY: Prime Minister told the Ambassador January 10 that it was up to the President to make a new offer on how to deal with the Defense portfolio. In the meantime, he is offering power-sharing at the Provincial level. It appears both sides are waiting to gauge their strength in the [...] | 2004-01-12 10:00:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PINS PINR CE |
04COLOMBO510 | WALK-IN CLAIMS LOCAL PASSPORT VENDOR HELPED FOUR [...] (S/NF) On March 18, a confidential source of undetermined reliability but known to RSO and ORCA New Delhi contacted the RSO to pass new information and advise he will be relocating to Abu Dhabi for work. Source is identified as Mohamed Ilyars Mohamed HUNU, DPOB 12/15/1972 - Sri Lanka, National [...] | 2004-03-23 07:53:00 | Embassy Colombo | SECRET//NOFORN | ASEC PTER |
04COLOMBO514 | To gain edge for President, state-run [...] (C) SUMMARY: Two state-run, pro-President Kumaratunga newspapers appear to have fabricated results of a recent USAID-funded poll to make it seem that Sri Lankan voters favored the President over the PM and distrusted donor countries. In a March 22 courtesy call with SA DAS Patterson, Minist [...] | 2004-03-23 10:49:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM KPAO PREL CE |
04COLOMBO515 | Sri Lanka: Implications of a possible victory [...] (C) SUMMARY: At this point in Sri Lanka's April 2 parliamentary election campaign, the UPFA alliance between the President's party and the JVP appears ahead in the race, though not a lock to win. If the UPFA does come out ahead and goes on to form the government, however, there are numerous [...] | 2004-03-23 11:15:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL ECON PTER CE NO |
04COLOMBO52 | FY-2004 MRP "MULTI-CULTURALISM IN A DEMOCRATIC [...] POST NOMINATES MR. RUWAN P. CHANDRASEKERA, ACTING REGIONAL COORDINATOR, HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION-JAFFNA AS THE PRINCIPAL CANDIDATE AND VEN. WALMORUWE PIYARATHANA THERO, LECTURER AT THE DEPT. OF PALI AND BUDDHIST STUDIES, UNIVERSITY OF PERADENIYA AS THE ALTERNATE FOR PARTICIPATION IN THE SUBJECT [...] | 2004-01-12 10:09:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | OEXC SCUL KPAO |
04COLOMBO520 | Sri Lanka: Level of violence falls markedly [...] (C) SUMMARY: The level of campaign-related violence in Sri Lanka has fallen markedly compared to that recorded in the past. It is not clear why violence is down, but the Elections Commission, the police, and local and foreign monitors have worked hard to tamp down the violence. That said, [...] | 2004-03-23 11:58:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PINS PHUM PINR PTER CE |
04COLOMBO526 | CHR: Mission provides GSL with draft Cuba [...] (C) SUMMARY: In a March 25 meeting at the Sri Lankan MFA, Polchief reviewed talking points and provided a copy of the draft CHR resolution on Cuba. MFA contact was non-committal, noting that the GSL was in a state of flux due to the April 2 elections. Overall, we think moving the GSL to a "y [...] | 2004-03-25 09:53:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PHUM PINR CE CU CH CHR UN |
04COLOMBO532 | TERRORIST FINANCING: COLOMBO IN-HOUSE VIEWS ON AL [...] No summary [...] | 2004-03-25 11:33:00 | Embassy Colombo | SECRET | PTER EFIN ETTC ECON PREL |
04COLOMBO54 | Japanese proposal for donor meeting in Colombo [...] (C) SUMMARY: Japan has proposed that Special Envoy Akashi convene a formal "Tokyo Follow-up Meeting" during his late-January visit to Sri Lanka. Both the GSL and most, if not all, other donors think a formal meeting is not a good idea. They prefer to see Akashi's visit as a prelude to a Fe [...] | 2004-01-12 10:18:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PINS EAID PINR CE LTTE |
04COLOMBO543 | OFFICIAL INFORMAL NUMBER 048 (03/26/04) [...] (SBU) FYI. Here are the latest nuggets of news: -- President Kumaratunga attended a large rally in the southern town of Matara on March 25. She did not say anything dramatic, per se. The rally was well-attended. Based on what we are hearing, the President's SLFP-JVP alliance (the "UPFA") [...] | 2004-03-26 05:59:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | AMGT CE MV LTTE |
04COLOMBO544 | GSL CONTINUES TO PUSH US-SL FTA, DESPITE POLITICAL [...] (C) Summary: Despite its caretaker status and the political uncertainty surrounding next week's elections, the government of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe continues to prepare for a US-Sri Lanka FTA. Since Cancun, Sri Lanka has supported US positions in WTO fora and on regional initia [...] | 2004-03-26 06:13:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | ETRD ECON CE ECONOMICS |
04COLOMBO545 | In visit to Sri Lanka, SA DAS Patterson [...] (C) SUMMARY: SA DAS Torkel Patterson visited Colombo, March 21-23. Highlights of the visit included meetings at the MFA, with a key adviser to President Kumaratunga, with local diplomats, and with local business leaders, including the American Chamber of Commerce. Key issues discussed incl [...] | 2004-03-26 06:42:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL ECON PTER CE LTTE ECONOMICS |
04COLOMBO546 | AMERICAN NGO RECEIVES THREATS AFTER ELECTION [...] (SBU) Summary - On 03/26/04, RSO Colombo was advised by a local USAID-funded NGO that its office had received a series of anonymous phone and fax threats concerning a local newspaper article that publicized the results of an election survey funded by the NGO that was favorable to President Ku [...] | 2004-03-26 11:58:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ASEC PTER |
04COLOMBO557 | Campaign Snapshot: Campaigning set to end [...] (C) In this message, Mission reviews the following items involving Sri Lanka's April 2 parliamentary election campaign: -- Per the rules, campaigning set to end March 30, 48 hours before election day. -- Conflicting poll results. -- In visit to southern districts, Mission team finds s [...] | 2004-03-29 02:22:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PINS PTER PHUM PINR CE |
04COLOMBO56 | FY-2004 MRP "U.S.FOREIGN POLICY AND COUNTER [...] POST NOMINATES MR. NIMAL SENANAYAKE, SENIOR LEGAL ASSISTANT, MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS FOR PARTICIPATION IN SUBJECT PROJECT. POST CONFIRMS THAT THIS NOMINATION HAS "FULL COUNTRY TEAM APPROVAL." 2. NOMINATION IS AS FOLLOWS: START FIXED-FORMAT TEXT (PLEASE DO NOT EDIT): : The following da [...] | 2004-01-13 04:39:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | OEXC SCUL KPAO |
04COLOMBO563 | OFFICIAL INFORMAL NUMBER 050 (03/30/04) [...] (SBU) FYI. Here are the latest nuggets of news: -- As noted in Colombo 557, campaigning for the April 2 election is set to end at midnight tonight (March 30). The PM is speaking at a number of rallies before attending the UNP's final rally of the campaign in Colombo tonight. President Kum [...] | 2004-03-30 11:00:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | AMGT CE MV |
04COLOMBO564 | New party with all-monk candidate slate [...] (C) SUMMARY: In an unprecedented move, the JHU, a new political party, is fielding an all-Buddhist monk slate of candidates. While its platform is vague, the party is basically anti-peace process. It has also taken a tough stance against corruption. The JHU effort has drawn flak from the [...] | 2004-03-28 03:56:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PINR SOCI PHUM CE |
04COLOMBO565 | COUNTRY TEAM ASSESSMENT FOR VERTICAL TAKE OFF AND [...] THE GOVERNMENT OF SRI LANKA HAS SUBMITTED REFERENCE (FORWARDED UNDER SEPARATE COVER) REQUEST FOR TWO VERTICAL TAKE OFF AND LANDING (VTOL) EAGLE EYE UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLES (UAV). THE SRI LANKA NAVY CURRENTLY DESIRES TO PURCHASE TWO VTOL EAGLE EYE UAVS IN ORDER TO ENHANCE THEIR SURVEILLANCE [...] | 2004-03-31 03:35:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | MASS PREL PGOV PTER CE LTTE |
04COLOMBO567 | Sri Lanka: Implications for U.S. policy of [...] (C) SUMMARY: This message reviews the implications for U.S. policy of possible scenarios resulting from Sri Lanka's April 2 parliamentary election. The two most likely post-election scenarios are: -- (A) The President's UPFA grouping wins outright or is able to cobble together a majority [...] | 2004-03-31 11:07:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PINS PINR PHUM ECON CE |
04COLOMBO568 | OFFICIAL INFORMAL NUMBER 051 (03/31/04) [...] (SBU) FYI. Just want to flag that tensions between the main LTTE and rebel commander Karuna in Batticaloa District in the east are rising. As you know, a TNA candidate and a relative were gunned down on March 30, probably by a LTTE hit squad (the LTTE, for its part, has denied involvement). [...] | 2004-03-31 11:08:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | AMGT CE MV LTTE |
04COLOMBO57 | FY-2004 MRP "U.S. JUDICIAL SYSTEMS"- [...] POST NOMINATES MR. DENIS S. SOOSAITHAS, LEGAL OFFICER, HOME FOR HUMAN RIGHTS FOR PARTICIPATION IN THE SUBJECT PROJECT. POST CONFIRMS THAT THIS NOMINATION HAS "FULL COUNTRY TEAM APPROVAL." 2. NOMINATION IS AS FOLLOWS: START FIXED-FORMAT TEXT (PLEASE DO NOT EDIT): : THE FOLLOWING DATA IS IN [...] | 2004-01-13 04:39:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | OEXC SCUL KPAO |
04COLOMBO572 | Sri Lanka braces for tight, tense election [...] (C) SUMMARY: Sri Lankans are getting ready to go to the polls on April 2 to vote for a new Parliament. At this point, it still seems to be anyone's race to win: the Prime Minister's UNP appears to be making a late charge against the President's UPFA, but it is not clear which side has the o [...] | 2004-04-01 10:49:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PINS PINR PHUM ASEC CE |
04COLOMBO573 | OFFICIAL INFORMAL NUMBER 052 (04/01/04) [...] (C) FYI. We want to flag the following items related to Sri Lanka's parliamentary elections, which take place tomorrow, April 2: -- We are sending out a snapshot of Sri Lanka on the eve of the election, which you should see in a front-channel tonight. -- There continues to be an argume [...] | 2004-04-01 11:16:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | AMGT CE MV LTTE |
04COLOMBO579 | Sri Lanka goes to the polls: Situation is [...] (C) SUMMARY: Sri Lankans flocked to the polls April 2 to elect a new Parliament. The situation throughout the country -- including the often volatile north and east -- is reportedly calm and there have been few reports of violence. Turnout seems high. Polls have now closed and results wil [...] | 2004-04-02 01:24:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PINS PHUM ASEC PTER CE LTTE |
04COLOMBO58 | FY-2004 MRP "ACCOUNTABILITY IN GOVERNMENT AND [...] POST NOMINATES MR. SAJITH PREMADASA, DEPUTY MINISTER OF HEALTH, NUTRITION AND WELFARE FOR PARTICIPATION IN SUBJECT PROJECT. POST CONFIRMS THAT THIS NOMINATION HAS "FULL COUNTRY TEAM APPROVAL." 2. NOMINATION IS AS FOLLOWS: START FIXED-FORMAT TEXT (PLEASE DO NOT EDIT): : THE FOLLOWING DATA [...] | 2004-01-13 04:40:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | OEXC SCUL KPAO |
04COLOMBO587 | Sri Lanka: Results of Sri Lanka's April 2 [...] (C) SUMMARY: Final results from Sri Lanka's April 2 parliamentary election came out late April 4 and President Kumaratunga's political grouping, the "UPFA," emerged with the largest number of seats in Parliament. The UPFA did not attain a majority, however. The President may swear in an "in [...] | 2004-04-05 12:12:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PINR ECON CE |
04COLOMBO59 | FY-2004 MRP "ADMINISTRATION OF COURTS" [...] POST NOMINATES MR. W.J. SHAVINDRA FERNANDO, SENIOR STATE COUNSEL, ATTORNEY GENERAL'S DEPARTMENT FOR PARTICIPATION IN SUBJECT PROJECT. POST CONFIRMS THAT THIS NOMINATION HAS "FULL COUNTRY TEAM APPROVAL." 2. NOMINATION IS AS FOLLOWS: TRANSMITTING-POST: PAS COLOMBO TRANSMITTING-POST-ID: 2929 [...] | 2004-01-13 04:41:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | OEXC SCUL KPAO |
04COLOMBO592 | MEDIA PLAY: Sri Lankan Media Consumed by [...] (U) Summary. Sri Lanka's English and vernacular media offered exhaustive coverage and commentary about the nation's April 2 parliamentary elections. The morning after the poll (4/3),glowing lead headlines focused on the relatively peaceful election. The media also reported on election vio [...] | 2004-04-06 02:08:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | KPAO PHUM OPRC KMDR OIIP PREL CE |
04COLOMBO601 | Sri Lanka: President swears in new PM, [...] (C) SUMMARY: On April 6, President Kumaratunga swore in Mahinda Rajapakse, a senior leader in her SLFP party, as Sri Lanka's next prime minister. A new cabinet may be sworn in the next day or so. In the meantime, the President's UPFA grouping (SLFP plus JVP) continues to look for partners [...] | 2004-04-06 12:27:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PINR CE |
04COLOMBO606 | OFFICIAL INFORMAL NUMBER 054 (04/07/04) [...] (C) The Ambassador will call on new Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse at 9 am Thurday morning. We assume that the POTUS-Prime Minister congratulatory letter referred to in the D memo you e-mailed us is in the works? Let us know if you need language from us. Depending on how long the meeting [...] | 2004-04-07 12:20:00 | Embassy Colombo | SECRET//NOFORN | AMGT CE MV LTTE |
04COLOMBO607 | Tensions continue to percolate between LTTE [...] (C) SUMMARY: Tensions continue to percolate between the main LTTE organization and rebel eastern commander Karuna. The Tigers recently warned Karuna that they plan to "get rid" of him. In the meantime, there are continuing reports of LTTE hit squads roaming the east and of LTTE and Karuna [...] | 2004-04-07 12:23:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PTER PINS PINR PHUM MOPS CE LTTE |
04COLOMBO61 | FY-2004 S/RP "WATER RESOURCE MANAGEMENT, [...] POST NOMINATES MR. RAJINDRA DE S. ARIYABANDU, DIRECTOR, POLICY AND PLANNING, WATER RESOURCES SECRETARIAT FOR PARTICIPATION IN SUBJECT PROJECT. POST SIPDIS CONFIRMS THAT THIS NOMINATION HAS "FULL COUNTRY TEAM APPROVAL." 2. NOMINATION IS AS FOLLOWS: START FIXED-FORMAT TEXT (PLEASE DO NOT [...] | 2004-01-13 07:30:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | OEXC SCUL KPAO |
04COLOMBO611 | In meeting with Ambassador, new PM expresses [...] (C) Ambassador Lunstead made a congratulatory call on new Sri Lankan Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse on April 8. During their 45-minute long discussion, Rajapakse underscored his support for the peace process. In a theme he kept returning to, he also expressed deep concerns about the high d [...] | 2004-04-08 12:31:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PINR ECON MASS CE LTTE |
04COLOMBO618 | Sri Lanka: Foreign Minister-designate [...] (U) This cable contains an action request -- see para 7. 2. (C) SUMMARY: New Foreign Minister Kadirgamar would like to visit Washington in May. He appreciated the US's neutrality during the election. On the Peace Process, the new government "has no grip yet." India has been standing [...] | 2004-04-08 12:54:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PINR CE IN CHR |
04COLOMBO62 | The ties that don't bind: Cohabitation [...] (C) SUMMARY: Since Sri Lanka's cohabitation experiment began in December 2001, President Kumaratunga and PM Wickremesinghe have been at daggers drawn, with relations plunging to new depths of late. Both sides have their complaints against the other and neither wears a white hat: From the P [...] | 2004-01-13 07:42:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PINS PREL PINR CE |
04COLOMBO620 | LTTE FACTIONS SQUARE OFF IN EASTERN SRI LANKA [...] (SBU) Embassy Colombo received information today that rival factions of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE),located in eastern Sri Lanka, became engaged in two gun battles beginning early this morning April 9. Three cadres, most likely from the northern faction, were reported killed [...] | 2004-04-09 10:42:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ASEC CASC CE MOPS PGOV PINS PTER LTTE |
04COLOMBO622 | EMBASSY COLOMBO ACTIONS TO DATE REGARDING THREAT [...] (SBU) At approximately 2330 hours on the evening of 9 April, RSO Colombo received a telephone call from Legatt New Delhi regarding an alleged Tamil Tiger threat to "try kill the U.S. Ambassador to Sri Lanka." This threat had apparently been sent via email by an unknown person in Jaffna, Sri L [...] | 2004-04-12 02:41:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | ASEC CE PTER |
04COLOMBO628 | Sri Lanka: Under pressure from the main LTTE [...] (C) SUMMARY: The forces of dissident eastern LTTE commander Karuna have buckled in the face of the offensive launched by the main LTTE organization on April 9. There is word that Karuna's forces have retreated and that hundreds of them have apparently surrendered without a fight. Karuna's [...] | 2004-04-14 11:05:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PTER PINS MOPS EAID CE LTTE |
04COLOMBO637 | Sri Lanka: President swears in new Cabinet [...] (C) SUMMARY: President Kumaratunga swore in Sri Lanka's new Cabinet on April 10. As expected, the President kept control of the defense and internal security portfolios, while key SLFP advisers received most of the other top portfolios. The radical JVP, a key SLFP ally in the recent campai [...] | 2004-04-14 12:28:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PINS PINR CE |
04COLOMBO644 | In meeting, Norwegian Ambassador reviews [...] (C) SUMMARY: Norway expects a formal request from the GSL to continue its role as peace facilitator. Norwegians think the new Sri Lankan Government needs to realize it cannot make unilateral decisions on the course of the peace process. No "Peace Team" in place yet. END SUMMARY. 2. (C [...] | 2004-04-15 10:24:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PINR CE NO LTTE |
04COLOMBO646 | OFFICIAL INFORMAL NUMBER 057 (04/15/04) [...] (C) FYI. This is an update to our April 14 front- channel (Colombo 628) about the crumbling of rebel Tiger commander Karuna's forces in the east: -- The whereabouts of Karuna remain a mystery. Although speculation remains rife that Karuna is either in Sri Lankan military custody or in dis [...] | 2004-04-15 12:17:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | AMGT CE MV LTTE |
04COLOMBO647 | Sri Lanka: Biographic data on new Cabinet [...] (C) As reported Reftel, Sri Lanka's new cabinet was sworn in on April 10. (FYI. President Kumaratunga retained control of the defense and internal security portfolios -- see Reftels. Due to a dispute with President Kumaratunga, the radical Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna, "JVP," has not yet assu [...] | 2004-04-15 12:23:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PINR PREL ECON CE |
04COLOMBO653 | After ousting rebel commander, LTTE reasserts [...] (C) SUMMARY: In the face of the LTTE's recent offensive, breakaway commander Karuna's forces appear to have totally melted away and, as of April 16, the situation in the east is calm. Karuna's whereabouts remain a mystery. For its part, the GSL military continues to deny reports that it is [...] | 2004-04-16 07:10:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PTER PINS MOPS PHUM EAID CE LTTE |
04COLOMBO662 | Former PM sees economy as key factor in [...] (C) SUMMARY. Former PM Ranil Wickremesinghe told the Ambassador that perceptions of economic well-being (or, rather, the opposite) had been key in his parliamentary defeat on April 2. He is skeptical the winners will be able to get back to the peace table with the LTTE anytime soon. Wickre [...] | 2004-04-19 11:25:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV ECON CE |
04COLOMBO668 | Colombo Plan: How do we deal with arrears? [...] (U) This is an Action Request -- Please see Para six. 2. (C) Poloff attended the bimonthly meeting of the Colombo Plan Council on April 7. On the margins of the meeting, poloff spoke to Colombo Plan Secretary General K. Kanjanapipatkul and reiterated the USG position that we would not [...] | 2004-04-20 11:26:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | SNAR AORC PREL CE IO |
04COLOMBO669 | Sri Lanka update: Parliament set to reopen [...] (C) In this update message, Mission reviews the following political developments in Sri Lanka: -- Parliament is set to reopen on April 22, with the selection of a Speaker one of the first tasks; -- Tensions continue between the President's party and its extremist coalition partner; -- [...] | 2004-04-17 08:42:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PTER PINS PHUM CE |
04COLOMBO67 | FY-2004 MRP "INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALISM"- [...] POST NOMINATES MS. FREDERICA JANSZ, JOURNALIST OF THE SUNDAY LEADER FOR PARTICIPATION IN THE SUBJECT PROJECT. SHE IS BEEN SUBSTITUTED FOR MAHIM MENDIS. POST CONFIRMS THAT THIS NOMINATION HAS "FULL COUNTRY TEAM APPROVAL." 2. NOMINATION IS AS FOLLOWS: START FIXED-FORMAT TEXT (PLEASE DO NOT [...] | 2004-01-13 10:45:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | OEXC SCUL KPAO |
04COLOMBO676 | USAID/SRI LANKA SECURITY PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS FOR FY 05 AND [...] No summary [...] | 2004-04-21 03:33:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | NONE |
04COLOMBO685 | Sri Lanka: New foreign secretary named; [...] (C) SUMMARY: Sri Lanka has a new foreign secretary. H.M.G.S. Palihakkara, a career foreign service officer, was named to the position on April 20. Former Fonsec Goonetilleke is slated to fill in as acting UN Permrep in New York and then go to Ottawa to be high commissioner. While other per [...] | 2004-04-21 11:31:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PINR CE |
04COLOMBO689 | CHR/Sri Lanka: GSL agrees to support motion [...] (C) On April 22, the DCM spoke with Sri Lankan Foreign Secretary Siri Palihakkara and urged Sri Lanka to vote in favor of the procedural motion to adjourn the Cuban resolution on Guantanamo detainees. The DCM noted that EU states, India, and Nepal among others were in favor of the motion. P [...] | 2004-04-22 11:33:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PHUM CE UNCHR |
04COLOMBO69 | Tigers say they still support ceasefire accord, [...] (C) SUMMARY: In the wake of the recent controversy over the PM's remarks about the ceasefire accord, Tiger officials have publicly reaffirmed their support for the ceasefire and the peace process. The Tigers and pro- Tiger elements have expressed a significant degree of impatience with the [...] | 2004-01-13 11:22:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PTER PINR PINS KPAO CE LTTE |
04COLOMBO690 | Amid raucous scenes, initial vote on Speaker [...] (C) SUMMARY: Sri Lanka's Parliament convened on April 22. The opening session was chaotic, with both sides of the chamber hurling invective at each other. Initial voting for the Speaker of Parliament ended in a 108-108 tie between the government and Opposition candidates. Another vote is e [...] | 2004-04-22 11:33:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PINS PHUM CE |
04COLOMBO694 | In big defeat for new government, Sri Lankan [...] (C) SUMMARY: The Sri Lankan Parliament has elected W.J.M. Lokubandara, an MP for the Opposition UNP, as its next Speaker. The vote, which took place late April 22, was a close one, 110-109, with six abstentions. Parliament reconvenes on May 18. While the Speaker job is largely symbolic, th [...] | 2004-04-23 06:28:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PINS PINR CE |
04COLOMBO696 | OFFICIAL INFORMAL NUMBER 061 (04/26/04) [...] (SBU) FYI. As flagged in Colombo 669, Provincial Council elections in the "Wayamba" province of north- central Sri Lanka took place on April 26. In an impressive showing, the United People's Freedom Alliance (UPFA) captured 31 seats on the Council, with 19 going to the United National Party [...] | 2004-04-26 10:55:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | AMGT CE MV |
04COLOMBO697 | Access to International Law Enforcement Academy [...] (SBU) We have heard from your staff in INL that you might visit Sri Lanka late next month, perhaps after inaugurating the new campus of the International Law Enforcement Academy (ILEA) in Bangkok. I would be delighted to see you here. We could put together a program for you highlighting ho [...] | 2004-04-26 10:55:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | SNAR KCRM PREL CE XD |
04COLOMBO701 | OFFICIAL INFORMAL NUMBER 062 (04/27/04) [...] No summary [...] | 2004-04-27 10:58:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | AMGT CE MV LTTE |
04COLOMBO702 | UPFA government wins Provincial Council [...] (C) SUMMARY: The UPFA government easily won the April 24 Provincial Council election in Wayamba, an area north of Colombo. In other political news, the JVP's ministerial nominees are scheduled to take their oath of office on April 28 after a compromise was reached in the JVP's dispute with [...] | 2004-04-26 23:08:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PINR CE |
04COLOMBO704 | Ambassador meets with President Kumaratunga [...] (C) SUMMARY: The Ambassador met Sri Lankan President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga on April 26. A visibly tired CBK said she wanted to restart peace negotiations with the LTTE as soon as possible, and was willing to discuss the LTTE Interim Authority proposal. She intends to reorgani [...] | 2004-04-27 11:16:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV MASS CVIS CE LTTE ECONOMICS |
04COLOMBO705 | OFFICIAL INFORMAL NUMBER 063 (04/28/04) [...] (U) FYI. After much wrangling with the President over the content of their ministerial portfolios (see Colombo 702, and previous),the JVP accepted the compromise offered by Kumaratunga and eight JVP MPs assumed their minister- and deputy-ministerships in an April 28 ceremony. The JPV took [...] | 2004-04-28 11:14:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | AMGT CE MV |
04COLOMBO706 | UNICEF cites recent positive actions by the [...] (C) SUMMARY: In an April 27 meeting with the DCM, Ted Chaiban, UNICEF Country Representative for Sri Lanka, discussed the LTTE's recent releases of child soldiers. Chaiban cited significant tranches of child combatants released by the LTTE in March and April, driven in part by the factional [...] | 2004-04-28 11:19:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PTER PHUM KOCI CE LTTE |
04COLOMBO71 | COLOMBO FY2003 BFIF CLOSEOUT [...] Post greatly appreciates the support it receives from the BFIF program and staff. It allows the Commercial Section to promote US exports in a region where there is stiff competition from Asian neighbors, and a lack of knowledge about tapping the US market. Both Sri Lanka and the Maldives are [...] | 2004-01-14 01:46:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | BEXP BTIO CE MV ETRD ABUD ECONOMICS |
04COLOMBO714 | In Ambassador's first visit to Jaffna, Tamils [...] (C) SUMMARY: During his April 28 visit to the Tamil-majority northern city of Jaffna, Ambassador Lunstead saw life in Jaffna since the April 2 parliamentary elections. A key topic that emerged in conversations with Tamil interlocutors was a deep sense of reservation and skepticism regarding [...] | 2004-04-30 04:53:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PTER PINS PHUM SOCI MASS KHDP CE LTTE |
04COLOMBO72 | Donors find agreement over Akashi visit [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: The Tokyo Co-chairs and the larger donor group both agreed that the Akashi visit should include an informal meeting with the donors only, followed by a meeting with GSL -- and LTTE, if they would come. Meetings will be low-key, with no communique or press release. Akashi wil [...] | 2004-01-14 10:00:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV EAID CE NO EU JA LTTE |
04COLOMBO722 | Norwegian envoy cautiously optimistic that [...] (C) SUMMARY: The Norwegian delegation found both the Government and the Tigers ready to resume peace negotiations. Much preparatory work is needed before negotiations start, and the Norwegians will be heavily engaged in this process. The President says she knows how to handle the JVP. She [...] | 2004-05-05 08:16:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PTER CE LTTE |
04COLOMBO73 | In further roiling of cohabitation waters, [...] (C) SUMMARY: Late January 13, Sri Lanka's state-run ITN television network broadcast a taped interview with President Kumaratunga. In the interview, Kumaratunga claimed the constitutional right to serve until late 2006. The President also defended her takeover of three ministries in Novem [...] | 2004-01-14 04:11:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PINS PINR PHUM KPAO CE |
04COLOMBO742 | Maldives: Draft International Religious [...] (U) This message is Sensitive But Unclassified -- Please handle accordingly. 2. (U) Per Ref B, Mission submits below the draft Maldives International Religious Freedom report for 2004. A Word document with tracked changes in the final 2003 version of the Maldives report has been sent to [...] | 2004-05-07 05:54:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PHUM PREL KIRF KSEP MV |
04COLOMBO747 | Peace Process update: Norwegian FM in high- [...] (C) This update on Sri Lanka's peace process reviews the following recent developments: -- Norwegian Foreign Minister visits Sri Lanka for meetings with GSL and LTTE leaders. -- LTTE London-based spokesman Anton Balasingham visits Sri Lanka after a year's hiatus. -- Tensions between th [...] | 2004-05-10 11:03:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PTER PINS MOPS CE NO LTTE |
04COLOMBO749 | SPECIAL FY-2004 MRP "NGO MANAGEMENT OF YOUTH [...] POST NOMINATES MR. CLIFFORD D. SPECK, FIELD ASSISTANT (PROTECTION/PROGRAM),SATELITE OFFICE- TRINCOMALEE, UNHCR, AS THE PRINCIPAL CANDIDATE AND FR. SUDATH SILVA, ARCH DIOCESAN CHAPLAIN, ST. JOSEPH'S YOUTH CENTER, AS THE ALTERNATE FOR PARTICIPATION IN THE SUBJECT PROJECT. POST CONFIRMS THAT TH [...] | 2004-05-11 05:29:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | OEXC SCUL KPAO |
04COLOMBO750 | SPECIAL FY-2004 MRP "YOUNG LEADERS: EFFECTING [...] POST NOMINATES MS. CHAMPIKA LIYANARACHCHI, POLITICAL COLUMNIST/DEPUTY FEATURES EDITOR, "DAILY MIRROR," AS THE PRINCIPAL CANDIDATE AND MR. SEEVALI AMITIRIGALA, LECTURER, SRI LANKA LAW COLLEGE, AS THE ALTERNATE FOR PARTICIPATION IN THE SUBJECT PROJECT. POST CONFIRMS THAT THIS NOMINATION HAS "FU [...] | 2004-05-11 05:30:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | OEXC SCUL KPAO |
04COLOMBO760 | Amid decline in number of church attacks, new [...] (C) SUMMARY: Over the course of the past several months, there has been a sharp decline in the number of attacks on Christian churches in Sri Lanka compared to the late 2003 - early 2004 timeframe. The decline seems attributable, at least in part, to the public condemnation of the attacks b [...] | 2004-05-11 11:01:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM PREL SOCI KIRF CE |
04COLOMBO762 | OFFICIAL INFORMAL NUMBER 069 (05/11/04) [...] No summary [...] | 2004-05-11 11:08:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | AMGT CE MV |
04COLOMBO765 | FY-2005 International Visitor Program: Sri Lanka [...] Colombo is pleased to submit the following slate of nominees to the FY-2005 IV program: - U.S. Financial System (March 17-April 7, 2005): M. Zain Mohamed "Aazim," Central Bank of Sri Lanka - Grassroots Democracy II (May 5-26, 2005): Mahindananda "Aluthgamage," Member of Parliament [...] | 2004-05-12 07:36:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | OEXC SCUL KPAO |
04COLOMBO766 | FY-2005 International Visitor Program: Maldives [...] Colombo is pleased to submit the following slate of nominees from the Republic of Maldives to the FY-2005 IV program: - U.S. Trade Policy and the World Economy I (October 28-November 18, 2004): Abdul "Harris," Island Aviation Services - U.S. Financial System (March 17-April 7, 2005): [...] | 2004-05-12 07:37:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | OEXC SCUL KPAO |
04COLOMBO767 | OFFICIAL INFORMAL NUMBER 070 (05/12/04) [...] (C) FYI. Mission has heard there may be some negative reaction in Sri Lanka and the Maldives to the news accounts and photos of alleged abuse of Iraqi prisoners. In one case, a USAID contractor working in the ethnically diverse east was told not to visit a project as some Muslims in the area [...] | 2004-05-12 10:41:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | AMGT CE MV ECONOMICS LTTE |
04COLOMBO770 | After recent election defeat, UNP leader [...] (C) SUMMARY: UNP leader and former prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe is under fire from members of his own party who are seeking to clip his wings and/or remove him as party leader. The discontent stems from the view of many party members that Wickremesinghe led the party poorly in the Ap [...] | 2004-05-12 11:05:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PINR PREL CE |
04COLOMBO772 | Norwegian facilitators upbeat after meetings [...] (C) SUMMARY: The Norwegians found President Kumaratunga and LTTE Chief Prabhakaran determined to move ahead on negotiations. The sides need to decide agenda, locale and timing. It's months, not weeks, and negotiations could not begin before late-July at a minimum. The new government needs [...] | 2004-05-12 11:15:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PTER PREL CE NO IN LTTE |
04COLOMBO776 | Counternarcotics Update: Recent large heroin [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: Recent counternarcotics developments in Sri Lanka include police seizures of several large shipments of heroin in early May. In other news, the GSL is set to review the possible legalization of marijuana for certain medicinal purposes. Finally, a USG-funded training program [...] | 2004-05-13 11:02:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | SNAR PGOV PINR PREL EAID CE |
04COLOMBO794 | OFFICIAL INFORMAL NUMBER 072 (05/17/04) [...] (SBU) Christina had a successful visit to Trincomalee over the weekend, meeting with a wide variety of people and visiting three AID/OTI projects. Frontchannel reporting on the Sri Lanka portion of her trip will be on the wires Tuesday. The Ambassador reports from Male' that the Maldives po [...] | 2004-05-17 10:57:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | AMGT CE MV LTTE |
04COLOMBO795 | Bio-data on Jayantha Dhanapala, new chief of [...] (SBU) On May 14, President Kumaratunga's office issued a press release naming Jayantha Dhanapala as the new Secretary General of the Sri Lankan government's Peace Secretariat (see bio-data below). (The Peace Secretariat, technically known as the "Secretariat for SIPDIS Coordinating the Pe [...] | 2004-05-17 11:02:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PINR PREL CE LTTE |
04COLOMBO797 | MEDIA PLAY: KADIRGAMAR COVERAGE: LONG ON [...] Summary. When Sri Lanka's Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar visited Washington in mid-May, press coverage in Sri Lanka was long on headlines, short on editorial comment. Newspapers and broadcasters, both English and vernacular, gave extensive coverage to the visit, starting on 5/13 and mo [...] | 2004-05-18 04:02:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | KPAO PHUM OPRC KMDR OIIP PREL CE |
04COLOMBO806 | FY 05 IV PROGRAM: SRI LANKAN NOMINEE FOR MRP [...] Post nominates Pushpika G. "Weerakoon", Research Intern, Ministry of Justice, for participation in subject project. Post confirms that this nomination has "full country team approval." 2. Nomination is as follows: START FIXED-FORMAT TEXT (PLEASE DO NOT EDIT): : The following data is in a f [...] | 2004-05-18 10:02:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | OEXC SCUL KPAO |
04COLOMBO807 | FY 05 IV PROGRAM: SRI LANKAN NOMINEE FOR MRP "U.S. JUDICIAL SYSTEM I" NOVEMBER 18-DECEMBER 9, 2004. [...] Post nominates Saliya K.M. "Pieris", Attorney-at Law, Supreme Court of Sri Lanka for participation in subject project. Post confirms that this nomination has "full country team approval." 2. Nomination is as follows: START FIXED-FORMAT TEXT (PLEASE DO NOT EDIT): : The following data is [...] | 2004-05-18 10:06:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | OEXC KPAO SCUL |
04COLOMBO808 | FY 05 IV PROGRAM: SRI LANKAN NOMINEE FOR MRP [...] Post nominates T.M. Thusitha N. "Tennakoon", Chief Executive Officer and Director of Studies, Bandaranaike Center for International Studies for participation in subject project. Post confirms that this nomination has "full country team approval." 2. Nomination is as follows: START FIXED [...] | 2004-05-18 10:06:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | OEXC SCUL KPAO |
04COLOMBO809 | Peace process, economic issues highlighted [...] (C) SUMMARY: Assistant Secretary for South Asian Affairs Christina B. Rocca visited Sri Lanka, May 13-16. Highlights of the visit included meetings with President Kumaratunga, Prime Minister Rajapakse, Opposition Leader (and former PM) Wickremesinghe, business leaders, and Tamil politicians. [...] | 2004-05-18 10:22:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL ECON CE NO LTTE ECONOMICS |
04COLOMBO810 | FY 05 IV PROGRAM: SRI LANKAN NOMINEE FOR MRP [...] Post nominates Dushni "Weerakoon", Research Fellow, Institute of Policy Studies, for participation in subject project. Post confirms that this nomination has "full country team approval." 2. Nomination is as follows: START FIXED-FORMAT TEXT (PLEASE DO NOT EDIT): : The following data is [...] | 2004-05-18 10:25:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | OEXC SCUL KPAO |
04COLOMBO811 | FY 05 IV PROGRAM: SRI LANKAN NOMINEE FOR MRP [...] Post nominates Ven. M. "Mangala" Bhikku, Lecturer, University of Ruhuna, for participation in subject project. Post confirms that this nomination has "full country team approval." 2. Nomination is as follows: START FIXED-FORMAT TEXT (PLEASE DO NOT EDIT): : The following data is in a fixe [...] | 2004-05-18 10:25:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | OEXC SCUL KPAO |
04COLOMBO812 | FY 05 REGIONAL IV PROGRAM: SRI LANKAN NOMINEE FOR [...] Post nominates D. Prashantha J. "DE LIVERA" Senior State Counsel, Attorney General's Department for participation in subject project. Post confirms that this nomination has "full country team approval." 2. Nomination is as follows: START FIXED-FORMAT TEXT (PLEASE DO NOT EDIT): : The follo [...] | 2004-05-18 10:26:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | SCUL KPAO OECV OEXC |
04COLOMBO814 | FY-05 IV PROGRAM: SRI LANKAN NOMINEE FOR MRP [...] No summary [...] | 2004-05-18 10:28:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | OEXC SCUL KPAO |
04COLOMBO815 | FY 05 IV PROGRAM: SRI LANKAN NOMINEE FOR MRP [...] Post nominates K.T. "Kuruswamy" Member, Colombo Municipal Council for participation in subject project. Post confirms that this nomination has "full country team approval." 2. Nomination is as follows: START FIXED-FORMAT TEXT (PLEASE DO NOT EDIT): : The following data is in a fixed format [...] | 2004-05-18 10:35:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | OEXC SCUL KPAO |
04COLOMBO816 | OFFICIAL INFORMAL NUMBER 073 (05/18/04) [...] (C) FYI. After almost a month's hiatus, Sri Lanka's Parliament reopened today (May 18). The first order of business was the selection of the new Deputy Speaker of Parliament and Deputy Chairman of Committees. In sharp contrast to the fractious, raucous scenes that attended the election to [...] | 2004-05-18 10:45:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | AMGT CE MV |
04COLOMBO817 | FY 05 IV PROGRAM: SRI LANKAN NOMINEE FOR MRP [...] No summary [...] | 2004-05-18 11:05:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | KPAO OEXC SCUL |
04COLOMBO822 | FY 05 IV PROGRAM: SRI LANKAN NOMINEE FOR MRP [...] No summary [...] | 2004-05-19 05:05:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | OEXC SCUL KPAO |
04COLOMBO825 | Ambassador and Special Envoy Akashi discuss [...] (C) SUMMARY: In a May 19 meeting with Ambassador Lunstead, visiting Japanese Special Envoy Akashi was relatively upbeat about the peace process based on his discussions with the GSL and LTTE. The Ambassador and Akashi also discussed the June 1 Co-Chairs meeting in Brussels, agreeing it was [...] | 2004-05-19 08:57:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PTER EAID CE JA NO LTTE |
04COLOMBO827 | In May 18 meeting, Ambassador and [...] (C) SUMMARY: Ambassador clarified for Foreign Minister that selection as an MCA candidate country is no guarantee of funding, and that much hard work remained before an MCA compact could be signed. On peace process, Foreign Minister admitted that interim arrangements will be the only agenda [...] | 2004-05-19 11:25:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV EAID PINR CE ECONOMICS LTTE |
04COLOMBO832 | FY 05 IV PROGRAM: MALDIVIAN NOMINEE FOR MRP [...] START FIXED-FORMAT TEXT (PLEASE DO NOT EDIT): : The following data is in a fixed format which enables : automated processing in Washington and should not be : edited except by means of the Post-EVDB software. EXPORT-SOURCE: POST-EVDB VERSION: 3.0.7 POST-EMAIL: tilakawardenac@state.gov TRANSM [...] | 2004-05-20 06:04:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | OEXC SCUL KPAO |
04COLOMBO833 | FY 05 IV PROGRAM: MALDIVIAN NOMINEE FOR MRP [...] No summary [...] | 2004-05-20 06:05:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | OEXC SCUL KPAO |
04COLOMBO834 | FY 05 IV PROGRAM: MALDIVIAN NOMINEE FOR MRP [...] No summary [...] | 2004-05-20 06:05:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | OEXC SCUL KPAO |
04COLOMBO837 | FY 05 IV PROGRAM: SRI LANKAN NOMINEE FOR MRP [...] Post nominates Ms. Kasupathy "Kunthavie" Administrative Officer, Suriya Women's Development Centre for participation in subject project. Post confirms that this nomination has "full country team approval." 2. Nomination is as follows: START FIXED-FORMAT TEXT (PLEASE DO NOT EDIT): NOMI [...] | 2004-05-20 08:58:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | OEXC SCUL KPAO |
04COLOMBO839 | FY 05 IV PROGRAM: SRI LANKAN NOMINEE FOR MPR [...] Post nominates Gajendran "Ponnambalam" Member of Parliament, and Anura R. "Solomons", deputy editor/foreign news editor of "Divaina" Sinhala daily newspaper, as principle candidates for participation in subject project. Post confirms that these nominations have "Full country team approval". [...] | 2004-05-20 09:06:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | OEXC SCUL KPAO |
04COLOMBO840 | FY 05 IV PROGRAM: SRI LANKAN NOMINEE FOR MRP [...] Post nominates T.M.G. "Chandrasekera" Deputy Director News and Current Affairs, Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation, for participation in subject project. Post confirms that this nomination has "full country team approval." 2. Nomination is as follows: START FIXED-FORMAT TEXT (PLEASE DO NOT [...] | 2004-05-20 09:07:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | OEXC SCUL KPAO |
04COLOMBO842 | Maldives: A/S Rocca's visit shows reform has [...] (C/NF) SUMMARY: Assistant Secretary of State for South Asian Affairs Christina B. Rocca visited Maldives, May 16-17. Highlights of the visit included meetings with President Gayoom, FM Fathulla Jameel, Defense Minister Adam, Human Rights Commissioner Mujthaba, and UNDP Resident Representati [...] | 2004-05-20 10:53:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN | PREL PGOV PHUM ECON SENV MOPS MV |
04COLOMBO843 | FY 05 IV PROGRAM: SRI LANKAN NOMINEE FOR MRP [...] Post nominates Soundarie "David", Researcher/Project Coordinator, International Center for Ethnic Studies for participation in subject project. Post confirms that this nomination has "full country team approval." 2. Nomination is as follows: START FIXED-FORMAT TEXT (PLEASE DO NOT EDIT): [...] | 2004-05-20 10:58:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | OEXC SCUL KPAO |
04COLOMBO850 | FY-05 IV PROGRAM: SRI LANKAN NOMINEE FOR MRP "U.S. [...] Post nominates M. Zain Mohamed "Aazim", Assistant Manager/Economist, Central Bank of Sri Lanka for participation in subject project. Post confirms that this nomination has "full country team approval." 2. Nomination is as follows: START FIXED-FORMAT TEXT (PLEASE DO NOT EDIT): : The follo [...] | 2004-05-21 04:28:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | OEXC SCUL KPAO |
04COLOMBO854 | FY 05 IV PROGRAM: SRI LANKAN NOMINEE FOR MRP [...] Post nominates Prabaghan "Ratnasabapathy" News Editor, "Virekesari" newspaper for participation in subject project. Post confirms that this nomination has "full country team approval." 2. Nomination is as follows: START FIXED-FORMAT TEXT (PLEASE DO NOT EDIT): : The following data is in a [...] | 2004-05-21 06:04:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | OEXC SCUL KPAO |
04COLOMBO856 | Maldives: Proposals for Human Rights and [...] (U) This message is Sensitive But Unclassified -- Please handle accordingly. 2. (U) Per Ref B, Mission submits two small-grant project proposals for DRL Human Rights and Democracy funding for the Maldives. Detailed below, the first project involves the Maldivian Human Rights Commission [...] | 2004-05-21 06:18:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PHUM KDEM SOCI EAID ELAB MV |
04COLOMBO86 | SRI LANKAN ECONOMY GROWS 5.5% IN THIRD [...] Summary: The Sri Lankan economy expanded by 5.6% in the third quarter, in line with the projected growth of 5.5% for 2003. The Central Bank said the 5.5% growth for the full year was still achievable, despite recent political divisions and uncertainties. The Central Bank, however, stressed t [...] | 2004-01-16 06:40:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | ECON ETRD CE USTR ECONOMICS |
04COLOMBO862 | FY 05 IV PROGRAM: SRI LANKAN NOMINEE FOR MRP [...] No summary [...] | 2004-05-24 07:40:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | OEXC SCUL KPAO |
04COLOMBO864 | OFFICIAL INFORMAL NUMBER 075 (05/24/04) [...] (SBU) FYI. Late May 21, longtime UNP MP and former Foreign Minister Tyronne Fernando formally joined President Kumaratunga's Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP). The probable reason for Fernando's defection is his ire at the UNP for being left off the UNP's "national list," and thus out of Parlia [...] | 2004-05-24 11:00:00 | Embassy Colombo | SECRET | AMGT CE MV |
04COLOMBO868 | Spate of killings in eastern Sri Lanka as [...] (C) SUMMARY: A spate of killings has taken place recently in eastern Sri Lanka, amid public statements by the Tigers indicating their support for the peace track moving forward. The killings in the east, which are almost certainly connected to the LTTE, seem to stem from leftover factional [...] | 2004-05-25 10:23:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PTER PINS PHUM CE LTTE |
04COLOMBO870 | Sri Lanka: Upcoming meeting of the Co-Chairs [...] (C) SUMMARY: On June 1, the four Co-Chairs (Norway, Japan, the U.S., and EU) of the Tokyo Process are scheduled to meet in Brussels. The meeting is an important one and will build on recent visits to Sri Lanka by the Norwegian facilitators, GoJ Special Envoy Akashi, and SA A/S Rocca. Recen [...] | 2004-05-25 10:57:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PTER EAID PGOV CE JA NO EU IN LTTE |
04COLOMBO877 | OFFICIAL INFORMAL NUMBER 076 (05/26/04) [...] (C) FYI. We received a call today from the Ops Center asking whether President Kumaratunga's rescheduling of her planned meeting with visiting GoN envoy Erik Solheim was a deliberate snub. (The meeting was slated to take place on May 25 and is now scheduled to take place later this week, fr [...] | 2004-05-26 10:47:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | AMGT CE MV LTTE |
04COLOMBO88 | Potential alliance between radical JVP and the [...] (C) SUMMARY: A long-negotiated accord between the Sri Lanka Freedom Party and the extremist, Marxist Janantha Vimukthi Peramuna party is scheduled to finally be signed on January 20. There is little information on the exact nature of the proposed accord and how it addresses the on-going pea [...] | 2004-01-16 06:41:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PINS CE LTTE |
04COLOMBO881 | FY-04 IV PROGRAM: SINGLE COUNTRY GROUP PROJECT ON [...] Post nominates the following five candidates for participation in the subject project. The Fifth nominee's detailed bio would follow in separate cable. Post confirms that these nominations have "full country team approval." 2. Nominations are as follow: START FIXED-FORMAT TEXT (PLEASE DO [...] | 2004-05-27 04:06:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | SCUL KPAO OECV OEXC |
04COLOMBO888 | Sri Lanka Exceeds 2003 GDP Expectations; Serious [...] (SBU) Summary: The Sri Lankan economy responded remarkably well to continued peace and economic reforms in 2003, and stymied naysayers who thought political instability during the final quarter would hurt overall growth. GDP grew by 5.9%. Per capita GDP rose to $947. There were commendable [...] | 2004-05-27 10:29:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON ETRD EAID CE USTR ECONOMICS |
04COLOMBO894 | Sri Lanka: Draft International Religious [...] (U) This is Senstive But Unclassified -- Please handle accordingly. 2. (U) Per Ref B, Mission submits below the draft Sri Lanka International Religious Freedom report for 2004. A Word document with tracked changes in the final 2003 version of the Sri Lanka report has been sent to the D [...] | 2004-05-28 04:50:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PHUM PREL KIRF KSEP CE |
04COLOMBO897 | Political update: Norwegian Envoy's visit; [...] (C) This update on Sri Lanka's political situation reviews the following recent developments: -- In latest visit, Norwegian Envoy characterizes meetings with GSL and Tigers as "fruitful." -- Several new ministerial appointments announced. -- Provincial Council elections look set to take [...] | 2004-05-28 05:49:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PINR ECON CE NO |
04COLOMBO907 | OFFICIAL INFORMAL NUMBER 078 (06/01/04) [...] (SBU) The MCC team has started to arrive. They have an in-house dinner at the DCM's this evening, a few events on the holiday tomorrow and then very busy schedules on Thursday and Friday. Lots of interest from the Sri Lankan side so it should be a very productive program. (DCM TAMIL JOUR [...] | 2004-06-01 10:34:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | AMGT CE MV LTTE |
04COLOMBO911 | Co-chairs meeting in Brussels receives a [...] (C) SUMMARY: Local reaction to the Sri Lanka donor co-chairs meeting held in Brussels on June 1 has been largely positive. Embassy interlocutors were appreciative of the international community's sustained support for the peace process. Media coverage has been light so far and focused on t [...] | 2004-06-03 10:38:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV EAID CE NO JA EU LTTE |
04COLOMBO912 | OFFICIAL INFORMAL NUMBER 079 (06/03/04) [...] (C) World Bank ResRep Peter Harrold travelled to Kilinocchi on June 1 to attempt to obtain LTTE agreement to a plan for a development assistance scheme for the North and East, a "NERF-Lite" which would have allowed donors to commit funds to a World Bank fund. Projects would have had approval b [...] | 2004-06-03 10:49:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | AMGT CE MV LTTE |
04COLOMBO915 | Co-Chairs' June 1 statement stirs up more [...] (C) SUMMARY: Foreign Minister Kadirgamar told Ambassador that the Co-Chairs' Brussels statement could be seen as a "threat" to the GSL. In the Wanni, the LTTE rejected a World Bank proposal for a mechanism to deliver development funds for the north/east. The Co- Chairs' statement clearly p [...] | 2004-06-04 05:37:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL EAID PTER CE NO JA EU LTTE |
04COLOMBO927 | Still No GSL Economic Policy Framework, but Some [...] (SBU) Summary: Recent visits by the IMF, ADB and Millennium Challenge Corporation have inspired a flurry of economic policy activity on the part of the Sri Lankan Government. It did not pull an economic plan together prior to the visits, although a Senior Advisor to the President has indicat [...] | 2004-06-07 10:36:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON ETRD EAID CE USTR ECONOMICS |
04COLOMBO933 | MALDIVES: MAJOR ECONOMIC CHANGES ON THE HORIZON? [...] (U) Econoff traveled to Male, and Gan May 17-20 and learned about the following economic activities: -- New Legislation -- Major Construction Opportunities -- Garment Factories Closing -- New International Airport -- Customs Cooperation and Agreement -- Terrorist Financing -- GLOBE New [...] | 2004-06-08 02:15:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | BEXP EAIR ECON EFIN ETRD MV PREL SNAR ECONOMICS |
04COLOMBO937 | NEW MINISTERS DISCUSS CONTINUITY, BUT NO DETAILS [...] (SBU) Summary: In introductory meetings with Ambassador in April and May, the Ministers of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Power and Energy, Investment and Tourism, Environment and Natural Resources and Ports and Aviation stated that many existing programs would continue, reforms would be mode [...] | 2004-06-08 10:34:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON EINV SENV CE ENRG ETRD ECONOMICS |
04COLOMBO939 | OFFICIAL INFORMAL NUMBER 081 (06/08/04) [...] (C) FYI. On June 8, Parliament met for the third time since the April elections and chaos reigned again. Details are still unclear, but Buddhist monks MPs in the JHU party came to blows with MPs from the President's United People's Freedom Alliance (UPFA) regarding the validity of replacing [...] | 2004-06-08 11:02:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | AMGT CE MV |
04COLOMBO940 | In meeting with Ambassador, Colombo Plan SG [...] (C) On June 8, Kittipan Kanjanapipatkul, Colombo Plan Secretary General, briefed the Ambassador on the agenda of the upcoming June 14-16 39th Consultative Committee Meeting (CCM) to be held in Tehran, Iran. (There will not be any USG attendance at the meeting in Tehran.) Specifically, the Se [...] | 2004-06-08 11:08:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | SNAR AORC PREL CE |
04COLOMBO950 | SOURCE REPORT ON MUSLIM MILITANCY IN SRI LANKA [...] (C/NF) On 6/01/04, RSO and RSO/FSNI interviewed former Directorate of Internal Intelligence (DII) desk officer M.I. CADER (Source) at Embassy Colombo (cell phone 0777-598768, email - iqbalcader@yahoo.co.in). Source was a former police academy classmate of the RSO/FSNI, is recently retired and [...] | 2004-06-09 06:03:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN | ASEC CE PTER |
04COLOMBO951 | SRI LANKA: REPORT ON INVESTMENT DISPUTES AND [...] No summary [...] | 2004-06-09 08:37:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | EINV EFIN PGOV KIDE CASC CE OPIC ECONOMICS |
04COLOMBO953 | Recent meetings show the way forward for Sri [...] (C) SUMMARY: Opposition Leader Wickremesinghe thought the Co-Chairs statement was good, but that the President and her government do not understand the psychology of the LTTE, and are determined to begin talks on the final ("hard") issues. He also thinks the military is using LTTE rebel Kar [...] | 2004-06-09 09:35:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PTER CE NO LTTE |
04COLOMBO960 | GSL TRADE MINISTER TO REQUEST FTA DURING DC VISIT [...] No summary [...] | 2004-06-09 10:59:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON CE ERTD USTR ECONOMICS |
04COLOMBO962 | AG AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT GOALS TOP GSL LIST FOR [...] (SBU) Summary: During its June 1-4 visit to Sri Lanka, the Millennium Challenge Corporation team met with a broad cross-section of government and society. Poor agricultural policies and slow rural development topped the list of perceived obstacles to economic growth, with poor infrastructur [...] | 2004-06-09 11:24:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON ETRD EAID CE USTR ECONOMICS LTTE |
04COLOMBO966 | "Double 00" Hit on Well-Known Tamil Politician [...] (C) By Septel, our consular chief is submitting a Visas Donkey cable regarding the June 9 visa application of Rajavarothiam Sampanthan, a veteran Tamil politician and respected member of Parliament representing the Tamil National Alliance (TNA). Mr. Sampanthan applied for a visa to attend th [...] | 2004-06-10 08:00:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | CVIS PREL PINR PTER CE LTTE |
04COLOMBO970 | Controversial anti-conversion bill tabled for [...] (C) SUMMARY: An MP has published a draft religious "anti-conversion" bill and intends to present it before Parliament as a private member's bill. The GSL has not publicly formulated an opinion on the draft bill and is waiting to review it before commenting further. Christian groups, especia [...] | 2004-06-10 10:41:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM PREL KIRF CE |
04COLOMBO973 | July 4 Invitation to Palestinian Ambassador [...] (C) Reftel guidance advises posts to query Department about inviting Palestinian ambassadors to July 4 receptions if there is any indication the individual has been involved in terrorism. We intend to invited the local Palestinian ambassador, Attalla Subhi Qubia, and have no adverse inform [...] | 2004-06-10 10:57:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL ODIP PTER CE IS PLO |
04COLOMBO983 | In meeting with Ambassador, President [...] (C) SUMMARY: In a June 11 meeting with the Ambassador, President Kumaratunga expressed her appreciation for the Co-Chairs' support for the peace process and indicated her desire and difficulties in getting the Tigers back to peace negotiations. Her flexibility on the substance of the propos [...] | 2004-06-14 10:44:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER CE LTTE |
05COLOMBO1004 | SRI LANKA: SCENESETTER FOR JUNE 13 CO-CHAIRS [...] (C) Little has been achieved toward advancing the peace process in the year since President Chandrika Kumaratunga's United People's Freedom Alliance (UPFA) took over the government in April 2004. The President and her inner circle blame both the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE),with [...] | 2005-06-03 06:27:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PTER PGOV PREL CE LTTE |
05COLOMBO1016 | MALDIVES: THREE PARTIES PRE-REGISTER [...] (U) On June 5 the Home Ministry approved applications from three groups to begin the work needed to register as political parties. The three groups included the Dhivehi Raiyithunge Party (Malidivian People's Party),founded by President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom; the Dhivehi Raiyithunge Democratic [...] | 2005-06-06 11:23:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PHUM MV |
05COLOMBO1019 | SRI LANKA: JVP THREATENS SHOWDOWN, PRESIDENT [...] (C) With coalition partner Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) still threatening to withdraw from the government if President Chandrika Kumaratunga signs the "joint mechanism" on tsunami aid with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE),Kumaratunga is seeking support for the controversial agr [...] | 2005-06-07 13:05:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PTER PGOV PREL IN CE LTTE |
05COLOMBO1020 | Pro-JVP Media Minister Persuaded to Resign [...] (SBU) Summary: Aviation, Ports and Media Minister Mangala Samaraweera resigned from the media portfolio today amid speculation the President had asked him to do so due to his alleged favoritism towards the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna(JVP),the government's Marxist/Sinhala nationalist junior all [...] | 2005-06-08 01:39:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | KPAO PTER EAID OIIP PREL CE |
05COLOMBO1026 | 2005 REPORT ON INVESTMENT DISPUTES AND [...] The following dispute is being submitted for 2005 as per section 527 of the Foreign Relations Authorization Act (FRAA) for Sri Lanka: (A) Claimant A (B) 2004 (C) Claimant had been contracted in June 2000 to provide power to the national grid under a combined cycle agreement signed [...] | 2005-06-08 09:56:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | CASC EFIN EINV KIDE PGOV OPIC |
05COLOMBO1027 | NORWEGIANS AND FOREIGN SECRETARY ON CURRENT STATE [...] (C) Summary. The Norwegian Ambassador describes his June 7 meeting with LTTE political chief Tamilchelvam as "mixed," with the LTTE focused on the "transportation issue" and not willing to agree to a meeting with the GSL to discuss strengthening the CFA. Foreign Secretary Palihakkara conce [...] | 2005-06-08 11:22:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PTER PHUM CE LTTE |
05COLOMBO1030 | SRI LANKAN POST-TSUNAMI RECONSTRUCTION UPDATE [...] (U) This cable is for the post-tsunami IAWG meeting on June 9, 2005. Transitional Housing -------------------- 2. (SBU) Transitional housing re-entered the limelight this week following a meeting convened by the Finance Secretary at the request of the International Financial SIPDIS I [...] | 2005-06-09 10:50:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EAID ECON PGOV CE MV |
05COLOMBO1031 | GSL AIMS FOR MID-SUMMER MCA COMPACT PROPOSAL [...] (SBU) Summary: The Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) has begun to use provincial-level meetings to form local steering committees to review the GSL's Millennium Challenge Account (MCA) Concept Paper and provide feedback to the Finance Ministry. The process has largely been an effort to get valid [...] | 2005-06-09 10:52:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EAID ECON EFIN CE |
05COLOMBO1033 | SRI LANKA: JVP DIGGING IN HEELS OVER JOINT [...] (C) In a June 8 conversation with poloffs, Somawansa Amarasinghe, Leader of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP),confirmed his party's determination to quit the United People's Front Alliance (UPFA) if President Chandrika Kumaratunga proceeds with plans to sign a so-called "joint mechanism" o [...] | 2005-06-09 11:35:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PTER CE LTTE |
05COLOMBO1034 | SUPREME COURT OVERTURNS CONVICTIONS IN LANDMARK [...] (SBU) ON MAY 27, THE SUPREME COURT OF SRI LANKA EXONERATED THE FOUR REMAINING MEN CONVICTED OF PARTICIPATING IN THE BINDUNUWEWA MASSACRE OF OCTOBER 2000, WHICH LEFT 27 TAMIL YOUTHS DEAD AND 14 INJURED AT A DETENTION CENTER IN BADULLA DISTRICT. THE FIFTH SUSPECT WAS ACQUITTED IN JULY 2004. [...] | 2005-06-09 11:35:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PHUM PGOV CE |
05COLOMBO1039 | PRESIDENT TELLS AMBASSADOR SHE IS UNDER PRESSURE, [...] (C) SUMMARY: President Kumaratunga told Ambassador she intends to sign the Joint Mechanism, she hopes by end of the month. She believes the JVP will not leave the Government if she signs. She asked for strong Co-Chair support for the Joint Mechanism. She will discuss the Joint Mechanism wi [...] | 2005-06-10 04:38:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL EAID PTER CE LTTE |
05COLOMBO1044 | SRI LANKA: MONKS, SOME MUSLIMS OPPOSE JOINT [...] (C) The controversy surrounding the proposed "joint mechanism" to coordinate tsunami aid with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) has deepened following unanimous public opposition from the chief prelates of all four Buddhist chapters. At a June 10 press conference, Government allian [...] | 2005-06-10 08:28:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PTER CE LTTE |
05COLOMBO1050 | SEVENTH SEMI-ANNUAL MEETING OF SOUTH ASIA [...] SUMMARY. THE SEVENTH SARI/ENERGY SEMI-ANNUAL REVIEW MEETING WAS HELD IN COLOMBO, SRI LANKA ON JUNE 1-3, 2005. A SARI/ENERGY SPONSORED REGIONAL ENERGY SECURITY REPORT PREPARED BY INDEPENDENT EXPERTS IN THE REGION LAID OUT RECOMENDATIONS AND ACTIONS FOR ADDRESSING REGIONAL ENERGY SHORTAGES AND [...] | 2005-06-13 10:38:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL ENRG KSCA XD ECONOMICS |
05COLOMBO1052 | SRI LANKA: FASTS AND FURIOUS: MONKS AND MARXISTS [...] (SBU) President Chandrika Kumaratunga continues to face staunch opposition from Marxist coalition partner Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) and the Buddhist nationalist Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU) over her plans to sign an agreement on tsunami relief with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam S [...] | 2005-06-13 12:17:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PTER CE OPIC LTTE |
05COLOMBO1053 | SRI LANKA: STALEMATE OVER STATUE IN TRINCOMALEE [...] (SBU) Summary: During a June 8-10 visit to the eastern district of Trincomalee, poloff and POL FSN conducted a series of discussions with government officials, religious leaders, non-governmental organizations (NGOs),and human rights activists. While somewhat muted and at times overshado [...] | 2005-06-14 12:49:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PTER PGOV PHUM PREL KIRF CE LTTE |
05COLOMBO1056 | FACTIONS STILL MONK(EY)ING AROUND WITH JOINT [...] (U) On June 13 the President launched a campaign to garner public support for the proposed joint mechanism (JM) to distribute tsunami aid (Reftel A). The President has asked all the Members of Parliament in her coalition to raise awareness about the JM in their constituencies. She has reques [...] | 2005-06-15 01:49:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PTER CE LTTE |
05COLOMBO106 | MALDIVES - EARTHQUAKE AND TSUNAMIS: USAID/DART [...] According to the Maldives National Disaster Management Center (NDMC),as of January 12, the earthquake and tsunamis killed 82 people and 26 residents are missing in Maldives. On January 10, four USAID/Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) members conducted an assessment trip to Maldives. A [...] | 2005-01-13 10:57:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | EAID AEMR PREL PGOV CE MV |
05COLOMBO1063 | Special Media Reaction: Statement of the co- [...] (U) Summary: Sri Lankan media provided prominent, widespread and positive coverage to the statement issued June 13 by the Tokyo donors' conference co-chairs following their Washington meeting. Electronic media reported the statement on Tuesday, June 14, while all print media carried front-pa [...] | 2005-06-15 10:43:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PHUM KPAO PTER EAID OIIP PREL CE LTTE |
05COLOMBO1065 | SRI LANKA: PRESIDENT REVIEWS OPTIONS AS DEADLINE [...] (U) As of COB June 15, Government coalition partner Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) was sticking to its ultimatum to President Chandrika Kumaratunga to abandon plans to sign a "joint mechanism" on tsunami aid with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) by midnight June 16 or face the dis [...] | 2005-06-15 13:06:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PTER CE LTTE |
05COLOMBO107 | MALDIVES: DESPITE DISASTER, PARLIAMENTARY [...] (C) Summary: Parliamentary elections, postponed from December 31 after the tsunami that hit Maldives December 26, have been rescheduled for January 22. The government's desire to go ahead is understandable in order to avoid charges that it is using the tsunami to put off an election it does [...] | 2005-01-13 11:28:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PHUM AEMR MV |
05COLOMBO1071 | SRI LANKAN POST-TSUNAMI RECONSTRUCTION UPDATE [...] (U) This cable provides information for the June 16 post-Tsunami IAWG meeting. Please see action request in para 10. Maldives -------- 2. (U) Econchief and USAID Environment Officer visited Maldives on June 13 to discuss USD 8.7 million contribution to the GORM Tsunami Relief and Reconst [...] | 2005-06-16 10:15:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EAID ECON PGOV CE MV |
05COLOMBO1073 | SRI LANKA: JVP JUMPS SHIP; PRESIDENT PADDLING [...] (SBU) Summary: As threatened, on June 16 coalition partner Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) left the United People's Freedom Alliance (UPFA) government after President Chandrika Kumaratunga refused to meet its demand to abandon the so-called "joint mechanism" on tsunami aid with the Liberati [...] | 2005-06-16 11:32:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PTER CE |
05COLOMBO1079 | SRI LANKA: OPPOSITION PREDICTS PARLIAMENTARY [...] (C) In a June 17 meeting, Karu Jayasuriya, Deputy Leader of the opposition United National Party (UNP),told poloff that while none of the major parties wants polls right now, he "would not be surprised" if President Chandrika Kumaratunga called parliamentary elections in "three or four month [...] | 2005-06-17 05:57:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PTER CE |
05COLOMBO1088 | SRI LANKA'S JOINT MECHANISM: DEBATES OVER THE [...] (SBU) Summary. Political parties and citizens continue to debate the Joint Mechanism (JM) for tsunami relief, and although the President continues to express her determination to go forward with the JM, she has not yet done so. Various parties are criticizing the JM, and the longer she waits [...] | 2005-06-20 12:10:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PTER CE LTTE |
05COLOMBO1089 | TRINCOMALEE STILL RESTIVE; BUDDHA STATUE STAYS FOR [...] (SBU) On June 17, the Court of Appeals suspended until June 30 the Trincomalee Magistrate's decision to remove all unauthorized religious statues, including a controversial Buddha statue erected by a pro-Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) union, from Trincomalee town (REFTEL). Despite the rel [...] | 2005-06-20 12:32:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PTER PGOV PHUM KIRF PREL CE LTTE |
05COLOMBO1097 | MALDIVES SEEKS "MANAGED CHANGE" AS PARTIES REGISTER [...] (SBU) To date five organizations have completed the pre-registration process required to become political parties in Maldives. In a June 16 meeting with the Ambassador in Colombo, Maldivian Foreign Secretary Abdul Hamid Zakariyya said that the Government of Republic of Maldives (GORM) is "tr [...] | 2005-06-22 06:30:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL MV |
05COLOMBO1100 | Post-Tsunami Struggles for Sri Lankan and [...] Summary: Six months after the December 26 tsunami, Sri Lanka's tourist industry is lagging. According to major tour operators, tourist arrivals have fallen sharply in 2005. While the government has reported an 8% increase in arrivals in the first 5 months of 2005, tour operators say that m [...] | 2005-06-22 09:08:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | ECON ETRD CE MV |
05COLOMBO1101 | SRI LANKAN POST-TSUNAMI RECONSTRUCTION UPDATE [...] (U) This cable provides information for the June 23 post-Tsunami IAWG meeting. Maldives Update --------------- 2. (SBU) We are still waiting for Government of Maldives (GORM) Planning Department feedback for potential projects. Nonetheless, given Washington guidance that uses for the mo [...] | 2005-06-22 09:08:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EAID ECON PGOV CE MV |
05COLOMBO1112 | NORWEGIAN DEPUTY FOREIGN MINISTER ON JOINT [...] (C) Norwegian Deputy Foreign Minister Vidar Helgesen told donors on June 23 that the Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) will sign a controversial agreement to coordinate tsunami aid with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) early June 24. The so-called "joint mechanism" agreement is also exp [...] | 2005-06-23 10:55:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER CE LTTE |
05COLOMBO1113 | UNICEF SEES DECLINE IN LTTE RECRUIMENT OF CHILDREN [...] (U) The recruitment of child soldiers by the Liberation Tamil Tigers Eelam (LTTE) has significantly and steadily declined since January, according to reports received by the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF). The LTTE recently renewed its promise to halt underage recruiting in a June 1 [...] | 2005-06-24 03:39:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PHUM PGOV SOCI PTER CE LTTE |
05COLOMBO1116 | JOINT MECHANISM SIGNED BY GSL, PARLIAMENT [...] (C) According to sources in the Presidential Secretariat, M.S. Jayasinghe, the Secretary of the Ministry of Relief, Rehabilitation, and Reconciliation (RRR),signed the Post-Tsunami Operational Management Structure (P-TOMS),also known as the Joint Mechanism (JM) for tsunami aid distribution, [...] | 2005-06-24 07:21:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PTER EAID CE LTTE |
05COLOMBO1119 | SRI LANKA - EARTHQUAKE AND TSUNAMIS: USAID/DART [...] The USAID/Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA) Program Officer, USAID/Colombo Humanitarian Assistance Program Manager (HAPM) and USAID/Colombo Development Outreach and Communications Officer (DOC) traveled to Galle and Matara districts from June 13 through 15 to monitor USAID/OFDA [...] | 2005-06-27 05:06:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | EAID AEMR PREL PGOV CE |
05COLOMBO1122 | SRI LANKA: GSL WILL REFLECT ON US PRIORITIES FOR [...] (C) Summary. The Ambassador delivered Reftel demarches to Foreign Secretary H.M.G.S. Palihakkara on June 24. Palihakkara indicated that the GSL will likely vote in favor of the framework resolution that increases the Security Council to 24 members. He said that his government might consider [...] | 2005-06-27 06:06:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV AORC KUNR CE |
05COLOMBO1127 | Special Media Reaction: Predictable Coverage of [...] (U) Summary: Sri Lankan media provided widespread prominent editorial coverage of the June 24 signing of the Joint Mechanism (Post-Tsunami Management Structure, P-TOMS) between the Government of Sri Lanka and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in high circulation Sunday edition newsp [...] | 2005-06-27 11:04:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PHUM KPAO PTER EAID OIIP PREL CE LTTE |
05COLOMBO1128 | SRI LANKA: COALITION CRACKING, CHAUVINISTS [...] (C) Three days after the Government signed an agreement to coordinate tsunami aid with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE),opposition to the Post-Tsunami Operational Management Structure (P-TOMS),also known as the "joint mechanism," among President Chandrika Kumaratunga's political [...] | 2005-06-27 13:12:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PTER CE LTTE |
05COLOMBO1149 | SRI LANKA: DEMARCHES ON UN REFORM [...] No summary [...] | 2005-06-30 11:22:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | AORC CE KUNR PGOV PREL UN |
05COLOMBO1151 | SRI LANKA: WHAT COMES AFTER THE P-TOMS? [...] (C) President Chandrika Kumaratunga's decision to sign the controversial Post-Tsunami Operational Management Structure (P-TOMS),also known as the "joint mechanism," has clearly surprised her political allies and enemies alike, leaving many of them scrambling to strategize next moves. In the [...] | 2005-06-30 12:53:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PTER CE LTTE |
05COLOMBO1153 | SRI LANKA: CHRISTIAN PASTOR RECOUNTS JUNE ATTACK [...] (U) Poloffs and POL FSN traveled to Ambalangoda in Galle district on June 28 to follow up a reported attack on an Assembly of God property on June 5 and 6. Pastor Yogesh Mudalige of the Assembly of God church complained that police, despite being made aware of the June 5 attack, failed to pre [...] | 2005-07-01 05:12:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | KIRF PHUM CE |
05COLOMBO1155 | Maldives - EARTHQUAKE AND TSUNAMIS: [...] On June 4 and 5, the USAID/Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) Information Officer traveled to the Republic of Maldives (ROM) to assess the recovery efforts and monitor the USAID/Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA) funded tsunami recovery activities. During the visit, the [...] | 2005-07-05 05:33:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | EAID AEMR PREL PGOV CE UNICEF |
05COLOMBO1157 | NEGOTIATIONS ON ACCESS TO GENETIC RESOURCES AND BENEFIT [...] Legislation and regulation of research and collection of biological resources: Sri Lanka does not have a unified set of laws that cover all aspects of research and specimen collection on biological and genetic resources. Several articles and provisions of legislation address research aspect [...] | 2005-07-05 10:59:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | EAGR EAID SENV TBIO CE ECONOMICS |
05COLOMBO1158 | SRI LANKA NOT OPPOSED TO SETHUSAMUDRAM SHIP CANAL [...] Summary: The Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) is reconciled to the implementation of the Sethusamudram project as it is within the territorial waters of Sri Lanka. This project proposes the linking of the Arabian sea with the Bay of Bengal by dredging shallow waters to the north of Sri Lanka, th [...] | 2005-07-05 11:00:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | ECON PREL ETRD SENV CE ECONOMICS |
05COLOMBO1159 | SRI LANKA WILL SUPPORT U.S. POSITION ON NEW [...] Embassy presented Ref A demarche to the Sri Lankan Ministry of Foreign Affairs on February 24. As reported Ref B, at that time the MFA could provide no specific response. 2. On June 28 the Embassy received a diplomatic note by fax from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs communicating Governm [...] | 2005-07-05 11:47:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | AORC KNNP MNUC TRGY CE IAEA |
05COLOMBO1160 | SRI LANKA: OPPOSITION UNP BEGINS MOVEMENT TO [...] (U) Summary. On July 2 the Opposition United National Party kicked off a ten-day march to protest the high cost of living and demand presidential elections this year. Their movement, which began July 2 and will run through July 12, seems to be a campaign for future elections, be they preside [...] | 2005-07-05 11:57:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV CE |
05COLOMBO1169 | SRI LANKA: GOVERNMENT ANTI-CONVERSION BILL MOVES [...] (SBU) According to D.W. Abeywickrema, Secretary at the Ministry of Buddhist Affairs, the Government-drafted anti-conversion bill, which was approved by the Cabinet in March (Ref B),was sent to the Government Printer on July 5 for publication in the Parliamentary Gazette. (Note: Being "gaze [...] | 2005-07-06 11:54:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM KIRF CE |
05COLOMBO1180 | SRI LANKAN POST-TSUNAMI RECONSTRUCTION UPDATE (JULY [...] (U) This cable provides information for the July 7, 2005 post-Tsunami IAWG meeting. Maldives Update --------------- 2. (SBU) Fathmath Nuzuha, Assistant Undersecretary of External Resources Management at the Ministry of Finance and Treasury has informed the embassy that the GORM wants to [...] | 2005-07-07 11:11:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EAID ECON PGOV CE MV |
05COLOMBO1182 | SRI LANKA: MUSLIM LEADER RALLYING OPPOSITION TO [...] (C) Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) leader Rauff Hakeem continues to urge members of his community to oppose the Post-Tsunami Operational Management Structure (P-TOMS),also known as the "joint mechanism," signed by the Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) and Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) [...] | 2005-07-07 12:24:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PTER CE LTTE |
05COLOMBO1183 | LICENSING CONDITIONS IN THE TELECOMMUNICATIONS [...] In Sri Lanka, the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka (TRCSL) charges fees in connection with licensing fixed line services in excess of what is required to cover administrative expenses. The level of fees depends on the type of license to be issued and licensing conditions. [...] | 2005-07-07 17:36:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | ECPS ETRD CE |
05COLOMBO1189 | MALDIVES: MAJOR SHIFT IN PRESIDENT'S CABINET [...] (C) On July 7, poloff met in Male with members of the recently registered Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) that opposes the current government. MDP offical Ali Hashim told poloff that he had met with Presidential Spokesman Ahmed Shaheed and requested that the President's office compromise by [...] | 2005-07-08 05:56:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV MV |
05COLOMBO1190 | SRI LANKAN PARLIAMENT PASSES SUPPRESSION OF [...] (U) On July 7 in a vote of 81-21, the Sri Lankan parliament passed a bill giving effect to the Convention on the Suppression of Terrorist Financing. 2. (U) The quorum of 102 parliamentarians voted along political lines with the ruling Sri Lankan Freedom Party, main opposition United Natio [...] | 2005-07-08 06:53:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV PTER PHUM CE LTTE |
05COLOMBO1198 | SRI LANKA NOT DECIDED ON G-4 FRAMEWORK RESOLUTION [...] (SBU) Ambassador raised issue of G-4 Framework Resolution on UNSC Expansion with Foreign Secretary Palihakkara on July 8, using points in reftel. Ambassador added that we recognized that Sri Lanka had given public support to the G-4's proposal for UNSC seats, but that this did not necessarily [...] | 2005-07-11 05:24:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL CE UNSC |
05COLOMBO1209 | SRI LANKA SUPPORTS COMPREHENSIVE CONVENTION ON [...] No summary [...] | 2005-07-13 05:59:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PTER CE UNGA |
05COLOMBO1212 | MALDIVES: DEMOCRACY IS NO DAY AT THE BEACH [...] (SBU) Summary. On a recent trip to Maldives, poloff spoke with government officials and members of the newly registered opposition Maldives Democratic Party (MDP) about the country's improvements to the police and judicial systems and its transition to multi-party democracy. While the Govern [...] | 2005-07-13 08:45:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM MV |
05COLOMBO1216 | CALLS FOR ELECTIONS AS THE UNP MARCHES THROUGH [...] (U) As the opposition United National Party (UNP) concluded its 10-day Janbala Meheyuma (People's Power March) to Colombo on July 12, the party focused on pressuring the Commissioner of Elections Dayananda Dissanayake to call for Presidential elections this year (Ref A). Continued silence f [...] | 2005-07-13 11:09:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN | PGOV PTER PHUM CE |
05COLOMBO1217 | SRI LANKA RESPONDS TO LTTE ULTIMATUM AND OTHER [...] No summary [...] | 2005-07-13 11:42:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PTER CE LTTE |
05COLOMBO1218 | SRI LANKAN POST-TSUNAMI RECONSTRUCTION UPDATE (JULY [...] (U) This cable provides information for the July 13, 2005 post-Tsunami IAWG meeting. Maldives Update --------------- 2. (SBU) The Government of Maldives (GORM) informed Econoff that Riluwan Shareef, Executive Director of the Ministry of Finance, met with the Ministry of Planning on July [...] | 2005-07-13 13:03:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EAID ECON PGOV CE MV |
05COLOMBO1224 | LTTE CLOSES FIELD OFFICES AMID CEASE FIRE [...] (C) The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) have ordered all political cadres to close field offices in the Trincomalee and Batticaloa districts of the Eastern Province and return to LTTE headquarters in Kilinochi, Northern Province. The LTTE has also ordered all 22 Tamil National Allian [...] | 2005-07-14 12:19:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PTER CE LTTE |
05COLOMBO1229 | PRESIDENT SAYS SHE NEEDS TO FIND WAY TO STOP [...] (C) SUMMARY: In a conversation with the Ambassador, President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga expressed her surprise at the gazetting of a Government drafted anti-conversion bill and indicated she would try to find a way to stop the bill from moving forward. In response to the bill's gazet [...] | 2005-07-15 05:09:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN | PGOV KIRF PHUM CE |
05COLOMBO1245 | SRI LANKA WILL "CONSIDER US DEMARCHE" ON G-4 [...] (SBU) Sumedha Ekanayake, the Foreign Ministry's Assistant Director of UN and Multilateral Affairs, told poloff in a July 14 phone conversation that the Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) will vote in favor of the G-4 Framework Resolution at the UN General Assembly. However, the GSL will not co-spo [...] | 2005-07-18 06:38:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL OTRA OVIP KSEP CE UNGA |
05COLOMBO1247 | SRI LANKA QUALIFIES FOR EU GSP PLUS BENEFITS [...] Summary: Sri Lanka is among a group of 14 developing countries which qualified for duty free access to European Union (EU) under the EU GSP plus scheme from July 1, 2005. As a result, most Sri Lankan exports from apparel (Sri Lanka's main export) to ceramics will be eligible to enter EU mark [...] | 2005-07-18 08:56:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | ECON ETRD CE ECONOMICS |
05COLOMBO125 | SRI LANKA AND MALDIVES - EARTHQUAKE AND [...] As of January 13, according to the Center for National Operations (CNO),the earthquake and tsunamis had killed 30,899 people in Sri Lanka. The USAID/Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) conducted assessments in Ampara District and Trincomolee to view the damage caused by the earthquake [...] | 2005-01-17 04:07:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | EAID AEMR PREL PGOV CE |
05COLOMBO1253 | World Bank Report Details Weaknesses of Sri [...] Summary: The World Bank issued its long-delayed report on education in Sri Lanka at a conference in Colombo June 30, painting a grim picture of the state of education in a country once known for its relatively progressive and equitable system. The study, compiled in the past year by a team [...] | 2005-07-18 11:04:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | SCUL KPAO EAID OIIP PREL CE |
05COLOMBO1255 | SRI LANKA: SUPREME COURT ORDERS TEMPORARY STAY ON [...] (SBU) In response to petitions filed by members of the Marxist Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) party, a three-member panel of the Supreme Court (SC) granted a temporary stay order for four key sections of the Post-Tsunami Operational Management Structure (P-TOMS) on July 15 (Reftel). Despit [...] | 2005-07-18 11:15:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN | PGOV PHUM PTER CE LTTE |
05COLOMBO1258 | DETERIORATING SECURITY ALARMS CO-CHAIRS [...] (C) The July 15 ruling by the Sri Lankan Supreme Court (SC) concerning a constitutional challenge to the Post-Tsunami Operational Management Structure (P-TOMS) (SEPTEL) combined with the Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) refusal of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) ultimatum to increase [...] | 2005-07-18 11:48:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PTER PHUM PGOV CE LTTE |
05COLOMBO1261 | POST RECOMMENDATIONS ON GLOBAL FUND PHASE 2 RENEWALS [...] Following is post review on the overall grant for Sri Lanka under the Global Fund. Due to limited time available for responses, this cable will provide general comments on the performance of the Global Fund for Tuberculosis and Malaria collectively, based on post discussion with key stakehold [...] | 2005-07-19 03:11:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | EAID KHIV TBIO CE COSI |
05COLOMBO1284 | HUMANITARIAN MINE ACTION (HMA) FY06 COUNTRY [...] U.S. Funds Expended : $11,937,000 (through FY2005) 2. A total of 503 officer and enlisted ranks have completed the basic demining course. Also 202 officers and enlisted ranks have completed additional demining instruction and management courses, basic and advance trauma courses as well a [...] | 2005-07-22 06:41:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | AMGT EAID MARR MOPS PREF PREL CE MAS LTTE |
05COLOMBO1286 | LTTE STIFFS NORWEGIANS ON CEASEFIRE TALKS, PTOMS [...] (C) Summary: The LTTE told Norwegians they will not hold talks on ceasefire with Government until it disarms all paramilitaries. The Tigers also said they were not willing to change any part of the PTOMS agreement. The two sides continue to work with the SLMM to solve the transportation iss [...] | 2005-07-22 06:47:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PTER EAID PGOV CE NO LTTE |
05COLOMBO1291 | PRESIDENT SAYS GOVERNMENT WILL ABIDE BY CEASEFIRE, [...] (C) SUMMARY: Co-chairs told President Kumaratunga ceasefire was under threat, that LTTE bore brunt of blame for ceasefire violations, but that current upsurge of violence in East required both sides to take steps. Kumaratunga said she had given orders to security forces to not attack LTTE, bu [...] | 2005-07-25 11:46:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PTER EAID PGOV CE NO LTTE |
05COLOMBO1292 | PRESIDENT PROMISES ANTI-CONVERSION BILL WILL NOT [...] (C) Ambassador and other Chiefs of Mission from Tokyo Co-Chairs (UK for EU, Norway, Japan) called on President Kumaratunga July 25 to discuss Peace Process issues. At the end of that discussion Ambassador said he wanted to raise a separate issue, that of the anti-conversion bill. Foreign Min [...] | 2005-07-25 11:47:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | KIRF PHUM PGOV CE |
05COLOMBO1295 | MALDIVES CONTINUES TO WORK ON DEMOCRATIC REFORMS [...] (U) Summary. The Government of the Republic of Maldives (GORM) is continuing its efforts to institute multi-party democracy and human rights reforms. On July 14, the President announced a massive shift in the Cabinet, with young, progressive Ministers replacing those opposed to reform. The A [...] | 2005-07-26 03:21:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM MV |
05COLOMBO1315 | PROVINCIAL COUNCILS LACK FISCAL AUTONOMY TO [...] (U) Provincial Councils PCs have limited revenue generating capabilities and are dependent on the central government for funding. Transfers to the PCs do not meet the amount required to fulfill their responsibilities. Corruption remains a widely recognized problem within the PCs. Consequent [...] | 2005-07-28 10:59:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV ECON EFIN CE LTTE |
05COLOMBO1316 | UNICEF REPORTS SPIKE IN LTTE CHILD RECRUITMENT IN [...] (U) United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) issued a press statement saying there has been a significant increase in the number of reports concerning child recruitment by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) during the month of July. Since the tsunami, UNICEF had seen a considerable [...] | 2005-07-28 10:59:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PHUM PGOV SOCI PTER CE LTTE |
05COLOMBO1318 | SRI LANKA: CONTROVERSY OVER END DATE OF [...] (U) Summary. Controversy abounds in Sri Lanka about the date President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga's term of office ends. While the Constitution allows a single person to hold two six-year terms as president, the document is vague regarding the rules if the incumbent calls for early e [...] | 2005-07-29 03:48:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV CE |
05COLOMBO1331 | SRI LANKAN POST-TSUNAMI RECONSTRUCTION UPDATE [...] (U) This cable provides information for the August 3, 2005 post-Tsunami IAWG meeting. Maldives Update --------------- 2. (SBU) The Government of Maldives (GORM) still has not submitted plans for using USG funds. The Planning Ministry gave a July 17 deadline to the line ministries for s [...] | 2005-08-01 10:14:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EAID ECON PGOV CE MV |
05COLOMBO1332 | US OPPOSITION TO ANTI-CONVERSION BILL HEADLINES [...] (U) On July 31 a Sunday Times newspaper's front-page headline read "US warns Lanka on religious bill." The article, which listed no author or sources, cited Christine Rocca's meeting with Sri Lankan Ambassador to the US Bernard Gunatilleke. It purported that Rocca warned that if the Sri Lank [...] | 2005-08-01 10:45:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM CE |
05COLOMBO1335 | IPR SEMINARS IN COLOMBO HIGHLIGHT ISSUES [...] Summary: A series of USPTO sponsored Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) seminars were held in Colombo on July 23 and 25 when Professor William O. Hennessey of the Franklin Pierce Law Center, Concord, New Hampshire, and Timothy Browning, Attorney-Advisor with the Office of Enforcement, Depart [...] | 2005-08-01 11:05:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | ETRD KIPR EAID ECON CE ECONOMICS |
05COLOMBO1338 | SPEAKING OUT ON GITMO AND DETAINEES [...] (C) Ambassador raised issue of understanding for US detainee operations with Foreign Minister Kadirgamar on August 1, explaining that we wanted our friends to better understand our operations and the rationale for them, and to convey their support to broader constituencies. Kadirgamar noted [...] | 2005-08-02 06:04:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | KISL KPAO PGOV PREL |
05COLOMBO1353 | FORMER GUANTANAMO DETAINEE REQUESTS LOST DOCUMENTS [...] (U) Maldivian national Ibrahim Fauzee, detained in Pakistan in May 2002, was returned to Maldives from Guantanamo on March 12, 2005 after it was determined that he had no connection to terrorism and posed no threat to the US. Maldivian Government passed a request from Mr. Fauzee for return o [...] | 2005-08-03 09:24:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PTER KAWC PREL MV |
05COLOMBO1354 | SRI LANKA: PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION QUESTION HEATS UP [...] (U) Summary. On August 1, President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga's Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) announced current Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse as its presidential candidate and named Anura Bandaranaike (the President's brother),now the Minister for Tourism and Investment Promoti [...] | 2005-08-03 11:30:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV CE |
05COLOMBO1366 | IMI - INVESTMENT CLIMATE STATEMENT, 2005 - SRI LANKA [...] No summary [...] | 2005-08-04 10:59:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | CE ECON ECONOMICS EFIN EINV ELAB ETRD KTDB OPIC PGOV USTR |
05COLOMBO1367 | TSUNAMI VICTIMS STILL NEED ADEQUATE PERMANENT HOUSING [...] (SBU) July 18-20, poloff visited Galle, Ambalangoda, Ambalantota, Matara, and Hambantota to investigate the status of tsunami relief. In meetings with various government agents (GAs),non-governmental organizations (NGOs),and USAID officers, interlocutors reported that there is still a str [...] | 2005-08-04 11:14:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON EAID PGOV SCUL SOCI CE |
05COLOMBO1374 | VIOLENCE ERUPTS IN JAFFNA [...] Two or three SLA soldiers entered a barbershop at Inuvil junction in Jaffna. One barber is killed and another reported injured. Stories include an accidental shooting, or a dispute between a soldier and a barber, or a dispute between a soldier and an officer getting his hair cut with the ba [...] | 2005-08-05 05:47:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV PTER CE LTTE |
05COLOMBO1375 | Sri Lanka to apply for a sovereign rating [...] Summary: The Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) is getting ready to apply for a sovereign debt rating. The rating is expected to facilitate debt financing and improve awareness of Sri Lanka in international fixed income markets. Sri Lanka is one of few countries in the region without a sovereign [...] | 2005-08-05 06:03:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | ECON EFIN EAID CE ECONOMICS |
05COLOMBO1396 | SRI LANKA: THESE TIGERS DON'T PURR: ANALYSIS OF [...] (SBU) Summary: The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) exercise de facto control over parts of northern and eastern Sri Lanka, and the LTTE claims to have created a separate and fully functional government infrastructure within the areas it controls. These institutions include political [...] | 2005-08-10 07:25:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PTER PINR PHUM PGOV CE LTTE |
05COLOMBO1404 | PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRY DEEMS SRI LANKA [...] Summary. Sri Lankan health authorities are discussing a new National Medicinal Drug Policy (NMDP) that would theoretically preserve access to low-cost, essential medicines. The main selection criteria for drugs under this new policy will include cost-effectiveness, need, quality, safety and [...] | 2005-08-11 08:18:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | ECON ETRD EAID CE WTO |
05COLOMBO1407 | MALDIVES: BIOGRAPHIC INFORMATION ON FOREIGN [...] (C) The July 14 appointment of Chief Government Spokesman Dr. Ahmed Shaheed as Foreign Minister (Reftel) brings to this important post a bright, western-educated technocrat friendly to the U.S. with whom the Embassy has worked closely on such key bilateral issues as democratic reform and tsu [...] | 2005-08-11 11:54:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PINR PGOV MV |
05COLOMBO1408 | IRAN/IAEA: SRI LANKA ALREADY IN TOUCH WITH TEHRAN [...] (S) Charge' called on Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar August 11 and reviewed with him Ref A talking points calling for firm IAEA action against Iran. Kadirgamar said he shared the U.S. and EU sense of urgency and said the Foreign Ministry would review the U.S. points closely w [...] | 2005-08-11 13:12:00 | Embassy Colombo | SECRET | PARM PREL IR EU CE |
05COLOMBO1417 | SRI LANKAN FOREIGN MINISTER KILLED BY SUSPECTED [...] (C) Summary: Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar was shot by suspected Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) assassins at his Colombo home between 10:30 - 11:00 p.m. local time on August 12. He died shortly after midnight August 13. The cold-blooded killing of this prominent, vocally an [...] | 2005-08-12 21:18:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PTER PGOV CE LTTE |
05COLOMBO1419 | SRI LANKA: STATE OF EMERGENCY DECLARED FOLLOWING [...] (U) President Chandrika Kumaratunga declared a state of emergency the morning of August 13 following the killing of Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar by suspected Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) assassins the previous night (Ref A). The measure, which gives police and military ex [...] | 2005-08-13 05:15:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PTER PGOV ASEC CE LTTE |
05COLOMBO1420 | MALDIVES: PROTESTERS DETAINED AFTER DEMONSTRATION [...] (U) An unknown number of arrests were made in the Maldivian capital of Male' late August 13 after protests against the arrests of three prominent opposition activists turned violent. National Security Services (NSS) forces were called in to assist the police in quelling the disturbance after [...] | 2005-08-14 10:32:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PHUM MV |
05COLOMBO1424 | WB/ADB report highlights constraints in Sri [...] Summary: According to a recent Asian Development Bank (ADB)/World Bank (WB) investment climate assessment, Sri Lankan firms have identified sharply deteriorated infrastructure (electricity and transport) and cost of finance as major constraints for doing business. Urban firms also cite econ [...] | 2005-08-15 05:20:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | ECON EINV ETRD EAID CE ECONOMICS |
05COLOMBO1425 | SRI LANKA: GOVERNMENT WANTS BOTH CRACKDOWN ON [...] (C) Summary. The Sri Lankan government (GSL) wants the international community to crack down further on the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in the wake of the assassination of Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar but also insists somewhat contradictorily that it remains committed to [...] | 2005-08-15 05:21:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PTER PREL EAID CE LTTE |
05COLOMBO1428 | Special Media Reaction: Assassination of Foreign [...] (U) Summary: Foreign Minister Kadirgamar's assassination has been the overwhelming focus of all media since late Friday night, with homages and retrospectives repeatedly broadcast on TV stations and printed in the press. Despite the public anger and shock over the slaying, however, the media [...] | 2005-08-15 09:04:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | KPAO PTER EAID OIIP PREL CE LTTE |
05COLOMBO1440 | SRI LANKA: HELGESEN BRIEFS CO-CHAIRS ON NORWEGIAN [...] (C) Summary. The Norwegian facilitators have shared with the co-chairs a constructive plan for putting the burden on the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) for the next steps in the peace process while also heading off rash actions by the government (GSL). The Norwegians will give LTTE [...] | 2005-08-16 12:06:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PTER NO CE LTTE |
05COLOMBO1446 | SRI LANKA: ELECTION COMMISSIONER INDICATES [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: Responding to a case filed by the opposition Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU) party with the Supreme Court (SC),Election Commissioner (EC) Dayananda Dissanayake on August 15 affirmed that President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga's second term began in December 1999--a tacit ackn [...] | 2005-08-17 09:16:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PHUM CE |
05COLOMBO1448 | INVESTIGATIONS CONTINUE UNDER STATE OF EMERGENCY [...] (U) SUMMARY: While security forces continue to investigate the murder of Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Kadirgamar, human rights groups urge restraint under the State of Emergency (SOE). Meanwhile, Tamil leaders complain the SOE and checkpoint inspections are an undue trauma on the Tamil people a [...] | 2005-08-17 12:04:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PHUM PTER CE LTTE |
05COLOMBO1449 | MALDIVES: GOVERNMENT, OPPOSITION ACCUSE EACH [...] (C) Although the streets of Male' were calm August 15 for the first night since August 12, at least 137 people remain in detention as a result of the preceding nights' unrest. ICRC is planning a visit to Maldives to meet the detainees. In an August 15 meeting in Colombo, opposition Maldivi [...] | 2005-08-17 13:11:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM MV |
05COLOMBO1451 | Leading Tamil Announcer and Husband Murdered in [...] (SBU) Summary: Following the high-profile April 29 murder of Tamil commentator Dharmaretnam Sivaram (Ref A)and several alleged death threats received by other prominent Tamil journalists (Ref B),a well-known Tamil radio and television personality and her husband -- a former member of the Pe [...] | 2005-08-18 07:17:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | KPAO PTER EAID OIIP PREL CE LTTE |
05COLOMBO1453 | SRI LANKA: NORWEGIAN FACILITATORS SEND LETTER TO [...] (C) Summary. In their August 17 meeting with LTTE theoretician Anton Balasingham in London, Norwegian FM Petersen and DFM Helgesen passed a letter to LTTE leader Prabhakaran (text below). At GSL request, EU missions in Colombo will recommend to Brussels that the EU designate the LTTE as a te [...] | 2005-08-18 09:13:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PTER PGOV NO CE LTTE |
05COLOMBO1459 | LTTE SUSPECT ARRESTED IN MURDER OF POLICE [...] Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) cadre "Gopi" was arrested following a gun battle on August 17, in Jaffna during a joint security forces operation for the August 5 murder of the police superintendent . The gun fight slightly wounded one officer and mortally wounded another. A heavy s [...] | 2005-08-18 11:35:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | PTER PGOV PHUM CE LTTE |
05COLOMBO146 | SRI LANKA - EARTHQUAKE AND TSUNAMIS: [...] As of January 16, according to the Center for National Operations (CNO),the earthquake and tsunamis had killed 30,920 people in Sri Lanka. The U.S. Military continues to engage in debris removal and clean-up activities in Galle and assist in the transport of relief supplies throughout Sri L [...] | 2005-01-19 03:24:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | EAID AEMR PREL PGOV CE |
05COLOMBO1460 | LTTE AGREES TO MEET WITH GOVERNMENT [...] No summary [...] | 2005-08-19 02:38:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PTER PGOV NO CE |
05COLOMBO1469 | DEMOCRACY IN MALDIVES: ARE WE THERE YET? [...] (SBU) Summary: August 12-17 poloff visited Male' and met with government officials, members of the opposition party, and civil society groups to discuss the reform process in Maldives. Most contacts said that while the Maldives has seen some democratic progress, much work remains to be done [...] | 2005-08-19 06:47:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM MV |
05COLOMBO147 | MALDIVES - EARTHQUAKE AND TSUNAMIS: [...] According to the Maldives National Disaster Management Center (NDMC),as of January 18, the earthquake and tsunamis killed 82 people and 26 residents are missing. A key priority is to re-equip and repair health centers. The U.S. Military's primary objective in Maldives is to provide potable [...] | 2005-01-19 08:51:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | EAID AEMR PREL PGOV CE MV |
05COLOMBO1478 | MALDIVES: DRL-FUNDED HUMAN RIGHTS SPEAKER [...] (U) Summary: From August 14-19, Dr. Bert B. Lockwood, Professor of Law at the University of Cincinnati and Director of the Urban Morgan Institute for Human Rights, was in Maldives with the assistance of the International Information Programs Bureau and funded by an Economic Support Funds (ESF [...] | 2005-08-22 11:30:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PHUM SOCI EAID ELAB KPAO KDEM MV |
05COLOMBO1485 | ALL IN THE FAMILY: SRI LANKAN PRESIDENT APPOINTS [...] (C) On August 22 President Chandrika Kumaratunga appointed Anura Bandaranaike, her younger brother and Minister of Tourism, Foreign Minister. The move is viewed largely as a consolation prize for Bandaranaike after he failed to gain his party's--and his sister's--approval as the next preside [...] | 2005-08-23 12:34:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PINR PREL PGOV CE |
05COLOMBO149 | MALDIVES: FORMER DETAINEE EXPECTS FREER, FAIRER [...] (C) Summary: In a January 18 call on the Ambassador, former SAARC Secretary General and detainee Ibrahim Zaki expressed gratitude for U.S. support, crediting concern from the international community for the Government's decision to release him from detention and drop sedition charges against [...] | 2005-01-19 10:37:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM MV |
05COLOMBO1492 | SRI LANKA ECONOMIC UPDATE, AUGUST 2005 [...] Summary: GDP growth slowed to 4.8 percent in the first quarter of 2005, against 6.4 percent for the same period in 2004. While the Central Bank says the growth momentum (to achieve growth over 5 percent) is continuing as expected, high inflation is a major worry. A recovery in agriculture [...] | 2005-08-25 08:48:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | ECON EAID CE ECONOMICS |
05COLOMBO1493 | SRI LANKAN GOVERNMENT WANTS TALKS WITH TIGERS AT [...] (U) This is an action request. Please see Para 12. -------- SUMMARY -------- 2. (C) Nearly a week after the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) agreed to talks with the Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) to strengthen the Ceasefire Agreement, details regarding the timing, venue and le [...] | 2005-08-25 11:44:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PTER PGOV PREL PHUM CE NO LTTE |
05COLOMBO1501 | NOTIFICATION UNDER CASE-ZABLOCKI ACT FOR STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE GRANT AGREEMENT NO.498-0045.83, TSUNAMI RECOVERY AND RECONSTRUCTION IN SRI LANKA [...] ON JULY 25, 2005, THE UNITED STATES AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND THE MINISTRY OF FINANCE AND PLANNING OF THE DEMOCRATIC SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF SRI LANKA SIGNED SUBJECT AGREEMENT WHICH PROVIDES FUNDING OF U.S. DOLLARS 57,123,052 (FIFTY SEVEN MILLION ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY THREE THOUS [...] | 2005-08-26 04:35:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | CE NOTAG |
05COLOMBO1503 | SRI LANKAN SUPREME COURT DECIDES PRESIDENTIAL [...] (U) On August 26 a five-judge bench of the Supreme Court ruled that presidential elections must take place between October 28 and November 22, 2005. The decision, rendered in response to a petition filed by the opposition Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU) party, ends months of speculation whether po [...] | 2005-08-26 07:06:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV CE |
05COLOMBO1508 | SRI LANKAN PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION: JVP PONDERS [...] (C) Following the August 26 Supreme Court decision that presidential elections must be held by November 22 (Reftel),the nationalist Marxist Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) is facing a fierce internal debate about whether to support Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) candidate and current Prime M [...] | 2005-08-29 13:41:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV CE |
05COLOMBO1512 | NORWEGIANS SEEK INSTRUCTIONS FROM OSLO IN FACE OF [...] (C) Norwegian Ambassador Hans Brattskar told Charge' August 30 that he is seeking instructions from Oslo on how to proceed in the face of continuing public criticism of the Norwegian peace process facilitation role. Brattskar confided he is particular angry about public comments new Foreign [...] | 2005-08-30 07:17:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PTER NO CE LTTE |
05COLOMBO1514 | SRI LANKA: REQUEST FOR ELECTION SUPPORT [...] This is an action request. Please see Para 4. 2. SUMMARY: Post requests funding in the amount of USD 400,000 to support local NGO efforts to monitor and observe upcoming presidential and/or general elections. Because of initial uncertainty surrounding the length of incumbent President Cha [...] | 2005-08-30 09:02:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | PHUM EAID PGOV CE |
05COLOMBO1522 | REQUEST FOR RESETTLEMENT ASSISTANCE FOR CERTAIN [...] (C) Charge' raised reftel situation of Uighur Guantanamo detainees with Foreign Ministry Secretary H.G.M.S. Palihakkara August 31 and asked SIPDIS for Sri Lankan assistance. Palihakkara replied that "we'd like to do it," but that accepting the Uighurs would "create problems with our Chine [...] | 2005-08-31 05:32:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | MOPS PREL PTER KAWC PHUM PREF PINR CE |
05COLOMBO1523 | Grenade attack on pro-LTTE newspaper office shakes [...] (U) Summary: Two men threw two grenades into the premises of the Sudar Oli newspaper office in Colombo August 29, killing one and injuring three. Sudar Oli, an unapologetically pro-LTTE paper, was the object of an unsuccessful grenade attack on one of its Colombo branch offices on August 20, [...] | 2005-08-31 07:16:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | KPAO PTER PHUM EAID OIIP PREL CE LTTE |
05COLOMBO1530 | MALDIVES: SOME DEMOCRATIC REFORMS DESPITE TRIAL OF [...] (SBU) Summary: Following the August 12-14 pro-reform demonstrations in Male' (Reftels C and D),as of August 28, 76 persons remained in detention, including opposition leader Mohamed Nasheed. Nasheed, the chairman of the Maldives Democratic Party (MDP),has been charged with one count of ter [...] | 2005-08-31 12:30:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM MV |
05COLOMBO1539 | VIOLENCE IN SRI LANKA'S EAST: SUNSET FOR THE CEASE [...] (SBU) Immediately following Foreign Minister Kadirgamar's assassination (Reftel B),there were few reports of Cease-Fire Agreement (CFA) violations. However, in recent days, there have been a number of such violations in the East. The non-governmental Foundation for Co-Existence (FCE) has r [...] | 2005-09-01 11:30:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PTER PINS CE LTTE |
05COLOMBO1540 | NOW MORE THAN EVER: SLFP OFFICIAL INDICATES PARTY [...] (C) Still unsure of either the election date or whether it can count on support from its former coalition partner, the Sinhalese nationalist Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP),President Chandrika Kumaratunga's Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) will kick off its hurried presidential campaign with a [...] | 2005-09-01 13:01:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV CE |
05COLOMBO1542 | SRI LANKA: NAME, TITLE AND CONTACT NUMBERS FOR [...] (SBU) This message conveys updated contact information for the Sri Lankan Minister of Foreign Affairs. FOREIGN MINISTER LAST NAME: Bandaranaike FIRST/MIDDLE NAMES: Anura CONVENTIONAL USAGE: Foreign Minister Anura Bandaranaike FORMAL TITLE: Minister of Foreign Affairs ( [...] | 2005-09-02 05:12:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PINR PREL CE |
05COLOMBO1547 | SRI LANKAN GOVERNMENT URGES EU TERRORIST [...] (C) In a September 2 meeting, Foreign Secretary H.M.G.S. Palihakkara briefed Charge' on the status of Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) efforts to persuade the European Union to proscribe the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) as a terrorist organization and to review possible funding flows f [...] | 2005-09-02 09:43:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PTER PREL EFIN EAID PGOV CE LTTE |
05COLOMBO1556 | TFUS01: SRI LANKA AND MALDIVES DONATIONS TO [...] Per request reftel, Econchief relayed USG thanks for Sri Lanka's USD 25,000 donation to Ministry of Foreign Affairs. MFA Economic Affairs Director Esala Weerakoon said that Sri Lanka's contribution would be deliverd by Sri Lankan Ambassador to the US Bernard Goonatilake to the American Red Cr [...] | 2005-09-06 11:46:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | AEMR EAID PREL CE MV |
05COLOMBO156 | SRI LANKA - EARTHQUAKE AND TSUNAMIS: [...] As of January 18, according to the Center for National Operations (CNO),the earthquake and tsunamis had killed 30,922 people in Sri Lanka. The U.S. Military hopes to transition water distribution duties in Galle to the Galle Water Board by January 25. The U.S. Military continues to work on [...] | 2005-01-20 10:04:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | EAID AEMR PREL PGOV CE |
05COLOMBO1560 | BRAHIMI TELLS CO-CHAIRS UN NOT OUT TO REPLACE [...] (C) Colombo co-chair representatives (Charge', British DCM Craig, Japanese Ambassador Suda, Norwegian DCM Laegreid, EC Charge' Wilton) met with UNSYG special envoy and former Algerian FM Lakhdar Brahimi September 6 to exchange views on the current situation. Brahimi characterized his visit t [...] | 2005-09-07 04:41:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PTER CE NO UN LTTE |
05COLOMBO1562 | Sri Lanka GSP Child Labor Update [...] PER REF A, BELOW IS AN UPDATE OF WORST FORMS OF CHILD LABOR INFORMATION. THIS REPORT PROVIDES NEW DEVELOPMENTS SINCE THE SUBMISSION OF THE LAST UPDATE IN 2004 (REF B). A DETAILED REPORT WAS SUBMITTED IN 2003 (REF C). A) LAWS AND REGULATIONS PROSCRIBING THE WORST FORMS OF CHILD LABOR. [...] | 2005-09-07 06:03:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | ECON ELAB EIND ETRD PHUM SOCI EAID CE |
05COLOMBO1565 | TFUS01: SRI LANKAN PRIME MINISTER SENDS [...] On September 7 Embassy received a letter of condolence on Hurricane Katrina from Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse to President Bush. The text of the letter follows below. 2. Begin text: 2 September 2005 His Excellency George W. Bush President of the United States of America Excelle [...] | 2005-09-07 09:27:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | OPDC PREL CE |
05COLOMBO157 | GSL AND LTTE CLOSE TO DEAL ON RECONSTRUCTION [...] (C) SUMMARY: GSL hopes Co-Chairs meeting will focus on tsunami reconstruction, not link assistance to peace process. Government and LTTE have held series of talks on formal mechanism for reconstruction, hope to sign MOU soon. END SUMMARY 2. (C) Ambassador met with Sri Lankan Peace Secretar [...] | 2005-01-20 10:48:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL EAID LTTE |
05COLOMBO1592 | AVIAN FLU PREPAREDNESS IN SRI LANKA [...] (SBU) Summary: EconOff met with the Chief Epidemiologist for the Ministry of Health (MOH) as well as an officer working in the Colombo office of the World Health Organization (WHO) regarding reftel. Sri Lankan officials and academics are watching for signs of avian flu and other illnesses wi [...] | 2005-09-09 05:46:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | TBIO ECON PREL SOCI EAGR CE KSTH WHO |
05COLOMBO1594 | INITIAL SRI LANKAN RESPONSE TO INTERNATIONAL [...] No summary [...] | 2005-09-09 06:33:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | KSCA EAGR EAID ECON PREL SOCI TBIO CE |
05COLOMBO16 | TFXO01: SRI LANKA AND MALDIVES, SITREP NO. 7, [...] (SBU) Sri Lankan Needs/Requests: It is becoming increasingly clear that Sri Lanka has an urgent need for engineering expertise, construction equipment and heavy-lift capability to move that equipment for a national reconstruction effort of staggering proportions. On January 3 Margareta Wah [...] | 2005-01-03 11:55:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | AEMR CASC EAID PGOV CE MV |
05COLOMBO1604 | SRI LANKA: TIME FOR CO-CHAIRS TO STAND UP AGAINST [...] (C) The co-chairs will meet in New York at a time when the prospects for tangible progress on the Sri Lanka peace process are underwhelming, especially in the wake of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam's (LTTE) refusal to accept the latest proposal by the Norwegian facilitators for a cease [...] | 2005-09-12 10:27:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PTER PGOV PHUM PREL CE LTTE |
05COLOMBO1605 | PM RAJAPAKSE ASSURES AMBASSADOR ELECTORAL PACT [...] (C) Summary. PM Rajapakse describes his pact with the JVP, which reads as an utter renunciation of the peace process and economic reform, as "just words" and assures the Ambassador of his commitment to peace and his ability to use and control the JVP. We will continue to make the point tha [...] | 2005-09-12 11:01:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV ECON KIRF CE |
05COLOMBO1610 | LTTE CLOSES POLITICAL OFFICES IN [...] (C) SUMMARY: On September 8, Liberation Tamil Tigers of Eelam (LTTE) political leader Thamilchelvan announced the LTTE would close all remaining political offices in government-controlled areas in the wake of the LTTE refusal to hold Cease Fire Agreement (CFA) talks at Colombo airport. The LTT [...] | 2005-09-12 11:55:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM PTER CE LTTE |
05COLOMBO1619 | AUSTRALIANS INVESTIGATE POSSIBLE LTTE ATTEMPT TO [...] (S/NF) We have been advised by the Australian High Commission here in Colombo that it has alerted authorities in Canberra to what appears to be an effort by a front company of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) to purchase a small cargo ship in Australia. Without sharing full detai [...] | 2005-09-13 10:32:00 | Embassy Colombo | SECRET//NOFORN | PTER PINR CVIS EWWT CE AS LTTE |
05COLOMBO1621 | MALDIVES: FORMER DETAINEE-TURNED-CABINET MINISTER [...] (C) In a September 6 meeting with the DCM in Colombo, Maldivian Foreign Minister Dr. Ahmed Shaheed and Finance Minister Qasim Ibrahim each asserted their strong belief in President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom's commitment to democratic reform, citing several recent positive developments, such as the [...] | 2005-09-13 10:46:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM EFIN MV |
05COLOMBO1622 | AVIAN INFLUENZA: MALDIVES AND SRI LANKA POINTS OF [...] Charge raised the points in reftel with Sri Lankan Foreign Secretary Palihakkara on August 24. Palihakkara promised to respond with a point of contact. 2. On September 9, Post received the following name and contact information for Sri Lanka: - Dr. H.M. Fernando Deputy Director Ge [...] | 2005-09-13 10:55:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | TBIO ECON PREL SOCI |
05COLOMBO1639 | SRI LANKA: FIRST BATTLE OF PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN: [...] (C) Summary: Incumbent President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga's angry public reaction to Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) presidential candidate and current Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse's electoral pacts with the Sinhalese nationalist Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) and Jathika Hela [...] | 2005-09-16 06:22:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV CE |
05COLOMBO1644 | TEXTILES AND APPAREL SECTOR UPDATE: SRI [...] Per ref (A),information for Sri Lanka follows: - 2004 2005 - thru - June Total Industrial Prod. (USD MN) 6,889 NA Total text/apparel/leather prd(USD [...] | 2005-09-19 05:45:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | ECON KTEX ETRD EAID CE ECONOMICS |
05COLOMBO1648 | SRI LANKAN PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS SCHEDULED FOR [...] (U) On September 19 Election Commissioner Dayananda Dissanayake announced that presidential elections will be held on November 17. Nominations are to be filed on October 7. So far, only the two largest parties, the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) of incumbent President Chandrika Bandaranaik [...] | 2005-09-19 11:32:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV CE |
05COLOMBO1649 | AVIATION AND MARITIME OFFICERS FOR SRI LANKA AND [...] Post is pleased to provide names of Econ officers who are responsible for aviation and maritime issues, including transportation: - Richard C. Merrin Telephone: (94-11) 244 8007 ext. 2424 Fax: (94-11) 247 1092 Email: MerrinRC@state.gov Expected Departure Date: March 2007 [...] | 2005-09-20 01:59:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | EAIR ECON |
05COLOMBO1654 | SRI LANKA SUPPORTIVE OF EU ON IRAN/IAEA ISSUE [...] (SBU) On September 16 poloff delivered Reftel A demarche to V. Krishnamoorthy, Director of UN and Multilateral Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Poloff followed up on September 20, when Krishnamoorthy responded that the Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) is "waiting to see" whether the m [...] | 2005-09-20 10:21:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL KNNP PARM IR MNUC TRGY CE IAEA |
05COLOMBO1656 | SRI LANKA: TIGERS DETAIN GSL CHILD PROTECTION [...] (U) SUMMARY: Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam's (LTTE) police force detained three special policemen from the Government of Sri Lanka's (GSL) National Child Protection Authority (NCPA) on September 13 after the GSL officers crossed into LTTE-controlled territory in the north while pursuing a [...] | 2005-09-20 11:32:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PHUM PTER KWMN CE LTTE |
05COLOMBO1668 | TEXTILES AND APPAREL SECTOR UPDATE-MALDIVES [...] Per ref (A),information for Maldives follows: 2. The apparel industry in Maldives has disappeared following the expiration of the MFA. The industry was comprised entirely of foreign investors, mostly from Sri Lanka, seeking quota advantages. Most started closing down operations gradually [...] | 2005-09-21 10:43:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | ECON KTEX ETRD EAID MV ECONOMICS |
05COLOMBO1669 | PROSPECTS FOR REFORM DOMINATE DISCUSSIONS IN [...] (SBU) Summary: DCM and Econchief visited Maldives September 14 and 15 and found newly-appointed cabinet members eager to move forward with a bold reform agenda, while members of the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP)continue to regroup following the August 12-13 demonstrations and rel [...] | 2005-09-21 11:10:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PHUM EAID MV |
05COLOMBO1672 | SRI LANKA: SLFP ALLIANCE WITH JVP MAY POLARIZE [...] (SBU) Summary: As the presidential race picks up speed, both the ruling Sri Lanka Freedom Party's (SLFP's) candidate Mahinda Rajapakse and the opposition United National Party's (UNP's) candidate Ranil Wickremesinghe are trying to garner support from smaller political parties. Rajapakse has c [...] | 2005-09-21 12:12:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV CE |
05COLOMBO1680 | MALDIVES: DEMOCRACY STRATEGY [...] (C) Summary: Although Maldives was not listed as a focus country in Reftel A, assisting Maldives in a peaceful transition to multi-party democracy would serve broad USG interests in promoting democracy and advancing human rights. Maldives is a moderate Islamic country where both the government [...] | 2005-09-22 11:40:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV PREL EAID MV |
05COLOMBO1681 | SRI LANKA AND MALDIVES POST-TSUNAMI RECONSTRUCTION [...] This cable is for the first Tsunami Oversight Quarterly Mechanism Meeting 2. Summary: Tsunami reconstruction activity in Sri Lanka continues apace, with improvements in overall coordination, but bottlenecks due primarily to the 100/200 meter ?buffer zone.? There have been recent suggesti [...] | 2005-09-22 11:44:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | EAID ECON PGOV CE MV |
05COLOMBO17 | TFXO01: LTTE PEACE SECRETARIAT HEAD BRIEFED ON [...] (C) On January 2 USAID Mission Director Carol Becker, USAID/OFDA DART leader Bill Berger and poloff met with S. Puleedevan, head of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) Peace Secretariat at the Norwegian Ambassador's residence to explain U.S. disaster relief efforts in Sri Lanka. The [...] | 2005-01-03 12:27:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PTER EAID AEMR CE LTTE |
05COLOMBO1705 | TSUNAMI RELIEF CORRUPTION CHARGES BY AUDITOR [...] (SBU) Summary: On 7 September, Sri Lanka?s Auditor General (AG) issued a report to the Parliament based on an audit of work done by various Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) agencies, as well as district and local government offices in response to the December 26 Indian Ocean Tsunami. The AG?s re [...] | 2005-09-28 11:06:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EAID ECON PGOV CE |
05COLOMBO1714 | Special Media Reaction: E.U. Ban on LTTE Travel [...] (U) Summary: The Sri Lankan media reacted strongly to the European Union's travel ban on the LTTE. Mainstream and Sinhala nationalist media led with news of the ban, praising the move and speculating the decision could lead quickly to the EU's designation of the LTTE as a Foreign Terrorist Or [...] | 2005-09-29 10:40:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PHUM KPAO PTER OIIP PREL CE LTTE |
05COLOMBO1716 | MALDIVIAN DEMOCRATIC REFORMS: PROGRESS PLODDING [...] (C) During a September 25-27 visit to Maldives as part of the first US-Maldives Friendship Week (septel),Ambassador met Government of Republic of Maldives (GORM) representatives, including President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, and opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) leaders to discuss the [...] | 2005-09-29 11:52:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM EAID MV |
05COLOMBO1730 | SRI LANKA FREEDOM PARTY INTERNAL BATTLE LINES [...] (SBU) With the September 27 return of President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga from abroad, the internal battle lines within the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) are hardening, with the first major confrontation--the contents of the party manifesto--likely to occur during the Central Commi [...] | 2005-09-30 06:54:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV CE |
05COLOMBO1739 | SRI LANKAN DAILY REPORTS GOVERNMENT TO DROP [...] (U) The headlines of the October 3 edition of the English language Daily Mirror, quoting an unnamed "top US State Department official," reported the Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) had agreed to hold off on anti-conversion legislation because of US pressure. According to the article, written by [...] | 2005-10-03 10:10:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PREL PGOV KPAO CE |
05COLOMBO1757 | SRI LANKA: MINORITY HEAVYWEIGHTS COME OUT FOR [...] (U) At separate press conferences on October 5 Ceylon Workers Congress (CWC) head Arumugam Thondaman and Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) leader Rauff Hakeem announced their parties' support for United National Party (UNP) presidential candidate Ranil Wickremesinghe. The CWC accompanied its [...] | 2005-10-05 11:50:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV CE |
05COLOMBO1779 | SRI LANKA FREEDOM PARTY PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN: [...] (C) With his electoral pacts with the Marxist/nationalist Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) and Buddhist nationalist Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU),Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) presidential candidate Mahinda Rajapakse appears to be trying to steer his party away from the political center favored [...] | 2005-10-11 06:40:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV CE |
05COLOMBO1789 | AFGHANISTAN'S INCLUSION INTO SAARC [...] No summary [...] | 2005-10-11 09:44:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV ECON XD CE |
05COLOMBO1795 | Post-Tsunami Housing Update: Sri Lanka and [...] This cable is in response to reftel. 2. Summary: Overall, the housing process is going well in Sri Lanka and Maldives, with the recent announcement of relaxed buffer zone requirements in Sri Lanka possibly improving the outlook for construction of additional permanent housing. All IDPs w [...] | 2005-10-12 08:27:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | EAID ECON PGOV CE MV |
05COLOMBO1800 | AMBUSH ON LTTE LEADERS IN EASTERN SRI LANKA [...] (C) Summary: In Batticaloa district, in eastern Sri Lanka, on October 10, suspected Karuna faction gunmen, ambushed a convoy carrying the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) district military head and intelligence head. The attack reportedly left four dead and seven wounded. At the requ [...] | 2005-10-13 01:55:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM PTER CE LTTE |
05COLOMBO1809 | SRI LANKA'S ELECTION: ECONOMIC ISSUES KEY FOR [...] (SBU) Summary: In late September, Poloff and Pol FSN visited south and central Sri Lanka to meet politicians and civil society leaders and discuss the November 17 Presidential election. Most interlocutors agreed that for Ratnapura, Badulla, and Moneragela districts, employment, welfare, and a [...] | 2005-10-17 02:00:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV ECON CE |
05COLOMBO181 | MALDIVES: REFORM CANDIDATES MAKE GAINS AS POLLS [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: With one exception, polls to elect representatives to the People's Majlis, or Parliament, closed throughout this island nation on January 22. Although counting continues, preliminary results indicate a solid showing for pro-reform candidates, with the Presidential Spokesman [...] | 2005-01-24 08:58:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PHUM MV |
05COLOMBO1812 | CONTINUED IMPROVEMENT IN SRI LANKA?S GROWTH, [...] (U) Summary: Since the last economic update (reftel),the Central Bank of Sri Lanka has released second quarter GDP data which shows a 6 percent annualized growth rate in the second quarter. The growth rate for the first half of 2005 is estimated at 5.1 percent. Exports have also been a s [...] | 2005-10-17 10:54:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON EFIN CE |
05COLOMBO1814 | FIRST US-MALDIVES FRIENDSHIP WEEK A SUCCESS [...] (SBU) Summary: The first-ever US-Maldives Friendship Week ("Friendship Week") which took place on September 23-28 furthered the Mission Performance Plan (MPP) goal of stable and secure partners worldwide and enhanced bilateral ties in the political, economic, cultural and security realms. Bu [...] | 2005-10-17 11:13:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON EAID EIND ETRD PGOV PHUM KPAO OIIP PREL MV |
05COLOMBO1817 | Public Diplomacy Programs Enrich First U.S. - Maldives [...] (U) SUMMARY: Post's public diplomacy programs formed a large part of the first annual U.S.- Maldives Friendship Week September 25 through September 28. In addition to a trade show organized by the Economic/Commercial Section, PD organized the signing of the first Ambassador's Fund for Cultur [...] | 2005-10-18 02:02:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | PHUM KPAO OIIP OEXC OPRC PREL SCUL |
05COLOMBO1822 | SRI LANKA SEEKS CONSENSUS IN OPPOSING ANTI-ISRAEL [...] No summary [...] | 2005-10-18 11:18:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | IS PREL CE UNGA |
05COLOMBO1823 | GORM INDIRECTLY TARGETS OPPOSITION NEWSPAPER STAFF [...] (C) Summary: In a perceived crackdown on an opposition newspaper, police in Male detained two popular columnists for "Minivan" on October 13 on charges unrelated to journalism. Mohamed Nasheed and Ablo Saeed were summoned to the police station and detained on respective charges of "instigating [...] | 2005-10-18 11:19:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV PREL MV |
05COLOMBO1824 | MALDIVES: OPPOSITION FIGURE'S DAUGHTER SENTENCED [...] (U) Jennifer Latheef, daughter of Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) Spokesman Mohamed Latheef, was sentenced by the Criminal Court on October 18 to 10 years in prison on terrorism charges. The charges stemmed from Jennifer's participation in a September 2003 demonstration in Male' protesting [...] | 2005-10-18 11:49:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM MV |
05COLOMBO1830 | SNAPSHOTS FROM TRINCOMALEE [...] (C) SUMMARY: On October 19, the Ambassador traveled to the eastern district of Trincomalee for a a series of meetings with the Sri Lankan Army (SLA),Trincomalee Government Agent (GA) K.G. Leelananda, Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) and an NGO roundtable hosted by USAID. Interlocutors said [...] | 2005-10-20 11:56:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PTER PHUM LTTE |
05COLOMBO1831 | SRI LANKAN ELECTION SURVEY REVEALS GREATER VOTER [...] (C) Summary: Results of recent polls indicate that a cross-section of Sri Lankans have greater confidence in the opposition United National Party's (UNP) ability to control the cost of living and negotiate a peace agreement with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE),the two most import [...] | 2005-10-20 11:56:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV CE |
05COLOMBO1832 | SRI LANKA: PRO-LTTE MP INDICATES CONCERN AT [...] (SBU) On October 19 poloff met in Colombo with Pathmini Sithamparanathan, Tamil National Alliance (TNA) MP from Jaffna, and her husband, Professor K. Shivakumaran, who teaches drama at Jaffna University. The couple told poloff they were in the capital to meet with a number of "Sinhalese frie [...] | 2005-10-20 12:00:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PTER PHUM CE |
05COLOMBO1837 | TWO ENVOYS MAKE LITTLE PROGRESS ON HUMAN RIGHTS [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: Former Amnesty International head Ian Martin found the GSL eager to inject a human rights component into the peace process, but the LTTE rejected any discussion of human rights until after talks on the cease-fire had resumed. Former Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission head General (re [...] | 2005-10-21 06:31:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PTER PGOV PHUM PREL CE LTTE |
05COLOMBO1841 | TWO ENVOYS MAKE LITTLE PROGRESS ON HUMAN RIGHTS [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: Former Amnesty International head Ian Martin found the GSL eager to inject a human rights component into the peace process, but the LTTE rejected any discussion of human rights until after talks on the cease-fire had resumed. Former Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission head General (re [...] | 2005-10-24 10:31:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PTER PGOV PHUM PREL CE LTTE |
05COLOMBO1842 | SRI LANKA WILL URGE EU TO MATCH AMBITIOUS US [...] No summary [...] | 2005-10-24 10:43:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | EAGR ETRD CE |
05COLOMBO1843 | COUNTRY CLEARANCE FOR RAMAKRISHNA ?RAMKI? UPPULURI, [...] Post grants country clearance to Ramakrishna "Ramki" Uppuluri during the period November 15-19, 2005. Embassy control officer is Craig A. Zimmerman, office telephone number 94-11-244-8007, extension 2401, home telephone number 94-11-258-5337. 2. Reservations have been made at The Colombo P [...] | 2005-10-25 05:53:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | AINF PGOV PINR OTRA TW NP |
05COLOMBO1853 | SRI LANKA: PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES DIVERGE ON [...] (C) The two main candidates in Sri Lanka's November 17 presidential election offer radically different approaches to the peace process and the economy. Prime Minister and Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) candidate Mahinda Rajapakse is stepping back from a previous Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) [...] | 2005-10-26 11:47:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV CE LTTE |
05COLOMBO1858 | AMBASSADOR'S CALL ON PRESIDENT KUMARATUNGA: THE [...] (C) I met with President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga one-on-one late in the evening of October 26. As Kumaratunga appeared from a Cabinet meeting, I commented that she looked tired from the campaign. "Not tired," she said, "frustrated." She then launched into criticism of Prime Minis [...] | 2005-10-27 09:35:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL CE |
05COLOMBO1859 | SRI LANKA: CO-CHAIRS PREVIEW POSSIBLE ROLE [...] (C) On October 25 the Ambassador convened a meeting of Heads of Mission of the co-chairs of the 2003 Tokyo Conference on Reconstruction and Development of Sri Lanka to reassess the co-chairs' role in the wake of developments over the past two years. Pointing out that many of their original o [...] | 2005-10-27 10:19:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PTER PGOV PREL CE |
05COLOMBO1860 | COLOMBO TERRORISM FINANCE COORDINATION OFFICER [...] No summary [...] | 2005-10-27 11:02:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | EFIN ETTC KVPR PREL PTER KTFN CE LTTE |
05COLOMBO1862 | PUTTALAM DISTRICT GEARS UP FOR CLOSE ELECTION [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: During a recent poloff visit to Puttalam district on Sri Lanka's west coast, government officials described a calm, if rather apathetic, polity and a well-practiced electoral mechanism. Catholics in the area are expected to support United National Party (UNP) opposition candid [...] | 2005-10-27 11:21:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN | PGOV CE |
05COLOMBO1864 | DEMARCHE - IRANIAN PRESIDENT'S INCREASING EXTREMISM [...] (SBU) The Ambassador raised reftel points on Ahmadi-Nejad's October 25 remarks on wiping Israel off the map with Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Anura Bandanaraike during an October 28 conversation (other subjects reported septel). Bandanaraike was not familiar with the Iranian president's spe [...] | 2005-10-28 07:23:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PTER PHUM CE IR IAEA |
05COLOMBO1866 | SRI LANKA'S DIVERSE CENTRAL PROVINCE [...] (C) Summary: On Poloff's October 23-26 trip to Sri Lanka's Central Province, interlocutors in the three districts of Nuwara Eliya, Kandy and Matale indicated that United National Party (UNP) candidate Ranil Wickremesinghe was slightly ahead of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party's (SLFP) Mahinda Ra [...] | 2005-10-28 08:15:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV CE |
05COLOMBO1867 | PRESIDENTIAL PLATFORMS HIGHLIGHT STARK ECONOMIC [...] (C) Summary: The Sri Lanka presidential candidates have released their election "manifestos" (platforms). Both have clearly learned the lessons of the April 2004 parliamentary elections, in which the rural vote proved decisive, and have included significant benefit increases for the rural sect [...] | 2005-10-28 08:15:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | EAGR ECON ETRD PGOV PREL CE |
05COLOMBO1868 | FOREIGN MINISTER STICKS UP FOR HIS SISTER, SLAMS [...] (C) Summary. Sri Lankan Foreign Minister (and brother of President Kumaratunga) Anura Bandaranaike told the Ambassador he is contemptuous of SLFP Presidential candidate Mahinda Rajapakse's alliance with the Marxist JVP, will not campaign very hard on Rajapakse's behalf and is not at all sur [...] | 2005-10-31 04:06:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL KIRF CE MV |
05COLOMBO187 | NORWEGIAN AMBASSADOR BRIEFS COLOMBO CO-CHAIRS ON [...] (C) Summary. The Norwegian delegation headed by Foreign Minister Petersen made progress in working out an LTTE/GSL tsunami coordination mechanism although the deal is not final. Norwegian Ambassador Brattskar, who has been facilitating the discussions, is encouraged. Colombo co- chair rep [...] | 2005-01-25 04:24:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PTER PHUM EAID CE LTTE |
05COLOMBO1870 | REQUEST FOR RESETTLEMENT ASSISTANCE OF CERTAIN [...] No summary [...] | 2005-10-31 06:34:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | MOPS PREL PTER KAWC PHUM PREF PINR MV |
05COLOMBO1875 | PRE-ELECTION VIEW FROM THE SRI LANKAN FRONT LINE: [...] (C/NF) During a mid-October trip to the Sri Lankan Army (SLA) Headquarters near the front lines, interlocutors from Vavuniya said the situation there and at the Omanthai Entry/Exit Point demarcating Tiger-controlled territory was relatively calm, but expressed concern at continued ceasefire vi [...] | 2005-10-31 09:21:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN | PGOV PINS PTER CE |
05COLOMBO1877 | MALDIVES: IRANIAN PRESIDENT'S EXTREMISM [...] No summary [...] | 2005-10-31 11:00:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL PTER PHUM IR MV |
05COLOMBO1878 | MALDIVIAN FOREIGN MINISTER HERALDS BEGINNING OF [...] (C) Maldivian Foreign Minister Dr. Ahmed Shaheed, accompanied by Deputy Foreign Minister Aminath Didi and Maldivian High Commissioner Dr. Mohamed Asim, called on the Ambassador in Colombo October 31 to offer the Government of Maldives' (GORM) side of recent events in the country, including th [...] | 2005-10-31 11:17:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM MV |
05COLOMBO1879 | TIGERS BAG ANOTHER INTELLIGENCE OFFICER WHILE [...] (C) On the evening of October 29, an assassin shot and killed Sri Lankan Army (SLA) LTCOL T.R. Meedin as the officer sat in his car. This killing follows the May 31 murder of another high ranking Tamil speaking intelligence officer MAJ T.N. Muthalif. Police arrested four suspects on Octobe [...] | 2005-10-31 11:18:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PTER CE LTTE |
05COLOMBO188 | SRI LANKA - EARTHQUAKE AND TSUNAMIS: USAID/DART [...] As of January 24, according to the Center for National Operations (CNO),the earthquake and tsunamis had killed 30,957 people in Sri Lanka. The U.S. Military plans to complete school debris clearing and latrine building by January 24, and water distributions will end on January 23. Sanitatio [...] | 2005-01-25 08:13:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | EAID AEMR PREL PGOV CE |
05COLOMBO1881 | MALDIVES WILL CO-SPONSOR HOLOCAUST REMEMBRANCE [...] No summary [...] | 2005-11-01 06:39:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL IS MV UNGA |
05COLOMBO1882 | SRI LANKA WILL SUPPORT JUDGE BUERGENTHAL'S [...] No summary [...] | 2005-11-01 06:52:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL CE UNGA |
05COLOMBO1883 | PRE-ELECTION PERSPECTIVES FROM KURUNEGALA, [...] (U) Summary. Poloff and Pol FSN met on October 25-27 with community members in Kurunegala district in North Western province, Polonnaruwa district in North Central province, and Trincomalee district in Eastern province to discuss the political climate in the weeks before the November 17 pre [...] | 2005-11-01 09:37:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM PTER CE |
05COLOMBO189 | SRI LANKA - EARTHQUAKE AND TSUNAMIS: USAID/DART [...] As of January 24, according to the Center for National Operations (CNO),the earthquake and tsunamis had killed 30,957 people. The U.S. Military is starting to move equipment and personnel from Galle to Colombo. The Galle local government and the Galle Water Board are taking over responsibi [...] | 2005-01-25 08:23:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | EAID AEMR PREL PGOV CE |
05COLOMBO1891 | SRI LANKA FREEDOM PARTY COUNTING ON MUSLIM VOTE [...] (C) Campaign strategists for Prime Minister and Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) presidential candidate Mahinda Rajapakse told poloff in an October 27 meeting they were confident that votes from supporters of the Sinhalese extremist Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU) and the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (S [...] | 2005-11-01 12:06:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV CE |
05COLOMBO1898 | Government approves tourism reforms [...] Summary: The Sri Lankan Parliament recently approved a key piece of legislation to reform the tourist sector. The new law seeks to reduce government control over the tourism industry and infuse private sector involvement in the tourism regulatory and promotion bodies. The USAID- sponsored [...] | 2005-11-02 11:12:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | ECON CE ECONOMICS |
05COLOMBO1899 | SRI LANKA SEES POTENTIAL FOR SAFTA, BUT HEDGING [...] (C) Summary: During a wide ranging discussion with Econchief, Sri Lankan Commerce Ministry Director General K.N. Weerasinghe (Note: Weerasinghe is Sri Lanka's senior-most career trade official) said that a successful conclusion to the South Asia Free Trade Agreement (SAFTA) talks was close, bu [...] | 2005-11-03 03:48:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | ETRD ECON CE ECONOMICS |
05COLOMBO1912 | FOREIGN MINISTER ANURA BANDARANAIKE ON "WHEN RANIL [...] (C) When I met Foreign Minister Anura Bandaranaike on October 28 (reftel),he said that he wanted to get together before the Presidential election for a one-on-one chat, "without all these people (pointing to the notetakers) around." On November 7 we had that meeting over lunch at his offici [...] | 2005-11-07 09:37:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PTER PGOV PHUM PREL CE |
05COLOMBO1919 | CULTURALLY SENSITIVE RICE SECTOR A KEY CAMPAIGN ISSUE [...] Summary. Rice is Sri Lanka's most important agricultural crop in terms of area cultivated, production and rural employment (approximately 1.8 million farmer families depend on rice for their livelihood). Rice production contributes 4 percent of the country's GDP and around 850,000 hectares are [...] | 2005-11-08 02:10:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | ECON EAGR CE ECONOMICS |
05COLOMBO192 | UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT PROMOTION OF HUMAN RIGHTS [...] Per Reftel, Mission submits the draft report on Supporting Human Rights and Democracy in Maldives. Begin text. In 2004, Maldives President Gayoom, head of the parliamentary-style government, began a process to strengthen democracy and introduce political reforms. His commitment to refor [...] | 2005-01-25 09:59:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | PHUM ELAB KDEM KSEP PGOV PREL MV |
05COLOMBO1929 | SRI LANKA: IMPLICATIONS OF PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION [...] (C) -- The distinct approaches to the peace process adopted by the two main candidates in the run-up to Sri Lanka's November 17 presidential election pose different challenges for members of the international community, including the U.S., who hope to promote a permanent resolution of the eth [...] | 2005-11-09 11:06:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PTER PREL CE LTTE |
05COLOMBO193 | UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT PROMOTION OF HUMAN RIGHTS [...] Per Reftel, Mission submits the draft report on Supporting Human Rights and Democracy in Sri Lanka. Begin text. Sri Lanka is a longstanding democratic republic with an active multiparty system. For more than 20 years, Sri Lanka has struggled with an internal war between the Sri Lankan go [...] | 2005-01-25 10:00:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | PHUM ELAB KDEM KSEP PGOV PREL CE |
05COLOMBO1930 | Suspected LTTE suicide bomber surrenders at U.S. [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: On November 7, 2005 an individual claiming to be an LTTE suicide bomber came to AmEmbassy Colombo and requested asylum. After an interview to determine that there was no threat or information involving U.S. facilities or personnel he was given into the custody of the police. Th [...] | 2005-11-09 11:32:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ASEC PTER CE LTTE |
05COLOMBO1935 | PROPOSED SRI LANKA 2006 BUDGET DEAD ON ARRIVAL [...] (SBU) Summary: Finance Minister Sarath Amunugama (Amunugama) presented a 2006 budget proposal of the current Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) to a less-than-packed Parliament on November 8, just 10 days before presidential elections. The main opposition United National Party (UNP) and its alli [...] | 2005-11-10 10:15:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON ETRD EFIN CE ECONOMICS |
05COLOMBO1940 | AS ELECTION APPROACHES, AMPARA RESIDENTS ASK: [...] (U) Summary: The district government in the Muslim-majority East coast district of Ampara appears to have logistics for the November 17 presidential election in order. Community members feel that Tamils in the district are not taking the election seriously enough. Tamils are unconvinced t [...] | 2005-11-14 11:11:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM CE LTTE |
05COLOMBO1943 | LTTE DISCOURAGES TAMILS FROM VOTING, BLOW TO [...] (U) SUMMARY: Ending weeks of speculation about the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) stance in the November 17 presidential election, the LTTE met late on November 10 with their Tamil National Alliance (TNA) proxies in Kilinochchi and announced that the Tamil people would "not benefit f [...] | 2005-11-14 12:42:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PTER CE LTTE |
05COLOMBO1951 | SRI LANKA: SUGGESTED U.S. STATEMENT ON THE [...] (SBU) This message conveys Embassy's suggestions for a statement by the Department Spokesman after the November 17 presidential election. Two versions are provided: one for suggested use in the event of a generally free and fair election and another for suggested use in the event of an elect [...] | 2005-11-15 11:58:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL PGOV PHUM KPAO CE |
05COLOMBO1953 | MIXED MESSAGES FROM MALDIVES: GOVERNMENT MOVES [...] (C) During a November 9-11 visit by polcouns and Sri Lanka/Maldives Desk Officer Molly Gower to Maldives, discussions with government and opposition figures revealed a now-familiar mix of signs of progress--if intermittent and faltering--toward democratic reform, along with some disturbing in [...] | 2005-11-15 12:28:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM MV |
05COLOMBO1954 | SRI LANKA OFFERS CONTINUED SUPPORT FOR ADDITIONAL [...] No summary [...] | 2005-11-16 05:36:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | AORC PHUM PREF PREL CE |
05COLOMBO1958 | MALDIVES TRADE EXHIBITION FOR HOSPITALITY [...] A HOTEL AND TRADE EXHIBITION WILL BE HELD IN THE REPUBLIC OF MALDIVES DECEMBER 14-15. THIS EXHIBITION REPORTEDLY COULD PROVIDE EXCELLENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR VENDORS OF SUPPLIES AND SERVICES NEEDED FOR THE CONSTRUCTION AND FURBISHING OF 12 NEW RESORTS IN THIS ISLAND NATION. 2. TOUTED AS TH [...] | 2005-11-16 11:04:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | BTIO MV ECONOMICS |
05COLOMBO1960 | MESSAGE FOR PRESIDENT BUSH FROM MALDIVIAN PRESIDENT [...] ON NOVEMBER 16, 2005, THE EMBASSY RECEIVED VIA FAX A DIPLOMATIC NOTE WITH THE FOLLOWING MESSAGE, ADDRESSED TO PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH FROM MALDIVIAN PRESIDENT MAUMOON ABDUL GAYOOM. BEGIN TEXT: MALE 09 NOVEMBER 2005 HIS EXCELLENCY MR. GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF [...] | 2005-11-16 11:05:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | OPDC PREL MV |
05COLOMBO1965 | SRI LANKA: BOTH SIDES CONFIDENT, CALCULATING WIN [...] (C) One day before the presidential election campaign insiders for both major candidates remained confident of claiming a decisive, if narrow, victory. Strategists for Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) candidate Mahinda Rajapakse seem sure that their contender will clinch a significant slice of [...] | 2005-11-16 11:30:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PTER CE |
05COLOMBO1969 | CHANDRIKA BIDS FAREWELL [...] (C) Outgoing Sri Lankan President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga (CBK) hosted a dinner for the diplomatic corps on November 16, the evening before the election which would determine her successor. About 100 guests--the entire diplomatic corps, including multilateral and UN agency heads, [...] | 2005-11-17 08:56:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL CE LTTE |
05COLOMBO1971 | SRI LANKA: POLLING PEACEFUL; TIGER INTIMIDATION [...] (SBU) As of mid-day on November 17, voting in the presidential election was proceeding peacefully in the central and southern parts of the country. Virtually no voters had crossed from territory controlled by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in the north and east to cast their ba [...] | 2005-11-17 11:02:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PTER CE |
05COLOMBO1974 | US INTERESTS AFTER THE SRI LANKAN PRESIDENTIAL [...] (C) How is the apparent victory of Mahinda Rajapakse likely to affect US interests in Sri Lanka? We define our overriding interests here quite simply: Peace and Prosperity. Peace because a successful peace process will mean the end of terrorism by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) [...] | 2005-11-18 07:44:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV ECON EAID PTER US CE LTTE |
05COLOMBO1975 | SRI LANKA: PM RAJAPAKSE WINS PRESIDENCY IN CLOSE [...] On November 18, Election Commissioner Dayananada Dissanayake announced that Prime Minister and Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) candidate Mahinda Rajapakse won Sri Lanka's November 17 presidential election with a mere 50.3 percent of the total vote. The deciding factor in the election was a Tam [...] | 2005-11-18 09:18:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PTER PHUM CE LTTE |
05COLOMBO1979 | SRI LANKA: PRESIDENT RAJAPAKSE SOUNDS MODERATE [...] (C) On November 19 Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse took the oath of office as the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka's fifth Executive President. Following the swearing-in ceremony, Rajapakse addressed the nation listing his objectives of averting war, supporting the Cease Fire Agre [...] | 2005-11-21 11:08:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM PTER KIRF CE |
05COLOMBO1981 | SRI LANKA: BIOGRAPHIC INFORMATION ON PRESIDENT [...] (SBU) Percy Mahendra (aka "Mahinda") Rajapakse was sworn in as Sri Lanka's fifth President on November 18, 2005--his 60th birthday. Like his predecessor and rival Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga, Rajapakse has the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) in his blood, with his father, D.A. Rajapakse [...] | 2005-11-21 11:59:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PINR PGOV CE |
05COLOMBO1982 | HAWKISH RATNASIRI WICKREMANAYAKE APPOINTED PRIME [...] (C) Summary. New Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickremanayake, a Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) hard-liner and long-time loyalist of former President Chandrika Kumaratunga, is a controversial politician unlikely to foster the broad consensus new President Mahinda Rajapakse, with his narrow margi [...] | 2005-11-21 12:09:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PINR CE |
05COLOMBO1988 | SRI LANKA: OPPOSITION LEADER'S VIEWS ON LOST [...] Summary: On November 22, the Ambassador met with Ranil Wickremesinghe, leader of the opposition United National Party (UNP) and unsuccessful candidate in the November 17 presidential election by a margin of under 200,000 votes. Wickremesinghe expressed surprise that the Liberation Tigers of T [...] | 2005-11-22 11:29:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PTER CE LTTE |
05COLOMBO1991 | SRI LANKA WILL TRY TO BE HELPFUL AT IAEA BOARD [...] (C) Ambassador spoke to Foreign Secretary Palihakkara November 23 regarding upcoming IAEA Board meeting, explaining our decision not to seek referral of Iran to the UNSC at this time and also our desire that this not be seen as an endorsement of Iran's behavior. Palihakkara said that he unde [...] | 2005-11-23 09:32:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | KNNP PARM PREL IR EU AORC IAEA |
05COLOMBO1992 | AVIAN AND PANDEMIC INFLUENZA INFORMATION - SRI [...] (U) THIS IS THE SECOND CABLE REPORTING ON PREPARATIONS UNDERWAY TO PREVENT A HIGHLY PATHENOGENIC AVIAN INFLUENZA (HPAI) IN SRI LANKA (REF A) AND RESPONDS TO REF B QUESTIONS REGARDING SRI LANKA'S EFFORTS TO CONTROL AVIAN FLU AND ITS CAPABILITY TO RESPOND TO AN INFLUENZA PANDEMIC. PREPAREDNES [...] | 2005-11-23 10:13:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | TBIO ECON PREL SOCI EAGR CASC CE KSTH WHO |
05COLOMBO1993 | SRI LANKA: AVIAN FLU TRIPWIRES [...] US EMBASSY COLOMBO'S TRIPWIRES AND POSSIBLE ACTIONS FOR VARIOUS AVIAN INFLUENZA (AI) SCENARIOS WERE PREPARED BY POST'S AVIAN INFLUENZA WORKING GROUP (AIWG) AND HAVE BEEN APPROVED BY THE EMERGENCY ACTION COMMITTEE (EAC). WE INVITE AND WELCOME FEEDBACK FROM RELEVANT OFFICES AND AGENCIES WITH EX [...] | 2005-11-23 10:42:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | AMED AMGT CASC EAGR TBIO ECON CE |
05COLOMBO1994 | BIOGRAPHIC INFORMATION ON NEW FOREIGN MINISTER [...] (U) On November 23 President Mahinda Rajapakse appointed a 25-member Cabinet that retained many Ministers in the posts they held during former President Chandrika Kumaratunga's administration (septel). Among the few changes made, however, was the appointment of Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) [...] | 2005-11-23 10:43:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PINR PGOV PREL CE |
05COLOMBO1995 | ECONOMIC ADVISOR SUGGESTS RAJAPAKSE WILL HOLD FINANCE [...] (C) Summary: During a November 22 meeting with Econchief, Senior Advisor to President Rajapakse, Nivaad Cabral (a long-time Embassy contact) said that the President will retain the Finance Ministry portfolio and that the new budget would be presented sometime next week. The budget will largel [...] | 2005-11-23 10:45:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON ETRD EAID CE |
05COLOMBO1998 | PRESIDENT RAJAPAKSE APPOINTS SLIMMER CABINET [...] (C) Summary. President Mahinda Rajapakse appointed his cabinet on November 23, delayed reportedly because of several days of debate about who should control which portfolios. With 25 ministers, the new cabinet is slimmer than in the previous administration, with one notable deletion being s [...] | 2005-11-23 11:44:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PINR CE |
05COLOMBO2000 | SRI LANKA: SUSPECTED TIGERS ATTACK US-DONATED [...] (SBU) Fredrik Palsson, Chief of Party for RONCO, the contractor for the US-funded humanitarian demining program, contacted poloff the morning of November 25 to report that at about 7:45 p.m. the previous evening in the Point Pedro area of Jaffna suspected Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTT [...] | 2005-11-25 06:38:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PTER MOPS EAID CE LTTE |
05COLOMBO2003 | CONFIDENT PRESIDENT VOWS TO MOVE FORWARD ON PEACE [...] (C) Summary. President Rajapakse told the Ambassador he is committed to maintaining historically close ties with the United States and welcomes co-chair involvement in the peace process. There is a role for an "independent and balanced" Norway although they should not head the SLMM in Rajap [...] | 2005-11-28 06:02:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV ECON KIRF EAID CE LTTE |
05COLOMBO2007 | NEW PRIME MINISTER SEES HOPE FOR PEACE [...] (C) Summary. New Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickremanayake reacted with optimism to LTTE leader Prabhakaran's November 27 Heroes' Day speech, said that a return to war is not an option and expressed appreciation for U.S. military assistance. He said the anti-conversion bill will not come back [...] | 2005-11-28 08:47:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV KIRF MASS EAID CE LTTE |
05COLOMBO2008 | SRI LANKA: TIGER LEADER'S ANNUAL MESSAGE GIVES [...] (C) Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) leader Velupillai Prabhakaran's annual Heroes' Day speech on November 27, while less belligerent than many had feared, put the new government of President Mahinda Rajapaksa on notice that it must "come forward soon with a reasonable political framew [...] | 2005-11-28 11:26:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PTER PGOV CE LTTE |
05COLOMBO2014 | Special Media Reaction: LTTE Leader Vellupillai [...] (SBU) Summary: Following LTTE leader V. Prabhakaran's annual Heroes' Day speech on November 27(reftel),Sri Lankan television and newspapers on November 28 and 29 focused on the future of the peace process with a renewed sense of hope and pragmatism. In response to the election of President [...] | 2005-11-29 11:07:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PHUM KPAO PTER EAID OIIP PREL CE LTTE |
05COLOMBO2017 | SRI LANKA: PRESIDENT'S PUBLIC STATEMENTS OFFER [...] (C) In public statements made since his November 17 election, President Mahinda Rajapaksa has offered few concrete details into how he plans to realize his oft-stated goal of achieving a political resolution to the conflict with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). In particular, how [...] | 2005-11-29 11:42:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER CE LTTE |
05COLOMBO2025 | MALDIVES: PLODDING PROGRESS ON THE PATH TO REFORM [...] (U) Summary: The Government of the Republic of Maldives (GORM) is attempting to move forward with media and judicial reforms with bills in the People's Majlis (parliament) to create a freer press and the formation of a new Judicial Services Commission. However, the Maldives Human Rights Comm [...] | 2005-12-01 08:11:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV MV |
05COLOMBO2026 | WTO DOHA ROUND - AMBASSADOR RAISES US CONCERNS [...] (C) Summary: Ambassador raised reftel WTO points with Trade Minister Fernandopulle on November 29 and Econchief has passed same points to representatives from the Finance Ministry and members of influential private sector groups. Minister Fernadopulle is not well-versed on the issues set to a [...] | 2005-12-01 10:50:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | KIRC KPAO EAGR ECON ETRD OIIP CE ECONOMICS |
05COLOMBO2038 | MALDIVES: PROPOSED LETTER FROM SECRETARY TO [...] (U) This is an action request. Please see para 2. 2. (SBU) Maldives has made some progress in implementing democratic reforms, but significant problems, including limitations on the opposition and on pro-opposition media, as detailed in Reftels B and C, remain. The Maldives is a moderate, [...] | 2005-12-05 10:11:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL PGOV PHUM MV |
05COLOMBO2040 | SRI LANKA: BODY COUNT MOUNTS IN NORTH AND EAST [...] (C) Violence intensified in the north and east over the past week, culminating in a Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) attack December 4 on a Sri Lanka Army (SLA) vehicle in Jaffna that resulted in the highest number of Army casualties in a single incident since the beginning of the Ceas [...] | 2005-12-05 12:39:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PTER PGOV PINS CE LTTE |
05COLOMBO2042 | NEW FOREIGN MINISTER EAGER TO MAINTAIN CLOSE U.S. [...] (C) Summary. New Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera said the GSL has proposed CFA talks to the LTTE via the Norwegian facilitators and would be flexible on the location of those talks. The landmine killings of soldiers in Jaffna make such talks especially urgent. The FM outlin [...] | 2005-12-06 10:04:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PTER CE LTTE |
05COLOMBO205 | GAINING BROAD CONSENSUS ON A TIMETABLE FOR THE [...] (C) We appreciate the opportunity to clarify the situation regarding the withdrawal of the Combined Support Group - Sri Lanka (CSG-SL) which, as noted in reftels, will occur around the end of January. As we noted in Ref B, the CSG-SL performance in both Sri Lanka and Maldives has been supe [...] | 2005-01-26 09:21:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN | EAID ECON CE MV |
05COLOMBO2056 | Special Media Reaction: Department's Statement on [...] (U) Summary: Sri Lankan Media commented widely on the statement issued Monday, December 5, by Deputy Spokesman Adam Ereli condemning persistent violations of the cease- fire agreement (CFA),in particular the December 4 LTTE landmine attacks in Jaffna. The English-language and Sinhala media c [...] | 2005-12-07 11:17:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | PHUM KPAO PTER EAID OIIP PREL CE LTTE |
05COLOMBO2058 | LTTE STRIKES AGAIN IN THE NORTH, SITUATION TENSE [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: Tensions remain high in the North and East of Sri Lanka following a second Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) attack on December 6 that killed seven in Jaffna, and the murder of two Muslim fishermen in Ampara also blamed on the LTTE. New Army Commander Fonseka told a pres [...] | 2005-12-07 11:28:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PTER PGOV CASC CE LTTE |
05COLOMBO2059 | SRI LANKA: UN RAPPORTEUR, AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL [...] (C) Overlapping visits by Amnesty International (AI) Secretary General Irene Khan and UN Special Rapporteur on SIPDIS Extrajudicial, Summary and Arbitrary Killings Philip Alston during the first week of December focused on continuing political assassinations and the danger they pose to the [...] | 2005-12-07 12:13:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PTER PGOV CE LTTE |
05COLOMBO2069 | Sri Lankan Initial Sovereign Rating Sub- [...] (SBU) Summary: Sri Lanka received its first sovereign rating on December 8. Fitch Ratings assigned Sri Lanka a ?BB minus? rating (sub-investment grade) noting that all the long term rating outlooks were stable. Standard and Poor's rating was slightly lower at 'B plus.' The sub- investment [...] | 2005-12-09 04:28:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON EFIN CE ECONOMICS |
05COLOMBO2070 | SRI LANKA: INPUT FOR INCSR [...] The information in this cable is keyed to Reftel. 2. (Part I) Summary. Sri Lanka has a relatively small-scale drug problem. The Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) remains committed to targeting drug traffickers and implementing nation-wide demand reduction programs. In 2005, the U.S. government [...] | 2005-12-09 04:54:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | SNAR CE |
05COLOMBO2076 | PEACE PROCESS: AKASHI VISITS, OFFERS TO HOST [...] (C) SUMMARY: Japanese Special Envoy Akashi found President Rajapakse eager to take up ceasefire implementation talks and willing to use a venue outside of Sri Lanka. Akashi offered Japan for the first round. Rajapakse was upset at reported comments of Norwegian Envoy Eric Solheim that Norway w [...] | 2005-12-12 08:47:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PTER PGOV CE LTTE |
05COLOMBO2088 | SRI LANKA: SCENESETTER FOR DECEMBER 19 CO-CHAIRS [...] (C) In the run-up to their December 19 meeting in Brussels, the co-chairs are faced with rapidly degenerating security in the north and east; an inexperienced new Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) administration that won on a hardline platform; a Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) that has p [...] | 2005-12-13 04:23:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PTER PGOV PREL CE LTTE |
05COLOMBO2094 | 2005-2006 INTERNATIONAL NARCOTICS CONTROL [...] UPDATED RESPONSE TO REFTEL FOLLOWS: 2. The Maldives is not an important regional financial center. The financial sector of the Maldives is very small, with five commercial banks (one international bank, three branches of public banks from neighboring countries and the state owned bank),t [...] | 2005-12-14 07:56:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | KTFN EFIN PTER SNAR KCRM MV |
05COLOMBO2095 | MALDIVES: INPUT FOR INCSR [...] The information in this cable is keyed to Reftel. 2. (Part I) Summary. Maldives is not a producer of narcotics or precursor chemicals. The Maldivian government and the U.S. maintain a good working relationship on counternarcotics issues. Officials estimate that in 2005, upwards of ten [...] | 2005-12-14 08:52:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | SNAR MV |
05COLOMBO2096 | CO-CHAIRS SHOULD FOCUS ON PRIVATE MESSAGES TO [...] (C) SUMMARY: Co-Chairs Chiefs of Mission (COM's) and visiting EC DDG Jouanjean agreed Dec 19 Co-Chairs meeting in Brussels should focus on role of Co-Chairs in changed peace process environment in Sri Lanka. All agreed Co-Chairs should develop messages to be passed privately to both GSL and [...] | 2005-12-14 09:27:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PTER PGOV CE LTTE |
05COLOMBO2099 | NEW SRI LANKAN RECONSTRUCTION AND DEVELOPMENT [...] (SBU) Summary: Ambassador met with the newly formed Sri Lankan Reconstruction and Development Agency's newly appointed Chairman, Tiran Alles, and COO, Saliya Wickramasuriya, on December 5. While neither offered significant insight into the operations of this new entity, which will absorb the [...] | 2005-12-15 05:16:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EAID ECON CE ECONOMICS |
05COLOMBO2101 | SRI LANKA: 2005 COUNTRY REPORT ON TERRORISM [...] (U) The Sri Lankan government strongly supports the Global War on Terror and continues to demonstrate an unwavering commitment to combating terrorism. Sri Lanka has acceded to all international conventions that deal with combating terrorism, with the exception of the 1980 Nuclear Materials Co [...] | 2005-12-15 07:53:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PTER ASEC KCRM EFIN KHLS KPAO CE LTTE |
05COLOMBO2108 | TIGERS' TNA PROXIES BLAME GOVERNMENT AND [...] (C) SUMMARY: In a December 15 meeting with pro-Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) Tamil National Alliance (TNA) parliamentarians, the Ambassador stressed U.S. and international concern at the escalation of violence following the November 17 election. The TNA MPs were quick to deny LTTE i [...] | 2005-12-16 07:07:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PTER CE LTTE |
05COLOMBO2111 | 2005-2006 INTERNATIONAL NARCOTICS CONTROL [...] UPDATED RESPONSE TO REFTEL FOLLOWS: 2. Sri Lanka is neither an important regional financial center nor a preferred center for money laundering. Money laundering currently is not a criminal offense. There are strict bank secrecy laws, under which the Government of Sri Lanka is required to [...] | 2005-12-19 08:17:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | KTFN EFIN PTER SNAR KCRM CE ECONOMICS |
05COLOMBO2112 | POST (AGAIN) RECOMMENDS INVESTIGATION INTO [...] (C) This is an action request, please see para 10. This is a follow-on to reftel, in which Post specifically requested USG efforts to investigate possible LTTE-linked fundraising in the US. 2. (C) Summary: In the wake of reports of increased LTTE fundraising activities in Canada, France, U [...] | 2005-12-19 08:23:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PTER ECON EFIN KCRM CE LTTE ECONOMICS |
05COLOMBO2116 | PRESIDENT PROMISES SIGNIFICANT WELFARE AND [...] (SBU) Summary: Sri Lanka?s newly elected President presented the revised 2006 budget to Parliament on November 8. In keeping with the President?s election manifesto, the budget contained a series of ?pro-poor? welfare measures and a significant salary hike to government servants. The budg [...] | 2005-12-19 10:42:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON EFIN CE ECONOMICS |
05COLOMBO2118 | SRI LANKA: SEVEN CIVILIANS INJURED IN VIOLENT [...] (U) SUMMARY: Seven civilians were injured when Sri Lanka Army (SLA) soldiers fired on a violent protest led by students affiliated with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in the northern district of Jaffna on December 19. In Colombo on December 17-18 security forces arrested and rel [...] | 2005-12-19 12:05:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PTER CE LTTE |
05COLOMBO2119 | Sri Lanka requests assistance to enforce [...] (U) This is an action cable. See action request in para 7 below. 2. (U) SUMMARY: A Computer Crimes bill will soon become law in Sri Lanka, and submission of an electronic transactions bill is anticipated for early 2006. Sri Lanka would appreciate USG technical assistance in developing [...] | 2005-12-20 02:15:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON ECPS EFIN EINT ETRD PTER KCRM CE |
05COLOMBO2121 | SRI LANKA: AVIAN FLU TRIPWIRES AND SHELTER-IN- [...] SUMMARY: THIS CABLE REPORTS OUR REVISED AVIAN INFLUENZA (AI OR H5N1) TRIPWIRES AND SHELTER-IN-PLACE PLANS REQUESTED IN REF D. THIS CABLE SUPERSEDES REF C. 2. SRI LANKA LACKS SEVERAL CRITICAL RESOURCES - TAMIFLU, LABORATORY EQUIPMENT TO IDENTIFY AI, AND MODERN, FULLY EQUIPPED HOSPITALS. [...] | 2005-12-20 06:19:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | AMED AEMR AMGT ASEC CASC EAGR KFLO TBIO ECON CE |
05COLOMBO2122 | Post-MFA Sri Lankan Garment Sector Faring Well, [...] (SBU) Summary: The first post-MFA year for the Sri Lankan garment industry has been an up and down year for exports, with annual sales finishing slightly above their 2005 mark. As Sri Lanka faces increasing price pressure from other countries, especially China, it is seeking advantages in bot [...] | 2005-12-20 06:20:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON ETRD CE ECONOMICS |
05COLOMBO2130 | TSUNAMI RELIEF IN SRI LANKA -- OFDA WRAP-UP AND [...] SUMMARY: USG HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE FOR SRI LANKA IN THE AFTERMATH OF THE DECEMBER 2004 TSUNAMI DISASTER WAS SPEARHEADED BY USAID/OFDA WITH THE IMMEDIATE DEPLOYMENT OF A DART TEAM AND RAPID FUNDING OF A PORTFOLIO OF EMERGENCY PROJECTS. NOW LARGELY COMPLETED, THE PROJECTS WERE INSTRUMENTAL [...] | 2005-12-21 02:05:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | EAID AEMR PREL PGOV CE |
05COLOMBO2136 | Special Media Reaction: December 19 Statement by [...] (U) Summary: The statement by the Tokyo Donors Conference Co-chairs after their December 19 meeting in Brussels sparked banner headlines and lead stories of all print and electronic media on December 21. However, only the mainstream independent Daily Mirror and its sister Sinhala paper, Lanka [...] | 2005-12-21 09:54:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | PHUM KPAO PTER EAID OIIP PREL CE LTTE |
05COLOMBO2138 | MALDIVES: IBRAHIM ISMAIL ELECTED PRESIDENT OF [...] (U) The opposition Maldives Democratic Party (MDP) held its first ever party Congress in Male' December 19-21. On December 20, delegates at the Congress used a cascading preferential voting system to elect Member of Parliament (MP) Ibrahim Ismail party president and former SAARC secretary-gen [...] | 2005-12-21 11:12:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PHUM PINR MV |
05COLOMBO2139 | US GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE TO SRI LANKA?S DEVELOPMENT [...] United States Treasury?s Office of Technical Assistance (OTA),Financial Enforcement team visited Colombo December 12- 16, 2005, to provide training to government officials on establishment of an effective AML/CFT regime. The timing of the visit was appropriate since the government of Sri La [...] | 2005-12-21 11:28:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | EFIN ECON KTFN KCRM SNAR PTER CE |
05COLOMBO2141 | OPPOSITION POST-MORTEM OF ELECTORAL DEFEAT: SOME [...] (C) In the wake of the United National Party's (UNP) defeat at the November 17 presidential polls, some members of Sri Lanka's oldest political party are questioning once again whether Ranil Wickremesinghe, who led the party to defeat in 13 of the last 14 electoral contests, should continue a [...] | 2005-12-21 11:56:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV CE |
05COLOMBO2144 | MALDIVES: POST SUPPORT FOR NDI PROPOSAL [...] This is an action request. Please see para 6. 2. The Republic of Maldives, a moderate, pro-Western Muslim nation, is taking its first faltering steps along the path to democratic reform (Ref A). A special Parliament is meeting to consider far-reaching changes, but is moving slowly. In p [...] | 2005-12-22 09:36:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | PHUM PREL PGOV KDEM MV |
05COLOMBO2145 | MIXED RECORD CONFRONTS SRI LANKA, MALDIVES AND [...] (SBU) Summary: As we approach the one year anniversary of the December 26, 2004 tsunami, Sri Lanka has avoided the mass outbreak of disease and unrest that some feared early on, established a network of transitional shelters, begun to build permanent housing, elected a new President, establis [...] | 2005-12-22 10:08:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EAID ECON PGOV CE MV ECONOMICS |
05COLOMBO2149 | SRI LANKA: STEADY ATTACKS PRESSURE GOVERNMENT [...] (SBU) The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) continues to goad the Sri Lankan Army (SLA) and Sri Lankan Navy (SLN) in the north, launching nine small-scale attacks against military targets since December 20. The back-to-back attacks seem designed to increase pressure on the new governm [...] | 2005-12-22 12:36:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PTER PHUM CE LTTE |
05COLOMBO2155 | ATA-5459, OFFER FOR TRAINING: SRI LANKA SENIOR [...] AS REQUESTED IN REFTEL, LISTED BELOW IS THE FINAL LIST OF NAMES AND DEPARTMENT INFORMATION OF THOSE NOMINATED BY THE GOVT OF SRI LANKA TO ATTEND THE SENIOR CRISIS MANAGEMENT SEMINAR IN WASHINGTON FROM 23 TO 27 JAN 2006. ALL ATTENDEES ON THIS LIST HAVE BEEN MEDICALLY CLEARED, CLEARED FAVORABLY [...] | 2005-12-27 05:12:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | ASEC PTER CE |
05COLOMBO2157 | MURDER IN THE CATHEDRAL: ASSASSINATION OF [...] (SBU) Following two consecutive Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) attacks on the Sri Lanka Navy in the northern district of Mannar on December 22 and 23 (Refs A and B),the violence continues in the north and east with no respite for the holiday. Tamil National Alliance (TNA) MP Joseph [...] | 2005-12-27 10:48:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PTER PHUM CE LTTE |
05COLOMBO2158 | GOVERNMENT ASKS CO-CHAIRS FOR ACTION AS VIOLENCE [...] (C) SUMMARY: Co-Chair Chiefs of Missions (COM's) met with Prime Minister and Foreign Minister on December 23 to de-brief on Brussels meeting. In light of renewed Tiger attacks, GSL asked Co-Chair COM's to travel to Kilinocchi to deliver hard message to Tigers. COM's (minus US Ambassador) de [...] | 2005-12-27 11:03:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PTER PREL CE NO LTTE |
05COLOMBO2164 | Special Media Reaction: Tsunami Anniversary [...] (U) Summary: All three English dailies carried Ambassador Lunstead's tsunami memorial message titled "America Joins Sri Lanka in Remembrance" on Friday, December 23. Sinhala and Tamil newspapers carried the op-ed in the vernacular on Saturday, December 24 and Monday, December 26. Complementin [...] | 2005-12-28 08:55:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | PHUM KPAO PTER EAID OIIP PREL CE |
05COLOMBO2166 | Special Media Reaction: Editorial Reaction to [...] (U) Summary: The statement by the Tokyo Donors Conference Co-chairs after their December 19 meeting in Brussels sparked a considerable amount of editorial comment in the English and Sinhala press in the week following its December 21 release in Colombo. Editorialists analyzed the statement am [...] | 2005-12-28 11:19:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | PHUM KPAO PTER EAID OIIP PREL CE LTTE |
05COLOMBO2167 | SRI LANKA: DEMINING OPERATIONS IN JAFFNA SUSPENDED [...] (SBU) The HALO Trust (HT),Sri Lankan Army (SLA) and Danish Demining Group (DDG) have all suspended operations in the Jaffna peninsula as of December 28. HALO Trust and the SLA cited the deteriorating security environment, while the DDG's closure coincides with its holiday stand-down. Disgrun [...] | 2005-12-28 11:20:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PTER PHUM CASC MOPS KHDP CE EAIS LTTE |
05COLOMBO2179 | SCENESETTER FOR SECRETARY'S JANUARY 5 MEETING WITH [...] (C) Since the November 17 election of Mahinda Rajapaksa as President, violence has escalated rapidly, imperiling the increasingly fragile three-year-old Ceasefire Agreement between the Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). On his first visit to Washin [...] | 2005-12-30 06:30:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PTER CE |
05COLOMBO224 | SRI LANKA - EARTHQUAKE AND TSUNAMIS: USAID/DART [...] As of January 25, according to the Center for National Operations (CNO),the earthquake and tsunamis had killed 30,957 people in Sri Lanka. USAID/Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA) implementing partner Community Habitat Finance International (CHF) is constructing 3,500 transit [...] | 2005-01-28 05:13:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | EAID AEMR PREL PGOV CE |
05COLOMBO225 | MALDIVES - EARTHQUAKE AND TSUNAMIS: USAID/DART [...] According to the Maldives National Disaster Management Center (NDMC),as of January 18, the earthquake and tsunamis killed 82 people and 26 residents are missing in Maldives. The U.S. Military is prioritizing final operations in Maldives before its final departure. There is currently a short [...] | 2005-01-28 05:14:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | EAID AEMR PREL PGOV CE MV |
05COLOMBO227 | TSUNAMI INTERRUPTS SRI LANKA'S TOURIST SURGE [...] Summary: Sri Lanka's tourist industry suffered heavy losses in the tsunami due to damages to the coastline, beach hotels and tourist confidence. Ironically, Sri Lanka had just recorded its best year ever in tourism in 2004. The tsunami struck in the middle of the peak winter tourist SIPD [...] | 2005-01-28 05:16:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | ECON CE |
05COLOMBO228 | Sri Lanka: Post-tsunami Political Landscape [...] (C) SUMMARY: As Sri Lanka begins to pick up the pieces one month after the tsunami, politicians are calculating the impact of the disaster on the bitterly divisive zero-sum game that is Sri Lankan politics. For now, the enormous sympathy generated for Sri Lanka-as well as repeated calls for [...] | 2005-01-28 05:59:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV AEMR EAID PTER CE |
05COLOMBO244 | Special Media Reaction: Colombo Press Conference [...] (U) Summary: Media coverage of post's January 29 press conference to announce plans to transition from a mix of military and civilian tsunami relief efforts to a fully civilian one was prominent and widespread, generating front-page headlines but little editorial comment. Most media focused [...] | 2005-02-01 01:28:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | PHUM KPAO PTER EAID OIIP PREL CE |
05COLOMBO252 | SRI LANKA - EARTHQUAKE AND TSUNAMIS: [...] From January 21 to 26, the USAID/Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) Water and Sanitation Officer (WSO) traveled to Trincomalee, Batticaloa, Ampara, Hambantota, Matara, and Galle districts to meet with implementing partners and visit internally displaced person (IDP)camps. The USAID/DA [...] | 2005-02-01 10:22:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | EAID AEMR PREL PGOV CE |
05COLOMBO27 | SRI LANKA - EARTHQUAKE AND TSUNAMIS: [...] As of January 3, the death toll in Sri Lanka due to the earthquake and tsunamis is 29,957. Transitioning from emergency relief, the USAID/Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) plans to fund an additional USD 10 million to focus on the immediate rehabilitation needs of disaster-affected co [...] | 2005-01-04 08:34:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | CASC EAID AEMR PREL PGOV |
05COLOMBO278 | GSL REQUEST FOR NII/CSI EQUIPMENT LOAN [...] Post has received a request from GSL Presidential Advisor Mano Tittawella and Finance Secretary PB Jayasundera to expedite the loan of CSI-related non-intrusive inspection equipment, in an effort to expedite scanning of inbound cargo for humanitarian efforts. (Note: Sri Lanka has a three-ye [...] | 2005-02-03 07:18:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | AMGT EWWT ACOA ASEC ETRD ECON ETTC KSTC PTER CE |
05COLOMBO280 | SRIL LANKA AND MALDIVES THOUGHTS ON TSUNAMI DONORS [...] Ambassador delivered points in reftel during a February 2 discussion with Presidential Advisor and Head of Sri Lanka's Task Force for Rebuilding the Nation (TAFREN) Mano Tittawella. Tittawella thought a local donor's conference in Sri Lanka presented the best opportunity for donors to discuss [...] | 2005-02-03 09:53:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | EAID EFIN CE ECONOMICS |
05COLOMBO283 | MALDIVES - EARTHQUAKE AND TSUNAMIS: [...] On January 28, the USAID/Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) Field Officer (FO) posted to Male' in Maldives departed the islands for Colombo. A summary of the U.S. Government's assistance in Maldives in response to the earthquake and tsunamis follows below. End Summary. ----------- [...] | 2005-02-03 10:17:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | EAID AEMR PREL PGOV CE MV |
05COLOMBO285 | SRI LANKA - EARTHQUAKE AND TSUNAMIS: [...] As of January 31, according to the Center for National Operations (CNO),the earthquake and tsunami had killed 30,959 people in Sri Lanka. The CNO is scheduled to transition responsibilities for the tsunami relief effort to the Ministry of Public Security, Law and Order during the week of F [...] | 2005-02-03 10:18:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | EAID AEMR PREL PGOV CE |
05COLOMBO291 | MALDIVIAN GOVERNMENT RESPONSE ON THE RETURN OF [...] (S) In late January, the Embassy received the following diplomatic note from the Government of the Republic of Maldives (GoRM),building on their preliminary response contained in Ref A, in response to our diplomatic note, drawing from Ref B, which laid out the USG view regarding the return [...] | 2005-02-07 05:17:00 | Embassy Colombo | SECRET | PTER KAWC PREL PINS MV |
05COLOMBO297 | MALDIVES: PRO- AND ANTI-GOVERNMENT GROUPS CLAIM [...] (C) Summary: In the aftermath of the December 26 tsunami, the Maldivian government proceeded with its SIPDIS rescheduled Majlis ("Parliament") elections on January 22, an event that occurred largely without incident. Pro- and anti-government groups declared victory, with the anti-governm [...] | 2005-02-07 10:56:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM MV |
05COLOMBO3 | TFX001 - SRI LANKA TSUNAMI FINDINGS OF [...] SUMMARY: USAID/DART ASSESSMENT TEAMS HAVE COMPLETED ASSESSMENTS OF DAMAGE IN GALLE AND HAMBANTOTA DISTRICTS OF SRI LANKA, IN COORDINATION WITH A UNOCHA-FACILITATED ASSESSMENT IN NINE TSUNAMI AFFECTED DISTRICTS CIRCLING THE COAST. IN BOTH DISTRICTS, ASSESSMENT TEAMS OBSERVED SIGNIFICANT DAMA [...] | 2005-01-01 13:11:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | EAID AEMR CE |
05COLOMBO301 | TSUNAMI RECONSTRUCTION: REMEMBER MALDIVES [...] (U) Summary. The Maldivian government, aided by international agencies, has done an impressive job of identifying long-term tsunami reconstruction needs. The U.S. should do its part in funding this Maldivian effort. The upcoming visit to Maldives by former U.S. Presidents Bush and Clinton [...] | 2005-02-07 11:24:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | EAID ECON PREL MV |
05COLOMBO31 | TFXO01: SRI LANKA AND MALDIVES, SITREP. NO. 8, [...] (U) Casualties: According to Government statistics, 30,229 people died in the tsunami; 3,858 remain missing; 835,028 have been displaced. A total of 7 Americans have been confirmed killed in the disaster. 2. (SBU) U.S. Actions/Assistance: The Ambassador, accompanied by Brigadier Gener [...] | 2005-01-04 14:48:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | AEMR CASC PGOV CE MV |
05COLOMBO310 | DIFFERENCES IN REBUILDING COST ESTIMATES DISSIPATE [...] (SBU) Summary: Recent estimates of rebuilding costs by the Government's Task Force for Rebuilding the Nation (TAFREN) and the Multi-Lateral Development Banks (MDBs) seemed divergent following initial public statements, but further analysis has revealed greater commonality. Both the Government [...] | 2005-02-08 10:12:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON EFIN EAID CE |
05COLOMBO312 | SRI LANKA: EASTERN LTTE POLITICAL LEADER KILLED [...] (C) Summary. On February 7, E. Kausalyan, the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) Political Leader for the eastern districts of Batticaloa and Ampara, was killed in an ambush in a Government of Sri Lanka (GSL)-controlled area while driving to Batticaloa from LTTE-controlled territory in t [...] | 2005-02-08 13:26:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PTER CE |
05COLOMBO314 | FROM COMITY TO CALUMNY: SRI LANKAN POLITICAL [...] (C) Summary: Six weeks after the tsunami that devastated the coasts of Sri Lanka, the main political parties have fallen back into their previous pattern of exchanging accusations and denunciations in the media. This return to fractiousness has dissolved the relative comity that prevailed imm [...] | 2005-02-09 04:26:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM KPAO PTER EAID OIIP PREL CE LTTE |
05COLOMBO317 | SRI LANKA - EARTHQUAKE AND TSUNAMIS: [...] From January 31 to February 3, the USAID Disaster Assistance Response Team (USAID/DART) deployed teams to tsunami-affected districts to visit USAID's Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance (USAID/OFDA) programs. The purpose of these trips was to monitor the progress of USAID/OFDA implem [...] | 2005-02-09 09:43:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | EAID AEMR PREL PGOV CE |
05COLOMBO322 | DONOR'S DISCUSS RELIEF COORDINATION CONCERNS, [...] (U) This message is Sensitive But Unclassified - Please handle accordingly. 2. (SBU) Summary: Donors in Sri Lanka are concerned about a lack of coordination on remaining emergency relief efforts. UNDP is providing assistance to the Ministry of Public Security, which has been charged with [...] | 2005-02-10 10:00:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | CE EAID ECON EFIN |
05COLOMBO324 | SRI LANKA: LTTE POST-TSUNAMI CHILD RECRUITMENT, [...] (C) Summary. January media reports highlighted Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) recruitment of child soldiers in the north and east, particularly in welfare camps for tsunami-affected persons. In early February, displeased by unfavorable media attention, the LTTE threatened to pull o [...] | 2005-02-10 11:50:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PTER PHUM CE LTTE |
05COLOMBO326 | COLOMBO PLAN: CONSENSUS MINUS ONE TOWARD THAI [...] (C) Summary: During the February 15 Colombo Plan Working Group meeting, all other member states present expressed their support for the Thai constitutional amendment proposal to address arrears. Among the several concerns voiced about the U.S. proposal, representatives from member states sin [...] | 2005-02-10 12:26:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL SNAR AORC IR CE |
05COLOMBO327 | SRI LANKA: SCENESETTER FOR THE FEBRUARY 20-21 [...] (SBU) The December 26 tsunami, in spite of its cruel humanitarian toll and staggering financial costs, has provided the Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) a chance to re-engage after a near two-year hiatus in negotiations. The tragedy has mitigated [...] | 2005-02-10 12:52:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | OVIP PREL PGOV EAID PTER CE LTTE |
05COLOMBO335 | MALDIVES: SECENESETTER FOR VISIT OF FORMER [...] (SBU) Nearly one-third of the population of Maldives was affected by the December 26 tsunami. A preliminary assessment estimates total losses at about 55 percent of GDP, with the greatest negative impact felt by the crucial tourism industry. Entire populations on some islands were displaced [...] | 2005-02-11 10:55:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | OVIP PREL PGOV EAID MV |
05COLOMBO338 | SRI LANKA - EARTHQUAKE AND TSUNAMIS: [...] On February 4, the Government of Sri Lanka (GOSL) closed the Center for National Operations (CNO) and transferred its functions to the recently established Task Force for Relief (TAFOR). USAID Disaster Assistance Response Team (USAID/DART) assessments indicate that emergency needs for food, [...] | 2005-02-14 06:19:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | EAID AEMR PREL PGOV CE |
05COLOMBO341 | AKASHI SEES PROGRESS POSSIBLE BETWEEN LTTE AND [...] (C) SUMMARY: Akashi found LTTE's Tamilchelvan less aggressive than expected, and believes negotiations on a joint mechanism for tsunami reconstruction can resume. President Kumaratunga said she was eager for an agreement. Each side blamed the other for delays. Akashi thinks a Co- Chair Ambass [...] | 2005-02-14 08:55:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PTER CE JA |
05COLOMBO347 | SRI LANKA: POST-TSUNAMI REPORTS OF CHILD [...] (SBU) Summary. Sensationalist speculation in the local media that the December 26 tsunami would spawn "spin-off" misery for Sri Lanka's displaced--e.g. hordes of homeless orphans, increased child trafficking, and an uptick in sexual- and gender-based violence--has proven, fortunately, unfou [...] | 2005-02-14 11:43:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PHUM SMIG CE KWMM LTTE |
05COLOMBO348 | TSUNAMI RECONSTRUCTION SIGNATURE PROJECT [...] (SBU) Per request reftel, USAID has - since early January - held extended meetings and has been in frequent contact with various line entities of the GSL including the Chairman of the Rural Development Authority, senior staff of the Ministry of Fisheries and the CEO of the Vocational Training [...] | 2005-02-14 13:19:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EAID ECON CE |
05COLOMBO35 | MILITARY COOPERATION IN THE RELIEF EFFORT IN SRI [...] (C) There has been much discussion about how to ensure that we use our military participation in relief efforts to strengthen our mil-to-mil relationships with other participants, and in particular with India. We offer here a perspective on what is happening on the ground in Sri Lanka. A coordin [...] | 2005-01-05 12:03:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | MARR PREL CE IN |
05COLOMBO358 | MALDIVES CLARIFIES POSITION ON GUANTANAMO DETAINEE [...] (S) Maldivian Foreign Ministry Permanent Secretary Zakariyyah called DCM February 15 to SIPDIS advise that, after the DCM's February 3 conversation with the Maldivian Attorney General, the GoRM had further considered its position on the return of Maldivian Guantanamo detainee Ibrahim Fo [...] | 2005-02-15 11:44:00 | Embassy Colombo | SECRET | PTER KAWC PREL PINS MV |
05COLOMBO359 | SRI LANKA: COALITION PARTNER BOYCOTTS [...] (C) Relegated to an undesirable back seat in post-tsunami reconstruction, Government coalition partner Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) demonstrated its displeasure by boycotting the February 9 Parliamentary debate on reconstruction plans and threatening to resign from the Cabinet. The JVP c [...] | 2005-02-15 14:11:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV CE LTTE |
05COLOMBO373 | DHANAPALA SAYS GOVERNMENT WILLING TO COMPROMISE [...] (C) Ambassador met with head of Sri Lankan Peace Secretariat Jayantha Dhanapala February 16. Dhanapala launched immediately into a recounting of the status of the negotiations with the LTTE to set up a joint mechanism for reconstruction in the North and East. He said that the negotiations [...] | 2005-02-16 12:09:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PTER CE JA LTTE |
05COLOMBO38 | TFXO01: MALDIVES SITREP -- A UNIQUE NATION WITH [...] (SBU) Summary: During a visit by USG officials to Maldives January 2-4, a clear picture emerged of the devastion of the local islands and the govermnent's needs for assistance. On three islands visited, varying degrees of destruction met the U.S. team with piles of rubble where houses once [...] | 2005-01-06 07:46:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | AEMR EAID PGOV MV |
05COLOMBO381 | VISIT OF THE PRESIDENTIAL DELEGATION TO SRI LANKA [...] No summary [...] | 2005-02-17 11:34:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | AFIN AMGT OTRA PGOV CE MV |
05COLOMBO39 | SRI LANKA - EARTHQUAKE AND TSUNAMIS: [...] As of January 4, according to the Center for National Operations (CNO),the death toll in Sri Lanka due to the earthquake and tsunamis is 30,190. The U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reports that the immediate priority areas in Sri Lanka are water (including cl [...] | 2005-01-06 08:23:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | CASC EAID AEMR PREL PGOV |
05COLOMBO395 | Special Media Reaction: Former Presidents [...] (U) Summary: The visit of former Presidents Clinton and Bush to Sri Lanka February 20-21 elicited copious, straightforward media coverage, with all media outlets, print as well as electronic, featuring the visit prominently. Editorial comment was largely positive as well, but a few outlets [...] | 2005-02-22 10:39:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | PHUM KPAO EAID PTER OIIP PREL CE |
05COLOMBO399 | SRI LANKA: FORMER PRESIDENTS BUSH AND CLINTON [...] (SBU) Summary. In a February 20 meeting, Sri Lankan President Chandrika Kumaratunga offered former Presidents George H.W. Bush and William J. Clinton an assessment of Sri Lanka's post-tsunami progress, including immediate relief efforts and longer-term reconstruction plans. President Kumar [...] | 2005-02-22 11:31:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL EAID PTER CE LTTE |
05COLOMBO400 | SRI LANKA REQUESTS U.S. SUPPORT FOR UNSYG [...] (U) On February 22 the Embassy received a diplomatic note formally requesting U.S. support for the candidature of Jayantha Dhanapala, Secretary General of the Peace Secretariat in Sri Lanka and former UN SIPDIS Under-Secretary-General for Disarmament, for the post of UN Secretary General. [...] | 2005-02-22 11:34:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL PINR AORC CE UN UNSC UNGA |
05COLOMBO401 | SRI LANKA - EARTHQUAKE AND TSUNAMIS: USAID/DART [...] Former Presidents George Bush and Bill Clinton visited Sri Lanka as part of a tour of four tsunami-affected countries from February 20 to 21. The USAID Disaster Assistance Response Team (USAID/DART) continues to travel to tsunami- affected districts to monitor and evaluate USAID's Office of [...] | 2005-02-22 11:37:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | EAID AEMR PREL PGOV CE |
05COLOMBO404 | SRI LANKA: GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCES IT IS PREPARED [...] (C) In a speech marking the third anniversary of the Ceasefire Agreement (CFA),Jayantha Dhanapala, head of the Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) Peace Secretariat, announced on February 22 that the GSL is "ready to reopen direct negotiations" with the insurgent Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam ( [...] | 2005-02-23 10:47:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PTER CE LTTE |
05COLOMBO409 | MALDIVES: FORMER PRESIDENTS BUSH AND CLINTON [...] (SBU) Summary: In a February 21 briefing and luncheon, former Presidents George H.W. Bush and William J. Clinton heard about the tsunami's impact on Maldives and the Government of the Republic of Maldives' plans for on-going relief and long-term reconstruction. During the entire five-hour v [...] | 2005-02-24 08:55:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL EAID MV |
05COLOMBO411 | SRI LANKA: DEMARCHES ON IAEA [...] (U) On February 24 poloff presented reftel demarches to Sumedha Ekanayake, Assistant Director for UN and Multilateral Affairs, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Ekanayake thanked us for the information but offered no immediate reaction to either demarche, noting only that Aruni Wijewardena [...] | 2005-02-24 10:38:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | KNNP PARM PREL MNUC IR CE IAEA |
05COLOMBO413 | SRI LANKA: PROGRESS ON IMPLEMENTING ARTICLE VII [...] No summary [...] | 2005-02-24 10:41:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | PARM CE CWC OPCW |
05COLOMBO414 | MALDIVES: STATUS OF ARTICLE VII IMPLEMENTATION [...] Poloff presented reftel demarche by fax to Foreign Secretary Abdul Hameed Zakariyya on February 23. On February SIPDIS 24 poloff received the following reply by fax from Ahmed Rasheed, Director, Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 2. Begin text of reply: We have so far identified a nationa [...] | 2005-02-24 10:42:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | PARM MV CWC OPCW |
05COLOMBO420 | MALDIVES: BANNER DAYS FOR DEMOCRACY? [...] (C) Summary: Democracy in Maldives is going through a growth spurt -- a big one -- and the government seems to be taking it in stride. Amnesty International was set to release its report on February 24 from its official visit to Maldives in October 2004. The Maldivian court is scheduled to [...] | 2005-02-25 05:13:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM MV |
05COLOMBO421 | Despite Tsunami, 5.5 percent growth forecast [...] Summary: The Central Bank of Sri Lanka expects the economy to grow by 5.5 percent in 2005 despite the extensive damage suffered in the tsunami. The bank is counting on key economic sectors and reconstruction activity to aid growth. The Central Bank forecast is higher than the post tsunami [...] | 2005-02-25 05:25:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | ECON EAID CE ECONOMICS |
05COLOMBO424 | SRI LANKAN REQUEST FOR POST TSUNAMI DEBT RELIEF [...] On February 24, Post received a letter from Finance Minister Sarath Amunagama addressed to US Treasurer Anna Escobedo Cabral (unclear why Cabral was addressee). The original is to be sent directly to Treasury by the Sri Lankan Embassy in Washington. The letter (text below) repeats Amunugama [...] | 2005-02-25 06:36:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | EAID EFIN ECON CE ECONOMICS |
05COLOMBO426 | SRI LANKA: JVP PUMMELS GOVERNMENT NEGOTIATING [...] (SBU) Summary: President Chandrika Kumaratunga's tenuous majority in Parliament looks shakier than ever after renewed threats from the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) to quit the coalition and the decision by two Ceylon Workers Congress (CWC) ministers to resign from their posts. Although bo [...] | 2005-02-25 06:51:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV CE LTTE |
05COLOMBO438 | NORWEGIANS SEE HOPE FOR LTTE-GSO AGREEMENT ON [...] (C) SUMMARY: Both sides have been flexible on negotiations for a "mechanism" for distributing reconstruction assistance to the North and East, and the Norwegians believe an agreement is possible in the next few days. Such an agreement would not only assist in the reconstruction effort, but [...] | 2005-02-28 11:14:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PTER PGOV CE NO LTTE |
05COLOMBO445 | NOTICE OF FINAL DETERMINATION OF COMBATANT STATUS [...] (C) The Embassy on March 1 forwarded to the Maldivian government a diplomatic note, drawing from the relevant portions of reftel, advising that Maldivian Guantanamo detainee Ibrahim Fauzee has been determined to no longer be an enemy combatant and thus approved for release. DCM also called [...] | 2005-03-01 10:37:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PTER KAWC PINR PREL MV |
05COLOMBO451 | SRI LANKA: TIGERS TRY TO DOWNPLAY, DENY CHARGES [...] (SBU) Over the past week the local media have given broad coverage to reports of the February 23 UN Security Council session on child soldiers, highlighting in particular the reported recommendation by the Secretary-General's Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict that the Co [...] | 2005-03-01 11:50:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PHUM PTER CE UNICEF LTTE |
05COLOMBO454 | SRI LANKA: THE FIFTH ANNUAL ANTI-TRAFFICKING IN [...] (U) Mission's submission for the fifth annual Anti- Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report for Sri Lanka follows. Responses are keyed to questions in Reftel. Mission point of contact is poloff Andrea Tomaszewicz, telephone +94.11.2.448.007 x2425, fax +94.11.2.471.092. Paragraph 18: Sri Lanka [...] | 2005-03-02 04:35:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PHUM ELAB ASEC PREF KCRM KWMN SMIG KFRD CE |
05COLOMBO457 | (SBU) SRI LANKA - EARTHQUAKE AND [...] (U) At a February 21 meeting, the Commissioner General of Essential Services instructed the Government Agents (GA) and lead shelter agencies to establish a district project office that will coordinate transitional shelter issues in each affected district. In addition, the Commissioner state [...] | 2005-03-02 10:16:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | EAID AEMR PREL PGOV CE |
05COLOMBO458 | SRI LANKA: PRESIDENT ESTABLISHES COMMISSION TO [...] (C) Summary: Three female Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) cadres were shot and injured in the eastern town of Akkaraipatuu, south of Ampara, on February 28, 2005. The police have a suspect in custody, allegedly a loyalist to breakaway eastern LTTE rebel Karuna. As with previous att [...] | 2005-03-02 11:07:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PTER PGOV PHUM CE LTTE |
05COLOMBO461 | SRI LANKA: REQUEST FOR INFORMATION/ASSISTANCE [...] This is an action request. Please see Para 4. 2. On March 3 the Embassy received a letter from a Member of Parliament requesting assistance with the repatriation of remains of a Sri Lankan national believed to have been killed in Iraq on February 11. According to the letter, Dewamullage [...] | 2005-03-03 10:04:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL PTER IZ CE |
05COLOMBO463 | MALDIVES: GOVERNMENT POINT OF CONTACT FOR [...] No summary [...] | 2005-03-03 11:28:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PTER KAWC PREL MV |
05COLOMBO464 | SRI LANKA RELIEF TO RECONSTRUCTION UPDATE [...] (U) This telegram is sensitive but unclassified, please handle accordingly. SIPDIS 2. (U) We are sending these various items in hope they will be helpful in this week's IAWG discussions. 3. (U) Summary: --The GSL has outlined its policy on housing and tourism industry rebuilding alo [...] | 2005-03-03 12:21:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EAID ECON EFIN CE |
05COLOMBO471 | SRI LANKA: DOMESTIC VIOLENCE BILL DEBATED IN [...] (U) Summary. Recently proposed legislation to curb domestic violence contains provisions for victims, including interim and one-year protection orders, as well as supplementary orders mandating counseling for abusers. An NGO representative pointed out that the bill does not provide counseli [...] | 2005-03-04 05:57:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | PHUM KWMN PGOV CE |
05COLOMBO472 | SRI LANKA: JVP JINGOISM ELICITS CLARIFICATION ON [...] (U) Coalition partner Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) opposition to an official statement issued by the Government (GSL) on February 22 declaring its readiness to discuss "an interim arrangement" with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) prompted an official clarification of the GSL st [...] | 2005-03-04 07:04:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PTER CE LTTE |
05COLOMBO485 | SRI LANKA: NORWEGIAN ENVOY SAYS TSUNAMI [...] (C) In a March 6 conversation with the Ambassador, Norwegian Ambassador Hans Brattskar, summarizing his findings after a trip to Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) headquarters in Kilinochchi the previous day, said that "if the Government of Sri Lanka really wants a mechanism (to coopera [...] | 2005-03-07 11:19:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PTER PGOV PREL CE LTTE |
05COLOMBO487 | SRI LANKA: KILLINGS IN THE NORTH AND EAST [...] (C) Summary: Separate deadly incidents in the north and east March 4-6 highlight continuing tensions between the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) in the northern Jaffna peninsula and the LTTE's fractured control of areas in the east. Security forces fired [...] | 2005-03-07 11:30:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PTER PGOV PHUM CE LTTE |
05COLOMBO488 | SRI LANKAN GOVERNMENT WORRIED ABOUT LTTE AIR [...] (S) In a meeting with the Ambassador on March 4, Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar expressed concern that Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) air assets could be used to conduct suicide attacks against Government and/or foreign targets. The Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) views the Tige [...] | 2005-03-07 11:42:00 | Embassy Colombo | SECRET | PTER PREL PGOV CE LTTE |
05COLOMBO489 | AMBASSADOR'S FUND FOR CULTURAL PRESERVATION [...] Contact: Philip Frayne Public Affairs Officer U.S. Embassy, Colombo Tel: +94 11 242 1264 Fax: +94 11 244 9070 E-mail: fraynepa@state.gov Angela Gemza Cultural Affairs Officer U.S. Embassy, Colombo Tel: +94 11 242 1271 Fax: +91 11 244 9070 E-mail: gemzaa@state.gov 2. Grante [...] | 2005-03-08 04:06:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | ECIN KPAO OEXC SCUL |
05COLOMBO497 | SRI LANKA RELIEF TO RECONSTRUCTION UPDATE (MARCH [...] (U) Sensitive but unclassified, please handle accordingly. 2. (U) Summary: The GSL has issued new guidance on NGO and donor activity in Sri Lanka, particularly with regard to the duty free entry of relief and reconstruction supplies into the country, but the situation remains confused. H [...] | 2005-03-08 11:35:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EAID ECON EFIN CE MV |
05COLOMBO500 | IMI - INVESTMENT CLIMATE STATEMENT 2005 - MALDIVES [...] THE FOLLOWING IS THE INVESTMENT CLIMATE STATEMENT FOR MALDIVES FOR 2005. INVESTMENT CLIMATE STATEMENT MALDIVES FEBRUARY 2005 OPENNESS TO FOREIGN INVESTMENT ------------------------------ 2. Maldives is made up of over 1,190 islands, of which 198 are inhabited and 87 are exclusi [...] | 2005-03-09 10:44:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | EINV EFIN ETRD ELAB KTDB PGOV ECON MV |
05COLOMBO502 | USAID/OFDA DART TEAM MONITORING VISIT TO TSUNAMI- [...] MEMBERS OF THE USAID/OFDA DART TEAM VISITED THE HEAVILY AFFECTED EAST AND SOUTH COASTS OF SRI LANKA MARCH 2-7 TO MONITOR PROGRESS OF RELIEF ACTIVITIES AND ASSESS PROSPECTS FOR CONTINUED RECOVERY. AVAILABLE FUNDS ARE SUFFICIENT TO MEET RELIEF NEEDS IN THE DISTRICTS VISITED BUT IMPLEMENTATION F [...] | 2005-03-09 10:47:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | EAID AEMR PREL PGOV CE |
05COLOMBO51 | SRI LANKA - EARTHQUAKE AND TSUNAMIS: [...] As of January 7, according to the Center for National Operations (CNO),the earthquake and tsunamis killed 30,680 people in Sri Lanka. On January 6, Senators Frist and Landrieu, along with the U.S. Ambassador and USAID representatives, including the USAID/Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assi [...] | 2005-01-08 08:41:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | CASC EAID AEMR PREL PGOV |
05COLOMBO510 | MALDIVES INVITES U.S. TO PARTICIPATE [...] On March 9, 2005, Post received a Diplomatic Note from the Republic of Maldives regarding the Maldive's participation in the March 17, 2005 ADB- sponsored Donors' Conference to be held in Manila, Philippines. The following is the text of the Dipnote. Begin text: Reference: (F2) CIR/200 [...] | 2005-03-10 11:27:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | EAID ECON MV |
05COLOMBO516 | SRI LANKA: RESPONSE TO DEMARCHE ON UNCHR 61 [...] (SBU) Poloff delivered Ref A demarche to Sumedha Ekanayake, Assistant Director for UN and Multilateral Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on March 11. Ekanayake identified child soldiers (Ref B) as an issue of particular concern and one that the Sri Lankan Foreign Minister will emphasize [...] | 2005-03-11 06:01:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PREL CE UNHRC |
05COLOMBO532 | AMBASSADOR DISCUSSES POST-TSUNAMI RECONSTRUCTION [...] (U) Ambassador called on Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse March 14 to discuss problems in post-tsunami reconstruction. (n.b., Rajapakse has no formal role to play in reconstruction process, since the Prime Minister's functions are severely limited under the Sri Lankan Constitution. Rajapaks [...] | 2005-03-14 11:28:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | EAID PGOV PREL |
05COLOMBO534 | SRI LANKA: CHILD MARRIAGE NOT COMMON [...] (U) Summary. Child marriage is not a significant problem in Sri Lanka. Under civil law, the legal age of marriage in Sri Lanka is 18 years old with no provision for marriage at an earlier age with parental consent. While Muslims follow their own cultural law and may marry at an earlier age, [...] | 2005-03-15 08:17:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | PHUM ECON ELAB PGOV SCUL SOCI KWMN CE |
05COLOMBO542 | SRI LANKA AND MALDIVES TSUNAMI RELIEF AND [...] (SBU) Summary: While challenges remain, there has been some positive momentum in the transition from relief to rebuilding this week. The Ambassador met with the Prime Minister on March 14 and will meet the President on March 17 to discuss GSL policies and initiatives on tsunami relief and rec [...] | 2005-03-16 10:54:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EAID ECON PREL CE MV |
05COLOMBO547 | SRI LANKA: BISHOP OF JAFFNA SEES POPULAR [...] (C) In a March 16 meeting with poloff in Colombo, Thomas Savundaranayagam, Catholic Bishop of Jaffna, reported that initial post-tsunami coordination among the Government of Sri Lanka (GSL),the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE),NGOs and the Catholic Church ran smoothly. Since then, h [...] | 2005-03-17 03:10:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PTER EAID PGOV PHUM CE LTTE |
05COLOMBO557 | AMBASSADOR DISCUSSES RECONSTRUCTION PROBLEMS WITH [...] (C) SUMMARY: Ambassador told President Kumaratunga that reconstruction effort was running into problems, especially on transitional shelter, with monsoon season looming. There was a risk of major problems that could cost Sri Lanka the international good will it had achieved in the emergency [...] | 2005-03-18 06:00:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER TPHY EAID CE |
05COLOMBO558 | KUMARATUNGA SAYS READY TO SIGN JOINT MECHANISM [...] (C) SUMMARY: President Kumaratunga told Ambassador March 17 that she believes establishing a joint mechanism with LTTE for administration of tsunami reconstruction is necessary. One issue remains to be resolved. Once it is, she is ready to sign and does not believe her coalition partner the J [...] | 2005-03-18 06:02:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER EAID CE LTTE |
05COLOMBO559 | SRI LANKA: SHIFTING FOCUS FROM POST-CRISIS TO [...] (C) Several recent events indicate that the domestic political scene may be gearing down from the post-tsunami crisis mode of the last three months--in which more blatant displays of self-interest and short-sightedness had to be held in check--back to politics as usual. Examples include dela [...] | 2005-03-18 06:26:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL CE LTTE |
05COLOMBO565 | SRI LANKA WILL CONSIDER POINTS ON CUBA CHR [...] (C) Ambassador raised Cuba CHR Resolution with Foreign Secretary Palihakkara on March 21, making points in reftel. SIPDIS Palihakkara was interested in the "minimalist" approach US was taking this year, and asked several questions. Ambassador provided him a copy of the draft resolution. [...] | 2005-03-21 06:22:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM CE UN |
05COLOMBO566 | SRI LANKA: BIOGRAPHIC INFORMATION ON NEW UN [...] (SBU) Prasad Kariyawasam, who has been appointed as Sri Lanka's new Permanent Representative to the UN, has been a valued Embassy contact whose professionalism, good judgment and familiarity with the U.S. have helped advance our bilateral economic agenda on a number of key fronts over the pas [...] | 2005-03-21 09:22:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PINR PREL CE UN |
05COLOMBO567 | SRI LANKA: NO PATTERN OF FOREIGN MISSION [...] (C) There does not appear to be a widespread pattern by foreign missions to aid their nationals in departing Sri Lanka while under criminal investigation. We know of only one solid case in 2004, as well as accounts of possible cases before then. Sri Lankan authorities take cases of pedophili [...] | 2005-03-21 10:04:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM SMIG KCRM KFRD CE GM |
05COLOMBO569 | BAD PRESS: LTTE KILLS SUSPECTED DISSIDENTS AFTER [...] (U) Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) militants attacked a camp of anti-LTTE Karuna loyalists in Thivichchenei, Polonnaruwa District, in the early morning hours of March 21, killing at least two suspected Karuna cadres. (Note: The Sri Lanka Army claims that the two dead are LTTE cadre [...] | 2005-03-21 11:45:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PTER PGOV CE LTTE |
05COLOMBO574 | SCENESETTER FOR VISIT OF MCC CEO PAUL APPLEGARTH [...] (SBU) Summary: MCC CEO Applegarth's visit comes as Sri Lanka begins the post-Tsunami transition from relief to reconstruction. With ample public and private funds available for tsunami reconstruction, the Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) and the Embassy see MCA funding as an opportunity to addre [...] | 2005-03-22 11:09:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | KMCA ECON EAID EFIN CE |
05COLOMBO583 | SRI LANKAN POST-TSUNAMI RECONSTRUCTION UPDATE [...] (SBU) Summary: In Sri Lanka, post-disaster relief and reconstruction efforts, many of which were unavoidably developed and implemented on an ad hoc basis, appear to be evolving into a more structured, longer-term implementation phase. There are three main organizations currently spearheading [...] | 2005-03-23 10:29:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EAID ECON PGOV CE |
05COLOMBO595 | SRI LANKA: SUSPECTED "ENCOUNTER" KILLINGS BY [...] (SBU) Over the past four months, 17 suspected criminals have been shot and killed as they were being taken into police custody, primarily in Colombo and surrounding areas. Although police versions of such incidents invariably claim that the suspects attempted to shoot or otherwise injure pol [...] | 2005-03-24 12:02:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV KCRM CE |
05COLOMBO606 | AMBASSADOR DISCUSSES LTTE "AIR FORCE", TSUNAMI [...] (C) SUMMARY: Ambassador and Foreign Minister Kadirgamar discussed how to deal with newly-revealed LTTE air capability and Sri Lankan reports of possible additional Tiger aircraft purchases. Kadirgamar, who had just returned from a two-week trip abroad, was uninformed about GSL moves to bring [...] | 2005-03-28 11:40:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PHUM PARM MCAP EAID CE CU ID UNHRC LTTE |
05COLOMBO615 | SRI LANKA: ELECTRICITY, FUEL STRIKES AVERTED [...] (SBU) Strikes threatened by unions at the state- owned Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) and Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) were averted late March 28 after a Cabinet vote on restructuring the two state-owned enterprises (SOEs) was postponed. Cities across the island reported crippling traf [...] | 2005-03-29 10:39:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON ETRD ELAB ENRG PGOV CE |
05COLOMBO616 | SRI LANKA AND MALDIVES: SWIFT RESPONSE TO [...] (SBU) Summary: In sharp contrast to the December 26 earthquake and tsunami that caused devastating loss of life in Sri Lanka and Maldives, both governments responded quickly and efficiently to the potential for another deadly tsunami following the March 28 earthquake off the Indonesian islan [...] | 2005-03-29 11:13:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | AEMR CASC PHUM PGOV CE MV |
05COLOMBO629 | SRI LANKA - SITUATION REPORT ON SRI LANKAN RESPONSE [...] On March 28, 2005, at 2315 local time, a magnitude 8.7 earthquake occurred off the coast of Indonesia, destroying buildings and causing numerous deaths on the Sumatran island of Nias. The following cable details the actions taken by the Government of Sri Lanka (GOSL) to alert residents to the [...] | 2005-03-30 11:09:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | EAID AEMR PREL PGOV CE |
05COLOMBO635 | NORWEGIANS: JOINT MECHANISM ABOUT TO HAPPEN! [...] (C) SUMMARY: Norwegian Ambassador thinks both sides are close to agreement on Joint Mechanism, but it may not be finalized until after mid-April holidays. "Off shore" issue is sole remaining dispute. Kumaratunga may conclude agreement as President, not on behalf of current government. Both [...] | 2005-03-31 10:13:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PINS CU NO LTTE |
05COLOMBO639 | GSL POINT OF CONTACT FOR THE PACIFIC TSUNAMI [...] This is an action request. Post received a Diplomatic Note from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs providing the GSL Point of Contact for the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center. Post would appreciate Department passing this information to the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center. Post will also fax a co [...] | 2005-03-31 11:23:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | ECON PREL CE |
05COLOMBO646 | SRI LANKA - EARTHQUAKE AND TSUNAMIS: [...] Organizations involved in the transitional shelter sector continue to encounter obstacles to shelter construction. These obstacles include the lack of available materials, specifically timber, on the local market; delays in the Government of Sri Lanka's (GOSL) allocation and identification o [...] | 2005-04-01 06:10:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | EAID AEMR PREL PGOV CE |
05COLOMBO648 | FOREIGN MINISTER SAYS ANTI-CONVERSION BILL WILL [...] (C) Prior to receipt April 1 of ref b directing post to demarche GSL on proposed anti-conversion legislation, Ambassador had raised issue with Foreign Minister Kadirgamar on March 28 (ref a). Ambassador then discussed issue twice with Foreign Minister on afternoon of March 31 and with Foreig [...] | 2005-04-01 06:21:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | KIRF PHUM CE |
05COLOMBO65 | SRI LANKA - EARTHQUAKE AND TSUNAMIS: [...] As of January 7, according to the Center for National Operations (CNO),the earthquake and tsunamis killed 30,718 people in Sri Lanka. On January 7, U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell and USAID SIPDIS Administrator Andrew Natsios, along with the U.S. Ambassador and USAID/Colombo Health [...] | 2005-01-10 08:31:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | EAID AEMR PREL PGOV CE MV |
05COLOMBO651 | REPORTED TRAVEL TO LTTE-CONTROLLED TERRITORY BY [...] (C) Several Colombo Sunday (April 3) newspapers ran brief articles reporting that U.S. Congressman Danny K. Davis (7th District - Illinois) had visited Kilinocchi and Mullaitivu in the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE)- controlled "Wanni" region of northern Sri Lanka the day before. Ac [...] | 2005-04-04 07:04:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PTER OREP CE LTTE |
05COLOMBO654 | MALDIVES: CHILD MARRIAGE NOT COMMON [...] SUMMARY. CHILD MARRIAGE IS NOT A SIGNIFICANT PROBLEM IN THE REPUBLIC OF MALDIVES. UNDER CIVIL LAW, THE LEGAL AGE OF MARRIAGE IN MALDIVES IS 18 YEARS OLD, WHICH APPLIES TO BOTH BOYS AND GIRLS. HOWEVER, UNDER EXCEPTIONAL CIRCUMSTANCES, A FATHER MAY REQUEST THE COURT TO WED TWO PEOPLE BELOW TH [...] | 2005-04-04 09:21:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | PHUM ECON ELAB PGOV SCUL SOCI KWMN |
05COLOMBO659 | SRI LANKA: UNIVERSITY EDUCATION: SO MANY [...] (SBU) Despite a constitutional duty to ensure "universal and equal access to education at all levels," the state-run national university system in Sri Lanka, hamstrung by politicization, resource shortfalls and successive debilitating strikes, accommodated fewer than 14 percent of qualified s [...] | 2005-04-04 12:20:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV SCUL CE |
05COLOMBO663 | SRI LANKA: PRESIDENT MAKES NO COMMITMENTS ON CHR [...] (C) In a March 29 meeting with President Chandrika Kumaratunga during the visit of Millennium Challenge Corporation CEO Paul Applegarth, Ambassador raised the resolution on Cuba. As in previous demarches (Refs A-C),Ambassador stressed the closeness of last year's vote, the composition of th [...] | 2005-04-05 07:02:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PREL CE UNHRC |
05COLOMBO666 | COLOMBO PLAN: CONSENSUS ON CONSTITUTIONAL [...] This message is an Action Request -- Please see Para 4. 2. CONSENSUS ON ARREARS AMENDMENT: During the April 5 Colombo Plan Council meeting, poloff delivered points in Ref A, which were received with thanks and appreciation by the delegate from Thailand and the President and Secretary Gen [...] | 2005-04-05 10:58:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | AORC PREL SNAR CE |
05COLOMBO669 | SRI LANKA: NAVAL VESSEL FIRED ON BY SUSPECTED [...] (SBU) Just before 10:00 a.m. local time on April 5, a Sri Lankan naval inshore patrol craft was fired upon as it patrolled coastal waters about 700 meters from shore in the eastern district of Trincomalee. A monitor from the Sri Lankan Monitoring Mission (SLMM) was on board the vessel (whic [...] | 2005-04-05 12:10:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PTER MOPS CE LTTE |
05COLOMBO67 | TXFO01: SRI LANKA AND MALDIVES SITREP NO. 9, [...] (U) Consular efforts: As previously reported, the number of American citizens killed as a result of the tsunami stands at eight, with one additional AmCit missing and presumed dead. Conoffs have reduced the number of welfare and whereabouts cases: 15 AmCits remain unaccounted for in Sri La [...] | 2005-01-10 11:48:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | AEMR EAID CASC PGOV CE MV |
05COLOMBO672 | CUBA AT UNHRC: GSL UNDER INTERNAL PRESSURE, ALMOST [...] (C) Ambassador called Foreign Minister Kadirgamar April 6 to discuss Cuba resolution. Ambassador said that he had raised the issue with President Kumaratunga who had said she would discuss it with the Minister. Kadirgamar said that the GSL had "given this very close attention" and "tried to s [...] | 2005-04-06 06:21:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PREL CE UNHRC |
05COLOMBO677 | SRI LANKAN POST-TSUNAMI RECONSTRUCTION UPDATE [...] This cable is for use in the Tsunami IAWG meeting on Wednesday, April 6. 2. Post-tsunami relief and reconstruction continues at a measured pace in Sri Lanka, while Maldives appears to be moving ahead smartly. Ambassador will visit Maldives this week to survey reconstruction efforts and d [...] | 2005-04-06 11:00:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | EAID ECON PGOV CE |
05COLOMBO678 | VISIT OF MCC CEO APPLEGARTH TO SRI LANKA INCREASES [...] (SBU) Summary: During a March 29-31 visit to Sri Lanka, Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) CEO Paul Applegarth discussed Sri Lanka's potential compact proposal with President Kumaratunga, Prime Minister Rajapakse, Finance Minister Amunagama, Central Bank Governor Mendis, Opposition Lea [...] | 2005-04-06 11:04:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN | KMCA EAID ECON PREL CE |
05COLOMBO679 | GWOT ASSESSMENT: SRI LANKA AND MALDIVES [...] (S) We appreciate the opportunity to review the status of the Global War on Terror (GWOT) in our two countries. In both countries we experience good counter-terrorism cooperation but could accomplish a great deal more with a relatively modest increase in resources. Sri Lanka --------- [...] | 2005-04-07 04:43:00 | Embassy Colombo | SECRET//NOFORN | PTER PGOV KJUS KISL MARR ASEC CE MV LTTE |
05COLOMBO684 | THE JAFFNA BLUES: NORTHERN TAMILS FEAR COLOMBO [...] (C) During a March 30-April 1 trip to the northern districts of Jaffna and Vavuniya, poloff and POL FSN met with local government officials, members of the judiciary, aid workers, human rights activists, Members of Parliament, university faculty and students, religious figures, members of the [...] | 2005-04-08 07:30:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PTER PGOV PHUM CE LTTE |
05COLOMBO694 | MALDIVES: IN MEETING WITH AMBASSADOR, PRESIDENT IS [...] (C) Summary: In an April 7 meeting with President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, Ambassador Lunstead briefed the Maldivian president on the current situation regarding additional USG tsunami rehabilitation assistance. In response, Gayoom underscored the flexibility and accountability of the governme [...] | 2005-04-11 06:43:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV EAID MV |
05COLOMBO696 | SRI LANKA - EARTHQUAKE AND TSUNAMIS: [...] From April 5 to April 7, the USAID/Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) Information Officer (IO) and a USAID/Colombo Foreign Service National (FSN) assisting the USAID/DART visited USAID/Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA) implementing partners in Galle and Matara in southe [...] | 2005-04-11 11:16:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | EAID AEMR PREL PGOV CE |
05COLOMBO697 | AMBASSADOR'S VISIT TO TSUNAMI-HIT ATOLL IN MALDIVES [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: Ambassador visited badly-damaged atoll in south Maldives. Temporary shelter for those who lost houses is well-planned, with community involvement. Most residents of severely-affected islands are willing to relocate to larger island. Maldives officials insist no one will be fo [...] | 2005-04-11 11:29:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL PTER EAID CE |
05COLOMBO70 | TXFO01: SRI LANKA AND MALDIVES SITREP NO. 9, [...] (U) Consular efforts: As previously reported, the number of American citizens killed as a result of the tsunami stands at eight, with one additional AmCit missing and presumed dead. Conoffs have reduced the number of welfare and whereabouts cases: 15 AmCits remain unaccounted for in Sri La [...] | 2005-01-11 01:48:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | AEMR EAID CASC PGOV CE MV |
05COLOMBO704 | MALDIVES: GOVERNMENT FUND EFFECTIVE MECHANISM FOR [...] Summary: During Ambassador Lunstead's April 7 meetings with Maldivian officials, several details regarding tsunami assistance funding in Maldives emerged. The government's National Fund and the UNDP are the two major funding mechanisms available for USG aid. The National Fund appears well [...] | 2005-04-12 08:22:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | EAID ECON PREL MV |
05COLOMBO706 | SRI LANKA: "INFORMAL" SUPPORT FOR BELARUS [...] (C) On April 12, poloff delivered Ref B points to V. Krishnamoorthy, Director of UN, Human Rights, and Multilateral Affairs at the Minister of Foreign Affairs. Krishnamoorthy replied that the Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) had no position on the Belarus resolution, as of yet. He thought the "d [...] | 2005-04-12 09:42:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PREL CE UN |
05COLOMBO710 | POST-TSUNAMI ASSISTANCE TO MALDIVES [...] Reftels detail my recent visit to Maldives, where I had extensive discussions with Maldives Government officials and with UNDP on the state of reconstruction planning and the options for tsunami assistance. I came away with several clear impressions. --Government of Maldives (GORM)is very [...] | 2005-04-12 10:44:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV PREL PTER EAID CE |
05COLOMBO712 | SRI LANKAN POST-TSUNAMI RECONSTRUCTION UPDATE [...] This contains an action request (Par 6). 2. We are sending this update early since Post will be closed on Wednesday and Thursday for Sri Lankan holidays. 3. The Ambassador and poloff visited the Maldives last week to discuss possible mechanisms for providing assistance, and visited sev [...] | 2005-04-12 11:35:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EAID ECON PGOV CE MV |
05COLOMBO725 | SRI LANKA - EARTHQUAKE AND TSUNAMIS: USAID/DART [...] The USAID/Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) field officer (FO) and USAID/Colombo Humanitarian Assistance Program Manager (HAPM) traveled to eastern Sri Lanka from April 6 to 9 to monitor USAID/Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA)-funded programs and review the progress of [...] | 2005-04-18 11:02:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | EAID AEMR PREL PGOV CE |
05COLOMBO732 | International Visitor Request: Sri Lankan MP's [...] (U) A group of seven Sri Lankan Members of Parliament (MP) have requested a fully-funded trip of a week to ten days' duration to visit Hawaii, California and Washington, D.C., in order to look at how the U.S. prepares for and responds to natural disasters. The group would like to visit the Ts [...] | 2005-04-20 01:36:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL KPAO PTER EAID CE |
05COLOMBO739 | SRI LANKAN POST-TSUNAMI RECONSTRUCTION UPDATE [...] This cable is for the Tsunami IAWG meeting on April 20, 2005. 2. (SBU) Summary: The transition from relief to rebuilding continues to be mixed. Assistant Secretary Rocca visited affected communities in the east and found many positive examples of community rebuilding efforts. The GSL and [...] | 2005-04-20 10:52:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EAID ECON PGOV CE MV LTTE |
05COLOMBO741 | NORWEGIAN FACILITATOR SOLHEIM THINKS JOINT RELIEF [...] (C) Summary. Solheim is optimistic that a joint GSL/LTTE/Muslim mechanism for tsunami relief in the north and east will be signed soon but quite emphatic that, absent the mechanism, there will be no progress on peace for a long time. How the mechanism, if signed, would play out on the gro [...] | 2005-04-20 11:22:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PTER EAID PGOV CE NO LTTE |
05COLOMBO742 | TWO RELIGIOUS "ANTI-CONVERSION" BILLS, TOO MUCH [...] (C) Summary: The government's anti-conversion legislation is ready for Parliament but must be formally published before it can be presented to the legislative body. There is no timeframe to formally publish the bill. The private member Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU) bill will likely come befo [...] | 2005-04-20 12:13:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM KIRF CE |
05COLOMBO786 | SRI LANKA: INTERNECINE FIGHTING IN THE EAST [...] (C) Summary: Violence in the East*mainly involving the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE),Karuna faction cadres, and even the Sri Lankan military*continues to percolate, keeping tensions raw in this troubled region and slowly testing the limits of both the ceasefire agreement (CFA) and [...] | 2005-04-27 03:04:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PTER PGOV PINR PHUM CE LTTE |
05COLOMBO787 | SRI LANKA: A/S ROCCA RAISES ANTI-CONVERSION [...] (C) In a series of separate discussions on April 20 with political leaders, government officials and human rights activists, Assistant Secretary for South Asian Affairs Christina Rocca and the Ambassador highlighted U.S. concerns over proposed anti-conversion legislation (reftel). A/S Rocca [...] | 2005-04-27 04:51:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM KIRF PREL CE |
05COLOMBO788 | SRI LANKA: A/S ROCCA'S DISCUSSIONS ON THE PEACE [...] (C) In meetings with Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) and political leaders on April 20, Assistant Secretary for South Asian Affairs Christina Rocca and the Ambassador urged greater flexibility from both the GSL and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in approaching the peace process. T [...] | 2005-04-27 06:40:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PTER PGOV PREL CE LTTE |
05COLOMBO789 | SRI LANKA: A/S ROCCA DISCUSSES TSUNAMI [...] (C) In an April 19 visit to the eastern district of Ampara and in discussions with government and political leaders in Colombo on April 20, Assistant Secretary for South Asian Affairs Christina Rocca reviewed the progress of post-tsunami reconstruction efforts and prospects for a proposed "jo [...] | 2005-04-27 06:45:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV EAID PTER CE LTTE |
05COLOMBO792 | SRI LANKAN POST-TSUNAMI RECONSTRUCTION UPDATE [...] (U) This cable contains an action request, please see para 7. Post-tsunami transition from relief to reconstruction continues. The pace and organization of tsunami relief and reconstruction remains on par with SIPDIS previous reporting. Joint Mechanism with LTTE: Going nowhere fast -- [...] | 2005-04-27 11:06:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EAID ECON PGOV CE MV |
05COLOMBO797 | NORWEGIANS SEE NO PROGRESS ON JOINT RELIEF [...] (C) Summary. The Norwegians report no progress on the joint relief mechanism since Solheim's visit earlier in April. Norwegian FM Peterson will try to cajole CBK (just returned from vacation) towards progress in an imminent phone conversation; DFM Helgesen may appear on BBC to rebut the vi [...] | 2005-04-28 09:52:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PTER EAID PGOV CE NO LTTE |
05COLOMBO8 | TFXO01: MALDIVES AND SRI LANKA, SITREP NO. 6, [...] (U) American Citizens: The number of Americans confirmed killed stands at 7; 67 reports of missing Americans received by the Consular Section remain unresolved; 267 welfare/whereabouts cases have been resolved. 2. (U) Casualty Figures: According to the Ministry of Social Services, the n [...] | 2005-01-02 10:50:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | AEMR CASC PREL EAID CE MV |
05COLOMBO807 | SRI LANKA: WESTERN PROVINCIAL COUNCIL SHOWDOWN [...] (C) Summary: A growing controversy over the future of the Chief Minister of the Western Province has exacerbated already-strained tensions within the United People,s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) and has breathed new life into the long-dormant opposition United National Party (UNP). At the same t [...] | 2005-04-29 01:45:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PINR PHUM PTER CE |
05COLOMBO811 | SRI LANKA - EARTHQUAKE AND TSUNAMIS: [...] No summary [...] | 2005-04-29 06:18:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | EAID AEMR PREL PGOV CE LTTE |
05COLOMBO812 | PRO-LTTE JOURNALIST MURDERED IN COLOMBO [...] (U) Just one week after the abduction of a Colombo-area police inspector (Ref A),Dharmaretnam Sivaram (aka "Taraki"),a renowned Tamil journalist, was abducted from in front of a Colombo restaurant (and across the street from a police station) by unidentified assailants late April 28. Accord [...] | 2005-04-29 07:33:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PTER PGOV CE LTTE |
05COLOMBO813 | TSUNAMI AID AND STATUARY: CHINESE PREMIER'S VISIT [...] (SBU) Chinese premier Wen Jiabao's April 8-9 visit here yielded some modest tsunami aid and debt relief, mutually reinforcing public condemnations of the "evil" of separatism, and a new bust of Chou Enlai for a Chinese-built conference center in Colombo. For the Sri Lankans, who face a hefty [...] | 2005-04-29 08:33:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL PGOV EAID CH CE |
05COLOMBO816 | GSL IPR Enforcement Continues, Expands; [...] Summary: Sri Lankan courts recently convicted three stores in Colombo for IPR violations, following a major police crackdown on illegal music and video stores. The raids were carried out as a result of complaints made by a leading local agent of international movie and video recordings. Sri [...] | 2005-05-02 03:54:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | ECON EFIN KIPR OTRA CE ECONOMICS |
05COLOMBO818 | SRI LANKA: BUDDHIST RELIGIOUS PARTY TRYING [...] (SBU) The Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU),a Buddhist religious party whose 7 MPs are monks, is pressing ahead with a bill to outlaw "unethical" conversions, which it expects to come before Parliament on May 6. According to JHU MPs, the influx of Christian missionaries, under the guise of NGOs pr [...] | 2005-05-02 08:58:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM KIRF PGOV CE |
05COLOMBO82 | SRI LANKA - EARTHQUAKE AND TSUNAMIS: [...] As of January 10, according to the Center for National Operations (CNO),the earthquake and tsunamis had killed 30,725 people in Sri Lanka. The USAID/Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) conducted an assessment trip in Galle and concluded that water supply is not a critical need, but sa [...] | 2005-01-11 11:47:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | CASC EAID AEMR PREL PGOV CE MV |
05COLOMBO826 | SRI LANKA - EARTHQUAKE AND TSUNAMIS: [...] The USAID/Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) field officer (FO) and USAID/Colombo Project Development Specialist (PDS) traveled to Hambantota and Galle districts on Sri Lanka's south coast from April 26 to 28 to monitor USAID/Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA)-funded pro [...] | 2005-05-03 09:26:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | EAID AEMR PREL PGOV CE |
05COLOMBO831 | COLOMBO IPR TRAINING REQUEST [...] Per request ref B, Post is pleased to submit the following proposals for funding. Since the passage of a new IPR law in 2003, Sri Lanka has taken strong action to curb IPR violations in the past few months. The public and private sectors are working together to implement the IPR law. Econo [...] | 2005-05-04 06:49:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | ECON EFIN OTRA KIPR CE USTR |
05COLOMBO832 | Multiparty demonstration in Colombo over murder [...] (U) Summary: Five days after the murder of Tamil commentator Dharmaretnam Sivaram, a.k.a.Taraki, (see Reftel) prominent journalists from all political persuasions along with Members of Parliament and trade unionists gathered on the occasion of World Press Freedom Day to express concern for me [...] | 2005-05-04 08:01:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | PHUM KPAO PTER EAID OIIP PREL CE LTTE |
05COLOMBO833 | SRI LANKAN POST-TSUNAMI RECONSTRUCTION UPDATE (MAY [...] No summary [...] | 2005-05-04 09:41:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EAID ECON PGOV CE MV |
05COLOMBO834 | SRI LANKA: PRESIDENT TALKS POSITIVELY ON JOINT [...] (C) Summary. In a May 3 address to religious leaders, President Kumaratunga publicly expressed her desire to conclude a Joint Mechanism with the Liberation Tiger of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) for distribution of aid in tsunami-affected areas. Kumaratunga said the Joint Mechanism would be the path t [...] | 2005-05-04 11:15:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PTER PREL EAID CE LTTE |
05COLOMBO837 | MALDIVES BLACKLISTS FOREIGN NATIONALS FOR [...] (C) On May 2 Maldivian Foreign Secretary Abdul Hameed Zakariyya met with CDA in Colombo to advise him that the Government of the Republic of Maldives (GORM) had blacklisted eight foreigners, including an apparent American citizen, from entering Maldives because of suspected links to a Maldivi [...] | 2005-05-05 06:15:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PTER PGOV CASC MV |
05COLOMBO843 | SRI LANKA: POLITICAL PARTIES RALLY THEIR BASES IN [...] (SBU) Summary: This year's May Day--a traditional forum for parties to hold pep rallies to tout their accomplishments, outline future moves, and lambaste opponents--passed without incident this past weekend. The various rallies in Colombo sponsored by the Sri Lankan Freedom Party (SLFP),the [...] | 2005-05-05 11:55:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PHUM PINR CE LTTE |
05COLOMBO844 | COLOMBO CO-CHAIR REPS MULL OVER ISSUING STATEMENT [...] (C) Summary. After May 5 discussion of whether to issue a statement in support of the joint mechanism for tsunami relief in the North and East, Colombo co-chair representatives agreed that such a statement would be most useful after the joint mechanism is agreed upon (assuming that happens [...] | 2005-05-05 12:21:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PTER EAID PGOV CE NO LTTE |
05COLOMBO845 | MALDIVES: PROGRESS ON REFORMS: GLACIAL BUT [...] (C) Summary: In a May 4 release, the Government of the Republic of Maldives said it would seek to legitimize political parties under the current constitution, based on a legal opinion by the current Attorney General Dr. Hassan Saeed. The move stems from growing dissatisfaction across the po [...] | 2005-05-05 12:31:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM PREL MV |
05COLOMBO849 | MALDIVIAN GUANTANAMO DETAINEE IBRAHIM FAUZEE [...] (SBU) The Maldivan government has advised the Embassy that, according to Maldivian national Ibrahim Fauzee who was returned to Maldives from Guantanamo March 12, when Mr. Fauzee was detained in Pakistan his Maldivian passport and several "educational certificates" were seized. They were not [...] | 2005-05-09 02:14:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | KAWC PTER PREL MV |
05COLOMBO858 | LEGISLATIVE LIMBO?: ANTI-CONVERSION BILL SENT TO [...] (SBU) Summary: The private member's bill presented by the Buddhist nationalist Jathika Hela Urumayu (JHU) to prohibit "unethical" conversion was read out in Parliament for the second time on May 6. The Speaker referred the bill to an as-yet unconstituted Standing Committee for further revi [...] | 2005-05-09 11:38:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PHUM KIRF PGOV CE |
05COLOMBO868 | SRI LANKAN POST-TSUNAMI RECONSTRUCTION UPDATE (MAY [...] (U) In Sri Lanka, reconstruction progress continues at a measured pace. The Government seems to be feeling less pressure on the transitional housing front and has announced that they have surpassed 22,000 transitional shelters and will achieve their goal of 30,000 shelters in place by June 3 [...] | 2005-05-11 07:13:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EAID ECON PGOV CE MV |
05COLOMBO870 | BURNING TIRES IN BATTICALOA: MORE PROBLEMS IN [...] (SBU) Summary: The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) called a one-day strike that closed businesses and halted transportation in many areas of the north and east May 10. The strike was called ostensibly to protest the fatal shooting of a civilian protester at a Batticaloa checkpoint [...] | 2005-05-11 12:52:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PTER PGOV CE LTTE |
05COLOMBO872 | SRI LANKA DEFERS FATE OF GOVERNMENT OWNED ELECTRIC [...] (U) Summary: The Government was forced to shelve its electricity sector restructuring plans on May 7, for the second time in five weeks, due to strong protests by unions. The withdrawal came after the Government failed to secure the support of unions affiliated with the Government's allianc [...] | 2005-05-12 04:37:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON ENRG ETRD ELAB PGOV CE ECONOMICS |
05COLOMBO875 | IMI - INVESTMENT CLIMATE STATEMENT, 2005 - SRI LANKA [...] No summary [...] | 2005-05-12 07:40:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | CE ECON ECONOMICS EFIN EINV ELAB ETRD KTDB OPIC PGOV USTR |
05COLOMBO877 | SRI LANKA - EARTHQUAKE AND TSUNAMIS: [...] No summary [...] | 2005-05-12 11:18:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | EAID AEMR PREL PGOV CE |
05COLOMBO878 | FOREIGN GOVERNMENT REQUEST FOR PRE [...] 542/01/T0007 2. 051205 3. RCMERRIN 4. 542 5. N 6A. CONTACT 6B. PROJECT DIRECTOR COLOMBO KATUNAYAKE EXPRESSWAY PROJECT ROAD DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY 200 PANNIPITIYA ROAD, BATTARAMULLA, SRI LANKA 7. PHONE: NONE AVAILABLE 8. FAX: NONE AVAILABLE 9. 201 [...] | 2005-05-12 11:20:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | BTIO CE ECONOMICS |
05COLOMBO880 | SRI LANKA - EARTHQUAKE AND TSUNAMIS: [...] No summary [...] | 2005-05-12 11:26:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | EAID AEMR PREL PGOV CE |
05COLOMBO887 | VISIT TO BATTICALOA: PESSIMISM PERVADES VIEWS ON [...] (C) SUMMARY: ON A MAY 9-11 TRIP TO BATTICALOA IN SRI LANKA'S TURBULENT EASTERN PROVINCE, POLOFF, INFORMATION OFFICER, A/RSO,AND POL FSN MET WITH LOCAL GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS, PEACE MONITORS, AND REPRESENTATIVES FROM LOCAL AND INTERNATIONAL NGOS TO ASSESS THE SITUATION ON THE GROUND AND VIEWS RE [...] | 2005-05-13 06:43:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PTER PHUM PGOV EAID CE LTTE |
05COLOMBO888 | SRI LANKA: PROPOSED JOINT MECHANISM NOW POLITICAL [...] (C) Hopes that the Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) would sign a joint mechanism on tsunami aid before the May 16-17 Development Forum are fading. The proposal has become a political hot potato for President Chandrika Kumaratunga, with her opponen [...] | 2005-05-13 11:21:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PTER EAID CE LTTE |
05COLOMBO890 | KUMARATUNGA GIVES STRONG INDICATION SHE WILL GO [...] (C) Summary. President Kumaratunga told the Ambassador May 13 that she is determined to go ahead with the joint mechanism despite opposition from coalition partner JVP although the process will take a few more weeks. The Ambassador stated that the U.S. supported her efforts and that a sign [...] | 2005-05-16 03:06:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV EAID PTER KIRF CE LTTE |
05COLOMBO895 | SRI LANKA: SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR ON RELIGIOUS [...] (C) In a May 11 briefing to the diplomatic community, UN Special Rapporteur on Religious Freedom Asma Jahangir said she had seen no evidence of forced conversions during her May 2-12 visit to Sri Lanka. While she heard credible reports of some instances of "inappropriate" conversion, she indic [...] | 2005-05-16 08:39:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM KIRF PGOV CE |
05COLOMBO897 | Journalists in Eastern Sri Lanka Constrained in [...] (SBU) Summary: Journalists in the East of Sri Lanka, concerned about their welfare, hesitate to report fully on events in the region. Reporters from the Batticaloa Media Alliance allege they cannot report freely from the Eastern province due to pressure from the LTTE and Sri Lankan Army for [...] | 2005-05-16 10:36:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | PHUM KPAO PTER EAID OIIP PREL CE LTTE |
05COLOMBO9 | TFXO02 - UPDATE OF ACTIVITIES OF USAID/OFDA [...] SUMMARY: A USAID AIR SHIPMENT LANDED YESTERDAY IN SRI LANKA BRINGING URGENTLY NEEDED RELIEF SUPPLIES FOR TSUNAMI VICTIMS. USAID/DART HAS IDENTIFIED AND SIPDIS SUBMITTED FOR RAPID CONTRACTING THE FIRST APPROVED SELECTION OF NGO IMPLEMENTATION PROPOSALS. OTI IS DEVELOPING A RESPONSE TO SUPP [...] | 2005-01-02 12:06:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | EAID AEMR CE |
05COLOMBO900 | Outreach on Newsweek Retraction of Koran [...] Reaction in Sri Lanka and the Maldives to the original Newsweek story about alleged desecration of the Koran was muted and low-key. Media in both countries ran straight wire service reports about the controversy, but abstained from publishing or broadcasting outraged commentary and editorial [...] | 2005-05-17 10:31:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | PHUM KPAO KISL OIIP PREL CE MV |
05COLOMBO914 | SRI LANKAN POST-TSUNAMI RECONSTRUCTION UPDATE (MAY [...] This cable provides updated information from Sri Lanka for the May 18 post-Tsunami IAWG meeting. Value Added Tax --------------- 2. (U) The Value Added Tax issue may be resolved. Ambassador received a letter from Finance Secretary P.B. Jayasundera over the weekend that provides a strea [...] | 2005-05-18 11:15:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EAID ECON PGOV CE MV |
05COLOMBO916 | SRI LANKA: STATUE STIRS STRIKE, VIOLENCE IN [...] (U) One person was killed and five injured in scattered grenade attacks in the eastern district of Trincomalee on May 17 during a two-day strike, or "hartal," to protest the erection of a large Buddha statue on government-owned land. The Embassy has received no reports of U.S. citizens hurt or [...] | 2005-05-18 11:53:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV ASEC KIRF PTER PHUM CASC CE LTTE |
05COLOMBO921 | SRI LANKA: POLICE SOFT-PEDALING INVESTIGATION OF [...] (SBU) Findings from Pol FSN's May 16 visit to the site of a church attack in the southwestern district of Galle indicate an unwillingness from local authorities to prosecute the perpetrators, who include two Buddhist monks and the chairman of the village council. The pastor of the church, w [...] | 2005-05-19 09:11:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PHUM KIRF PGOV CE |
05COLOMBO93 | TXFO01: SRI LANKA AND MALDIVES SITREP NO. 10, [...] (U) Consular efforts: The consular section continues to focus entirely on tsunami-related efforts. The number of AmCits deaths in Sri Lanka still stands at eight, with one addition AmCit missing and presumed dead. Consular staff have reduced the number of welfare and whereabouts cases to s [...] | 2005-01-12 12:24:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | AEMR EAID CASC PGOV CE MV |
05COLOMBO933 | SRI LANKAN PRESIDENT VOWS TO PASS JOINT MECHANISM, [...] (U) President Chandrika Kumaratunga gave an extemporaneous and sometimes emotional opening speech to the Sri Lanka Development Forum in Kandy on May 16, vowing to sign the "Joint Mechanism" on tsunami relief with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). She also asked donors to support [...] | 2005-05-20 05:25:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PTER PGOV ECON EAID CE LTTE |
05COLOMBO934 | SRI LANKAN DEVELOPMENT FORUM EXCEEDS [...] (SBU) Summary: Representatives from the Government of Sri Lanka and the donor community met in Kandy May 16-17 to discuss Sri Lanka's post-tsunami situation, the country's development goals and the peace process. Hosted by the Ministry of Finance and organized in collaboration with the World [...] | 2005-05-20 05:51:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EAID ECON EFIN CE LTTE |
05COLOMBO935 | MALDIVES: LETTER TO SECRETARY FROM FOREIGN [...] On May 20 the Embassy received by fax a diplomatic note from the Government of Republic of Maldives conveying the text of a letter from Foreign Minister Fathulla Jameel to the Secretary. The text of the note follows below: SIPDIS 2. Begin text: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the [...] | 2005-05-23 07:50:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | OPDC PREL MV |
05COLOMBO94 | TFXO01: GOVERNMENT/LTTE RELIEF COORDINATION [...] (C) Coordination between Government and Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) relief efforts on the ground, especially in the east, remains adequate, according to UN and foreign diplomatic sources, despite recent allegations and counter-allegations in the local press of obstructionism and/o [...] | 2005-01-12 14:27:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PTER PGOV AEMR EAID CE LTTE |
05COLOMBO946 | MALDIVES: GOVERNMENT APPEARS READY TO REGISTER [...] (SBU) On May 21 President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom asked the People's Majlis in its next session to take up the question of whether to allow the registration of political parties. The President's directive follows an opinion issued by the Attorney General overturning a 2001 finding from his prede [...] | 2005-05-25 11:52:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PHUM MV |
05COLOMBO954 | Leading Tamil Editor Receives Death Threats [...] (U) Summary: Following the high-profile April 29 murder of Tamil commentator Dharmaretnam Sivaram, (Reftel),another prominent Tamil journalist, Vediwel Thevaraj, Acting Editor- in-Chief of the mainstream independent Tamil daily Virakesari, has reported receiving anonymous death threats. Mr. [...] | 2005-05-26 11:39:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PHUM KPAO PTER EAID OIIP PREL CE LTTE |
05COLOMBO955 | SRI LANKA: COMMUNAL TENSION CONTINUES OVER [...] (SBU) Summary: Religious and ethnic tensions continue to percolate in Trincomalee over the May 16 erection of a large Buddha statue on public land in the city center. A May 18 decision by a local judge ordering the removal of the statue has not yet been implemented, and the statue remains, [...] | 2005-05-26 12:19:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PTER PHUM KIRF CE LTTE |
05COLOMBO956 | SRI LANKA - EARTHQUAKE AND TSUNAMIS: [...] From May 17 - 20, the USAID/OFDA Shelter Specialist, USAID/Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) Information Officer (IO),and USAID/Colombo Project Management Assistant traveled to Ampara District to monitor USAID/OFDA- funded programs and visit tsunami-affected areas. The USAID team met [...] | 2005-05-27 03:40:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | EAID AEMR PREL PGOV CE |
05COLOMBO961 | COUNTRY TEAM ASSESSMENT FOR AIR DEFENSE RADARS [...] THE GOVERNMENT OF SRI LANKA HAS REQUESTED THROUGH A US COMPANY PRICE AND AVAILABILITY OF A COMPLETE SYSTEM SALE FOR AN UNSPECIFIED NUMBER OF AIR DEFENSE RADARS. LIKELY RADARS MENTIONED ARE THE SENTINEL OR ANTPQ36A. A SYSTEM SALE WOULD INCLUDE ASSOCIATED SUPPORT EQUIPMENT, TRAINING, SPARES AND [...] | 2005-05-31 07:37:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | MASS PREL PGOV PTER CE LTTE |
05COLOMBO965 | Post-MFA Challenges Twist Garment Sector Knickers [...] (U) Summary: Although, there was much concern in the last few months of 2004 about the end of the Multi-Fiber Agreement (MFA) and the possible loss of up to 30,000 jobs, this problem paled in comparison with the enormous loss of over 30,000 lives from the tsunami on the eve of the MFA expiry [...] | 2005-05-31 09:35:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON ETRD CE ECONOMICS |
05COLOMBO968 | FORMER PRESIDENT CLINTON EMPHASIZES JOINT [...] (C) SUMMARY: Former President Clinton visited a tsunami-hit area in Sri Lanka's Muslim East where he heard SIPDIS complaints about the coastal buffer zone from NGO's and tsunami victims. He praised the proposed Joint Mechanism in SIPDIS talks with President Kumaratunga and publicly. Kuma [...] | 2005-05-31 11:31:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | EAID PGOV PREL LTTE |
05COLOMBO971 | Special Media Reaction: Former President Bill [...] (U) Summary: Media coverage of President Clinton's May 27-28 visit to Sri Lanka and the Maldives as United Nations Special Envoy for Tsunami Relief was prominent and widespread. Electronic and print media reported on the visit through the weekend and Monday. The coverage of the former Presi [...] | 2005-06-01 01:32:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | PHUM KPAO PTER EAID OIIP PREL CE |
05COLOMBO972 | FISCAL RESTRAINT ON ILO'S PROPOSED BUDGET FOR [...] No summary [...] | 2005-06-01 08:32:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | AORC ELAB CE ILO |
05COLOMBO973 | CUBAN CANDIDACY FOR THE ILO GOVERNING BODY [...] No summary [...] | 2005-06-01 08:32:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | ELAB PHUM PREL CE ILO |
05COLOMBO974 | SRI LANKA ACCEPTS US DEBT RELIEF OFFER [...] This is an action request, please see para 3. Post has received a letter from Mr. J.H.J. Jayamaha, Additional Director General for External Resources at the Sri Lankan Finance Ministry, accepting the USG offer for debt relief, asking us to conclude a bilateral agreement, providing a copy of [...] | 2005-06-01 09:46:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | EAID EFIN ECON CE |
05COLOMBO976 | SRI LANKAN POST-TSUNAMI RECONSTRUCTION UPDATE [...] (U) This cable is for the Tsunami IAWG on June 1, 2005. 2. (U) The May 27-28 visit by former President Clinton went well and is summarized in Ref A. Media reaction is provided in Ref B. Update on USG Activity ---------------------- 3. (U) On the ground progress continues, with the [...] | 2005-06-01 09:50:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EAID ECON PGOV CE MV |
05COLOMBO997 | MALDIVES: "BRIGHT DAY FOR DEMOCRACY" DARKENED BY [...] (C) Early on June 2--the day the People's Majlis was expected to rubber-stamp President Gayoom's decision to allow the registration of political parties--police arrested six members of the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP). Government Spokesman Dr. Ahmed Shaheed described the arrests [...] | 2005-06-02 12:22:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM MV |
05COLOMBO998 | SRI LANKA: ASSASSINATIONS, COUNTER-KILLINGS [...] (C) The May 31 killing of a Sri Lanka Army intelligence officer as he drove to work in Colombo (Ref A) is only the latest installment in a recurrent pattern of assassinations and counter-killings by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and its rivals, primarily members of the breakaway [...] | 2005-06-02 12:46:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PTER PGOV PHUM PREL CE LTTE |
06COLOMBO1 | FOREIGN MINISTER TO STRESS DEMOCRACY, NEED TO [...] (C) Summary. Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera plans to brief Secretary Rice on Sri Lanka's efforts to maintain its long democratic tradition as it grapples with a bloody, brutal terrorist challenge and to ask for a strong effort to ensure the LTTE is not raising funds in the U.S. He des [...] | 2006-01-03 05:13:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PTER PINS KIRF CE LTTE |
06COLOMBO1002 | SRI LANKA WILL TAKE "APPROPRIATE DECISION" ON ICRC [...] (C) Poloff delivered reftel demarche to Sumedha Ekanayake, Assistant Director of U.N. and Multilateral Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on June 14. Ekanayake said his government had sent instructions to its delegation in Geneva, adding, "Sri Lanka will not associate itself with Syri [...] | 2006-06-14 08:46:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREF PREL PHUM ICRC CE |
06COLOMBO1006 | SRI LANKA: MONITORS HOPE TO PROCEED AS USUAL [...] (C) Summary: The Ambassador met with Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) chief Ulf Henricsson on June 14 to discuss the status of the monitors following the aborted meeting between the Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) and Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) scheduled for June 8-9. (Reftel) He [...] | 2006-06-14 11:01:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PTER PHUM CE |
06COLOMBO1008 | CLAYMORE ATTACK ON CIVILIAN BUS [...] (SBU) On Thursday, June 15, 2006 the American Embassy received reports of a claymore mine attack on a civilian bus north east of Anuradhapura town in North Central Province. We have been advised that at approximately 0740 on June 15, 2006, a government operated civilian passenger bus traveling [...] | 2006-06-15 09:40:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ASEC CE PTER |
06COLOMBO1012 | SRI LANKA'S HIGH SUICIDE RATES: A PERSISTENT PUBLIC [...] (SBU) Summary: Despite broad awareness of Sri Lanka's high suicide rate, several factors inhibit the Sri Lankan government's ability to address this public health problem. Suicide and deliberate self-harm (DSH) pose a financial burden on Sri Lanka's healthcare and police and negatively affect [...] | 2006-06-15 11:26:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | SOCI PGOV TBIO EAGR ECON CE |
06COLOMBO1018 | SRI LANKA: WORST LTTE ATTACK ON CIVILIANS SINCE [...] (C) Summary. Following a presumed LTTE mine attack on a crowded civilian bus near North-central Vavuniya on the morning of June 15 that killed at least 64 people (Ref A),the Sri Lanka military launched limited retaliation on LTTE targets south of Trincomalee, and Mullaitivu, headquaters of [...] | 2006-06-15 12:33:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PTER PHUM PGOV CE |
06COLOMBO1020 | SRI LANKA BROADLY ALIGNED WITH US POSITION ON DRIP [...] (C) Poloff joined New Zealand poloff (visiting from New Delhi) and Australian DCM and poloff June 15 in delivering reftel demarche to Sumedha Ekanayake, Assistant of UN and Multilateral Affairs at Sri Lanka's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Ekanayake agreed with the points in the demarche and sa [...] | 2006-06-16 05:42:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM CE |
06COLOMBO1022 | SRI LANKA: AIR STRIKES CONTINUE ON LTTE MILITARY [...] (C) Summary: Following a devastating presumed Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) claymore mine attack on a civilian bus on June 15 and limited Sri Lanka military retaliation on Tiger sea and air targets the same day, air raids continued the morning of June 16. Monitors and authorities f [...] | 2006-06-16 08:36:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PTER PHUM PGOV CE |
06COLOMBO1030 | SRI LANKA: CEASEFIRE CONTINUES TO FRAY AFTER TIGER [...] (C) Summary: The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and Sri Lankan Military continued to engage each other militarily June 16 - 18. According to the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM),the Sea Tigers launched a largely unsuccessful attack on a Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) base at Pesalai, Mann [...] | 2006-06-19 12:22:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PTER PHUM PGOV MOPS CE |
06COLOMBO1032 | IMPENDING CHANGE IN GOVERNOR HOLDS PROSPECT FOR [...] (C) Summary: The unexpected resignation of Central Bank Governor Sunil Mendis, and the still unofficial announcement that he will be replaced by Senior Presidential Economic Advisor Nivard Cabraal, marks an opportunity for a weakened Central Bank to reassert its independence from Treasury Secr [...] | 2006-06-20 09:07:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON EFIN PGOV CE |
06COLOMBO1038 | A POSSIBLE WAY OUT OF THE FUEL CRISIS [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: ON JUNE 11, THE GOVERNMENT OF SRI LANKA (GSL) RAISED THE PRICE OF FUEL FOR THE SECOND TIME IN EIGHT WEEKS AND ANNOUNCED PLANS TO LIBERALIZE FUEL PRICES. THE PRICE HIKE ANNOUNCEMENT CAME AS ABOUT A THIRD OF THE STATIONS IN SRI LANKA, RUN BY THE INDIAN OWNED LANKA INDIAN OIL C [...] | 2006-06-21 03:18:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EFIN ENRG ECON CE |
06COLOMBO1040 | INDIAN HIGH COMMISSIONER SHARES OUR CONCERNS ON [...] (C) Ambassador called on Indian High Commissioner Nirupama Rao June 20 to discuss situation in Sri Lanka, possibility of a US-India joint demarche (ref a),and US proposals for international contact groups on LTTE financing and weapons procurement. Rao had just returned from a two-week vacation in [...] | 2006-06-21 09:15:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV IN CE |
06COLOMBO1041 | SRI LANKA: GROWING EVIDENCE THAT NAVAL PERSONNEL [...] (C) Summary: On June 17, during a military engagement between the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) security forces (reftel) in Pesalai, on the Mannar peninsula in northwest Sri Lanka, at least thirty civilians were injured, one fatally, while taking sh [...] | 2006-06-21 11:25:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PTER MOPS CE |
06COLOMBO1047 | NORWEGIANS RUNNING OUT OF STEAM, EU MONITORS TO [...] (C) SUMMARY: Tigers insist monitors from EU-members states must leave, give 30-day window for transition. Future of the monitoring mission now extremely problematic, Norwegians will discuss it with other Nordics on June 28. Tigers upset about their treatment at Colombo airport while returning from [...] | 2006-06-23 05:26:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PTER PHUM CE NO |
06COLOMBO1048 | SRI LANKA: OPPOSITION LEADER ASSESSES THE CONFLICT [...] (C) Summary. In a June 22 meeting with the Ambassador, Ranil Wickremesinghe, leader of the opposition United National Party (UNP),criticized the president's alliance with the Marxist Sinhalese chauvinist Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP). Wickremesinghe felt the president's Sri Lanka Freedom [...] | 2006-06-23 05:28:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV CE |
06COLOMBO1051 | SRI LANKA: LOCAL NGOS INDICT LTTE, KARUNA, AND [...] (C) Summary. Poloff spoke with representatives from several of Sri Lanka's primary NGOs and think tanks June 21-22 to get their views on the military engagement between the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and the Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) since a June 15 presumably-LTTE bus bombing [...] | 2006-06-26 11:52:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
06COLOMBO1052 | INITIAL FIRST QUARTER GDP STATS MAY BE MISLEADING [...] (U) SUMMARY: The Department of Census and Statistics (DCS),an agency coming within the Ministry of Finance and Planning, has released quarterly Gross Domestic Product (GDP) data for the first quarter of 2006. According to these statistics, GDP in the first quarter of 2006 was 7 percent mor [...] | 2006-06-26 12:16:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON CE |
06COLOMBO1053 | SRI LANKA: TIGER SUICIDE BOMBERS ASSASSINATE SRI [...] (C) Summary: At 7:45 AM on June 26, two presumed-Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) motorcycle-mounted suicide bombers killed Deputy Chief of Staff of the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) Major General Parami Kulathunga and three soldiers in Pannapitiya, a suburb approximately 15 km from Colombo. Ku [...] | 2006-06-26 12:16:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
06COLOMBO1076 | EXBS: SRI LANKA DELEGATION TO GLOBAL TRANSSHIPMENT AND [...] The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) has nominated the following four (4) officials to attend the above seminar. Name: Professor B M O Perera Designation: Chairman Atomic Energy Authority of Sri Lanka Email address: oswinperera@yahoo.co.uk Name: Shanthi Sudusinghe Desig [...] | 2006-06-30 06:06:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | ETTC PARM PREL KSTC TH CE |
06COLOMBO1077 | WTO Doha Round Negotiations: Demarche Request [...] Post provided talking points contained in reftel to senior government officials dealing with WTO matters in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Trade and its Department of Commerce and the Ministry of Finance and Planning on June 27. These officials requested time to get back to us w [...] | 2006-06-30 06:07:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | WTRO ETRD ECON CE |
06COLOMBO1090 | SRI LANKA: NORTHERN GOVERNMENT AUTHORITIES SPEAK [...] (C) Summary. The Government Agents of the northern districts of Jaffna and Mannar and the District Judge of Vavuniya spoke candidly with us in separate meetings June 28-30 about the ground situation in the majority-Tamil areas in which they serve, including military attacks on civilians and t [...] | 2006-07-03 09:36:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PTER MOPS CE |
06COLOMBO110 | SRI LANKA TO CONSIDER US REQUEST ON APG VOTE [...] No summary [...] | 2006-01-17 11:44:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | EFIN PTER KCRM CE |
06COLOMBO1102 | MALDIVES: FOREIGN AFFAIRS MINISTER SENDS [...] No summary [...] | 2006-07-05 06:51:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL PGOV OPPC MV |
06COLOMBO1103 | AMBASSADOR USES FAREWELL CALL ON PRESIDENT [...] (C) Summary. During the Ambassador's July 4 farewell call, President Rajapaksa evinced confidence that his all-party effort will produce a viable document on the future of the country and made clear that he has no plans to ditch his radical political ally, the JVP. He listened carefully to [...] | 2006-07-05 08:49:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PTER PHUM CE |
06COLOMBO1107 | SRI LANKA: PRESIDENT MAKES PEACE AND HUMAN RIGHTS [...] (C) Summary. In a TV interview July 4, President Mahinda Rajapaksa called for the resumption of peace talks with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in the wake of several Tiger attacks on security forces (Ref B). On July 3, a presumed Tiger explosion at a police checkpoint near Anurad [...] | 2006-07-05 10:19:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
06COLOMBO111 | Special Media Reaction: Further Reaction to [...] (SBU) Summary: The Sri Lankan media over the holiday weekend continued to analyze the Ambassador's January 10 speech to the American Chamber of Commerce in which he expressed grave concern over LTTE violence and predicted the Tigers would face a stronger Sri Lankan military if they chose to ab [...] | 2006-01-17 11:44:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | PHUM KPAO PTER EAID OIIP PREL CE LTTE |
06COLOMBO1117 | MALDIVES - CIVAIR-AIRLINE DESIGNATION UNDER OPEN SKIES [...] Per reftel requests, post sent a diplomatic note to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Maldives, designating all U.S. carriers to operate scheduled and charter transportation on the US route(s),under the United States-Maldives Air Transport Agreement, and requesting on the basis of reciprocit [...] | 2006-07-06 11:11:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | EAIR KTIA MV |
06COLOMBO1118 | SRI LANKA - CIVAIR-AIRLINE DESIGNATION UNDER OPEN SKIES [...] Per reftel requests, post delivered a diplomatic note to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Sri Lanka and to the Director General of Civil Aviation, designating all U.S. carriers to operate scheduled and charter transportation on the US route(s),under the United States-Sri Lanka Air Transport [...] | 2006-07-06 11:11:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | EAIR KTIA CE |
06COLOMBO1127 | INDIAN FOREIGN SECRETARY GIVES BLUNT MESSAGE OF [...] (C) Summary. Indian Foreign Secretary Saran delivered a "tough love" message of support, remarkably similar to our own, to the Sri Lankan government during his visit here July 3-4. The Indians are increasingly concerned about "disarray" in the military establishment and believe President R [...] | 2006-07-09 08:46:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV IN CE |
06COLOMBO1132 | MALDIVES: REFORMS MOVING IN RIGHT DIRECTION, [...] (SBU) Summary: The Ambassador visited Male' July 6 to pay farewell calls on President Gayoom, Maldivian government officials, and the Chairman of the opposition, currently under house arrest. All interlocutors focused on a possible referendum on presidential versus parliamentary forms of gove [...] | 2006-07-11 04:21:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM MV |
06COLOMBO1140 | SRI LANKA: ARMY'S U.S.-FUNDED HUMANITARIAN [...] (SBU) Summary. The Sri Lanka Army's (SLA) U.S.-sponsored humanitarian demining program, begun after the Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) and Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) signed a Ceasefire Agreement (CFA) in February 2002, has lately hit snags which bring into question the program's [...] | 2006-07-12 10:42:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
06COLOMBO1141 | Special Media Reaction: Sri Lankan Media on Ambassador [...] (U) Summary: Coverage in the Sri Lankan media of Ambassador Lunstead's final press conference July 11 was widespread and positive. All four English language papers provided coverage, two on the front page below the fold. Three of four Tamil dailies and two of four Sinhalese broadsheets also [...] | 2006-07-12 11:49:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | PHUM KPAO PTER EAID OIIP PREL CE |
06COLOMBO1142 | SRI LANKA SHUTS DOWN MAIN PAY TV OPERATORS [...] (U) Summary: A sudden clampdown on two of the biggest companies offering pay TV services in Sri Lanka has caused distress to investors and thousands of subscribers. The initial reason for the closure of the first operator was an alleged but still unproven connection to the Liberation Tigers [...] | 2006-07-12 11:52:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON EFIN ETRD ECPS SCVL CE |
06COLOMBO1149 | SRI LANKA: NEW HUMAN RIGHTS MINISTRY PUSHES [...] (C) Summary. On July 12, the newly-formed Ministry of Human Rights and Disaster Management headed by Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe hosted a briefing at which senior members of the armed forces and police updated the diplomatic corps on human rights training and the status of investigations of [...] | 2006-07-13 09:29:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PREL PTER MOPS CE |
06COLOMBO1156 | SRI LANKA: ALL-PARTY TALKS ON ETHNIC ISSUE RESUME [...] (C) Summary: On July 11, President Rajapaksa addressed both an All-Party Conference (APC),called to develop a solution to the ethnic conflict, and an Experts' Panel, drawn to provide constitutional and legal advice to the APC. The main opposition United National Party (UNP) did not attend t [...] | 2006-07-14 05:08:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PTER PHUM CE |
06COLOMBO1160 | NEW TAX ON FOREIGN BROADCASTING COULD CRIPPLE POPULAR [...] (U) Summary: The Sri Lankan government (GSL) has imposed a hefty tax exclusively on foreign commercials, television programs, and movies distributed via television. Private TV stations say they will go out of business as a result. The two most prominent foreign media involve Hindi and Engli [...] | 2006-07-14 06:46:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON ECPS ETRD EFIN SCUL CE |
06COLOMBO1183 | SCANDINAVIANS CONTINUE TO PRESS TIGERS ON EU [...] (C) Summary. The Scandinavians continue to try to get the Tigers to back down from their insistence that SLMM members from EU countries leave by September 1. After an unsuccessful trip to Kilinochchi by the Norwegian Charge' at the end of last week, a Swedish diplomat arrives today from Sto [...] | 2006-07-19 10:44:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL CE NO |
06COLOMBO1184 | SRI LANKA: ISOLATED VIOLENT INCIDENTS IN NORTH AND [...] (SBU) Summary: A July 12 gun battle between the Sri Lankan Army (SLA) and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in the eastern region of Batticaloa left 12 SLA troops and reportedly 4 LTTE cadres dead and marked the beginning of several small violent incidents in Sri Lanka's north and ea [...] | 2006-07-19 11:31:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PTER CE |
06COLOMBO1199 | FY06 USDA FOOD FOR PROGRESS REQUEST [...] Post recommends $3 million of Hard Wheat for a Govt-Govt PL 480 Title 1 funded Food for Progress (FFP) for FY06, Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka does not produce wheat and its entire requirement is met through imports. The US has not competed effectively in the wheat market since the country's sole whea [...] | 2006-07-21 06:23:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | EAGR EAID CE |
06COLOMBO120 | SRI LANKA TRUCE MONITORING MISSION TEMPORARILY [...] (C) Summary: On January 17 the Nordic-sponsored Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) announced the temporary suspension of operational activities in the eastern district of Trincomalee following an apparent Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) attack on a Sri Lanka Navy bus. Although no m [...] | 2006-01-19 06:26:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PTER PHUM PGOV CE LTTE |
06COLOMBO1200 | PORT SLOWDOWN MAY FORCE GOVERNMENT TO RESIST UNION DEMANDS [...] (U) Summary: Work at the Port of Colombo has been disrupted due to a work slowdown as unions demand a salary hike. The partial strike has significantly slowed work at the government-run section of the Port of Colombo. Port officials say that the strike is politically instigated, making it d [...] | 2006-07-21 06:26:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON ETRD ELAB EWWT EFIN CE |
06COLOMBO123 | AMBASSADOR BRIEFS INDIANHIGH COMMISSIONER ON [...] (C) Ambassador hosted a one-on-on lunch for Indian High Commissioner Alok Prasad n December 22, hours after Prasad presented his credentials to President Rajapakse. The Ambassado told Prasad that he and his Embassy colleagues looked forward to working very closely with Prasad and his mission [...] | 2006-12-22 10:05:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PTE MARR CE IN |
06COLOMBO1232 | GOVERNMENT OF SRI LANKA SUPPORT FOR CONTACT GROUPS [...] No summary [...] | 2006-07-27 10:47:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PINS PTER MARR CE US |
06COLOMBO1235 | SRI LANKA: AIR FORCE ATTACKS IN THE EAST WHILE [...] (C) Summary. On the evening of July 26, the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) bombed Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) controlled areas of the eastern district of Trincomalee in an allegedly humanitarian effort to open a water supply to Tamil and Muslim civilians that the LTTE had blocked. The [...] | 2006-07-27 11:32:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PTER PHUM MOPS PREF CE |
06COLOMBO1241 | ALLEGATIONS OF LTTE CHEMICAL WEAPONS CAPABILITY [...] (S) On July 27, Foreign Secretary Palihakkara passed Charge' a document from the Sri Lankan Ministry of Defense (full text below) which discusses an alleged chemical weapons capability by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). Palihakkara said his government is extremely concerned by th [...] | 2006-07-31 08:08:00 | Embassy Colombo | SECRET | PTER MCAP PARM CE |
06COLOMBO1246 | SRI LANKA: FINNISH AND DANISH MONITORS PREPARE [...] (C) Summary. The government mounted a significant ground operation July 31 after Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) strikes on Liberation Tiger of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) targets continued through the weekend, with air-strikes killing eight lower-level Tiger leaders in the eastern Batticaloa and Trincomal [...] | 2006-07-31 12:04:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
06COLOMBO1262 | SRI LANKA: WATER-RELATED MILITARY ACTION CONTINUES [...] (C) Summary: Ground fighting in Sri Lanka's Eastern district of Batticaloa continued August 1 as Sri Lankan Army (SLA) forces attempted to gain control of an irrigation canal seized by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) (reftels). Air strikes also reportedly occurred the night of Jul [...] | 2006-08-01 11:53:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PTER PHUM CE |
06COLOMBO1266 | SRI LANKA: VIOLENCE IN THE EAST INTENSIFIES [...] (C) Summary: The initial battle for control of an irrigation canal in the eastern Batticaloa District (reftels) gave rise to further military engagement August 1-2. Beginning the night of August 1, the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) attacked 4 military camps in Muttur and surroundin [...] | 2006-08-02 12:08:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PTER CE |
06COLOMBO1274 | SRI LANKA: EASTERN TOWN SEES CONTINUED CLASHES, [...] (C) Summary: Fighting between Sri Lankan Army security forces and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) that began as a battle over an irrigation canal (reftels) has spread to other parts of the east, with Muttur town in Trincomalee District seeing several clashes and 15 civilian deaths [...] | 2006-08-03 13:07:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PTER PREF PHUM CE |
06COLOMBO1286 | SRI LANKA: HUMANITARIAN CRISIS GROWS AS EASTERN [...] (C) Summary. Recent violence following the LTTE's July 26 blocking of a critical water sluice near northeastern Trincomalee and subsequent ground and air military action spread into the central province August 7 when a seperate LTTE claymore mine attack killed a senior police superintendent in [...] | 2006-08-07 13:28:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PTER PHUM PREF MOPS CE |
06COLOMBO1292 | SRI LANKA: NORWEGIANS BRIEF CO-CHAIRS ON NORTHEAST [...] (C) Summary. Norwegian Special Envoy Jon Hanssen-Bauer, Norwegian Ambassador Hans Brattskar, and Swedish Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) head Ulf Henricsson briefed Chiefs of Mission and Charges from the Co-chairs and Nordic monitor countries August 8 following their August 5-7 trips to th [...] | 2006-08-08 13:48:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PTER PHUM PREF MOPS CE |
06COLOMBO1295 | SRI LANKA: BOTH PARTIES TAKE CREDIT FOR DAM [...] (C) Summary. Both the Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) security forces and Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) claimed to have opened the Mavilaru water dam on the evening of August 8, 19 days into their battle for control over the area. At this writing, two Sri Lanka Army (SLA) soldiers had [...] | 2006-08-10 10:32:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PTER PHUM PREF MOPS CE |
06COLOMBO1301 | SRI LANKA: FOREIGN MINISTER ASSURES NO RETURN TO [...] (C) Summary: Charge' delivered reftel demarche to Foreign Minister Samaraweera and Foreign Secretary Palihakkara August 10. Samaraweera said current military action would "not become a full-scale war." He said the government remained "committed to a negotiated settlement," but needed help g [...] | 2006-08-10 13:17:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM PTER CE |
06COLOMBO131 | U/S BURNS DISCUSSES PEACE PROCESS, IRAN AND UN [...] (C) Summary. Jayantha Dhanapala told U/S Burns that the security situation in Sri Lanka "looks bad," but that President Rajapaksa remains patient and is committed to a non-military solution. He agreed with Burns that Iranian behavior in the IAEA is unacceptable but cautioned that Sri Lanka [...] | 2006-01-23 05:44:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PHUM IAEA CE IR |
06COLOMBO1313 | SRI LANKA: SECURITY FORCES AND TIGERS ENGAGEMENT [...] (C) Military engagement between the Government of Sri Lanka (SLA) and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) spread on the evening of August 11 through the morning of August 12, marking the most significant military exchange between the parties since the February 2002 Ceasefire. Initial r [...] | 2006-08-12 09:13:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PTER PHUM MOPS PREF CE |
06COLOMBO1324 | SRI LANKA: CLAYMORE EXPLOSION HITS PAKISTANI HIGH [...] (C) Summary: Two LTTE claymore mines planted in a three-wheeler exploded on a Security Task Force (STF) escort vehicle following the Pakistani High Commissioner's car on August 14 at approximately 1:20 PM. The blast occurred within 500 meters of the US embassy and killed seven, including four [...] | 2006-08-14 13:37:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PTER PHUM CE |
06COLOMBO1331 | SCENE-SETTER FOR SCA PDAS MANN'S AUGUST 16 VISIT [...] (SBU) Summary: Your visit comes at a particularly contentious and violent point in the Government of Sri Lanka's (GSL's) conflict with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). Low-level tit-for-tat violence plagued the north and the east over the last several months, and at the end of Jul [...] | 2006-08-15 08:14:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM CE |
06COLOMBO134 | SRI LANKA: UNDER SECRETARY BURNS' MEETING WITH [...] (C) In a January 23 meeting with President Mahinda Rajapaksa, Under Secretary Burns, accompanied by the Ambassador, stressed U.S. support for Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) efforts toward a peaceful resolution to the conflict and urged Rajapaksa to ensure that Sri Lankan security forces would [...] | 2006-01-23 15:15:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PTER KUNR IR CE |
06COLOMBO135 | UNDERSECRETARY BURNS DISCUSSES PEACE PROCESS AND [...] (C) SUMMARY: On January 23, Undersecretary Burns met with Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera. The Foreign Minister told U/S Burns that Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) remains committed to negotiation and a peaceful solution despite continued provocation by the Liberation Tigers of T [...] | 2006-01-23 15:36:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PTER PREL IR CE |
06COLOMBO1352 | SRI LANKA: US REQUESTS INTERNATIONAL RED CROSS, [...] (C) One Amcit under the auspices of UNHCR and four non-Amcit US-funded humanitarian mine action officers are currently stranded in Government of Sri Lanka (GSL)-controlled Jaffna, seperated from the rest of the island by an expanse of Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE)-controlled terri [...] | 2006-08-18 11:12:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PTER PHUM PREF MOPS CE |
06COLOMBO136 | SRI LANKAN OPPOSITION LEADER GIVES FRANK [...] (C) SUMMARY: On January 23 Under Secretary Burns and Ambassador Lunstead met with United National Party (UNP) leader and former Prime Minister and presidential contender Ranil Wickremesinghe. Wickremesinghe thanked U/S Burns for showing support for Sri Lanka and the peace process. The veteran [...] | 2006-01-23 15:59:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER CE |
06COLOMBO1361 | SRI LANKA: FORTY-EIGHT THOUSAND DISPLACED IN [...] (C) Summary: The number of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the northern Jaffna district rose to approximately 48,000 by August 20, according to UNHCR. Military engagement between the Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE),which began August 11, h [...] | 2006-08-21 10:17:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PTER PHUM PREF MOPS CE |
06COLOMBO1363 | SRI LANKA: LOCAL CO-CHAIR REPRESENTATIVES ASK [...] (C) Summary: Colombo representatives of the Tokyo Donors Co-Chairs Conference (US, EU, Norway, and Japan) met with Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa and several members of his cabinet August 21 to reiterate the message from the August 11 Co-Chairs statement calling for an immediate cessati [...] | 2006-08-21 12:22:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM CE |
06COLOMBO1366 | PRESSING GSL FOR CESSATION OF FIGHTING [...] (C) Summary: SCA PDAS Steven Mann visited Colombo August 16-17 as ground fighting between the Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) security forces and Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) cadres continued in the north and east (ref A). In meetings with President Rajapaksa, Foreign Minister Samar [...] | 2006-08-22 07:23:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PTER PHUM PREF MOPS CE |
06COLOMBO137 | U/S BURNS REVIEWS SRI LANKAN PEACE PROCESS WITH [...] (C) Summary. Norwegian peace facilitator Solheim told U/S Burns that the Sri Lankan peace process is at a crossroads and that a "major step forward" is essential. Burns expressed U.S. support for the Norwegian facilitation effort and compared notes with Solheim on the efficacy and vision of [...] | 2006-01-23 16:10:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PINS CE NO |
06COLOMBO1373 | SRI LANKA: UPDATE ON EMBASSY ACTION TO EVACUATE [...] (SBU) A ship sailing under the flag of the ICRC is scheduled to depart the eastern port of Trincomalee August 24, arriving in Jaffna, in northern Sri Lanka, on August 25, pending the commitment of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) to allow the ship to pass safely. Approximately 150 [...] | 2006-08-22 10:49:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PTER PHUM PREF MOPS CE |
06COLOMBO1379 | SRI LANKA: LULL IN JAFFNA FIGHTING AS POLICE [...] (C) Summary: Police discovered and diffused a claymore bomb in a crowded Colombo marketplace on August 22. While fighting between Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) forces and Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) cadres appeared to enter a lull on the Jaffna Peninsula on August 22-23, the Tige [...] | 2006-08-23 08:20:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PTER PHUM PREF MOPS CE |
06COLOMBO1380 | SRI LANKA: POSITIVE RESPONSE TO SRI LANKAN [...] No summary [...] | 2006-08-23 08:34:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PTER PHUM CE |
06COLOMBO1399 | SRI LANKA: IDP NUMBER CLIMBS TO 180,000 IN NORTH [...] (C) Summary: On August 22, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Country Representative Amin Awad briefed Charge' on population displacement in the North and East due to renewed military engagement between the Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) forces and the Liberation Tigers of T [...] | 2006-08-24 11:34:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PTER PHUM PREF MOPS CE |
06COLOMBO140 | Special Media Reaction: U/S Burns in Colombo [...] (U) Summary: Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Nicholas Burns' visit to Sri Lanka January 22-24 elicited much high-profile attention from the Sri Lankan print and broadcast media on January 23 and 24. State-run media and mainstream independent media lauded the visit with the most [...] | 2006-01-24 09:55:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | PHUM KPAO PTER EAID OIIP PREL CE |
06COLOMBO1414 | SRI LANKA: ICRC REQUESTS EMERGENCY FUNDING, TIGERS [...] (C) Summary: International Committee for the Red Cross (ICRC) Director General for Asia and the Pacific Reto Meister and Sri Lanka Head of Delegation Toon Vandenhove briefed Charge' on August 28 on current ICRC activities in Sri Lanka. Meister contended that the unofficial collapse of the Sri [...] | 2006-08-29 09:38:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PTER PHUM PREF MOPS CE |
06COLOMBO1416 | SRI LANKA: BATTLE BEGINS FOR SAMPUR AS ICRC SHIP [...] (C) Summary: A ground battle for Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE)-controlled Sampur, south of Trincomalee harbor in eastern Sri Lanka, began on August 27 as an ICRC-flagged ferry bearing 162 expatriates who had been stranded on the Jaffna peninsula arrived in Trincomalee. Government of [...] | 2006-08-29 10:56:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PTER PHUM PREF MOPS CE |
06COLOMBO142 | SRI LANKA: ARMY COMMANDERS PREPARE FOR TWO KINDS [...] (S) Summary: On January 10, poloff accompanied Defense Attach to Security Forces Headquarters Jaffna (SFHQJ) at the Palaly military base on the Jaffna peninsula. During the three hour visit poloff and DATT met with the commanding general, received a tactical briefing and attended a frank needs [...] | 2006-01-25 05:19:00 | Embassy Colombo | SECRET | MOPS PINS PTER CE |
06COLOMBO1425 | GE KERAWALPITIYA POWER DEAL: MINISTRY OF POWER AND [...] (SBU) Summary and action request: CDA called Minster of Power and Energy Seneviratne on August 29 to express USG support for Lakdhanavi Private Limited's bid to build a 300 megawatt power plant at Kerawalapitiya using General Electric equipment. Seneviratne acknowledged that the Treasury Mini [...] | 2006-08-30 12:49:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EINV PREL CE |
06COLOMBO1428 | SRI LANKA: DEMARCHE DELIVERED ON SRI LANKAN [...] (C) Charge' met with Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) Additional Secretary Geetha de Silva on August 30 regarding U.S. concern that Sri Lanka may be considering procuring lethal military equipment (LME) from Iran. Charge' explained that under the Iran-Syria Nonproliferation Act, procuring LME [...] | 2006-08-31 11:36:00 | Embassy Colombo | SECRET | PREL PTER PHUM PREF MOPS CE |
06COLOMBO1433 | SRI LANKA: MONITORING MISSION RULES SECURITY [...] (C) The Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) released a report on August 30 blaming Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) security forces for the execution-style murders of 17 Tamil employees of French NGO Action Against Hunger (Action Contre la Faim - ACF) on August 4 in Muttur, south of Trincomalee H [...] | 2006-08-31 12:41:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PTER PHUM PREF MOPS CE |
06COLOMBO1439 | SRI LANKA: JOINT CHIEF OF STAFF CHAIRMAN CLAIMS [...] (C) Summary. Charge' met with Ministry of Defense (MOD) Chief of Defense Staff General Donald Perera on August 31 to reiterate that the Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) should take the lead in stopping military action to provide "breathing space" for the GSL and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eel [...] | 2006-09-01 10:48:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PTER PHUM PREF MOPS CE |
06COLOMBO1443 | MALDIVES: CROSS-PARTY COOPERATION YIELDS GENERALLY [...] (C) Summary: Following a July 19 meeting between the Government of the Republic of Maldives (GORM) and the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) in Colombo, facilitated by the British High Commissioner, the two sides upheld commitments to move the reform agenda forward. In exchange for [...] | 2006-09-05 05:44:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM KDEM MV |
06COLOMBO145 | SRI LANKA COUNTRY CLEARANCE GRANTED FOR FAA NANCY [...] Post grants country clearance to FAA employees, Ms. Nancy Graham and Mr. David M. Smith, during the period from February 5-10, 2006 for participation in the ICAO COSCAP- South Asia Steering Committee Conference in Kandy, Sri Lanka. Embassy control officer is Richard Merrin, office telephone nu [...] | 2006-01-25 10:43:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | ASEC OTRA EAIR CE |
06COLOMBO1456 | SRI LANKA: GOVERNMENT HAS CONTROL OF SAMPUR; LULL [...] (U) Sri Lankan media here widely reported Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) statements that its security forces took control of Sampur, the eastern coastal area from which the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) had launched attacks on the town of Trincomalee, its harbor, and surrounding areas [...] | 2006-09-06 13:57:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
06COLOMBO1457 | SRI LANKA: GOVERNMENT HAS CONTROL OF SAMPUR; LULL [...] (U) Sri Lankan media here widely reported Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) statements that its security forces took control of Sampur, the eastern coastal area from which the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) had launched attacks on the town of Trincomalee, its harbor, and surrounding areas [...] | 2006-09-06 13:57:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
06COLOMBO1461 | BRITISH AND SRI LANKAN LEADERS DISCUSS POSSIBLE [...] (C) British High Commissioner in Colombo Dominick Chilcott briefed Co-Chair representatives September 6 on President Rajapaksa's August 31 meeting with Prime Minister Blair near London. The origin of the meeting, Chilcott explained, was a mutual recognition that the UK's experience in peacema [...] | 2006-09-06 14:52:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PTER PHUM CE |
06COLOMBO1465 | SRI LANKA: GOVERNMENT AND LOCAL CO-CHAIR [...] (C) Summary: Foreign Minister Samaraweera, Foreign Secretary Palihakkara, and Peace Secretariat Head Kohona SIPDIS met with local Co-Chair representatives at the Foreign Ministry September 7 to exchange views in the lead-up to the September 12 Co-Chair meeting in Brussels. Government of Sr [...] | 2006-09-07 11:30:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
06COLOMBO147 | FIVE SMALL EXPLOSIONS REPORTED IN COLOMBO JAN. 24, [...] (SBU) On 24 January 2006 between 2000-2100 hrs, five small explosions occurred in Colombo and the surrounding communities. No injuries were reported, and there was only minor damage to property. The Sri Lankan police are in the process of conducting investigations. No party has claimed resp [...] | 2006-01-25 11:29:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | ASEC CASC CE PGOV PTER |
06COLOMBO1474 | AMBASSADOR PRESENTS CREDENTIALS TO SRI LANKAN [...] (C) Following Ambassador Blake's presentation of credentials on September 9, he met with President Rajapaksa to review bilateral relations and discuss the way forward to negotiations between the Government of Sri Lanka (GOSL) and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). The Ambassador r [...] | 2006-09-09 11:47:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PTER PGOV CE |
06COLOMBO1479 | SRI LANKA BROADLY AGREES WITH US POINTS ON NAM [...] No summary [...] | 2006-09-11 06:41:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL UNGA PTER PHUM CE |
06COLOMBO148 | SRI LANKA: LTTE AND GOVERNMENT AGREE OF VENUE FOR [...] (U) Summary: On January 25, the Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) agreed to hold talks on implementation of the Cease-Fire Agreement (CFA) in Geneva, Switzerland in February, according to various sources. No specific dates or modalities have been r [...] | 2006-01-25 11:35:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PTER CE |
06COLOMBO1483 | SRI LANKA: HEAVY FIGHTING AT FORWARD DEFENSE LINE [...] (C) Summary: In fighting that began September 9, Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) forces have pushed at least one kilometer into the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) side of the Forward Defense Line (FDL) at Muhamalai on the Jaffna Peninsula. Military sources indicate to us that the camp [...] | 2006-09-11 10:56:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PTER PHUM PREF MOPS CE |
06COLOMBO149 | IMI TELECOMMUNICATIONS OPPORTUNITIES IN SRI [...] SUMMARY: THE GROWTH IN SRI LANKA'S TELECOMMUNICATIONS INDUSTRY IS EXPECTED TO ACCELERATE IN THE COMING MONTHS WITH THE INTRODUCTION OF THIRD GENERATION (3G) MOBILE SERVICES. THE RECENT INTRODUCTION OF CDMA TECHNOLOGY IN THE FIXED WIRELINE MARKET HAS ALSO BEEN A SUCCESS. IN ADDITION, SRI LA [...] | 2006-01-26 02:40:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | KTDB ETRD EIND BEXP CE |
06COLOMBO150 | FY06 BIOTECHNOLOGY OUTREACH FUNDING - SRI LANKA [...] Biotechnology study tour to the US Sri Lanka is in a decisive position with respect to biotechnology. The country has in place a draft framework to regulate the import of GM foods and utilization of biotechnology in domestic agriculture. Some contents of the framework are not consistent wit [...] | 2006-01-26 02:53:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | EAGR ECON ETRD TBIO CE |
06COLOMBO1506 | FOREIGN GOVERNMENT TENDER FOR CONSULTANCY SERVICES - [...] 542/01/T0018 2. 091306 3. RCMERRIN 4. 542 5. N 6A. CONTACT 6B. HEAD OF FINANCE 6C. AIRPORT AND AVIATION SERVICES (SRI LANKA) LIMITED NEW ADMINISTRATION BUILDING BANDARANAIKE INTERNATIONALA AIRPORT, KATUNAYAKE, SRI LANKA 7. PHONE: +94-11-225-2200 8. FAX: N/A E-mail: cep@sltnet [...] | 2006-09-13 11:50:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | BTIO CE |
06COLOMBO1508 | SRI LANKA: GOVERNMENT STATES READINESS FOR PEACE [...] (C) Summary: In response to the Co-Chairs' statement following their September 12 meeting in Brussels that peace talks should take place in Oslo next month, the Government of Sri Lanka (GOSL) expressed readiness to engage in negotiations but strongly criticized an alleged lack of prior consul [...] | 2006-09-13 13:46:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PTER PHUM PREF MOPS CE |
06COLOMBO1509 | SRI LANKA: LOCAL EMPLOYEE OF US NGO KILLED NEAR [...] (U) On the afternoon of September 11, a 31 year old Tamil employee of Seattle-based NGO World Concern was shot and killed on the outskirts of Trincomalee. The employee, Ragunathan Ramalingam, was a team leader for World Concern,s water sanitation activities north of Trincomalee. Amcit Kathle [...] | 2006-09-14 02:51:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM PREL PTER CE |
06COLOMBO1510 | SRI LANKA: LOCAL EMPLOYEE OF US NGO KILLED NEAR [...] (U) On the afternoon of September 11, a 31 year old Tamil employee of Seattle-based NGO World Concern was shot and killed on the outskirts of Trincomalee. The employee, Ragunathan Ramalingam, was a team leader for World Concern,s water sanitation activities north of Trincomalee. Amcit Kathle [...] | 2006-09-14 02:52:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM PREL PTER CE |
06COLOMBO1514 | SRI LANKA: USAID INTERNET-RELATED INITIATIVES [...] Below is a brief summary of Internet-related USAID programs related to the Internet, as requested reftel: Project Name: Sri Lanka Peace Support Project Recipient: Info-Share Project Description: Using information and communication technology to increase information exchange and collabor [...] | 2006-09-14 09:26:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | ECPS EINT EAID PHUM CE |
06COLOMBO1515 | 2006 REPORT ON INVESTMENT DISPUTES AND EXPROPRIATION [...] The following dispute is being submitted for 2006 as per section 527 of the Foreign Relations Authorization Act (FRAA) for Sri Lanka: (A) Claimant A (B) 2004 (C) Claimant had been contracted in June 2000 to provide power to the national grid under a combined cycle agreement signed with [...] | 2006-09-14 09:30:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | CASC EFIN EINV KIDE OPIC PGOV CE |
06COLOMBO1517 | SRI LANKA: GOSL APPRECIATES US SUPPORT FOR PEACE [...] (C) Summary: Ambassador Blake made separate calls on September 14 to Defense Secretary Gothabaya Rajapaksa and Foreign Secretary Palihakkara to brief them on the September 12 Co-chairs' meeting, encourage Government of Sri Lanka (GOSL) attendance at peace negotiations, and discuss cooperation [...] | 2006-09-14 11:27:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PTER PHUM PREF MOPS CE |
06COLOMBO152 | SOLHEIM ON CEASEFIRE TALKS [...] (C) SUMMARY: Norwegian facilitator Solheim told co-chairs chiefs of mission late January 25 that LTTE chief Prabhakaran had agreed to cease-fire talks in Geneva almost before Solheim opened his mouth in Kilinochchi. The Tigers told him that by agreeing to Geneva they wanted to help Norway and [...] | 2006-01-26 05:08:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PTER PGOV CE |
06COLOMBO1527 | SRI LANKA: AMBASSADOR URGES PRIME MINISTER TO [...] (C) Ambassador Blake and the DCM met Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickremenayake September 15 to encourage his government to negotiate a peaceful settlement with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). The Ambassador urged the Prime Minister to seize the current "significant opportunity for [...] | 2006-09-15 07:25:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PTER PHUM CE |
06COLOMBO1528 | SRI LANKA: MFA OFFERS READ-OUT OF PEACE [...] (C) On September 15, Ambassador Blake met with Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) Additional Secretary Geetha de Silva, MFA Legal Advisor Rohan Perera, and Peace Secretariat Director Shanaka Jayasekara at their request. The Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) interlocutors briefed the Ambassador (and [...] | 2006-09-15 11:41:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PTER PHUM CE |
06COLOMBO1531 | SRI LANKA: NAVY AND AIR FORCE SINK LTTE WEAPONS [...] (C) The Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) with the assistance of Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) kfir jets sunk an alleged LTTE weapons supply ship approximately 120 nautical miles off the eastern coast of Kalmunai, south of Batticaloa, on the afternoon of September 17. That morning, the Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) sh [...] | 2006-09-18 11:25:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PTER PHUM PREF MOPS CE |
06COLOMBO1533 | CO-CHAIR AMBASSADORS DISCUSS NEXT STEPS WITH LTTE [...] (C) Co-Chair Ambassadors met at Norwegian Ambassador Brattskar's residence on September 18 to hear Norwegian plans for engaging the LTTE and to discuss the development and delivery of private messages coming out of the Co-Chair meeting in Brussels. Brattskar opened by reporting that the GSL [...] | 2006-09-18 12:15:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PTER PGOV CE |
06COLOMBO1538 | SRI LANKA: CROSS PARTY TALKS MAY YIELD COOPERATION [...] (SBU) Summary: On September 15 the governing Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) held the first in a series of talks with the opposition United National Party (UNP) to build consensus on a range of issues, including the peace process as a cornerstone for potential cooperation. After the initial d [...] | 2006-09-19 11:48:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PTER PHUM CE |
06COLOMBO1539 | SRI LANKA: CHIEF CEASEFIRE MONITOR DESCRIBES [...] (C) Ambassador Blake called on the new Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) Chief, Major General Lars Solvberg, on September 19 to discuss the mission's operational structure and constraints since reducing the number of its monitors from approximately 60 to 30 on September 1 (reftel). (Note: T [...] | 2006-09-19 11:49:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PTER PHUM PREF MOPS CE |
06COLOMBO1540 | SRI LANKA: MUSLIM MASSACRE; GSL INDICTS TIGERS, [...] (C) Summary: Responsibility for the September 18 murders of 10 Muslim laborers south of Arugam Bay on the eastern coast remains unclear. This lack of clarity highlights the need for an independent Sri Lankan institution that can investigate human rights cases and leads us to question the bes [...] | 2006-09-20 10:09:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PTER PHUM PREF MOPS CE |
06COLOMBO1541 | SRI LANKA: AIR FORCE STRIKES TIGER TARGETS IN [...] (U) On the afternoon of September 19, the Sri Lanka Air Force conducted air strikes on Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) artillery targets near the eastern coast of Batticaloa, Defense spokesman Keheliya Rambukwella told the press. The pro-LTTE Tamilnet website reported no casualties, b [...] | 2006-09-20 11:30:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL PTER PHUM PREF MOPS CE |
06COLOMBO1543 | ABDUCTIONS AND DISAPPEARANCES ON THE RISE [...] (C) Summary. Independent human rights watchers indicate that the number of abductions and disappearances has surged over the last three months in both the North and East and in Colombo, with an increase in extortion kidnappings in particular. No American citizens have been victims that we ar [...] | 2006-09-21 02:26:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PTER PREL PHUM CE |
06COLOMBO1547 | INTERNATIONAL LAW COMMISSION ELECTION [...] No summary [...] | 2006-09-21 11:19:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL UNGA CE |
06COLOMBO1549 | SRI LANKA: PRESIDENT RAJAPAKSA ASSEMBLING [...] (C) During his late August trip to London, President Rajapaksa contacted Amnesty International to seek advice on setting terms of reference for an independent, international body to examine allegations of human rights abuses in Sri Lanka. This move came in the midst of significant internation [...] | 2006-09-21 12:06:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM CE |
06COLOMBO1558 | SRI LANKA: RECOMMENDED CONFLICT RESPONSE MECHANISM [...] Summary: During the last 20 years, Sri Lanka has been home to significant populations of internally displaced persons (IDPs),who have been especially vulnerable to threats against their physical and psychological wellbeing and livelihoods. Many of the 207,756 new conflict IDPs in Sri Lanka a [...] | 2006-09-22 09:30:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV PHUM PTER |
06COLOMBO1564 | SRI LANKA: NAVY AIDED BY AIR FORCE SINKS SEA TIGER [...] (U) The Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) Media Center for National Security (MCNS) said that on September 24 the Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) aided by the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) intercepted 25 "Sea Tiger" boats off the coast 50 miles north of Trincomalee, sinking 11. Independent media reported secur [...] | 2006-09-25 10:51:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PTER PHUM PREF MOPS CE |
06COLOMBO1569 | SRI LANKA: FINANCE SECRETARY EXPECTS GROWTH AND STABILITY [...] (SBU) Summary: Finance Secretary PB Jayasundera, the government's economic mastermind, expects Sri Lanka's GDP to grow by 7 percent this year, fueled by strong performance in the service, construction, and manufacturing sectors, and by healthy export growth. The government is pushing hard to [...] | 2006-09-26 03:34:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON EINV ETRD PTER CE |
06COLOMBO1570 | MALDIVES: UN AGENCIES PLAN ASSISTANCE STRATEGY TO SUPPORT [...] Summary and comment: UN agencies working in the Maldives met to coordinate their collective assistance strategy for the next three years. The UN planning session demonstrated close cooperation between UN agencies and the Government of Maldives. Post's tsunami reconstruction assistance grants to [...] | 2006-09-26 03:34:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | EAID ECON UN MV |
06COLOMBO1571 | SRI LANKA: AMBASSADOR DISCUSSES TRADE AND INVESTMENT WITH [...] (SBU) Summary and comment: Ambassador Blake informed Minister of Investment Promotion and Enterprise Development Rohitha Bogollagama of developing plans for a U.S. trade mission to Sri Lanka in early December, possibly followed soon after by a round of Trade and Investment Framework Agreement [...] | 2006-09-26 03:35:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON EINV ETRD CE |
06COLOMBO1578 | CO-CHAIRS AMBASSADORS MEETING: READOUT OF [...] (C) Summary: Norwegian Amb Brattskar told Co-Chair Ambassadors in Colombo on September 26 that LTTE leader Tamilselvan had conveyed Prabakharan's decision that the LTTE is prepared to return to peace talks in Oslo in October. However, the LTTE also threatened that if the GSL is not ready to [...] | 2006-09-26 12:21:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PTER PGOV CE |
06COLOMBO1580 | SRI LANKA'S HUMAN RIGHTS CHALLENGES AND IDEAS [...] (C) Summary: Several recent high profile human rights abuse cases in Sri Lanka cases have raised international concerns and underlined the current absence of strong indigenous Sri Lankan institutions to investigate these abuses and pressure the Sri Lankan judicial system to ensure credible pro [...] | 2006-09-26 16:00:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM CE |
06COLOMBO1581 | HUMAN RIGHTS MINISTER SAYS THE RIGHT THINGS, [...] (C) Summary. Ambassador Blake met for an introductory call with Minister for Disaster Management and Human Rights Mahinda Samarasinghe on September 25 to urge the GSL to be more proactive in dealing with allegations of human rights abuses. Samarasinghe responded that he too is concerned about [...] | 2006-09-26 16:01:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV CE |
06COLOMBO1589 | SRI LANKA: GE KERAWALAPITIYA POWER DEAL RECEIVES [...] (SBU) Summary: The proposal by Lakdhanavi Private Limited (Lakdhanavi) for a 300 megawatt power plant in Kerawalapitiya, described reftel, has been approved by the Cabinet of Ministers. This project will include significant US content through the sale of General Electric (GE) products and ser [...] | 2006-09-28 05:13:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EINV PREL CE |
06COLOMBO159 | SRI LANKAN NOMINEES FOR EDWARD R. MURROW PROGRAM [...] Post nominates Ms. Zainab Ibrahim, Assistant Editor, Lanka Business Online, as principal nominee, and Ms. Namini Wijedasa, Assistant Editor, Sunday Island, and Ms. Dilshani Samaraweera, Senior Business Journalist, Lanka Business Online, as first and second alternate nominees respectively, for [...] | 2006-01-27 06:15:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | OEXC SCUL KPAO |
06COLOMBO1594 | TEXTILES AND APPAREL SECTOR: UPDATED STATISTICS AND [...] Summary: Textile and apparel export growth has slowed following the expiration of the Multifiber Agreement (MFA). The decelerating growth suggests that the apparel industry will no longer be the main driver of Sri Lanka's economic development. Large scale operators who have invested in new [...] | 2006-09-28 10:38:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | ECON ETRD KTEX ELAB CE |
06COLOMBO1595 | SRI LANKA - ADVANCING US EFFORTS ON WATER AND SANITATION [...] SUMMARY: A high percentage of Sri Lanka's rural population does not have access to safe drinking water and proper sanitation. It is estimated that over 40 percent of the rural population, or more than 6 million people, are deprived of these basic facilities. Recognizing the scope of the issue, [...] | 2006-09-28 11:45:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | SENV CE |
06COLOMBO1596 | SRI LANKA: AIR FORCE STRIKES TIGER BASES, [...] (C) On September 25-26, the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) struck LTTE training camps in the northwestern district of Mannar, according to the National Security Media Center (NSMC). On September 27, Military spokesman Brigadier Prasad Samarasinghe told poloff that the SLAF had successfully struck [...] | 2006-09-28 13:07:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PTER PHUM PREF MOPS CE |
06COLOMBO1597 | SRI LANKA: MONITORING MISSION ACCUSES GSL AND LTTE [...] (C) Summary: Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) Head of Mission Major General Lars Solvberg addressed a 26 September report to Dr. Palitha Kohona of the Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) Secretariat for Coordination of the Peace Process (SCOPP) and Mr. Pulidevan, Secretary General of the Liberat [...] | 2006-09-28 13:21:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PTER PHUM PREF MOPS CE |
06COLOMBO1601 | SRI LANKA: MUSLIM LEADER HAKEEM SEEKS SEPARATE [...] (C) Summary. The Ambassador called upon moderate Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) leader Rauf Hakeem on September 28. Formed in 1981 and registered as a political party in 1989, the SLMC is the largest party representing the Muslim electorate in Sri Lanka. A key opposition leader, Hakeem t [...] | 2006-09-29 09:16:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PTER PHUM PREF MOPS CE |
06COLOMBO1602 | SRI LANKA: CENTRAL BANK GOVERNOR DESCRIBES ECONOMY'S [...] (SBU) Summary and comment: Central Bank Governor Nivard Cabraal told Ambassador Blake during their introductory meeting that Sri Lanka's economy was healthy and its business climate good. Cabraal was making a personal effort to tell multilateral development banks, credit rating agencies, and [...] | 2006-10-02 11:39:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON EINV ETRD PREL CE |
06COLOMBO1603 | SRI LANKA: GSL SETS PUBLIC CONDITIONS FOR TALKS [...] (U) The Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) announced three conditions to return to peace talks with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE),government and independent press reported on October 1. Defense spokesperson Keheliya Rambukwella told the Sunday Times that the three pre-conditions wer [...] | 2006-10-02 13:21:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PTER PHUM PREF MOPS CE |
06COLOMBO1604 | SRI LANKA: MONITORING MISSION BRIEFS SCA/INS [...] (C) Summary: SCA/INS Director Marcia Bernicat, on an orientation visit to Sri Lanka, met with Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) Press and Information Officer (PIO) Thorfinnur Omarsson on October 2. Omarsson expressed the monitors' fear that the Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) will continue to [...] | 2006-10-02 13:58:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PTER PHUM PREF MOPS CE |
06COLOMBO1605 | SRI LANKA: LTTE-PROXY PARTY EMPHASIZES [...] (C) Summary. The Ambassador met with Tamil National Alliance (TNA) members of parliament Gajendakumar Ponnombalam, Suresh Premachandran, and Pathmini Sithamparanathan on September 29. The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE)-proxy members of parliament emphasized their concern for the "de [...] | 2006-10-02 14:05:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PTER PHUM PREF MOPS CE |
06COLOMBO1606 | SRI LANKA: TRADE MINISTER WANTS TIFA TALKS [...] (SBU) Summary and comment: Trade Minister Jeyaraj Fernandopulle told Ambassador Blake during their introductory meeting that he would welcome a round of Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) talks. However, since Fernandopulle did not inspire confidence that he would be ready to act [...] | 2006-10-03 03:29:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON EINV ETRD PREL CE |
06COLOMBO1608 | SRI LANKA: MCC AND GOVERNMENT AGREE TO KEEP IRRIGATION [...] (SBU) Summary: Senior Millennium Challenge Corporation and Government of Sri Lanka officials agreed to proceed with development of a proposed USD 590 million MCC compact that would include projects on irrigation and agriculture, roads, and small and medium enterprise promotion. MCC officials [...] | 2006-10-03 04:39:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EAID ECON PREL SENV CE |
06COLOMBO1609 | MALDIVES: US PAVILION AT MAJOR MALDIVES TRADE SHOW A [...] Summary: The US Pavilion at the Maldives Hotel and Trade Exhibition August 29-31, 2006 produced sales contracts, identification of local representatives, and increased awareness of products. Twelve US companies or their accredited partners exhibited under the US Pavilion at the Maldives' larg [...] | 2006-10-03 04:39:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | BEXP BTIO ENIV ABUD MV |
06COLOMBO1610 | SRI LANKA: MARINE EXPEDITIONARY UNIT EXERCISE TO [...] (C) A Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) Exercise is scheduled to take place in Sri Lanka October 22 to November 2. Embassy has requested that it include a significant human rights training component. We believe the exercise represents a valuable exercise opportunity for our forces and a chanc [...] | 2006-10-03 08:18:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | MOPS PTER PHUM CE |
06COLOMBO1616 | RESPECTED SRI LANKAN NGOS INSIST INTERNATIONAL [...] (SBU) On September 29, the Center for Policy Alternatives (CPA),a respected Colombo-based think-tank, provided the Embassy a copy of a statement it sent to delegates at the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva. The statement was signed by twenty-five reputable local NGOs, including the Internati [...] | 2006-10-03 11:59:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM CE |
06COLOMBO1617 | SRI LANKA: INDEPENDENT PRESS HIGHLIGHTS EMERGING [...] (C) Summary: Two independent English weekly newspapers highlighted stories about the eastern LTTE-breakaway Karuna Faction on October 1. The Sunday Times published an interview with Vinayagamoorthy Muralitharan, also known as Karuna Amman, who predicted that his former confidant, LTTE leader [...] | 2006-10-03 12:00:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PTER PHUM PREF MOPS CE |
06COLOMBO1619 | AIDE MEMOIRE CONCERNING THE PROPOSED MANDATE OF [...] (SBU) The Ministry of Foreign Affairs sent Ambassador an "aide-memoire" laying out the mandate for an International Independent Group of Eminent Persons (IIGEP). This body is to monitor the work of the Commission of Inquiry the Government will task with investigating a series of serious human r [...] | 2006-10-03 12:51:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PHUM PTER CE |
06COLOMBO1620 | NORWAY'S ENVOY "MODERATELY OPTIMISTIC" ABOUT [...] SUMMARY: (C) Norwegian mediator Hanssen-Bauer briefed Co-Chair Ambassadors on October 2 on his meetings with Sri Lankan government officials. He said that the GSL had denied media reports of preconditions for possible talks with the LTTE. The GSL would prefer November 10 or October 28 for t [...] | 2006-10-03 13:02:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PHUM PTER CE |
06COLOMBO1622 | SRI LANKA: PRESIDENTIAL ADVISOR BASIL RAJAPAKSA [...] (C) Summary: The Ambassador met Presidential Advisor Basil Rajapaksa, younger brother to President Mahinda Rajapaksa, on October 4. After the Ambassador reviewed US priorities and initiatives in Sri Lanka, Rajapaksa spoke frankly about human rights issues, requesting that the United States a [...] | 2006-10-04 11:53:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PTER PHUM PREF MOPS CE |
06COLOMBO1626 | SRI LANKA: SOME EXPATRIATE NGO EMPLOYEES ASKED TO [...] (C) Summary: Since 2005, NGO representatives have reported numerous obstacles to carrying out relief activities. On October 4, several newspapers ran a story on the latest impediment to NGOs: the GSL notified international staff of six international non-governmental organizations (INGOs) the [...] | 2006-10-04 14:37:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM CE |
06COLOMBO1627 | LTTE TELL NORWEGIANS THEY ARE PREPARED FOR TALKS [...] (C) Summary: Norwegian Special Envoy Hanssen-Bauer briefed Co-Chairs Ambassadors on October 4 that during his October 3 meetings with Thamilselvan, the LTTE had agreed to talks without conditions in Oslo or Switzerland in October. However the LTTE is concerned the GSL may be tempted to press [...] | 2006-10-04 15:18:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PTER PGOV CE |
06COLOMBO1636 | POSSIBLE NORTH KOREAN NUCLEAR TEST [...] (C) Ambassador reviewed reftel points with Foreign Secretary Palihakkara on 10/5/06 emphasizing the importance SIPDIS the U.S. attaches to Sri Lankan support for a possible Presidential statement from the UN Security Council. Palihakkara thanked the Ambassador for his presentation. He sai [...] | 2006-10-05 11:41:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | KNNP PREL PARM CE |
06COLOMBO1645 | SRI LANKA: EMBASSY COLOMBO TRADE AGREEMENT [...] The following responds to reftel request for information on how post is organized for trade agreement compliance and monitoring. A. Description of how post is currently organized for monitoring agreements and responding to foreign trade barrier complaints, including the establishment of tea [...] | 2006-10-06 04:56:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | ECON ETRD CE |
06COLOMBO1650 | SRI LANKA: RESETTLEMENT MINISTER VOWS NO REPEAT OF [...] (C) Ambassador Blake met with Minister of Resettlement A. Rishad Bathihudeen October 4 to discuss Sri Lanka's critical internally displaced persons (IDP) problem. The Resettlement Ministry is responsible for 300,000 pre-ceasefire conflict displaced persons and an additional 180,000-240,000 sin [...] | 2006-10-06 09:55:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PTER PHUM PREF MOPS CE |
06COLOMBO1651 | PRESIDENT RAJAPAKSE AFFIRMS TO CO-CHAIRS SRI [...] (C) In a meeting with Co-Chair Ambassadors on October 9, Sri Lankan President Rajapakse confirmed the Government of Sri Lanka is ready to attend peace talks with the LTTE on October 28, does not plan a military offensive, but will defend itself. Norwegian Ambassador Brattskar told the Presi [...] | 2006-10-09 09:45:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PHUM CE |
06COLOMBO1661 | SRI LANKA CONTINUES TO SUPPORT GUATEMALA FOR UNSC [...] No summary [...] | 2006-10-10 12:40:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL UNSC UNGA GT VE CE |
06COLOMBO1662 | DEMARCHE DELIVERED: SRI LANKA SHARES U.S. CONCERN [...] Charge delivered reftel demarche to MFA Additional Secretary for Political Affairs Geetha de Silva on October SIPDIS 10. Charge stressed the negative implications of the test for international efforts to combat proliferation, international terrorism, and the spread of weapons of mass dest [...] | 2006-10-10 12:45:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL UNSC PARM KNNP KN CE |
06COLOMBO1670 | SRI LANKA: TIGERS TELL NORWAY A MAJOR GSL [...] (C) Summary: Norwegian Ambassador Hans Brattskar briefed Charge October 11 on his October 10 meeting with Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) political wing leader S.P. Tamilselvan in Kilinochchi. Tamilselvan confirmed the LTTE would attend talks with the Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) in [...] | 2006-10-11 12:48:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PTER PHUM PREF MOPS CE |
06COLOMBO1679 | SRI LANKA: TEXT ON GSL REPORTS ON LTTE FINANCING [...] (SBU) Summary: During reftel discussion to prepare for the initial meeting of the Contact Group, Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) officials gave Post copies of reports they had produced regarding Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) financing. The following are excerpts from two of those report [...] | 2006-10-13 05:39:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PTER PREL CE |
06COLOMBO1692 | SRI LANKA: LTTE CLAIMS A WIN IN ENGAGEMENT ON [...] (C) Summary: Over 100 Sri Lanka Army (SLA) soldiers and an unknown number of Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) cadres were killed in a two-day battle at the Forward Defense Line (FDL) in Muhamalai, Jaffna October 11-12. This was the highest one-day death toll since the 2002 ceasefire ag [...] | 2006-10-13 10:40:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PTER PHUM PREF MOPS CE |
06COLOMBO1705 | SRI LANKA SITREP: LTTE TRUCK BOMB KILLS OVER 60 [...] (U) A Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) truck bomb exploded outside of the north-central town of Habarana on October 16, targeting a Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) convoy transporting over 150 sailors from Trincomalee. Radio news reported as many as 67 died and 150 sailors were injured when the b [...] | 2006-10-16 13:01:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL PTER PHUM PREF MOPS CE |
06COLOMBO1708 | SRI LANKA SUPPORTS U.S. RE-ELECTION TO THE ITU [...] No summary [...] | 2006-10-17 03:05:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | AORC ECPS ITU CE |
06COLOMBO1710 | SRI LANKA SUPPORTS POSTPONING UNGA VOTE ON RIGHTS [...] (SBU) The Australian High Commission approached us regarding joint delivery of reftel demarche, to which we agreed. Poloff accompanied Australian Deputy High Commissioner and political officer to a meeting on October 13 with Sumedha Ekanayake, Deputy Director for UN and Multilateral Affairs a [...] | 2006-10-17 05:02:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL PHUM KTIA UNGA CE |
06COLOMBO1717 | MALDIVES - ADVANCING U.S. EFFORTS ON WATER AND SANITATION [...] Summary: Low-tech rainwater harvesting and groundwater collection are becoming inadequate to meet water supply and sanitation needs in the Maldives. The island nation's water supply shortages and sanitation problems were exacerbated by the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. The Government of Maldiv [...] | 2006-10-17 11:56:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | EAID SENV MV |
06COLOMBO1719 | SRI LANKA: LTTE "SEA TIGER" SUICIDE ATTACK ON [...] (SBU) Summary: On October 18, five "Sea Tiger" boats disguised as fishing craft attacked the Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) base in Galle Harbor, in Sri Lanka's south. Two of the suicide boats detonated at the entrance to the harbor; the Navy destroyed the three others before they could do much damage. [...] | 2006-10-18 11:00:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL PTER PHUM PREF MOPS CE |
06COLOMBO172 | SRI LANKA: LTTE-AFFILIATED CHARITY WORKERS [...] (C) The lull in violence since the Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) and Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) agreed on January 25 to meet in Geneva in February for talks to strengthen the Ceasefire Agreement (CFA) was marred January 30 by the reported abductions of five Tamil Rehabilitation O [...] | 2006-01-31 12:35:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PTER PHUM PGOV CE |
06COLOMBO1722 | SRI LANKA: LTTE "SEA TIGER" SUICIDE ATTACK ON [...] (SBU) Summary: On October 18, five "Sea Tiger" boats disguised as fishing craft attacked the Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) base in Galle Harbor, in Sri Lanka's south. Two of the suicide boats detonated at the entrance to the harbor; the Navy destroyed the three others before they could do much damage. [...] | 2006-10-18 12:13:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL PTER PHUM PREF MOPS CE |
06COLOMBO1731 | MALDIVES SCORECARD DELIVERED, EMBASSY URGES CONSIDERATION [...] SUMMARY: DCM and EconOff met with Dr. Mohamed Asim, Maldives High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, to discuss the Millennium Challenge Corporation's (MCC's) scorecard, Maldives' designation as a Candidate country, and the fact that the MCC Board must still determine whether to invite Maldives to d [...] | 2006-10-20 05:40:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | EAID PREL PGOV ETRD ECON KMCA MCC MV |
06COLOMBO1732 | SRI LANKA MCC SCORECARD DELIVERED; "INVESTING IN PEOPLE" [...] SUMMARY: The Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) Scorecard results were delivered to officials at the Ministry of Planning and Implementation. Officials paid particular attention to the below-median statistics listed in the Investing in People category, and asked Embassy to forward releva [...] | 2006-10-20 05:41:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | EAID PREL PGOV ETRD ECON KMCA MCC CE |
06COLOMBO1733 | SRI LANKAN RUPEE SLIDES AGAINST DOLLAR [...] Summary: The Sri Lankan depreciated markedly in the past three weeks and touched an all-time low of Rs 107.40 to the dollar on October 17. However, after the Central Bank commented against excessive speculation on the same day, the slide did not continue. End Summary. 2. The Sri Lankan [...] | 2006-10-20 06:51:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | ECON EFIN CE |
06COLOMBO1739 | SRI LANKA AFFIRMS SUPPORT FOR GUATEMALA UNSC SEAT [...] No summary [...] | 2006-10-20 08:43:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL UNGA UNSC GT VE CE |
06COLOMBO1745 | LTTE DELEGATION TO GENEVA: NAMES AND TRAVEL [...] (S) Norwegian Special Envoy Jon Hanssen-Bauer passed A/S Richard Boucher a copy of a Norwegian non-paper outlining the travel arrangements proposed for the LTTE delegation's travel to Geneva. Following their humiliating experience at the Colombo airport in June, the LTTE group has asked for [...] | 2006-10-23 12:04:00 | Embassy Colombo | SECRET | PGOV PREL PTER CE |
06COLOMBO1747 | SRI LANKA: A/S BOUCHER ADVOCATES ACCESS FOR [...] (C) Summary: In his October 19-20 meetings with Government of Sri Lanka authorities, Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia Richard Boucher addressed the issues of access and safety for humanitarian organizations, and the Government's seeming public ambivalence towards them. W [...] | 2006-10-24 02:51:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PTER PHUM PREF MOPS CE |
06COLOMBO1752 | SRI LANKA: A/S BOUCHER PRESSES GOVERNMENT TO MAKE [...] (C) SUMMARY: In a two-day visit to Sri Lanka, Assistant Secretary for South and Central Asian Affairs Richard Boucher SIPDIS pressed Sri Lankan government and opposition officials to put meaningful proposals on the table for future rounds of peace talks with the Tamil Tigers. Boucher assur [...] | 2006-10-24 05:27:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER MARR CE |
06COLOMBO1755 | SRI LANKA: MAJOR PARTIES AGREE TO COOPERATE ON WAY [...] (C) SUMMARY: The ruling Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) and the main opposition United National Party (UNP) signed a Memorandum of Understanding on October 23 setting out a Common Minimum Program to resolve the conflict in the north and east and to address other national issues. Most significa [...] | 2006-10-24 10:53:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PTER PHUM PREF MOPS CE |
06COLOMBO1756 | Sri Lanka: 8 Percent Growth Drives Central Bank Governor's [...] Summary: Sri Lanka's Central Bank has reported 8 percent growth and other positive economic figures for the first half of 2006. Central Bank Governor Nivard Cabraal expects 2006 to finish with 7 percent GDP growth, reduced debt, lower inflation, and declining unemployment. The government belie [...] | 2006-10-24 11:59:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | ECON EINV ETRD CE |
06COLOMBO1758 | CO-CHAIR AMBASSADORS (MINUS US) URGE LTTE [...] (C) Summary: Co-Chair Ambassadors (minus Ambassador Blake) met on October 24 the LTTE delegation traveling to talks with the Government of Sri Lanka that are expected to begin in Geneva on October 28. The Co-Chairs urged the LTTE to seize the opportunity afforded by Geneva and exercise maximu [...] | 2006-10-24 12:56:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV CE |
06COLOMBO1759 | SRI LANKA: TAMIL TIGERS GOING TO GENEVA TALKS [...] (C) SUMMARY: On October 18-20, nearly simultaneous visits by Assistant Secretary Boucher (ref a),Japanese peace envoy Akashi, and the Norwegian facilitator Hanssen-Bauer helped nudge both the Sri Lankan government and the Tamil Tigers toward opening a new chapter of negotiations on October 2 [...] | 2006-10-25 06:09:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PTER PHUM PREF MOPS CE |
06COLOMBO176 | SRI LANKA: MORE PRO-LTTE AID WORKERS REPORTED [...] (C) Summary: One day after January 31 reports that five Tamil Rehabilitation Organization (TRO) staff members had been abducted near an Army checkpoint (Reftel),TRO reported that another three TRO personnel have disappeared en route from Batticaloa to Kilinochchi. The Sri Lanka Monitoring [...] | 2006-02-01 11:52:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PTER PHUM PGOV CE |
06COLOMBO1762 | SRI LANKA: GLOBAL PEACE OPERATIONS INITIATIVE [...] (SBU) Pol Chief and PolOff presented the offer for a Global Peace Operations Initiative Partnership with Sri Lanka (ref a) to MFA Additional Secretary for Multilateral Affairs Maduwedegera on October 25. Maduwedegera appeared interested and asked several questions for clarification. He under [...] | 2006-10-25 11:20:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | KPKO MARR MASS CE |
06COLOMBO1763 | SRI LANKA: POLITICAL GROUPS, DIPLOMATS AGREE [...] (C) SUMMARY: President Rajapaksa told visiting Assistant Secretary Richard Boucher that the government should consult SIPDIS residents of Sri Lanka's Eastern Province as to whether they want to see their multi-ethnic region merged with the Tamil-dominated north. Rajapaksa envisioned a multi [...] | 2006-10-25 11:24:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM CE |
06COLOMBO1765 | SRI LANKA: UN RAPPORTEUR CALLS FOR INTERNATIONAL [...] (C) Summary: Calls are mounting for an international commission to investigate human rights abuses in Sri Lanka. The U.S.-based Human Rights Watch, the European Commission, and Amnesty International have recently expressed support for a call by Philip Alston, UN Special Rapporteur on Extrajudi [...] | 2006-10-25 11:44:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PTER PHUM PREF MOPS CE |
06COLOMBO179 | FOREIGN GOVERNMENT TENDER FOR THE PORT OF [...] No summary [...] | 2006-02-02 05:07:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | TBIO CE MV |
06COLOMBO1793 | HUMAN RIGHTS MINISTER URGES INTERNATIONAL SUPPORT [...] (C) Summary: Disaster and Human Rights Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe hosted a meeting October 30 for Ambassadors and Heads of Mission from contributing countries to the International Independent Group of Eminent Persons (IIGEP) that will monitor the work of the Presidential Commission of Inqu [...] | 2006-10-30 14:06:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PTER PHUM PREF MOPS CE |
06COLOMBO180 | SRI LANKA TO SUPPORT IAEA REFERRAL OF IRAN TO UNSC [...] (C) President Mahinda Rajapaksa called the Ambassador early February 2 to tell him that the cabinet had decided the night before to support the U.S. position on Iran and the IAEA by voting in the February 2 IAEA Board of Governors meeting to refer the issue to the United Nations Security Coun [...] | 2006-02-02 09:32:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL AORC IAEA KNNP CE IR |
06COLOMBO1802 | SRI LANKA: FRONT-LINE FIRE AS USUAL AFTER GENEVA [...] (C) Engagement between Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) security forces and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) continued this week after October 28-29 peace talks in Geneva between the two parties ended with no significant breakthroughs and failed to produce agreement on dates for a next [...] | 2006-10-31 09:12:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PTER PHUM PREF MOPS CE |
06COLOMBO1803 | SRI LANKA: FEARED VIOLENCE AT NEGOMBO AHMADI [...] (SBU) Summary: The Embassy received a letter from a local Ahmadi leader expressing concern that his community was being targeted for violence and a possible take-over of the Negombo Ahmadi mosque by Jumma Muslims on October 31. The US-based Ahmadi community also wrote letters to senators and t [...] | 2006-10-31 10:58:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PHUM KIRF PGOV CE |
06COLOMBO1804 | CIVAIR: DELETION OF CRS ANNEX IN THE US-SRI LANKA [...] (SBU) Embassy Colombo and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka exchanged notes constituting an agreement to remove Annex 3 of the Air Transport Agreement between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of the Democratic Soc [...] | 2006-11-01 00:54:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EAIR KTIA CE |
06COLOMBO181 | IMI - FOREIGN GOVERNMENT RESORT DEVELOPMENT [...] No summary [...] | 2006-02-02 09:52:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | BTIO CE |
06COLOMBO1811 | DEMARCHE DELIVERED: SRI LANKA WILL "GENTLY PUSH" [...] No summary [...] | 2006-11-01 11:53:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PTER PHUM PREF MOPS CE |
06COLOMBO1812 | SRI LANKA: LTTE DEBRIEFS CO-CHAIRS; GOVERNMENT [...] (C) Summary. The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) delegation gave a post-mortem on the Geneva talks to Co-Chair Ambassadors minus the U.S. this morning, November 1. Political Wing leader S.P. Tamilselvan claimed the Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) had not heeded the LTTE's "humanitarian" [...] | 2006-11-01 13:52:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PTER PHUM PREF MOPS CE |
06COLOMBO1816 | MALDIVIAN PRESIDENT GAYOOM PLEDGES TO SUSTAIN [...] (C) Summary: In a cordial 20-minute meeting with President Gayoom following the presentation of his credentials on October 30, Ambassador Blake pledged to work to strengthen US-Maldivian relations and urged the President to sustain Maldives' progress in its political Reform Roadmap. Gayoom [...] | 2006-11-02 09:25:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV KISL MV |
06COLOMBO1818 | BUSINESS FACILITATION INCENTIVE FUND [...] No summary [...] | 2006-11-02 10:57:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | BEXP BTIO ENIV ABUD MV |
06COLOMBO1819 | GOVERNMENT BLAMES LTTE FOR JAFFNA HUMANITARIAN [...] (SBU) Minister of Healthcare and Nutrition and lead peace negotiator DeSilva briefed the Sri Lankan Diplomatic Corps on November 2 on the outcome of the peace talks and government plans to mobilize the private sector to help meet humanitarian needs in Jaffna. DeSilva disagreed with press cha [...] | 2006-11-02 11:05:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL PTER PGOV CE |
06COLOMBO1821 | SRI LANKA: INFORMATION FOR MCC NOVEMBER 8 MEETING [...] (SBU) Summary: Post recommends that Sri Lanka continue to be considered MCC-eligible. MCC projects would increase overall prosperity and support our main objective of helping Sri Lanka attain a lasting peace. Violence between Government of Sri Lanka forces and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil [...] | 2006-11-03 06:34:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EAID MCC KMCA CE |
06COLOMBO1822 | SRI LANKA: TEXT FOR 2006 INCSR [...] Please find below the text for the 2006 INCSR. The format is keyed to the instructions in reftel. 2. I. Summary Sri Lanka has a relatively small-scale drug problem. The Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) remains committed to targeting drug traffickers and implementing nation-wide demand reducti [...] | 2006-11-03 06:52:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | SNAR PGOV CE |
06COLOMBO1824 | SRI LANKA: NORWAY BRIEFS CO-CHAIR AMBASSADORS ON [...] (C) Norwegian Ambassador Brattskar briefed Co-Chair Ambassadors November 3 on the results of the Geneva Peace Talks between the Government of Sri Lanka and the LTTE. Brattskar's briefing tracked closely with that provided by the Norwegians to Embassy Oslo (ref A). Following are some addition [...] | 2006-11-03 09:46:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV NO CE |
06COLOMBO1825 | MALDIVES: INFORMATION FOR MCC NOVEMBER 8 MEETING [...] (U) SUMMARY: As a candidate country that has met the Millennium Challenge Corporation,s (MCC,s) threshold requirements, post recommends that Maldives be selected for eligibility by the MCC Board. Maldives, a small but ambitious country with an educated population, seeks to diversify its eco [...] | 2006-11-03 10:42:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EAID ECON ETRD KMCA MV PREL |
06COLOMBO1827 | MALDIVES: SOME HARD BUMPS ALONG THE ROAD TO [...] (C) SUMMARY: During his initial trip to the Maldives to present his credentials (ref a),Ambassador discussed the political reform process with several ministers and with the principal opposition figures. Assessments of the state of reform diverged widely: the government side portrayed the r [...] | 2006-11-03 13:57:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM PREL MV |
06COLOMBO1828 | SRI LANKA: AIR FORCE RAIDS TARGET KILINOCHCHI; [...] (C) Summary: The Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) confirmed that the Sri Lankan Air Force (SLAF) bombed a target November 2 in Kilinochchi, the de-facto capital of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) controlled Vanni region. Several bombs hit close to the hospital there, causing da [...] | 2006-11-03 14:44:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PTER PHUM PREF MOPS CE |
06COLOMBO1837 | SRI LANKA - 2007 NATIONAL TRADE ESTIMATE REPORT [...] The following report has been submitted per reftel instructions in Microsoft Word format to the US Trade Representative. With the exception of format changes for dissemination and readability via cable, the language remains the same: SRI LANKA: TRADE SUMMARY ------------------------- 2 [...] | 2006-11-06 13:46:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON ELAB EIND ETRD PHUM SOCI EAID CE |
06COLOMBO1838 | THOUGHTS ON THE AGENDA FOR NOVEMBER 20-21 SRI [...] (C) Summary: As the Department prepares to host the November 20-21 Co-Chair meeting in Washington, Mission hereby offers some thoughts on the structure and substance of those discussions. The talks come on the heels of the unsuccessful meetings between the Government of Sri Lanka and the LT [...] | 2006-11-06 13:50:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PTER PGOV CE |
06COLOMBO1843 | MALDIVES: TEXT FOR 2006 INCSR [...] Please find below the text for the 2006 INCSR. The format is keyed to the instructions in reftel. 2. I. Summary: Maldives is not a producer of narcotics or precursor chemicals. The Maldivian government and the U.S. maintain a good working relationship on counter-narcotics issues. Offi [...] | 2006-11-07 11:53:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | SNAR PGOV MV |
06COLOMBO1847 | MALDIVES SUPPORTS U.S. RE-ELECTION TO THE ITU [...] No summary [...] | 2006-11-07 12:09:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | AORC ECPS ITU MV |
06COLOMBO1848 | SRI LANKA WILL SUPPORT U.S. CANDIDATE FOR ELECTION [...] No summary [...] | 2006-11-07 12:19:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL UNGA CE |
06COLOMBO1849 | SRI LANKA: GOVERNMENT NAMES COMMISSION OF INQUIRY [...] (SBU) Summary: On November 6 Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa approved the appointment of a Commission of Inquiry to investigate human rights violations committed since August 2005, headed by outgoing Supreme Court Justice Nissanka Udalagama. The Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) announced t [...] | 2006-11-07 12:45:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PTER PHUM PREF MOPS CE |
06COLOMBO1850 | SRI LANKA: NONCOMMITTAL ON OPPOSING THE CUBA [...] No summary [...] | 2006-11-07 12:52:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN | PHUM PREL UNGA UN CU CE |
06COLOMBO1851 | SRI LANKA: COUNTRY-SPECIFIC RESOLUTIONS AT UNGA [...] No summary [...] | 2006-11-07 12:59:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PHUM PREL KTIA UN KN BO IR UZ BM CE |
06COLOMBO1852 | SRI LANKA WILL CONTINUE TO IMPLEMENT UNSCR 1718 [...] No summary [...] | 2006-11-07 13:11:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PARM ETTC KNNP MTCR KN UNSC CE |
06COLOMBO1853 | SRI LANKA: INDIA TO DELIVER SUPPLIESTO JAFFNA AT [...] (C) SUMMARY: Following a request by the Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) that the Government of India (GOI) provide urgent food aid to Jaffna, Indian Acting High Commissioner Manikkam confirmed to DCM on November 7 that the GOI would mobilize to ship supplies from Chennai. This "one-time gift" of [...] | 2006-11-07 13:27:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PTER PHUM PREF MOPS CE |
06COLOMBO1859 | 2006-2007 INTERNATIONAL NARCOTICS CONTROL STRATEGY REPORT [...] UPDATED RESPONSE TO REFTEL FOLLOWS: 2. Maldives is not an important regional financial center. The financial sector of the Maldives is very small, with five commercial banks (one international bank, three branches of public banks from neighboring countries and the state owned bank),two in [...] | 2006-11-08 08:33:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | KTFN EFIN PTER SNAR KCRM MV |
06COLOMBO186 | ENERGY INVESTOR WOES AS SRI LANKA DISPUTES [...] (SBU) Summary: Sri Lanka?s oil and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) suppliers, including two foreign investors (neither American),are facing significant losses as the government has not allowed price increases or has not paid previously agreed subsidies in a timely manner despite increased wor [...] | 2006-02-02 11:04:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EFIN EINV ENRG CE |
06COLOMBO1863 | MEETING WITH PRESIDENTIAL SECRETARY: AMBASSADOR [...] (C) Ambassador met alone with Presidential Secretary (defacto National Security Advisor) Lalith Weeratunga on November 7 to register concern that the Sri Lankan military's recent military actions had become increasingly difficult to justify as "defensive." The U.S. wanted to continue to supp [...] | 2006-11-08 13:12:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL MOPS CE |
06COLOMBO1869 | SRI LANKA NOMINEE: USPTO GIPA PROGRAM ON COPYRIGHT IN THE [...] Post is pleased to submit the following nomination for the USPTO Global Intellectual Property academy (GIPA) program on copyright in the digital environment, from January 23-26, 2007. 2. Name: D. M. Karunaratna Designation: Director General, National Intellectual Property Office Source [...] | 2006-11-09 06:11:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | ECON ETRD KIPR AORC CE |
06COLOMBO187 | SRI LANKAN PRESIDENT PLEDGES INVESTIGATION INTO [...] (C) SUMMARY: On February 2 President Mahinda Rajapaksa telephoned the Ambassador to assure him of Government concern at the reported abductions of Tamil Rehabilitation Organization (TRO) staff (Reftels) but reiterated that efforts to investigate were being hampered by lack of access to purp [...] | 2006-02-02 11:51:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PTER PHUM PGOV CE |
06COLOMBO1874 | SRI LANKA: PRO-LTTE PARTY SAYS "INDIAN MODEL" FOR [...] (S) SUMMARY: A Member of Parliament from Jaffna for the Tamil National Alliance (TNA),a pro-Tamil Tiger party, told us on November 8 that the Indian constitution was worth studying, but that the "Indian model" of federalism would not work in Sri Lanka. He thought the Indian government was i [...] | 2006-11-09 07:09:00 | Embassy Colombo | SECRET | PREL PTER PHUM PREF MOPS CE |
06COLOMBO1879 | SRI LANKA: DEMARCHE ON OPPOSING ANTI-ISRAEL BIAS [...] No summary [...] | 2006-11-09 09:54:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL UNGA CE |
06COLOMBO1883 | Special Media Reaction: Maldivian Media on Ambassador [...] (U) Summary: Coverage in the Maldivian media of Ambassador Blake's presentation of credentials and the visit by USS DUBUQUE following Exercise COCONUT GROVE 06 with the U.S. Marines was widespread in both print and television and generally positive. Independent papers aligned with the oppositi [...] | 2006-11-09 12:02:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | PHUM KPAO EAID OIIP PREL CE |
06COLOMBO1884 | SRI LANKA: GOVERNMENT MORTAR FIRE KILLS 23 [...] (C) SUMMARY: The Red Cross reported 23 civilians dead and 74 injured when government mortar fire hit a school housing internally displaced persons (IDPs) near the eastern town of Vakarai on November 8. Government officials confirmed the casualties, but said troops had been unaware of civilians [...] | 2006-11-09 12:26:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM PTER MOPS CE |
06COLOMBO1887 | SRI LANKA: KARUNA PARAMILITARY IMPLICATED IN WAVE [...] (C) Summary: The Batticaloa-based Karuna group, which split from the northern Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) leadership in March 2004, has renamed itself the Tamil Makkal Vidutalai Pulikkal (TMVP),or Tamil People's Liberation Tigers. The TMVP claims to be a democratic organization [...] | 2006-11-09 12:46:00 | Embassy Colombo | SECRET | PREL PTER PHUM PREF MOPS CE |
06COLOMBO1889 | DEFENSE SECRETARY EXPRESSES CONCERN ABOUT POSSIBLE [...] (C) In a November 10 meeting with Defense Secretary Rajapakse, Ambassador expressed concern about growing indications the Sri Lankan military was taking disproportionate military action against the LTTE that jeopardized prospects for a return to peace negotiations. Peace Secretariat Director K [...] | 2006-11-10 15:02:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL MOPS PTER CE |
06COLOMBO189 | SRI LANKA CONTINUES SUPPORT FOR GLOBAL WAR ON [...] SUMMARY: ON JANUARY 26, A WIDELY-PUBLICIZED OPENING CEREMONY FOR THE CONTAINER SECURITY INITIATIVE (CSI) AND THE MEGAPORTS INITIATIVE TOOK PLACE AT THE PORT OF COLOMBO, PRESIDED OVER BY THE MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND THE AMBASSADOR. CSI IS NOW FULLY OPERATIONAL, TARGETING AND SCREENING [...] | 2006-02-03 03:12:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | ECON EWWT EAID ETRD PTER CE |
06COLOMBO1892 | BILATERAL DONORS AND INGOS PRESS GOVERNMENT ON [...] (SBU) Summary. Meetings of the Bilateral Donors Group (BDG) and the Consultative Committee Meeting on Humanitarian Assistance (CCMHA) this past week focused on NGO access and the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Sri Lanka's North and East. While BDG members, the UN, the ICRC, and the [...] | 2006-11-13 06:06:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EAID PHUM PTER MOPS PREL ASEC CE |
06COLOMBO1895 | UN SPECIAL ADVISOR ROCK EXPRESSES DEEP CONCERN [...] (C) Summary: In a November 13 briefing for Co-Chair and other selected Ambassadors, UN Special Advisor for Children Affected by Armed Conflict Allan Rock expressed his deep concern about forced abductions of children by the LTTE and the breakaway Karuna faction. Rock received many eyewitness [...] | 2006-11-13 12:38:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PREL PGOV UN CE |
06COLOMBO1896 | SRI LANKA: TAMIL MP ASSASSINATED IN COLOMBO; [...] (C) SUMMARY: The assassination of a Tamil Member of Parliament in broad daylight in Colombo on November 10 provoked widespread outrage and condemnation. President Rajapaksa issued a forthright statement in which he mourned the death of Nadaraja Raviraj, whom he called a friend, and ordered a [...] | 2006-11-13 13:15:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PTER PHUM PREF MOPS CE |
06COLOMBO1902 | SRI LANKA: TRANSPORT AND PETROLEUM DEVELOPMENT MINISTER [...] (SBU) Ambassador Blake called on Minister A. H. M. Fowzie October 25 to discuss transportation and petroleum development. Fowzie is Minister of Railways and Transport and Minister of Petroleum and Petroleum Resources Development. Fowzie's political career began 47 years ago, including signifi [...] | 2006-11-14 09:34:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON ELAB EIND ETRD PHUM SOCI EAID CE |
06COLOMBO1906 | SRI LANKA: ARMY MINE ACTION EFFORTS STALL IN [...] (U) Summary: December 2006 marks the end of the four-year, eight million dollar USG-RONCO contract in Sri Lanka which has successfully trained a Sri Lanka Army humanitarian mine action unit of nearly 600 deminers and mine detection dog handlers. On November 3, SLA mine action coordinator Brig [...] | 2006-11-14 12:18:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL PTER PHUM PREF MOPS CE |
06COLOMBO1909 | SRI LANKA: SENATE FOREIGN RELATIONS STAFF [...] (SBU) Keith Luse, Professional Staff Assistant to Senate Foreign Relations Committee Senator Richard Lugar (R-IN),visited Colombo November 9-10 to assess country team coordination on military issues and explore the security environment through meetings with prominent Sri Lankans. In meetings [...] | 2006-11-14 12:52:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
06COLOMBO1910 | MALDIVES: GOVERNMENT ACTION STYMIES PLANNED [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: The opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) planned a November 10 demonstration in Male' to demand quicker constitutional reform. The Government of the Republic of Maldives (GORM) claimed the opposition would use the guise of a peaceful protest to possibly foment a coup. Se [...] | 2006-11-14 12:58:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM MV |
06COLOMBO1911 | SRI LANKA: GOVERNMENT SECURITY FORCES IN CAHOOTS [...] (C) SUMMARY: The Batticaloa-based Karuna group, which split from the northern Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in March 2004, has opened political offices in Colombo, the east, and the northern town of Vavuniya. The group's public relations wing preaches the virtues of "devolution" and [...] | 2006-11-14 13:03:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PTER PHUM PREF MOPS CE |
06COLOMBO1913 | BLAIR SPECIAL ENVOY SEES SOME PARALLELS BETWEEN [...] (C) Summary: In a luncheon discussion with Co-Chair Ambassadors and the Acting Indian High Commissioner on November 14 Prime Minister Tony Blair's Special Envoy Paul Murphy exchanged views on how the Northern Ireland peace process might be relevant for the Sri Lankan context. Murphy was th [...] | 2006-11-14 13:06:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PTER PGOV CE EI |
06COLOMBO1916 | SRI LANKA WILL VOTE AGAINST BELARUS-SPONSORED [...] No summary [...] | 2006-11-15 10:09:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PHUM PREL BO CE |
06COLOMBO1919 | SRI LANKA: SCENESETTER FOR NOV. 20-21 CO-CHAIRS [...] (C) The November 21-22 meeting in Washington comes at a critical moment. Since the last Co-Chairs meeting on September 12 in Brussels, the situation in Sri Lanka has deteriorated markedly. The Washington meetings therefore mark a good opportunity to take a hard look at what more we can do t [...] | 2006-11-15 15:02:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PTER PHUM PREF MOPS CE |
06COLOMBO1920 | FOREIGN MINISTER SAYS GSL PREPARED TO RETURN TO [...] (C) SUMMARY: Foreign Minister Samaraweera confirmed to Ambassador Blake that the Sri Lankan government was "absolutely" committed to resuming peace talks without negotiations. He appeared troubled by signs that international support for the government was flagging because of reports of serio [...] | 2006-11-15 15:02:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PTER PHUM PREF MOPS CE |
06COLOMBO1925 | SRI LANKA LOOKS FOR HELP FROM INDONESIA ON TAMIL [...] (C) SUMMARY: The Sri Lankan MFA Director General for Southeast Asia, who accompanied the Prime Minister on his visit to Indonesia, gave us a readout of their meeting with the Indonesian President on Tamil Tiger activities in the region. Indonesia has become a major transshipment and logistic [...] | 2006-11-16 10:50:00 | Embassy Colombo | SECRET | PREL PTER PHUM PREF MOPS CE |
06COLOMBO1926 | BUSINESS PROCESS OUTSOURCING: A GROWTH OPPORTUNITY FOR [...] Summary. As the business process outsourcing industry (BPO) continues to grow in South Asia, Sri Lanka is looking to expand its share of the market. However, attractive features such as low labor costs, low operating costs and government tax incentives are somewhat overshadowed by industry co [...] | 2006-11-16 10:53:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | ECON ELAB EIND ETRD CE |
06COLOMBO1929 | SRI LANKA: PROPOSAL FOR U.S. SUPPORT TO COMMISSION [...] Summary and Action Request: Embassy proposes that Department nominate a U.S. member of an international panel, the International Independent Group of Eminent Persons (IIGEP),to assist and observe the Government of Sri Lanka's Commission of Inquiry on Human Rights. We further request that Dep [...] | 2006-11-16 11:14:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL PTER PHUM PREF MOPS CE |
06COLOMBO1930 | SRI LANKAN OPPOSITION LEADER: DEVELOPING PEACE [...] (C) SUMMARY: Opposition leader Wickremesinghe told Ambassador on November 16 that he was gravely concerned about the deterioration in the human rights environment in the country following the assassination of Tamil MP Raviraj. He said the government had a "siege mentality" about charges fro [...] | 2006-11-16 11:36:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PTER PHUM PREF MOPS CE |
06COLOMBO1931 | SRI LANKAN CANDIDATE FOR INTERNATIONAL LAW COMMISSION DR. [...] As reported ref (b),the Government of Sri Lanka had pledged to support U.S. candidate Michael Matheson for the International Law Commission (ILC). MFA also asked the U.S. to support its candidate for the ILC, Dr. Amrith Rohan Perera. Dr. Perera is well and favorably known to us as the incum [...] | 2006-11-16 11:44:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL UNGA CE |
06COLOMBO1935 | SRI LANKA WANTS TWO SHIPS TO TRANSPORT AID TO JAFFNA FOR [...] (SBU) Ambassador Blake called on Minister Rohitha Bogollagama November 14 at the Minister's request to discuss the procurement of shipping services to Jaffna, Sri Lanka's northern city which is currently suffering a shortage of necessary supplies due to the closure of the A-9 highway. Bogolla [...] | 2006-11-20 02:48:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON EINV ETRD SOCI EAID CE |
06COLOMBO1946 | SRI LANKA: GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCES TRIAL OPENING OF [...] (U) The Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) announced November 20 it would open for a "trial run" the Muhamalai check-point on the A9 highway linking the Jaffna peninsula to the south of the island through the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) controlled Vanni. The A9 highway has remained clos [...] | 2006-11-20 13:09:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PTER PHUM PREF MOPS CE |
06COLOMBO1947 | SRI LANKA: MILITARY ENGAGEMENTS ON FIVE FRONTS [...] (C) Summary: Military engagements between Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) security forces and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) continued in the north and east on November 18-19, including a sea battle off the coast of Mannar, firing at the Jaffna Forward Defense Line, and LTTE attack [...] | 2006-11-20 13:12:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PTER PHUM PREF MOPS CE |
06COLOMBO1951 | SCENE SETTER FOR SRI LANKA ARMY COMMANDER [...] (C) Summary: General Sarath Fonseka, Commander of the Sri Lankan Army, will conduct a self-invited visit to Washington November 28-29 to meet with Department of State and Pentagon officials. Fonseka, the target of an April 2006 Tiger suicide-bombing attempt on his life, has pursued a hard-lin [...] | 2006-11-21 05:07:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PTER PHUM PREF MOPS CE |
06COLOMBO1958 | SRI LANKA: MONITORING MISSION BACKS UN CLAIMS THAT [...] (C) Summary: On November 13, following a ten-day trip to Sri Lanka, United Nations Special Advisor for Children and Armed Conflict Allan Rock released a report alleging complicity between elements of the Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) security forces and the Karuna faction (ref C). The Nordi [...] | 2006-11-22 02:38:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PTER PHUM PREF MOPS CE |
06COLOMBO196 | SRI LANKA: SPRING LOCAL GOVERNMENT ELECTIONS MAY [...] (C) Summary: The Elections Commissioner has called for candidate nominations to Local Governments (LGs) to be submitted between February 9-16, with elections to fall four to six weeks afterward. A local NGO and the opposition United National Party (UNP) have filed court cases requesting a r [...] | 2006-02-06 11:48:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV CE |
06COLOMBO1968 | SRI LANKA: HUMAN RIGHTS MINISTER LOBBIES AGAINST [...] (C) Summary: Disaster Management and Human Rights Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe called a meeting for diplomatic representatives November 22 to highlight the Government of Sri Lanka's human rights initiatives. Samarasinghe's apparent objective was to head off an EU-sponsored human rights reso [...] | 2006-11-24 06:45:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PTER PHUM PREF MOPS CE |
06COLOMBO1971 | SRI LANKAN REACTIONS TO NOV. 21 CO-CHAIRS STATEMENT [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: Following the November 21 publication of the Co-Chairs' statement, Emboffs spoke to politicians and civil society representatives to gauge the Sri Lankan reaction. In a November 22 speech to parliament, Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera thanked the international community a [...] | 2006-11-24 12:28:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL PTER PHUM PREF MOPS CE |
06COLOMBO1972 | SRI LANKA OPPOSITION LEADER AGREES ON NEED FOR [...] (C) Ambassador and Pol Chief met opposition leader Ranil Wickremesinghe on November 24 to brief him on the result of the November 20-21 Co-Chairs meeting in Washington. Ambassador Blake told Wickremesinghe that the Co-Chairs had concluded the Memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Wickreme [...] | 2006-11-24 12:35:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PTER PHUM PREF MOPS CE |
06COLOMBO1973 | SRI LANKA MONITORING MISSION CONFIRMS CEASEFIRE [...] (C) Summary: Pol Chief met November 24 with Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) policy advisor (and occasional acting spokesperson) Helen Olafsdottir and Spokesperson Thorfinnur Omarsson to discuss recent cease-fire violation, the human rights situation, and the mission's current functioning [...] | 2006-11-24 15:10:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PTER PHUM PREF MOPS CE |
06COLOMBO1977 | SRI LANKA: PRESIDENT RAJAPAKSA'S REPORT CARD, ONE YEAR ON [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: President Mahinda Rajapaksa came to office in November 2005 after a campaign highlighting his strong Sinhalese nationalism. He made electoral pacts with the Marxist, Sinhalese chauvinist Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) and the hard-line Buddhist monk-based Jathika Hela Urumaya [...] | 2006-11-28 08:06:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL PGOV PHUM PTER CE |
06COLOMBO1978 | SRI LANKA: PRESIDENT RAJAPAKSA'S REPORT CARD, ONE YEAR ON [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: President Mahinda Rajapaksa came to office in November 2005 after a campaign highlighting his strong Sinhalese nationalism. He made electoral pacts with the Marxist, Sinhalese chauvinist Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) and the hard-line Buddhist monk-based Jathika Hela Urumaya [...] | 2006-11-28 08:06:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL PGOV PHUM PTER CE |
06COLOMBO1982 | SRI LANKA: PRESIDENT RAJAPAKSA'S REPORT CARD, ONE YEAR ON [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: President Mahinda Rajapaksa came to office in November 2005 after a campaign highlighting his strong Sinhalese nationalism. He made electoral pacts with the Marxist, Sinhalese chauvinist Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) and the hard-line Buddhist monk-based Jathika Hela Urumaya [...] | 2006-11-28 08:12:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL PGOV PHUM PTER CE |
06COLOMBO1985 | SRI LANKA: TIGER LEADER'S HEROES DAY SPEECH JUST [...] (C) SUMMARY: In his annual "Great Heroes' Day" speech, Tamil Tiger chief Prabhakaran castigated successive Sri Lankan governments for failing to keep promises to present a viable plan to settle Sri Lanka's decades-old ethnic conflict. He declared the 2002 Cease-Fire Agreement "defunct," but s [...] | 2006-11-28 08:37:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PTER PHUM PREF MOPS CE |
06COLOMBO1987 | SRI LANKA SIGNS UP TO PROLIFERATION SECURITY [...] (SBU) Summary: The Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) notified the Embassy via diplomatic note of its intention to support the Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI). The GSL cautioned that it will do so "consistent with its national laws and obligations under international law." Complete text [...] | 2006-11-28 09:22:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PTER PHUM PREF MOPS CE |
06COLOMBO1988 | SRI LANKA SIGNS UP TO PROLIFERATION SECURITY [...] (SBU) Summary: The Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) notified the Embassy via diplomatic note of its intention to support the Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI). The GSL cautioned that it will do so "consistent with its national laws and obligations under international law." Complete text [...] | 2006-11-28 09:24:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PTER PHUM PREF MOPS CE |
06COLOMBO1989 | SRI LANKA SIGNS UP TO PROLIFERATION SECURITY [...] (SBU) Summary: The Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) notified the Embassy via diplomatic note of its intention to support the Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI). The GSL cautioned that it will do so "consistent with its national laws and obligations under international law." Complete text [...] | 2006-11-28 09:25:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PTER PHUM PREF MOPS CE |
06COLOMBO1993 | SRI LANKA: LACK OF DESIRE FOR PEACE MAY IMPEDE ECONOMIC [...] (SBU) Summary: The Ambassador met with a group of key financial sector institution heads on November 27. The meeting provided for a frank discussion on pressing issues faced by the sector and the country. While peace is essential for their business and for the economy, the group expressed g [...] | 2006-11-29 06:50:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON EFIN EINV EAID PGOV PTER CE |
06COLOMBO1994 | SRI LANKA: TAMIL TIGERS NOT TERMINATING CEASEFIRE [...] (C) SUMMARY: Nordic monitors from the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission reported to the Embassy that the Tamil Tigers (LTTE) were not withdrawing from the 2002 Ceasefire Agreement with the government. LTTE chief negotiator Tamilchelvan told them his movement wants the SLMM mission to continue as [...] | 2006-11-29 11:38:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PTER PHUM PREF MOPS CE |
06COLOMBO1995 | SRI LANKA: LTTE LEADER'S HEROES' DAY SPEECH [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: Following Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) leader Prabhakaran,s annual November 27 Heroes' Day address (ref),media reports quoted Sri Lankan President Rajapaksa as discounting LTTE threats of resumed violence and calling on Prabhakaran to engage directly with him in talks [...] | 2006-11-29 11:40:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PTER PHUM CE |
06COLOMBO200 | PROMISE OF CEASE-FIRE TALKS STANCHES FLOW OF [...] (SBU) Data recently released by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) office in Colombo shows that the flow of Tamils out of potential conflict areas in northern Sri Lanka was much higher than the Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) or the Sri Lankan Army (SLA) had reported. Di [...] | 2006-02-08 08:29:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PTER PHUM PREF CE |
06COLOMBO2010 | SRI LANKA: ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT ON DEFENSE [...] (SBU) Unknown assailants, but most likely the LTTE ("Tamil Tigers"),attacked the motorcade of Defense Secretary Gothabaya Rajapaksa (the brother of President Mahinda Rajapaksa) with explosives on December 1. The method of delivery was apparently a vehicle-borne "claymore" mine. According to [...] | 2006-12-01 08:34:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PTER PGOV MOPS PREL CE |
06COLOMBO2013 | SRI LANKA: DEPUTY USTR URGES PRESIDENT TO IMPROVE [...] (C) SUMMARY: Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa, in a meeting on November 30, asked Deputy U.S. Trade Representative Karan Bhatia to help facilitate completion of a Millennium Challenge Compact for his country. Rajapaksa made it clear that Sri Lanka was prepared to drop controversial irr [...] | 2006-12-01 10:25:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON EFIN EINV EAID PGOV PREL PTER PHUM CE |
06COLOMBO2014 | HANSSEN-BAUER EXPRESSES CONCERN ABOUT CRITICISM OF [...] (C) Norwegian Special Envoy Jon Hanssen-Bauer met briefly with Co-Chair Ambassadors to compare notes before he begins a trip to Kilinochchi to meet with the LTTE on December 2. After two days of meetings with Government and civil society representatives in Colombo, he expressed concern about [...] | 2006-12-01 11:12:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PTER PGOV CE |
06COLOMBO2015 | GOVERNMENT TO REVIEW ALL CONTACTS WITH LTTE [...] (C) Summary and Action Request: In the aftermath of the failed assassination attempt of Defense Secretary Rajapakse (ref a),the Government of Sri Lanka announced on December 3 that the Cabinet will decide on December 6 whether to revive the ban on contacts with the LTTE, which would effectiv [...] | 2006-12-04 12:21:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PTER PGOV CE |
06COLOMBO2020 | SRI LANKAN FOREIGN MINISTER SAYS CABINET TO [...] (C) SUMMARY: In a December 5 meeting with Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera, Ambassador strongly urged the Sri Lankan government (GSL) to refrain from proscribing the LTTE ("Tamil Tigers," saying it would effectively put an end to the peace process. The Minister responded that the governm [...] | 2006-12-06 12:48:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
06COLOMBO2021 | SRI LANKA KEEPS PEACE PROCESS ALIVE; REINSTATES [...] (C) SUMMARY: The Sri Lankan Cabinet reached a consensus not to react to the assassination attempt on Defense Secretary Gothabaya Rajapaksa (ref a) by proscribing the SIPDIS LTTE. Instead, the President will issue an order reinstating provisions of the Prevention of Terrorism Act. However, [...] | 2006-12-06 14:28:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
06COLOMBO2030 | SRI LANKA: MINISTER GIVES ASSURANCES ON HUMAN [...] (C) SUMMARY: In a December 6 meeting, the Minister for Disaster Management and Human Rights gave Ambassador his readout of Cabinet deliberations over the promulgation of new powers for security forces in the fight against LTTE terrorism. He assured us, however, that the new regulations adeq [...] | 2006-12-07 12:48:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV PREL PTER CE |
06COLOMBO2031 | TERRORIST LISTS: SRI LANKA DOES NOT MAINTAIN A [...] No summary [...] | 2006-12-08 06:08:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | KTFN EFIN ETTC PREL PTER KVPR CE |
06COLOMBO2033 | SRI LANKAN PRESIDENT DEFENDS EMERGENCY MEASURES TO [...] (SBU) In a December 7 address to the nation on the new emergency measures (in Sinhala, translation e-mailed to SCA/INS),President Mahinda Rajapaksa offered brief thanks to the members of international community that have rejected the LTTE's call for "Eelam," or a separate state. He singled o [...] | 2006-12-08 09:55:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PTER PHUM PREL CE |
06COLOMBO2037 | HANSSEN-BAUER RETURNS EMPTY HANDED FROM [...] (C) Summary: In a readout to Co-Chair Ambassadors the evening of December 8, Norwegian Special Envoy Jon Hanssen-Bauer reported that the LTTE had refused all four initiatives proposed the Government of Sri Lanka, including the idea of holding peace talks as soon as possible. The LTTE respon [...] | 2006-12-10 04:06:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PTER PGOV CE |
06COLOMBO2043 | SRI LANKA: HUMANITARIAN SITUATION IN JAFFNA DIRE [...] (C) Summary: During the Ambassador's December 7 visit to Jaffna, Government Agent Mr. K. Ganesh (protect throughout) expressed deep concern for the humanitarian situation in Jaffna, particularly with regard to nutrition and livelihoods. Since August 11, when the Tigers attacked the Governme [...] | 2006-12-11 13:26:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
06COLOMBO2045 | SRI LANKA: PROBABLE "YES" ON SUDAN SPECIAL SESSION [...] (C) Pol Chief demarched MFA multilateral section deputy director Gunesekara on December 8, who confirmed that Sri Lanka was leaning toward voting for the Finnish resolution. Gunesekara reported that the Sri Lankan Ambassador had weighed in with a favorable recommendation on the Finnish draft, [...] | 2006-12-11 13:40:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | KTIA PHUM PREL SU UN CE |
06COLOMBO2046 | SRI LANKA: ALL PARTY REPRESENTATIVE COMMITTEE [...] (SBU) Summary: President Rajapaksa appointed a Panel of Experts (PoE),all lawyers, to draft constitutional recommendations for a "maximum devolution" proposal that can form the basis for talks with the LTTE. Some supporters of the governing Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) and some Tamil lega [...] | 2006-12-11 13:43:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PHUM PTER CE |
06COLOMBO2050 | SRI LANKA: JAFFNA UNIVERSITY STAFF, STUDENTS [...] (C) Summary: Jaffna Government Agent Mr. K. Ganesh hosted a panel discussion on December 7 with Jaffna University faculty and students and the Ambassador. Classes have been suspended at the University since August 11, when the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) attacked the crossing poin [...] | 2006-12-12 11:17:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
06COLOMBO2051 | SRI LANKA: AMBASSADOR TELLS FOREIGN MINISTER [...] (C) SUMMARY: Ambassador told Foreign Minister Samaraweera on December 11 that the Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) is allowing the "Tamil Tigers" (LTTE) to exploit the serious humanitarian and human rights situation in Jaffna by alienating the local population from the government. While some of [...] | 2006-12-12 13:05:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
06COLOMBO2052 | SRI LANKA: ARMY SHELLS HIT VAKARAI IDPS, [...] (C) Summary: In a December 11 press release, the International Committee for the Red Cross confirmed the Sri Lankan Army (SLA) shelling December 8-11 killed up to 27 civilians in LTTE-controlled Vakarai and injured 30. About 35,000 civilians remain trapped in Vakarai where the LTTE and GSL s [...] | 2006-12-12 13:17:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
06COLOMBO2054 | HRC: SRI LANKA WILL NOT SUPPORT EXPERT MISSION TO [...] (C) Further to reftel, Pol chief followed up with MFA Multilateral Section Deputy Director Gunesekera on December 12. Gunesekera affirmed Sri Lanka was disposed to support the Finnish draft. However, she said that, according to her information, there was still no consensus in Geneva on the [...] | 2006-12-13 02:28:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM KTIA PREL SU UN CE |
06COLOMBO2056 | SRI LANKA: JAFFNA CIVILIANS FEAR SECURITY FORCES [...] (C) During the Ambassador's December 7 trip to Jaffna and a December 5-8 political section/USAID visit, Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) Human Rights authorities told us they have seen evidence that security forces intelligence units are working with paramilitary cadres belonging to Minister Dou [...] | 2006-12-13 06:53:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
06COLOMBO2060 | SRI LANKA: JAFFNA BISHOP CALLS FOR TOUGH MESSAGE [...] (C) SUMMARY: Ambassador Blake met the Catholic Bishop of Jaffna on December 7 during his day trip to the northern peninsula. An outspoken Tamil rights advocate, the Bishop told the Ambassador that the international community will have to use "stick diplomacy" to persuade the Government of Sr [...] | 2006-12-13 10:09:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
06COLOMBO2063 | Sri Lanka FY 2007 Budget [...] (SBU) Summary: President Mahinda Rajapakse, who is also the Finance Minister, presented the Government of Sri Lanka's (GSL's) FY 07 budget to Parliament on November 16. The budget envisages large increases in both expenditure and revenue. Military expenditure will increase by 28 percent to [...] | 2006-12-13 12:20:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON EFIN CE |
06COLOMBO2066 | DONORS PRESS GSL TO FOCUS ON HUMAN RIGHTS AND [...] Chiefs of Mission of the EU, Norway, Australia, Canada, Germany (on behalf of the Finnish EU Presidency),and Switzerland and the DCM met on December 12 to develop a joint response to the GSL's call to host a development forum in late January. The forum would provide bilateral and multilater [...] | 2006-12-14 09:25:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | CE EAID ECON PHUM SOCI |
06COLOMBO2067 | SRI LANKA TO PROCEED WITH GLOBAL PEACE OPERATIONS [...] (SBU) Following up on ref B, Defense Attache passed information to Defense Secretary Gothabaya Rajapaksa during a previously scheduled meeting on November 3. DATT later received a call back from Defense Ministry expressing interest and asking for more information. Pol Chief received a reque [...] | 2006-12-14 09:54:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | KPKO MARR PREL MASS KSEP CE |
06COLOMBO207 | DEMARCHE: DEFEATING VENEZUELA IN THE 2006 ELECTION [...] (C) On February 8, Ambassador Lunstead delivered Reftel demarche to Sri Lankan Foreign Secretary H.M.G.S. Palihakkara at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Palihakkara acknowledged the points concerning Venezuela as enumerated by the Ambassador and stated that his government would consider the [...] | 2006-02-08 11:25:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL CE |
06COLOMBO2070 | 5TH ROUND OF TIFA TALKS HIGHLIGHT ON OBSTACLES TO US [...] (SBU) Summary. The Office of the US Trade Representative and the Sri Lankan Ministry of Trade, Commerce, Consumer Affairs and Marketing Development held the Fifth Joint Council Meeting under the bilateral US-Sri Lanka Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) in Colombo on December 1. [...] | 2006-12-14 11:01:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON ELAB EIND ETRD EAID CE |
06COLOMBO2072 | SRI LANKA WORST FORMS OF CHILD LABOR UPDATE - DEC 2006 [...] Per Ref A, below is an update of the worst forms of child labor information for Sri Lanka. This report provides new developments since the submission of the last update in 2005 (Ref B). Child Labor Legislation ----------------------- 2. In August 2006, the Parliament passed an amendmen [...] | 2006-12-14 11:59:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | ELAB EIND ETRD PHUM SOCI USAID CE |
06COLOMBO2073 | SRI LANKA: JAFFNA CALMER FOLLOWING AMBASSADOR'S [...] (C) Summary: Pol FSN spoke December 14 with Mr. Remidious, Legal Advisor and Acting Coordinator of the Human Rights Commission in Jaffna, Government Agent K. Ganesh, and the Jaffna Bishop Rev. Thomas Savundranayagam. Each interlocutor pointed out that since Ambassador Blake's December 7 visit [...] | 2006-12-14 12:05:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
06COLOMBO2077 | SRI LANKA: TAMIL PARTY URGES MORE TALKS BUT SAYS [...] (C) SUMMARY: In a meeting on December 14 with Ambassador and PolCouns, Members of Parliament from the Tamil National Alliance (TNA, which shares the political goals of the "Tamil Tigers"),criticized the report of an Experts' Committee on possible future power-sharing arrangements, but felt th [...] | 2006-12-15 10:40:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
06COLOMBO2078 | AMBASSADOR DISCUSSES JAFFNA, HUMAN RIGHTS, AND THE [...] (C) Summary: Ambassador met on December 15 with Basil Rajapakse, the brother and chief political advisor of President Rajapakse, to urge that the President address the deteriorating human rights situation and problems in Jaffna, and that the President urge as rapid consideration as possible [...] | 2006-12-15 10:40:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PTER PGOV CE |
06COLOMBO2081 | SRI LANKA: INTERLOCUTORS MOURN BALASINGHAM AS [...] (C) SUMMARY: Embassy's Tamil contacts, international observers and Sri Lankan political figures lamented the December 14 death in London of chief LTTE negotiator and theoretician Anton Balasingham (1938-2006). Members of Colombo's humanitarian and think-tank community stressed that Balasingh [...] | 2006-12-15 10:40:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
06COLOMBO2082 | SRI LANKA: INTERLOCUTORS MOURN BALASINGHAM AS [...] (C) SUMMARY: Embassy's Tamil contacts, international observers and Sri Lankan political figures lamented the December 14 death in London of chief LTTE negotiator and theoretician Anton Balasingham (1938-2006). Members of Colombo's humanitarian and think-tank community stressed that Balasingh [...] | 2006-12-15 10:40:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
06COLOMBO2083 | SRI LANKA: MUSLIM PARTY SUPPORTS DE-MERGER OF [...] (C) Ambassador met December 11 with representatives of the All Ceylon Muslim Congress (ACMC),including Minister of Disaster Relief Services M.S.S. Ameer. The ACMC split from Rauf Hakeem's Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) (ref b) to support the ruling Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP),although [...] | 2006-12-15 10:40:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
06COLOMBO2084 | SRI LANKA: INTERLOCUTORS MOURN BALASINGHAM AS [...] (C) SUMMARY: Embassy's Tamil contacts, international observers and Sri Lankan political figures lamented the December 14 death in London of chief LTTE negotiator and theoretician Anton Balasingham (1938-2006). Members of Colombo's humanitarian and think-tank community stressed that Balasingh [...] | 2006-12-15 10:43:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
06COLOMBO2086 | SRI LANKA: HUGE PUSH TO DEVELOP THE PRESIDENT'S HOME [...] Summary. Since President Rajapaksa's election, there has been renewed interest in pursuing several infrastructure projects in Hambantota District, his home district and one of the poorest and least developed areas in Sri Lanka. Proposed projects include an international airport, an industria [...] | 2006-12-18 03:39:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON ELAB EIND ETRD EAID CE |
06COLOMBO2087 | PRESIDENT RAJAPAKSE REQUESTS DS ADVICE ON HIS [...] (C) Defense Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapakse, brother of President Mahinda Rajapakse, contacted me to ask if the United States could advise the President and his security detail how they might improve all aspects of his security. The Secretary said the President had been impressed with the secur [...] | 2006-12-18 04:12:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | ASEC PTER CE |
06COLOMBO2089 | COUNTRY CLEARANCE GRANTED FOR TREASURY [...] Post grants country clearance to Treasury Enforcement Advisors, Fred Borakove and Carol Kelley from January 19 to January 27, 2007. The purpose of their visit is to deliver the financial investigators techniques training course to be hosted by the governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka and [...] | 2006-12-18 05:34:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | EAID ECON OTRA KPAO AFIN CE |
06COLOMBO209 | CHAIRMAN GIVES STATUS REPORT ON AD HOC COMMITTEE [...] (SBU) On February 8, Sri Lankan Foreign Secretary H.M.G.S. Palihakkara hosted the Chiefs of Missions of the G-8 countries and India for a discussion concerning the outstanding issues facing the February 27 meeting of the Ad Hoc Committee on Terrorism (AHCT). AHCT chairman Dr. Rohan Perera ( [...] | 2006-02-08 11:35:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL PTER CE |
06COLOMBO2090 | COUNTRY CLEARANCE GRANTED FOR EILEEN BURKE, [...] Post grants country clearance to Eileen Burke, Lawrence Camp and Andrew Farnum of Millennium Challenge Corporation to visit Colombo from January 3 to January 28, 2007. The purpose of their visit is to continue due diligence on the SME Development portions of the GOSL?s Millennium Challenge Com [...] | 2006-12-18 05:35:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | EAID KMCA ECON OTRA KPAO AFIN OVIP CE |
06COLOMBO2094 | SRI LANKA: PRESIDENT FACES CHALLENGES IN BUILDING [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: On December 10, former Sri Lankan president Kumaratunga told a group of supporters she will return to politics, possibly making a bid to regain leadership of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP),currently headed by President Mahinda Rajapaksa. On Dec 12, the Marxist, Sinhalese n [...] | 2006-12-18 12:13:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER CE |
06COLOMBO2095 | SRI LANKA: EASTERN UNIVERSITY VICE-CHANCELLOR [...] (C) Summary. Eastern University (Batticaloa) Vice-Chancellor S. Ravindranath disappeared from an area of heightened security in Colombo midday on December 15. Civil monitors and human rights activists allege that the LTTE-breakaway Karuna faction (TMVP),in collusion with state security forc [...] | 2006-12-18 12:26:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
06COLOMBO2096 | ECONOMIC LEADERS MUST FOCUS ON DEFENSE; IMF [...] (SBU) Summary: Corruption within the Government of Sri Lanka (GSL),shifting of budgetary allocations for defense expenditures, Sri Lanka,s true potential for economic growth, and the planned closure of the International Monetary Fund,s (IMF,s) Resident Office in Sri Lanka, were topics on De [...] | 2006-12-18 12:47:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON EFIN ETRD EAID CE |
06COLOMBO2099 | SRI LANKA: TWENTY-THREE STUDENTS ABDUCTED IN [...] (C) Summary: Twenty-three teenage students and two teachers were abducted from a private tutorial center in the Thirukovil area of the southeastern Ampara district on December 18 at approximately 10 p.m. The Government of Sri Lanka has blamed the "Tamil Tigers" (LTTE). Other interlocutors no [...] | 2006-12-19 11:33:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
06COLOMBO21 | Sri Lankan Nominee for the USPTO's February [...] Post welcomes the opportunity to nominate candidates for the USPTO training programs and is pleased to nominate Wasantha Navaratna Bandara, Senior State Counsel in the Attorney General's office, for the program scheduled from February 21-24, 2006. 2. Mr. Bandara has worked in the Attorney [...] | 2006-01-04 11:00:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | ECON ETRD KIPR CE OEXC ECONOMICS |
06COLOMBO2101 | TERRORIST LISTS: MALDIVES DOES NOT MAINTAIN A [...] (SBU) EconOff coordinated with US TreasuryOff located in Sri Lanka to obtain the following information requested reftel. The Government of Maldives (GOM) does not maintain a national list of banned terrorist organizations. The GOM does not identify any terrorist groups in its country. Altho [...] | 2006-12-20 05:00:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | KTFN EFIN ETTC PREL PTER KVPR MV |
06COLOMBO2104 | SRI LANKA: TOURISM INDUSTRY DECIMATED BY CONFLICT [...] Summary. Sri Lanka's tourism industry has suffered dramatically in recent months as incidents of terrorism have increased and western countries have ramped up their travel warnings for Sri Lanka. Hotel companies are responding to the drop in business by implementing severe cost cutting measur [...] | 2006-12-20 12:21:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | ECON ELAB ETRD PHUM SOCI CE |
06COLOMBO2105 | Agreement Ends Tea Plantation Strike For Most [...] Summary: Sri Lankan tea trade unions have been striking for the last two weeks to demand an increase in wages. On December 19, most unions, representing 80-90 percent of the tea plantation workforce, entered into an agreement for a moderate increase in wages. Some unions, however, did not ca [...] | 2006-12-20 12:22:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON ELAB EIND ETRD PHUM SOCI EAID CE |
06COLOMBO2106 | SRI LANKA: US TRADE MISSION A SUCCESS [...] (SBU) Summary: The extended business outreach project involving four US companies to Sri Lanka, who were part of a major US trade delegation to India, was successfully concluded with the participating companies reporting encouraging prospects. Post would like to acknowledge the efforts and ti [...] | 2006-12-20 12:23:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON ELAB EIND ETRD PHUM SOCI EAID CE |
06COLOMBO2107 | SRI LANKA: TIGERS APOLOGIZE FOR ABDUCTING 23 [...] (C) Summary: The "Tamil Tigers" (LTTE) apologized late December 19 for the December 18 "mistaken recruitment" of 23 students from a private tutorial center in Thirukovil, Ampara, releasing the abductees to the International Committee for the Red Cross (ICRC) that evening. Humanitarian interlo [...] | 2006-12-20 12:24:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PTER PGOV MOPS PREL CE |
06COLOMBO2113 | SRI LANKA: AMBASSADOR AND OPPOSITION LEADER [...] (C) Summary: On December 20, the Ambassador met with Ranil Wickremesinghe, leader of the major opposition United National Party (UNP),to discuss the prospects for a Sinhalese consensus on resolving Sri Lanka,s ethnic conflict. Wickremesinghe, who had met with President Rajapaksa earlier tha [...] | 2006-12-21 12:49:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER CE |
06COLOMBO2114 | COLOMBO PORT TO EXPAND AS MUCH AS 300 PERCENT [...] On December 18, 2006, President Mahinda Rajapaksa officially inaugurated the commencement of the Colombo Port Expansion Project (CPEP) at an opening ceremony attended by the U.S. Ambassador. Cited as the largest development project undertaken by Sri Lanka to date, the Government of Sri Lanka [...] | 2006-12-22 03:29:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | ECON EIND EINV ETRD EWWT EAID CE |
06COLOMBO2118 | COLOMBO PLAN ON TRACK TO RECRUIT NEW [...] (U) This is an action request. Please see para 5. 2. (SBU) On December 21 Ambassador Blake met with Pakistani High Commissioner Shahzad Chaudhry, currently serving as President of the Colombo Plan Council (CPC). The Ambassador explained US objections to an extension on Colombo Plan Secret [...] | 2006-12-22 06:00:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | AORC PREL CE |
06COLOMBO2119 | CORRUPTION WORSENING IN SRI LANKA [...] Summary: On December 9th 2006, the Sri Lanka Chapter of Transparency International organized the National Integrity Awards to commemorate United Nations International Anti Corruption Day. Justice Ameer Ismail, Chairman of the Sri Lanka Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corrup [...] | 2006-12-22 06:39:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | ECON PHUM SOCI EAID CE |
06COLOMBO212 | DEMARCHE: PSI ENDORSEMENT BY THE 2/13 2006 ASTOP [...] (C) DCM joined Australian High Commissioner French, Japanese Ambassador Suda, British High Commissioner Evans and Canadian Charge' Shea in February 9 Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI) demarche (reftel) on Foreign Secretary H.G.M.S. Palihakkara. French presented reftel points, focusing [...] | 2006-02-09 08:08:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | MNUC PARM PGOV PHSA PREL KNNP XC CE |
06COLOMBO2122 | SRI LANKA: HUMAN RIGHTS MINISTER URGES QUICK [...] Minister of Disaster Management and Human Rights Mahinda Samarasinghe hosted a meeting on December 22 to discuss the status of the International Independent Group of Eminent Persons (IIGEP). Representatives of the sponsoring countries and organizations and relevant Government of Sri Lanka [...] | 2006-12-22 08:28:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
06COLOMBO2123 | AMBASSADOR BRIEFS INDIAN HIGH COMMISSIONER ON [...] (C) Ambassador hosted a one-on-one lunch for Indian High Commissioner Alok Prasad on December 22, hours after Prasad presented his credentials to President Rajapakse. The Ambassador told Prasad that he and his Embassy colleagues looked forward to working very closely with Prasad and his miss [...] | 2006-12-22 10:05:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PTER MARR CE IN |
06COLOMBO2124 | MALDIVES REFORMS MAKING SLOW PROGRESS [...] (SBU) Summary: Assistant U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) to South and Southwest Asia Ambassador Douglas A. Hartwick and Special Assistant Manpreet Anand traveled to Maldives on December 5-6, 2006, to meet with President Gayoom and other government officials to discuss US-Maldives bilateral e [...] | 2006-12-26 05:19:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV ECON PHUM SOCI EAID PREL MV |
06COLOMBO2126 | SRI LANKA: LTTE BOARDS JORDANIAN SHIP, RUNS IT [...] (U) On December 23, the Jordanian vessel "Faraha 3," carrying 14,000 metric tons of rice from southern India to South Africa, had engine failure and anchored in Sri Lanka's northern territorial waters. Newspapers reported that Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) cadres boarded the ship, r [...] | 2006-12-26 12:06:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PTER EWWT ETRD EAGR PREL CE |
06COLOMBO2127 | SRI LANKA LOSES HALF OF GERMAN TSUNAMI AID [...] (U) SUMMARY: News of Germany's reallocation of approximately 19 million euros in tsunami reconstruction funding from Sri Lanka to Aceh, Indonesia hit the newswires on December 23 and 24 following remarks by the German Minister for Overseas Development during a visit to Aceh. This funding, ea [...] | 2006-12-26 12:06:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON PHUM SOCI EAID CE |
06COLOMBO213 | SRI LANKAN GOVERNMENT IN SERIOUS PREPARATIONS FOR [...] (C) The Ambassador's discussion with Health Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva, the head of the Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) delegation to the February 22-23 ceasefire talks in Geneva, along with poloff's separate consultations with staff at the GSL Peace Secretariat, indicate that the new Gov [...] | 2006-02-09 09:53:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PTER PREL CE |
06COLOMBO2132 | DEVELOPMENT GOALS FOR MALDIVES [...] (U) Summary: The importance of creating a stable economy before Maldives' 2011 LDC graduation, diversification beyond the fisheries and tourist industries, and promoting environmental protectionism were the main topics of Assistant U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) to South and Southwest Asia, [...] | 2006-12-27 12:06:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON EAIR ENRG EWWT SENV EINV ETRD MV |
06COLOMBO2135 | SRI LANKA: OPPOSITION LEADER CONCERNED DE-MERGER [...] (C) SUMMARY: Since October, the Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) has discussed de-merging the north and east, currently administered as a single province per the 1987 Indo-Lanka Accords. The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and its proxies have said a continued merger is an essential pre- [...] | 2006-12-28 11:05:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
06COLOMBO2139 | SRI LANKA: UPDATE ON JORDANIAN SHIP GROUNDED OFF [...] (U) December 28-29 saw a barrage of media articles on the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) boarding a Jordanian vessel and forcing the crew to raise anchor, causing the ship to be grounded off the coast of Mullaitivu in the north (ref). Papers reported that the Sri Lanka Monitoring Miss [...] | 2006-12-29 06:59:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
06COLOMBO2142 | SRI LANKA: HUMAN RIGHTS GROUPS VOICE CONCERN [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: Following up on Secretary Rice's December 14 initiative, Ambassador Blake hosted a roundtable discussion with human rights activists and civil society representatives on December 21. The Ambassador briefed the group on USG efforts and also solicited views on how best to stren [...] | 2006-12-29 12:10:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PHUM PGOV PTER PREL CE |
06COLOMBO218 | IMI - INVESTMENT CLIMATE STATEMENT 2006 - [...] THE FOLLOWING IS THE INVESTMENT CLIMATE STATEMENT FOR MALDIVES FOR 2006 INVESTMENT CLIMATE STATEMENT MALDIVES FEBRUARY 2006 2. Maldives is comprised of over 1,190 islands, of which 198 are inhabited and 87 are exclusive resort islands. The local population is about 285,000, and ove [...] | 2006-02-10 05:37:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | EINV EFIN ETRD ELAB KTDB PGOV OPIC USTR MV |
06COLOMBO219 | SRI LANKA: PROPOSAL FOR INCLE FUNDS [...] Summary: Per Reftel request, this message contains Post's endorsement for the International Organization of Migration (IOM)'s proposal to combat trafficking in persons. IOM representatives informed us they have forwarded the proposal directly to G/TIP. IOM has a proven track record within S [...] | 2006-02-10 05:47:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV PHUM PREL KWMN CE |
06COLOMBO230 | SRI LANKA: GSL INSIDER PREDICTS PRE-GENEVA [...] (C) In a February 10 meeting with poloff, presidential advisor and younger sibling Basil Rajapaksa discussed Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) thinking and expectations in the run-up to talks on the ceasefire with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) scheduled for February 22-23 in Geneva. [...] | 2006-02-13 11:08:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PTER PHUM CE |
06COLOMBO235 | MALDIVES WILL SUPPORT GUATEMALA FOR SECURITY [...] No summary [...] | 2006-02-14 09:35:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL UN UNSC |
06COLOMBO236 | MALDIVES WILL LIKELY SUPPORT HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL, [...] No summary [...] | 2006-02-14 09:39:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL KUNR PHUM UN MV |
06COLOMBO242 | BIOGRAPHIC INFORMATION ON RADHIKA COOMARASWAMY, [...] (C) Radhika Coomaraswamy, whose appointment as UN Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict was announced on February 7, has been a close and valued contact of the Embassy for more than two decades. She has been a long-standing and vociferous opponent of the Liberation Tigers o [...] | 2006-02-16 07:14:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PINR CE |
06COLOMBO247 | SRI LANKA NOMINATION OF MFA LEGAL ADVISER ROHAN [...] (U) Ambassador was requested to come in by Foreign Secretary Palihakkara Feb 16 to discuss the candidacy of Sri SIPDIS Lankan MFA Legal Adviser Rohan Perera to the International Law Commission (ILC). At the last minute, Foreign Secretary was detained at the President's office, so meeting wa [...] | 2006-02-16 11:04:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL PGOV AORC CE UN |
06COLOMBO248 | SRI LANKA NOMINATION OF MFA LEGAL ADVISER ROHAN [...] (U) Ambassador was requested to come in by Foreign Secretary Palihakkara Feb 16 to discuss the candidacy of Sri SIPDIS Lankan MFA Legal Adviser Rohan Perera to the International Law Commission (ILC). At the last minute, Foreign Secretary was detained at the President's office, so meeting wa [...] | 2006-02-16 11:07:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL PGOV AORC CE UN |
06COLOMBO250 | SRI LANKA: POLICE, COMMUNITY, SUPPORTIVE OF [...] (SBU) Summary: On February 7, emboffs traveled to Alawwa, 30 miles north of Colombo in Kurunegela District, to look into reports from the National Christian Evangelical Alliance of Sri Lanka (NCEASL) that the congregation of a local Christian church had been threatened and harassed on Christm [...] | 2006-02-16 11:58:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PHUM KIRF PGOV CE |
06COLOMBO254 | MALDIVES: POLITICAL SUSPICIONS FESTER WHILE [...] (C) During a February 10-13 DCM visit to Maldives (in conjunction with a port call by the missile destroyer USS McCampbell from the USS Ronald Reagan strike group),conversations with government officials and the opposition conveyed a sense of logjam in the political reform process as social [...] | 2006-02-17 05:40:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM PREL MV |
06COLOMBO256 | SRI LANKA: PRE-TALKS PREPARATIONS, POSTURING [...] (C) Ambassador's meetings with the three Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) Ministers who will participate in talks on the Ceasefire Agreement in Geneva February 22-23 indicate that the new Rajapaksa government is diligently preparing for its first face-to-face with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil [...] | 2006-02-17 05:53:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PTER CE |
06COLOMBO268 | Special Media Reaction: USS McCampbell Visit to [...] No summary [...] | 2006-02-21 10:20:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | OIIP KPAO PREL MV |
06COLOMBO271 | SRI LANKA: BIOGRAPHIC INFORMATION ON INVESTMENT [...] (C) Rohitha Bogollagama, Sri Lankan Minister for Investment Promotion and Industries, is a colorful, aisle-crossing politician and lawyer whose bipartisan experience--as well as his involvement in a few sensational local scandals--may make him uniquely qualified for the delicate job of pres [...] | 2006-02-21 11:43:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PINR PGOV EINV CE |
06COLOMBO284 | (C) SRI LANKA: INFORMATION REGARDING EXTREMIST [...] (SBU) Sri Lanka's Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) have a twenty-year history of using youths, some as young as 10, in non-combatant as well as combat and even suicide bomber roles. The use of underage boys and girls points to a systemic shortage of traditional manpower and an attempt [...] | 2006-02-23 03:35:00 | Embassy Colombo | SECRET//NOFORN | PINR PTER PHUM CE |
06COLOMBO287 | SRI LANKA: DEMARCHE ON REQUEST FOR STATEMENTS [...] No summary [...] | 2006-02-23 11:05:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL PGOV KDEM PTER IZ CE |
06COLOMBO288 | MALDIVES: REQUEST FOR STATEMENTS CONDEMNING THE [...] No summary [...] | 2006-02-23 11:06:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL PGOV KDEM PTER IZ MV |
06COLOMBO293 | 2005 END USE MONITORING REPORT [...] Mission has funded, and continues to monitor the use of, equipment purchased for non-governmental organizations (NGOs) involved in anti-narcotics efforts. The two NGOs are the Sri Lanka Anti-Narcotics Association (SLANA) and Mithuru-Mithuro Rehabilitation Center. Per REFTEL, the details of [...] | 2006-02-24 06:03:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | SNAR AFIN |
06COLOMBO30 | SYMPOSIUM OF EAST ASIA SECURITY (SEAS),APRIL 3-26, 2006 [...] POST WISHES TO NOMINATE MAJOR GENERAL NISSANKA WIJESINGHE, ADJUTANT GENERAL OF THE SRI LANKA ARMY FOR PARTICIPATION IN SEAS 2006 PROGRAM. 2. NOMINEES BIO DATA FOLLOWS: A. NAME IN FULL: NISSANKA ?WIJESINGHE? B. SEX: MALE. C. DOB: MARCH 1, 1954, POB: KALUTHARA, SRI LANKA. D. NAT [...] | 2006-01-05 11:18:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | OEXC SCUL KPAO |
06COLOMBO306 | Special Media Reaction: Conclusion of Ceasefire [...] (U) Summary: The Sri Lankan media, in an avalanche of commentary on the just concluded ceasefire talks in Geneva, spun the outcome in different directions according to their traditional political tendencies. Comment in state-owned media chided the local independent media and international wire [...] | 2006-02-27 11:31:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | PHUM KPAO PTER EAID OIIP PREL CE |
06COLOMBO308 | SRI LANKA: MONDAY MORNING QUARTERBACKING ON [...] (C) With the conclusion on February 23 of the first round of talks between the Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in three years, southern political parties are feverishly engaging in Monday morning quarterbacking to determine whether the GSL "won" or [...] | 2006-02-27 13:18:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PTER PGOV CE |
06COLOMBO309 | SRI LANKA'S PREMIER BUSINESS CHAMBER CALLS FOR [...] (U) Summary: Sri Lanka's first "Economic Summit," sponsored in January by Sri Lanka's premier business group, the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, provided an opportunity for business leaders to discuss their role in vital issues confronting the country such as the peace process and economic deve [...] | 2006-02-28 03:16:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON EINV XD XO CE |
06COLOMBO321 | IMI - INVESTMENT CLIMATE STATEMENT, 2006 ? SRI LANKA [...] No summary [...] | 2006-02-28 10:56:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | ECON EFIN EINV ELAB ETRD KTDB OPIC PGOV |
06COLOMBO331 | SRI LANKA: THE SIXTH ANNUAL ANTI-TRAFFICKING IN [...] (U) Mission's submission for the sixth annual Anti- Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report for Sri Lanka follows. Responses are keyed to questions in Reftel. Mission point of contact is poloff Anamika Chakravorty, telephone +94.11.2.448.007 x2425, fax +94.11.2.471.092. Paragraph 21: Sri Lanka [...] | 2006-03-01 11:00:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PHUM ELAB ASEC PREF KCRM KWMN SMIG KFRD CE |
06COLOMBO337 | AVIAN INFLUENZA - SRI LANKA UPDATE FOLLOWING INDIA [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: The avian flu (AI) outbreak in nearby India has generated significant publicity in Sri Lanka, with public concern leading to decreased consumption of poultry products. Little change has taken place since November (Ref A) in the pace of preparations by the Government of Sri Lan [...] | 2006-03-02 11:12:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | TBIO KSTH ECON PREL SOCI WHO EAGR CASC CE |
06COLOMBO338 | NORWEGIAN AMBASSADOR HAPPY WITH GENEVA BUT SEES [...] (C) Summary. Norwegian Ambassador Brattskar told Colombo co-chairs reps March 2 that the Geneva talks had exceeded his expectations. An initially tense atmosphere had relaxed over time and made it possible for agreement on a joint statement. Brattskar is fairly confident the next round wil [...] | 2006-03-02 11:35:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PTER PHUM CE NO |
06COLOMBO340 | SRI LANKAN GOVERNMENT DELEGATION MEMBERS' [...] (C) In separate conversations March 2, Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) delegation members John Gooneratne and Nivard Cabraal told emboffs they were generally pleased with the outcome of the February 22-23 talks with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in Geneva. Both said they foresee [...] | 2006-03-02 11:45:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PTER CE |
06COLOMBO342 | SRI LANKA: DEMINING RETURNING TO FULL SPEED [...] (U) NGOs continued humanitarian demining while Sri Lankan Army (SLA) deminers were still hunkered down following the December and January surge in attacks on security forces by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). While remaining on operational stand down, Department-funded demining [...] | 2006-03-03 06:46:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PHUM EAID CASC MOPS KHDP CE |
06COLOMBO349 | Terrorism Finance - Placement of Op-Ed on [...] No summary [...] | 2006-03-06 10:30:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | ETTC KTFN KPAO EFIN PTER KSEP CVIS KVPR CE |
06COLOMBO357 | SUPPORT FOR TRADE MISSIONS TO SRI LANKA [...] Summary: Post, along with the American Chamber of Commerce Sri Lanka (AmCham Sri Lanka) would welcome a trade mission described in reftel from the American Chamber of Commerce of India (AmCham India). Post will work closely with AmCham Sri Lanka on this project. Regarding a possible separa [...] | 2006-03-07 08:28:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | BEXP ETRD KTEX ECON CE |
06COLOMBO367 | SUPPORTING THE U.S.-INDIA CIVIL NUCLEAR [...] No summary [...] | 2006-03-08 09:06:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL ENRG KSCA PARM KNNP ETTC IN CE |
06COLOMBO368 | LETTER FROM SECRETARY RICE TO SRI LANKAN FOREIGN [...] No summary [...] | 2006-03-08 09:09:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PTER OPDC UN CE |
06COLOMBO373 | SRI LANKA ALMOST CERTAINLY TO SUPPORT GUATEMALA [...] (C) The Ambassador demarched Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera March 8 on the need for Guatemala, not Venezuela, to obtain the Latin America seat on the UNSC this fall. Samaraweera said, "At the moment, we are thinking along the same lines. We are moving in that direction." He noted t [...] | 2006-03-08 10:31:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL UNSC CE |
06COLOMBO374 | EU Election Observation Media Analysis [...] No summary [...] | 2006-03-08 10:32:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PHUM KPAO EAID OIIP PREL CE |
06COLOMBO377 | SRI LANKA: GSL MINISTERS DOWNPLAY COMPLEXITIES IN [...] (C) In a March 7 meeting with Health Minister and chief Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) negotiator Nimal Siripala de Silva and a March 8 meeting with Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera, the Ambassador stressed that the GSL must be proactive in upholding its commitments under the joint statem [...] | 2006-03-08 10:53:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PTER PGOV PHUM CE |
06COLOMBO382 | SRI LANKA: JVP INSISTS CEASEFIRE AGREEMENT MUST [...] (C) In a March 8 meeting, Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) General Secretary Tilvin Silva and JVP MP Vijitha Herath told poloff that their party generally supported Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) talks with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in Geneva February 22-23 but insisted that th [...] | 2006-03-09 10:31:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PTER PINR CE |
06COLOMBO383 | USCIRF VISIT TO SRI LANKA [...] (SBU) Summary. Members of the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) visited Sri Lanka February 23-25 and met with religious, political, and civil society leaders to get a sense of the overall human rights situation as well as to discuss reports of unethical conv [...] | 2006-03-10 04:43:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PHUM KIRF PGOV CE |
06COLOMBO4 | IS SRI LANKA GOING BACK TO WAR - AND WHAT CAN WE [...] (C) SUMMARY: As the optimism and hope surrounding the four-year old ceasefire agreement (CFA) fade and a return to some sort of war becomes an increasing (but certainly not inevitable) possibility, the U.S. and the rest of the concerned international community need to consider how best to he [...] | 2006-01-03 07:09:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PINS EFIN CE LTTE |
06COLOMBO400 | READY OR NOT, HERE THEY COME: (MOST) LOCAL [...] (C) Local government elections, scheduled to take place in most areas on March 30, have been embroiled in controversy and legal challenges since the deadline for nominations passed on February 16. Although the pro-Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) Tamil National Alliance (TNA) has file [...] | 2006-03-15 09:28:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV CE |
06COLOMBO408 | SRI LANKA: DEFENSE SECRETARY CLAIMS NO GSL [...] (C) In a March 15 meeting with Defense Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, the Ambassador stressed the importance of the Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) upholding its commitment to restrain any armed group other than Government security forces from operating in GSL-controlled territory (Reftels). Acc [...] | 2006-03-16 09:41:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV MOPS PHUM CE |
06COLOMBO414 | SRI LANKA MONITORING MISSION: SCORING THE GENEVA [...] (C) Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) Spokeswoman Helen Olafsdottir told poloffs on March 17 that the level of violence in the north and east had diminished dramatically since the February 22-23 talks between the Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) [...] | 2006-03-17 13:22:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PTER PHUM PGOV CE |
06COLOMBO428 | SRI LANKA: LTTE-BACKED STUDENTS BLOCK VICE [...] (SBU) Vehement protests by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE)-affiliated Jaffna University Student Union (JUSU) have prevented Professor S. Ratnajeevan Hoole, who was appointed Vice Chancellor to the troubled university on March 9, from assuming his duties. President Mahinda Rajapak [...] | 2006-03-20 11:41:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PTER PGOV SOCI CE |
06COLOMBO431 | SRI LANKA MAY HAVE OIL AND GAS FIELDS, BUT LACKS [...] (U) Summary: Sri Lanka is preparing to call for expressions of interest from international companies for oil and gas exploration as studies conducted by an international company have revealed possible petroleum resources in the seabed off the northern and western coasts. While Sri Lanka app [...] | 2006-03-21 03:42:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EPET ENRG ETRD BEXP CE |
06COLOMBO445 | MALDIVES: GROWING PAINS OF DEMOCRATIZATION [...] (SBU) Summary: During a March 14-16 trip to Maldives, poloff met government officials, political party leaders, and civil society representatives, all of whom expressed commitment to democratic reform but worry about its pace and implementation. All interlocutors responded positively to the [...] | 2006-03-22 04:58:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM PINR MV |
06COLOMBO460 | SRI LANKA: PRESIDENTIAL CONFIDANT (AND SIBLING) [...] (C) Basil Rajapaksa, confidant and advisor to his older brother President Mahinda Rajapaksa, told poloff on March 22 that in the second round of talks with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE),scheduled to be held in Geneva April 19-21, the Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) wants to move [...] | 2006-03-23 10:35:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM CE |
06COLOMBO467 | SRI LANKA: NORWEGIANS CONCERNED ABOUT PROSPECTS [...] (C) In a March 23 meeting, Norwegian emboffs expressed concern that the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE),absent greater evidence that the Government is disarming the Karuna paramilitary and/or other confidence building measures, may pull out of talks with the Government of Sri Lanka ( [...] | 2006-03-24 07:41:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PTER PGOV PHUM CE |
06COLOMBO470 | SRI LANKA: NEW ANTI-LTTE TAMIL PARTY: A CREDIBLE [...] (C) Summary: A new Tamil umbrella political party hopes to pose an alternative to the pro-LTTE Tamil National Alliance (TNA) and to attract prominent non-LTTE Tamils, such as Tamil United Liberation Front (TULF) misfit V. Anandasangaree and People's Liberation Front of Tamil Eelam (PLOTE) chi [...] | 2006-03-25 06:06:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER CE |
06COLOMBO471 | COLOMBO CO-CHAIRS HUDDLE IN FACE OF POST-GENEVA [...] (C) Summary. In the face of tepid performances by both the GSL and the LTTE in fulfilling their Geneva commitments, local co- chair representatives plan to beard each side in early April, after March 30 local government elections. That said, violence remains down which is quite encouraging [...] | 2006-03-27 04:31:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PTER PHUM CE NO |
06COLOMBO484 | Slow but Steady Progress on Sri Lankan Tsunami [...] (U) Summary: Despite a change in Government in late 2005, and resultant changes in ministries and personnel handling tsunami reconstruction, Sri Lanka continues to make steady, if not speedy, progress in rebuilding. The new Government has rolled back the problematic ?buffer zone,? thus movi [...] | 2006-03-28 11:21:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EAID ECON CE |
06COLOMBO495 | SRI LANKA: JVP GIVING ALL IT'S GOT IN SOUTHERN [...] (C) Poloff's March 26-27 visit to four southern districts suggested a sharp split in attitudes--if not in actual platforms--among the three largest parties in the run-up to March 30 local elections. The governing Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) is banking on traditional voter preferences for [...] | 2006-03-29 10:41:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV CE |
06COLOMBO508 | SRI LANKA: LTTE-KARUNA TENSIONS REMAIN HIGH IN [...] (C ) Summary: Following the Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) talks with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in Geneva in mid-February, the eastern district of Batticaloa has seen tension and turf battles between the LTTE and the breakaway Karuna faction. During a March 19-21 visit, [...] | 2006-03-30 12:01:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PTER PGOV CE |
06COLOMBO528 | SRI LANKA: STRONG GOVERNMENT PERFORMANCE IN LOCAL [...] (SBU) Local government (LG) elections were held March 30 in a total of 266 Municipal Councils (MCs),Urban Councils (UCs),and Pradeshiya Sabhas (PSs- village councils) in most areas of Sri Lanka except the north and the eastern district of Batticaloa. (Note: Polling in those areas is due Sep [...] | 2006-04-03 12:07:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV CE |
06COLOMBO53 | Special Media Reaction: LTTE Sinks Navy Ship Off [...] (U) Summary: English and vernacular press on Sunday, January 8, overwhelmingly led with January 7th's pre-dawn LTTE suicide attack on the Sri Lanka Navy Dvora-class vessel off the coast of the eastern port of Trincomalee. English, Sinhala, and some independent Tamil press readily blamed the L [...] | 2006-01-09 11:30:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | PHUM KPAO PTER EAID OIIP PREL CE LTTE |
06COLOMBO533 | Sri Lanka Garment Sector Revises Revenue [...] (SBU) Summary: Sluggish growth in apparel exports has prompted Sri Lanka to re-design its textile and garment industry strategy. While new growth targets have not been set, the new strategy will focus on promoting two broad categories of apparel and enhancing productivity. In addition, a k [...] | 2006-04-05 03:29:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON EAID KTEX ETRD CE |
06COLOMBO534 | SRI LANKAN TAX ON FOREIGN PROGRAMMING COULD HARM [...] (SBU) Summary: In a move to resuscitate the ailing local movie industry and protect the local TV production industry, Sri Lanka has announced plans to impose a tax on most foreign television series and movie broadcasts. While the tax was slated to go into effect April 1, no implementing reg [...] | 2006-04-05 03:29:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON ETRD CE |
06COLOMBO537 | Garment Quota Expiration No Drastic Impact on Labor [...] (SBU) Summary: While Sri Lankas apparel export growth slowed to 3% from an expected 12% (REFTEL),there has been no drastic impact on labor, as previously expected. Although, there is evidence of about 10,000 job losses, most of the workers have been absorbed back into the industry as large [...] | 2006-04-05 04:51:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON EAID KTEX ETRD CE |
06COLOMBO54 | Special Media Reaction: Sri Lankan Foreign [...] (U) Summary: Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera's first official visit to Washington D.C. January 5 - 8 elicited much attention from the government- owned and mainstream independent press. State-run and independent television news programs carried prominent footage of the Ministe [...] | 2006-01-09 11:30:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | PHUM KPAO PTER EAID OIIP PREL CE |
06COLOMBO543 | PRESIDENT AGREES CO-CHAIRS SHOULD DELIVER STRONG [...] (C) SUMMARY: President Rajapaksa agreed that Co-Chair Chiefs of Mission (minus the US) should travel to Kilinocchi to deliver message to Tigers that they need to engage seriously in Geneva talks, give up violence, and broaden Geneva agenda beyond the ceasefire agreement (CFA). Co-Chairs will [...] | 2006-04-05 11:16:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PTER PGOV CE |
06COLOMBO546 | SRI LANKA: JVP SOLDIERING ON AFTER DISAPPOINTING [...] (C) In an April 3 meeting with poloff, Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) General Secretary Tilvin Silva downplayed his party's dismal showing in March 30 local elections (Ref B). "We knew the SLFP (the governing Sri Lanka Freedom Party) was going to win," he insisted; "we're pleased with our res [...] | 2006-04-05 12:29:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PINR CE |
06COLOMBO55 | SRI LANKA: ESCALATING VIOLENCE SHIFTS TO [...] (C) SUMMARY: The week of January 2 was quiet in the Jaffna peninsula where several attacks by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in the last 30 days had claimed the lives of dozens of security forces (Ref B). However, the eastern district of Trincomalee became the new nexus of violence [...] | 2006-01-09 11:39:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PTER PHUM CE LTTE |
06COLOMBO550 | SRI LANKA PLANS FIRST SOVEREIGN BOND ISSUE; MAY [...] (U) Summary: For the first time, the Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) intends to raise funds through a sovereign bond issue. Traditionally, Sri Lanka has avoided large-scale borrowing from the international capital markets, relying on concessionary donor financing and local borrowing to fill i [...] | 2006-04-06 06:34:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EFIN ECON CE |
06COLOMBO551 | NATION-BUILDING BONDS: SRI LANKA TARGETS ITS [...] (U) Summary: In a move to raise funds from new markets, the Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) is targeting its citizens living overseas (who normally repatriate over USD 1 billion in remittances annually) to purchase patriotically-branded, Nation Building Bonds (NBB),by offering tax holidays and [...] | 2006-04-06 07:49:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EFIN ECON CE |
06COLOMBO553 | SRI LANKA: INDEPENDENT COMMISSIONS IN LIMBO [...] (C) Summary: Political in-fighting, spearheaded by the Sinhalese nationalist Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP),is hindering formation of the Constitutional Council, the multi-partisan body empowered to nminate members to independent watchdog authoritis like the Human Rights Commission (HRC),P [...] | 2006-04-06 11:11:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PREL CE |
06COLOMBO557 | TIGERS NOT YET COMMITTED TO SECOND ROUND OF TALKS, [...] (C) SUMMARY: The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam are not yet willing to commit to attending the second round of peace talks scheduled for April 19-20 in Geneva, according to Solheim and Hanssen-Bauer. While the Tigers want to stick to discussing the Ceasefire Agreement, the GSL wants to broa [...] | 2006-04-07 06:04:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PTER PGOV CE |
06COLOMBO559 | SRI LANKAN AIRLINES INTERESTED IN BOEING AIRCRAFT [...] (SBU) Summary: Sri Lankan Airlines (SLA),Sri Lankas national carrier, is in contact with Boeing and Airbus regarding gradual replacement of its current all Airbus fleet. Boeing will have tough competition from Airbus, due to its existing hold on Sri Lankan Airlines and its partner Emirates [...] | 2006-04-10 05:39:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EAIR EFIN ECON CE |
06COLOMBO568 | AVIAN INFLUENZA PREPARATIONS IN MALDIVES [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: Lack of a concentrated poultry sector keeps Maldives at low risk for highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). At the same time, it also presents challenges for surveillance and detection in the case of infection due to inadequate animal testing facilities, underdeveloped quara [...] | 2006-04-10 05:45:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | TBIO KSTH ECON PREL SOCI WHO EAGR CASC MV |