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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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06COLOMBO57 | REINVIGORATING PUBLIC DIPLOMACY CULTURAL AND SPORTS [...] (U) Post welcomes renewed attention by ECA to cultural and sports diplomacy as important tools to support mission objectives(reftel). Following responses are keyed to reftel paragraph four. --------------------------------------------- -------------- A: Which of your mission objectives bene [...] | 2006-01-09 12:47:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | KPAO OIIP OEXC OPRC PREL SCUL CE |
06COLOMBO581 | SRI LANKA: SCENESETTER FOR CODEL ENZI [...] (SBU) Senator Enzi, your delegation's April 14 visit to Sri Lanka offers a valuable opportunity to highlight our warm bilateral ties, re-emphasize our commitment to support the peace process and review progress on key elements of our humanitarian assistance program. Bilateral relations with [...] | 2006-04-10 12:27:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | OREP PREL PGOV PTER EAID ECON CE |
06COLOMBO584 | CIVIL AIR IN SRI LANKA 3 NEW CARRIERS [...] Summary: The Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) is taking some steps to liberalize civil aviation. The GSL has issued provisional licenses to three new airlines registered in Sri Lanka to operate international air services, although initially they will be restricted to Sri Lanka-India routes. U [...] | 2006-04-12 04:18:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | ECON EAIR CE |
06COLOMBO585 | SRI LANKA CIVIL AIR INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT [...] (U) Summary: Sri Lankas civil aviation industry is undergoing important changes. In order to continue development of its tourism industry and meet International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards within the country, the Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) wants to build a second runway [...] | 2006-04-12 04:19:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON EAIR CE |
06COLOMBO591 | NORWEGIAN GOVERNMENT LETTER TO SRI LANKA AND LTTE [...] (C) After Co-Chairs meeting April 12 (septel),Norwegian Ambassador Brattskar grabbed Ambassador privately to pass copy of letter which Norwegian International Development Minister Erik Solheim was sending to Sri Lankan President Rajapaksa. Brattskar said very similar letter would be sent to L [...] | 2006-04-12 09:47:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PTER PGOV CE |
06COLOMBO592 | SRI LANKA: VIOLENCE, VERBIAGE THREATEN GENEVA TALKS [...] (U) Summary: After a brief moratorium on violence following the late January announcement of the first round of Geneva talks (Ref A),the all-too-regrettable pattern of tit-for-tat bloodshed between the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and its armed rivals has resumed with a vengeance. [...] | 2006-04-12 09:57:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PTER CE |
06COLOMBO600 | GOVERNMENT ASKS CO-CHAIRS FOR STRONG RESPONSE AS [...] (C) SUMMARY: Co-Chair ambassadors, minus the U.S., pushed the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) hard in an August 10 meeting to make clear its commitment to "Geneva II" but the Tigers are focused on the "transportation issue" in which the GSL has refused to chopper Eastern Tigers to the [...] | 2006-04-12 11:55:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PTER PGOV CE |
06COLOMBO601 | SRI LANKA: MORE BOMB BLASTS AND BLOODSHED IN [...] (SBU) A recent upsurge in violence that has seen 30 people killed in the north and east in just five days continued April 12 when a series of bomb blasts shook Trincomalee town in the late afternoon. Although details remain sketchy, information culled from police, journalists, local resident [...] | 2006-04-12 13:39:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PTER CE |
06COLOMBO612 | CO-CHAIRS DISCUSSION: STILL SLIM CHANCE FOR GENEVA [...] (C) SUMMARY: Co-Chair reps met in Colombo April 17. Problems on both sides led to failure of transport of Tiger leaders on Aug 15, but Tigers bear most blame. There is one last chance to arrange transportation by civilian helicopter, which could allow Geneva to take place April 24-25 as plann [...] | 2006-04-17 09:24:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PTER PGOV CE |
06COLOMBO613 | CO-CHAIRS DISCUSSION: STILL SLIM CHANCE FOR GENEVA [...] (C) SUMMARY: Co-Chair reps met in Colombo April 17. Problems on both sides led to failure of transport of Tiger leaders on April 15, but Tigers bear most blame. There is one last chance to arrange transportation by civilian helicopter, which could allow Geneva to take place April 24-25 as pla [...] | 2006-04-17 09:28:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PTER PGOV CE |
06COLOMBO62 | MALDIVES: ELEMENTS OF GOVERNMENT AT ODDS OVER [...] (C) Summary. On December 28, Sri Lankan police, apparently acting on a request from Maldivian authorities via Interpol, searched the Colombo office of the pro-opposition Minivan News for evidence that Minivan staff were engaged in seditious activities and/or gun-running. Although the search y [...] | 2006-01-10 10:44:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM PINR MV CE |
06COLOMBO620 | SRI LANKA: CLAYMORE MINES AND MOB VIOLENCE AS LTTE [...] (C) Summary. Violence and communal strife in the north and east continued over the long New Year holiday, killing at least another 40 people April 13-17 in Trincomalee, Jaffna and Vavuniya. An April 12 bomb blast in Trincomalee that appeared to target civilians--the first such incident since [...] | 2006-04-17 13:34:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PTER PGOV CE |
06COLOMBO630 | SRI LANKA: DEATH OF CHILD SOLDIER IN LTTE ATTACK [...] (U) Summary. The death of an underage Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) cadre in a claymore mine explosion in North Vavuniya on April 13 has prompted an outcry from the United Nations International Children's Fund (UNICEF),which has repeatedly asked the LTTE to free all child soldiers. [...] | 2006-04-19 09:29:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PTER PHUM CE |
06COLOMBO634 | SRI LANKA: NORWEGIAN FACILITATORS SEE SLIGHT HOPE [...] (C) In an April 19 meeting with the Ambassador, Norwegian Special Envoy Jon Hanssen-Bauer and Norwegian Ambassador Hans Brattskar said they still held out some hope that talks in Geneva between the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and the Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) might take place A [...] | 2006-04-19 11:47:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PTER PREL PGOV CE |
06COLOMBO635 | PROPOSED ANTI-CONVERSION LEGISLATION UNLIKELY TO [...] (U) After more than eighteen months in legislative limbo, the Buddhist monk-based Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU) anti-conversion bill showed faint signs of life when the Speaker of Parliament appointed Wijedasa Rajapakse, the Minister of State for Banks, to head the parliamentary select committee [...] | 2006-04-19 12:01:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM CE |
06COLOMBO639 | SRI LANKA: CODEL ENZI CALLS ON PRESIDENT [...] (SBU) Summary: In an April 14 visit to Sri Lanka, Senators Michael Enzi, Lamar Alexander and Johnny Isakson, their spouses, staff and Terrell Halaska, Assistant Secretary of the Office of Legislation and Congressional Affairs, Department of Education, observed US-funded humanitarian demining [...] | 2006-04-20 09:15:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL PGOV EAID OREP CE |
06COLOMBO646 | SRI LANKA: FOREIGN MINISTER SAYS "NEGATIVE [...] (C) Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera met with the Ambassador on April 20 to discuss latest developments on the peace process. Foreign Secretary H.M.G.S. Palihakkara and GSL Peace Secretariat head Palitha Kohona also participated in the meeting. The Foreign Minister said that he had "he [...] | 2006-04-20 12:29:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PTER PGOV PREL PHUM CE |
06COLOMBO650 | NORWEGIANS STILL TRYING TO BROKER DEAL AS APRIL 24 [...] (C) SUMMARY: LTTE told the Norwegians they cannot attend ceasefire talks in Geneva until transport is arranged for their leaders to attend a Central Committee meeting. Contrary to what the Tigers told the press, the Tigers did not insist on other conditions for talks. Norwegians are still try [...] | 2006-04-21 06:19:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PTER PGOV CE |
06COLOMBO654 | SRI LANKAN PEACE PROCESS: WHAT CAN WE AND OTHERS [...] (C) Escalating violence by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) against both civilian and military targets, along with the Tigers' refusal to attend the second round of talks in Geneva, suggest that the LTTE may have decided that continuing the peace process, at least for now, does not [...] | 2006-04-21 14:20:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PTER PGOV PHUM CE |
06COLOMBO656 | LOCAL G8 COUNTER-TERRORISM ACTION GROUP ON [...] No summary [...] | 2006-04-24 10:07:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PTER CE |
06COLOMBO661 | SRI LANKA: CLAYMORES, CYANIDE, AND CIVILIANS: [...] (C) The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) continued small-scale attacks against military and civilian targets in the north and east April 21-23, killing eleven members of the security forces and six Sinhalese villagers in separate incidents. For the second time in as many weeks, a Sinhal [...] | 2006-04-24 12:38:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PTER PHUM CE |
06COLOMBO662 | MALDIVES: DESPITE REFORM ROADMAP, QUESTIONS ON [...] (U) Summary: On March 27 the Government of the Republic of Maldives (GORM) unveiled its much-hyped "Reform Roadmap" which calls for increased press freedom, a new constitution by June 2007, and a multi-party election in October 2008. Since then, however, little progress has been made and const [...] | 2006-04-24 13:01:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM MV |
06COLOMBO668 | SRI LANKA: DEMARCHE ON ASIAN CANDIDATES TO UN [...] (SBU) Ambassador delivered reftel demarche to Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera and Foreign Secretary H.M.G.S. Palihakkara on April 20. The Ambassador stressed the US commitment to ensuring the effectiveness of the Human Rights Council and the need for the Asia group to support candidates [...] | 2006-04-25 07:06:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PREL KUNR UNHRC UN CE |
06COLOMBO672 | SRI LANKA: SUSPECTED LTTE SUICIDE BOMBER ATTEMPTS [...] (SBU) Summary: Army Commander Lt. General Sarath Fonseka was injured April 25 in an assassination attempt by a suspected Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) suicide bomber at Army Headquarters in Colombo. As many as eight people, many of them members of Fonseka's security detail, may h [...] | 2006-04-25 11:23:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PTER PGOV ASEC CE |
06COLOMBO675 | SRI LANKA: DEMARCHE DELIVERED ON ADOPTION OF ICRC [...] No summary [...] | 2006-04-26 06:49:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | AORC PHUM PREL ICRC SZ CE |
06COLOMBO676 | SRI LANKA: DEMARCHE ON U.S. REQUEST TO EXTEND 100 [...] No summary [...] | 2006-04-26 06:49:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PARM PREL CWC CE |
06COLOMBO683 | Jaffna University Students Also Suffering From [...] (SBU) Summary. More than most university students in Sri Lanka, the approximately 5,000 students currently studying at Jaffna University have felt the impact of the ongoing political tensions in missed classes, low funding, and deteriorating academic standards. This formerly prestigious uni [...] | 2006-04-26 10:38:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV SCUL SOCI KPAO CE |
06COLOMBO686 | SRI LANKAN MILITARY LAUNCHES "LIMITED" RETALIATORY [...] (C) Following the attempted assassination of Army Commander Lt. General Sarath Fonseka in Colombo on April 25, Government security forces launched aerial and artillery strikes on Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) territory in the eastern district of Trincomalee late April 25 and the mor [...] | 2006-04-26 13:06:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PTER PGOV PHUM MOPS CE |
06COLOMBO696 | SRI LANKA: INITIAL REPORTS OF IDP OUTFLOWS [...] (SBU) Summary. April 27 reports by the pro-Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) website TamilNet alleging that as many as 40,000 civilians have fled the Trincomalee District since the Sri Lanka Military carried out aerial bombing raids cannot be confirmed. Trincomalee's Government Agent e [...] | 2006-04-27 12:24:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREF PTER PHUM CE |
06COLOMBO697 | SRI LANKA: PRESIDENT CONFIRMS MILITARY OPERATIONS [...] (C) In an April 27 meeting with President Mahinda Rajapaksa, Charge' condemned the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) April 25 attempt on the life of the Army Commander and underscored strong US support for Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) efforts to find a peaceful resolution to the confli [...] | 2006-04-27 12:32:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PTER PHUM CE |
06COLOMBO713 | SRI LANKA: TIGER TRANSPORT STILL ON TABLE AS [...] (C) Low-intensity conflict between Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) security forces and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) continued April 29-May 2, including an April 30 LTTE attack on camps run by the dissident Karuna faction on the Batticaloa-Polonnaruwa border. Despite the violenc [...] | 2006-05-02 13:40:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PTER MOPS PGOV PHUM CE |
06COLOMBO72 | Special Media Reaction: Ambassador's January 10 [...] (U) Summary: English and Sinhala media January 11 ran bold front-page headlines and lead stories highlighting Ambassador's January 10 speech to the American Chamber of Commerce in which he noted that peace should be the nation's highest priority, criticized recent LTTE violence and lauded the [...] | 2006-01-11 09:11:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | PHUM KPAO PTER EAID OIIP PREL CE LTTE |
06COLOMBO721 | INDIANS STILL HOPING GENEVA TALKS CAN RESUME UNDER [...] (C) According to a local Indian diplomat, his government remains hopeful, despite the April 25 assassination attempt on Army Chief Lt. Gen. Sarath Fonseka, that the Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) can engage the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in a second round of talks. To get the talks back [...] | 2006-05-03 12:18:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PTER PGOV IN CE |
06COLOMBO723 | GUNMEN ATTACK TAMIL NEWSPAPER ON EVE OF WORLD PRESS [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: On the evening of May 2 unidentified gunmen entered the offices of the Tamil language newspaper Uthayan in the northern district of Jaffna and opened fire on the employees, killing two and wounding at least three. The Minister of Mass Media and Information condemned the attack [...] | 2006-05-03 12:46:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | PHUM KPAO PGOV PTER CE |
06COLOMBO731 | SRI LANKA: AMBASSADOR STRESSES NEED TO DEVELOP [...] (C) In separate May 4 meetings with Foreign Secretary H.M.G.S. Palihakkara and opposition United National Party (UNP) Deputy Leader Karu Jayasuriya, the Ambassador emphasized U.S. support for the Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) and the need for the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) to giv [...] | 2006-05-04 11:23:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PTER PHUM CE |
06COLOMBO737 | SRI LANKA HOPING FOR "POSITIVE RESPONSE" ON PSI [...] (C) The Ambassador presented reftel demarche to Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera on April 4 and raised it in a subsequent meeting with Foreign Secretary H.M.G.S. Palihakkara one day later. Palihakkara indicated that his Government was interested and said he hoped to have "a positive res [...] | 2006-05-04 11:35:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | MNUC PARM KNNP PGOV PREL PHSA CE |
06COLOMBO74 | FOREIGN GOVERNMENT TENDER FOR THE LEASE AND [...] No summary [...] | 2006-01-11 11:29:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | BTIO CE MV ECONOMICS |
06COLOMBO757 | AKASHI GETS HARD LINE FROM TIGERS [...] (C) SUMMARY: Tigers implied to Akashi they will not go to Geneva until Government stops all violence against Tamils. They insisted President Rajapaksa has the power to do so, but Akashi told us that the President has admitted some doubts about his control. END SUMMARY 2. (C) Japanese S [...] | 2006-05-10 10:56:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PTER PHUM CE |
06COLOMBO759 | SRI LANKA: ICRC NOTES DISTURBING TRENDS SINCE [...] (C) In a May 9 meeting with poloff, ICRC Deputy Head of Mission Peter Krakolinig and Protection Coordinator Christoph Sutter said that they believed that their access to Government-held detainees is very good. Sutter estimated the number of detainees held under Emergency Regulations to whom [...] | 2006-05-10 12:39:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PTER PGOV CE |
06COLOMBO763 | Your Efforts to Rationalize Foreign Assistance [...] (SBU) I have read with interest the information we have received regarding your efforts to revamp US foreign assistance processes. In that vein, I believe Sri Lanka deserves a closer look and poses interesting questions for the foreign aid planning community to consider as it moves forward wi [...] | 2006-05-11 06:45:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EAID ECON CE |
06COLOMBO771 | SRI LANKA: GOVERNMENT, HUMAN RIGHTS ORGANIZATIONS [...] (C) Since the April 7 assassination of a Tamil National Alliance (TNA) MP-nominee in Trincomalee--and in tandem with stepped-up violence against Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) military targets--the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) is increasingly attempting to depict GSL security forces [...] | 2006-05-11 12:46:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PTER PGOV CE |
06COLOMBO776 | HIV/AIDS IN MALDIVES -- LOW PREVALENCE BUT [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: Despite a low reported prevalence of HIV/AIDS in Maldives, the lack of surveillance among high risk populations and risky behavior among Maldivian drug- using youth suggest underreporting and the potential for a serious, but silent, outbreak. Even though Government of Maldives ( [...] | 2006-05-15 03:41:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | TBIO KSTH ECON PREL SOCI WHO EAGR CASC MV |
06COLOMBO777 | Sri Lankan Business Community's Post-Tsunami "Back [...] Summary: The "Back to Business" project of the Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Sri Lanka (FCCISL) has helped restart a significant number of tsunami affected businesses and livelihoods. "Back to Business" was a comprehensive, private sector-led program. The Government of [...] | 2006-05-15 05:48:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | ECON EFIN CE |
06COLOMBO790 | SCA PDAS CAMP PRESSES GSL ON POLITICAL PROPOSALS [...] (C) In separate May 15 meetings with Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera and Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) Peace Secretariat head Palitha Kohona, Principal Deputy Assistant SIPDIS Secretary for South and Central Asian Affairs Donald Camp SIPDIS emphasized U.S. concern at the escalation [...] | 2006-05-16 07:09:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PTER PREL PHUM CE |
06COLOMBO791 | SRI LANKAN TRUCE MONITORS TELL SCA PDAS CAMP THEY [...] (C) In a May 15 meeting with Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for South and Central Asian Affairs Donald Camp and SIPDIS Charge', members of the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) said that the Mission plans to resume naval monitoring as soon as possible. In SLMM's view, the May 11 Se [...] | 2006-05-16 07:57:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | MOPS PTER CE |
06COLOMBO792 | SRI LANKA: SCA PDAS CAMP URGES DEFENSE SECRETARY [...] (C) In a May 15 meeting with Defense Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for South and Central Asian Affairs Donald Camp and Charge' underscored U.S. support for the Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) but stressed the need for the Government to investigate thoroughl [...] | 2006-05-16 08:45:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PTER MOPS PREL PGOV CE |
06COLOMBO793 | Central Bank reports 6% GDP Growth Sri Lanka in [...] (U) Summary: According to the Central Bank, Sri Lanka's economy grew by 6% in 2005 compared with 5.4% in 2004. Post- tsunami reconstruction, debt moratoria and foreign grants SIPDIS and loans helped mitigate the adverse effects of the December 2004 tsunami. Main contributors to growth wer [...] | 2006-05-16 09:36:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON CE |
06COLOMBO794 | Sri Lanka Tax mess [...] (U) Summary: The cost of doing business in Sri Lanka is set to rise, due to increased taxation and tax complexity. International trade is also subject to high taxation in the form of increased non-tariff fees and surcharges. However, the impact of higher taxes is not equitable. For companies [...] | 2006-05-16 09:43:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON EFIN CE |
06COLOMBO803 | TRANSITIONS AND CHALLENGES IN HIV/AIDS PREVENTION [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: Though Sri Lanka is still considered a low prevalence country for HIV/AIDS, most local HIV/AIDS experts agree that interventions must shift from general awareness campaigns to behavior change approaches targeted at vulnerable and at-risk populations. Government bureaucracy, lack [...] | 2006-05-17 06:56:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | TBIO KSTH ECON PREL SOCI WHO EAGR CASC MV |
06COLOMBO805 | DUTCH AMBASSADOR REGISTERS LOCAL EU CONCERN WITH [...] (C) Dutch Ambassador Reynout Van Dijk called on Charge' May 17 in his capacity as the representative of the EU Presidency to complain about SCA PDAS Donald Camp's May 16 statement during a television interview in Colombo that the U.S. encouraged the European Union to list the Liberation Tige [...] | 2006-05-17 10:07:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PTER PREL CE EU |
06COLOMBO808 | Special Media Reaction: PDAS Camp Visit to [...] (U) The Sri Lankan media splashed SCA PDAS Donald Camp's media interviews prominently on their front pages and as leads on the evening TV news programs. While government-run media highlighted Camp's denunciations of the LTTE, independent papers, in both Tamil and English, played up his comment [...] | 2006-05-17 11:58:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | PHUM KPAO PTER EAID OIIP PREL CE |
06COLOMBO809 | MAIN PARTIES TROT OUT THE OLD GUARD FOR COLOMBO [...] (SBU) Local government elections for the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) and 21 other local government authorities will be held on May 20. Elections in these localities were postponed from March 30 because of assorted court challenges to electoral lists submitted by various parties (Reftel). [...] | 2006-05-17 12:11:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV CE |
06COLOMBO814 | POPULATION DISPLACEMENTS DUE TO RECENT [...] (SBU) OFDA REGIONAL ADVISOR, WILLIAM BERGER TRAVELED TO SRI LANKA FROM MAY 4 THROUGH MAY 14TH TO ASSESS REPORTED POPULATION DISPLACEMENTS DUE TO RECENT INCREASE IN HOSTILITIES BETWEEN THE SRI LANKAN GOVERNMENT FORCES AND THE LIBERATION TIGERS OF TAMIL EELAM (LTTE). FINDINGS OF THE ASSESSMENT [...] | 2006-05-18 09:40:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EAID CE |
06COLOMBO819 | Electricity strike could delay reforms [...] (U) Summary: Unions affiliated with the Marxist- Nationalist Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) party have warned of a strike and country-wide blackout on May 23 in protest of government moves to present electricity reforms to Parliament, which they fear would lead to privatization of the state [...] | 2006-05-19 07:10:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON ENRG CE |
06COLOMBO836 | World Health Assembly: Smallpox Demarche [...] (SBU) Econoff and EconFSN met on May 19 with Dr. H.A.P. Kahandaliyanage, Director General of Health, Ministry of Healthcare and Nutrition, regarding reftel. Kahandaliyanage appeared to agree with various arguments for retaining the smallpox virus. He promised that he would discuss the issue wi [...] | 2006-05-22 08:24:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL AORC TBIO WHO CE |
06COLOMBO843 | SRI LANKA: NGO OFFICES TARGETED, LTTE EASTERN [...] (C) The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) deputy eastern military commander was one of several fatalities as violence continued in the embattled north and east May 20-21. Unknown perpetrators threw grenades into the offices of three international NGOs in a government-controlled town in [...] | 2006-05-22 12:34:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PTER PGOV PHUM EAID CE |
06COLOMBO853 | SCENESETTER FOR A/S BOUCHER VISIT TO TOKYO AND SRI [...] (C) Your visit to Tokyo and Sri Lanka comes during a tense period of increased violence and worrisome prospects for Sri Lanka's fragile ceasefire. Your visit gives us the opportunity to pursue two key goals - increased co-chair support to push the peace process forward, including seeking way [...] | 2006-05-24 06:37:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | EAID ECON MARR OVIP PGOV PREL CE |
06COLOMBO866 | SRI LANKA: FROM INSIDE THE CONFLICT ZONE AND FROM [...] (C) In separate meetings on May 18 and May 23 a Tamil cleric from Jaffna and a Sinhalese Buddhist Cabinet Minister shared with poloff their assessments of the current situation and expectations for the future. Although their many differences in viewpoints, especially with respect to Governme [...] | 2006-05-24 13:08:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PTER PHUM PGOV CE |
06COLOMBO87 | SRI LANKA: SEVEN POLICE ARRESTED IN [...] (SBU) Summary. On December 29, the media reported six police officers were arrested for having links to a drug baron. A seventh officer was arrested on January 3. These arrests appear to be the beginning of a larger-scale effort to clean police corruption, which law enforcement contacts and [...] | 2006-01-12 10:58:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV SNAR KCRM CE |
06COLOMBO872 | TOKYO CO-CHAIRS PRE-MEETINGS [...] (C) Summary: GSL representatives admit that at least some elements of armed forces may be cooperating with irregular armed groups. Government is trying to crack down on this, and is also trying to develop a proposal for a political settlement. EU will likely designate LTTE as terrorist group on May [...] | 2006-05-25 11:53:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PTER PHUM CE NO |
06COLOMBO88 | SRI LANKA: SCENESETTER FOR THE JANUARY 23-25 [...] (C) Your visit to Sri Lanka comes as small-scale but recurrent aggression by the insurgent Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) is exerting increasing pressure on a still-new and relatively untested Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) executive. President Mahinda Rajapaksa appears to lack a coh [...] | 2006-01-12 11:20:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PTER CE |
06COLOMBO89 | Special Media Reaction: Editorial Reaction to [...] (U) Summary: English and Sinhala editorialists January 12 praised Ambassador Lunstead's January 10 speech to the American Chamber of Commerce in which he noted that peace should be the nation's highest priority, criticized recent LTTE violence and lauded the GOSL's restrained response to LTTE [...] | 2006-01-12 11:36:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | PHUM KPAO PTER EAID OIIP PREL CE LTTE |
06COLOMBO898 | Sri Lanka Tourism Prospects [...] (U) Summary: Despite the deteriorating security situation, tourist arrivals in the first four months of 2006 have increased 25%, according to the Sri Lanka Tourist Board (STB). April arrivals were up 18%. Discussions with tourism sector reps, however, indicate that the Government of Sri La [...] | 2006-05-31 10:00:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON CE |
06COLOMBO906 | SRI LANKA: ANTI-CONVERSION BILL MIRED IN [...] (SBU) Summary: The parliamentary select committee to discuss the Buddhist monk-based Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU)-sponsored bill proposing to outlaw "unethical conversions" began hearing testimony in May (Ref A). According to one member of parliament (MP) serving on the committee, the group i [...] | 2006-05-31 12:15:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM KIRF CE |
06COLOMBO91 | BFIF FY06 PROPOSALS [...] US-MALDIVES FRIENDSHIP WEEK: (A) JUSTIFICATION: THE MALDIVES TRADE FAIR HAS SEEN CONSIDERABLE GROWTH OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS IN TERMS OF COMPANY PARTICIPATION, COVERAGE, AND SIGNIFICANCE IN THE MALDIVES COMMERCIAL CALENDAR (REF C). IT REMAINS THE PRIMARY MEANS THROUGH WHICH US COMPANIES CA [...] | 2006-01-13 06:15:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | BEXP ECON EFIC ETRD CE MV |
06COLOMBO933 | A/S BOUCHER TALKS TOUGH ON TIGERS BUT PRESSES FOR [...] (C) Summary: Following his participation in the May 30 meeting of the Sri Lankan Donor Co-Chairs (US, EU, Norway, and Japan) in Tokyo, Assistant Secretary for South and Central Asian Affairs Richard Boucher underscored the messages from the Tokyo Co-Chairs statement during a May 31 trip to Co [...] | 2006-06-05 07:13:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PTER PHUM CE |
06COLOMBO940 | U.S. STATEMENT ON IRAN; DEMARCHE ON NAM STATEMENT [...] (C) Ambassador delivered demarche requested ref (A) to Foreign Secretary Palihakkara June 5. Palihakkara said that he had not read the NAM document, and presumed that as usual this "112-member monster" had produced a lowest common denominator document. Ambassador said that did not seem to be t [...] | 2006-06-05 11:49:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL AORC IAEA KNNP UNSC IR CE |
06COLOMBO941 | SRI LANKA: TAMIL TIGERS THREATEN WITHDRAWAL AFTER [...] (C) On June 1, the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) agreed to go to Oslo for June 8-9 talks with a Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) delegation led by Peace Secretariat Secretary General Palitha Kohona to discuss the role of the Scandanavian-led Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) despite e [...] | 2006-06-05 12:25:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PTER PHUM CE |
06COLOMBO946 | HCOC: SRI LANKA HAS "NOT HAD TIME" TO CONSIDER AS [...] (SBU) On April 25, poloff delivered Reftel demarche to Sumedha Ekanayake, Assistant Director of UN and Multi-lateral Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In a June 6 phone conversation, Ekanayake explained that his government "had not had time" to consider the Hague Code Of Conduct (HC [...] | 2006-06-06 10:38:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | MTCRE PREL MNUC KSCA ETTC TSPA CE |
06COLOMBO947 | SRI LANKA WILL ATTEND RED CROSS-RED CRESCENT [...] (SBU) Poloff delivered Reftel demarche to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Assistant Director for UN and Multilateral Affairs Sumedha Ekanayake June 5. Ekanayake said Sri Lanka will send a delegation to the Red Cross- Red Crescent scheduled for June 20-21 in Geneva, and his government supports [...] | 2006-06-06 10:39:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | AORC PHUM PREF PREL ICRC CE |
06COLOMBO958 | EAC MEETING 7 JUNE 2006 [...] (SBU) Colombo EAC met June 7 to discuss the June 6 early morning claymore mine attack along the main road from Colombo to the airport north of town. The latest information indicates the explosion occurred near the entrance to a Navy base (which processes new recruits) about five hundred meter [...] | 2006-06-07 11:40:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ASEC CASC CE PTER |
06COLOMBO966 | DEMARCHE ON ADDRESSING IRAN ISSUE AT JUNE 12-16 [...] No summary [...] | 2006-06-08 09:59:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL PTER PGOV CE |
06COLOMBO970 | SRI LANKA: AMBASSADOR STRESSES HUMAN RIGHTS AS [...] No summary [...] | 2006-06-08 10:42:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PTER PHUM CE |
06COLOMBO971 | SRI LANKA CLOSE TO ENDORSING PSI [...] (C) Foreign Secretary Palihakkara told Ambassador June 8 that the MFA had "made some headway" on obtaining GSL consensus on participation in the Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI). Palihakkara said that he had sent a letter to the Ministry of Defence and to the President's office stating [...] | 2006-06-08 11:23:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PARM KNNP MNUC PREL CE |
06COLOMBO976 | SRI LANKA: POPULATION MOVEMENTS IN CONFLICT AREAS [...] (C) The unsteady security environment since April 2006, including ethnic communal incidents and military action, has led to displacement among Sinhalese, Muslim, and Tamil communities in the North and East of Sri Lanka. The United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) currently estima [...] | 2006-06-09 06:00:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREF PTER PHUM CE |
06COLOMBO989 | SRI LANKA: ASSESSING UNOHCHR FIELD PRESENCE [...] (U) Summary: Poloff met with United Nations Office of the High Commissioner of Human Rights (OHCHR) Sri Lanka representative Rory Mungoven on June 9 to discuss the successes and constraints of the program and how the U.S. could buttress OHCHR's mandate in Sri Lanka. Mungoven noted moderately [...] | 2006-06-12 11:21:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL PTER PHUM CE |
06COLOMBO990 | SRI LANKA: LTTE REFUSES TO MEET GOVERNMENT [...] (C) Summary. The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) surprised most observers by derailing diplomatic efforts to salvage the peace process, refusing to hold talks on the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission June 8-9 in Oslo. Moreover, in the wake of the EU listing of the Tigers, the LTTE has said [...] | 2006-06-12 11:24:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PTER PHUM PREL CE |
06COLOMBO992 | MALDIVES: MINIMAL PROGRESS ON REFORMS, BUT [...] (U) Summary: Following the Government of the Republic of Maldives (GORM) publication of a Reform Roadmap, the President's office issued a decree on freedom of assembly May 15 to complement the Roadmap and expand civil liberties. Nonetheless, police arrested over 120 demonstrators taking part [...] | 2006-06-13 08:21:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM MV |
06COLOMBO996 | SRI LANKA: DEMARCHE DELIVERED ON PROLIFERATION [...] (C) Ambassador reminded Foreign Secretary Palihakkara June 13 that the US would like the Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) to attend the June 23 Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI) High-Level Political Meeting (HLPM) in Poland. Palihakkara stated that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had recomm [...] | 2006-06-13 10:52:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PARM KNNP MNUC PREL KACT CE |
06COLOMBO997 | SRI LANKA: DEMARCHE DELIVERED ON UN HUMAN RIGHTS [...] No summary [...] | 2006-06-13 11:35:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PHUM CE |
06COLOMBO998 | SRI LANKA: FOREIGN SECRETARY DISCUSSES OSLO, [...] (C) Summary: Ambassador met Sri Lankan Foreign Secretary Palihakkara and Peace Secretariat Chief and head of the Oslo delegation Kohona on June 13 in the wake of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam's (LTTE) refusal to enter talks with the Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) in Oslo on June 8-9 on t [...] | 2006-06-13 11:36:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PTER PHUM CE |
07COLOMBO100 | SRI LANKA: INTERNATIONAL NGOS FACE CLIMATE OF [...] (C) Summary: Elements of the government appear to be orchestrating a campaign against international NGOs, particularly those working in LTTE-controlled areas. On January 11, a mob led by the nationalist Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU) party stormed the Colombo office of the Dutch NGO ZOA Refugee [...] | 2007-01-17 12:51:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
07COLOMBO1002 | SRI LANKA: CHARGE PRESSES MINISTER OF POWER AND ENERGY ON [...] (SBU) Summary: Charge met Power and Energy Minister Seneviratne to continue pressing for the Ceylon Electricity Board to deliver contractually-required letters of credit to U.S. independent power producer AES. The minister said that he hoped to resolve the issue by getting the cabinet to offic [...] | 2007-07-17 11:52:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EINV ENRG PREL CE |
07COLOMBO1003 | EASTERN PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT OFFICIAL ASSASSINATED [...] (U) On July 16, unidentified gunmen shot and killed Chief Secretary of the Eastern Provincial Council H.M. Herath Abeyweera in his office in Trincomalee. The gunmen fired several rounds at point blank range before fleeing the scene. It is unclear how the assailants were able to enter Abeyw [...] | 2007-07-17 12:06:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
07COLOMBO1016 | COLOMBO CELEBRATION MARKS VICTORY IN THE EAST [...] (C) Summary. On July 19 the Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) held a ceremony in Colombo's Independence Square to celebrate the military victory in the East. The U.S., United Kingdom, and India sent their Defense Attaches to observe, while many countries opted not to attend at all. The Preside [...] | 2007-07-19 12:17:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
07COLOMBO1017 | SRI LANKA: GOVERNMENT PLANS TO RELEASE ACSA [...] (C) SUMMARY: Opposition parties are trying to make political hay out of the GSL's execution of an Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement (ACSA) with the USG. At the time it was signed on March 5, 2007, by Defense Secretary Gothabaya Rajapaksa and Ambassador Blake, Embassy issued a short [...] | 2007-07-19 12:18:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
07COLOMBO1020 | MAIN OPPOSITION AND RULING PARTY SPLINTER GROUP [...] (C) Summary. On July 19, the leading opposition United National Party and the recently-formed Sri Lanka Freedom Party/Mahajana (SLFP/M) wing (ref) signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU). The agreement stipulates that the two groups will jointly contest future elections. It outlines th [...] | 2007-07-20 10:00:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
07COLOMBO1023 | SRI LANKA: POLICE FORCES KILL TAMIL TIGER LEADER [...] (SBU) Elite Sri Lankan police officers known as Special Task Forces (STF) killed six Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) cadres on Saturday, July 21, including the Ampara area leader known as Ravindran, recovering a cache of weapons and ammunition. The STF reported that its raid was in [...] | 2007-07-23 13:24:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
07COLOMBO1025 | SRI LANKA: REQUEST FOR UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLES [...] (C) Charge and Pol Chief met Foreign Minister Bogollagama on July 20 and informed him according to reftel that the U.S. could not provide Unmanned Aerial Vehicles to the Sri Lankan military at this time. Charge explained that the U.S. interagency process had determined that the targeting and [...] | 2007-07-24 02:48:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PTER PGOV MASS |
07COLOMBO1029 | SRI LANKA: GOVERNMENT MODERATES OPTIMISTIC ABOUT [...] (C) SUMMARY: The representative of the President's party on the committee to develop a consensus devolution proposal told Charge on June 23 he was confident President Rajapaksa would accept the consensus on power-sharing with the regions and the country's minorities. Foreign Minister Bogollag [...] | 2007-07-24 23:35:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
07COLOMBO103 | BFIF FY07 PROPOSALS [...] No summary [...] | 2007-01-18 09:53:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | BEXP ECON EFIC ETRD CE MV |
07COLOMBO1031 | SRI LANKA: WOMEN'S EMPOWERMENT SECRETARY ENGAGES [...] (C) Summary. On July 10, Charge and Poloff called on Secretary of the Ministry of Child Development and Women's SIPDIS Empowerment Indrani Sugathadasa to brief her on Sri Lanka's Tier 2 Watch List status and discuss Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) efforts to address trafficking of women and [...] | 2007-07-25 06:00:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PREF PHUM KWMN KPAO ELAB KCRM SOCI |
07COLOMBO1036 | SRI LANKA: CONDITIONS DETERIORATING IN JAFFNA; [...] (C) SUMMARY: Conditions in the military-controlled portion of the Jaffna peninsula are deteriorating, with eight extra-judicial killings in just three days and 21 dead in the past two weeks. Among the dead is a Tamil employee of the Danish Refugee Council, who was shot twice in the face at [...] | 2007-07-25 10:38:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
07COLOMBO1045 | SRI LANKA: CONDITIONS FOR "UP-COUNTRY" TAMILS [...] (C) SUMMARY: There are approximately 1.5 million Tamils, mostly of Indian origin and often referred to as "Up-Country" Tamils, working on tea, rubber and coconut plantations in Sri Lanka. Plantation exports account for more than 50 percent of Sri Lanka's gross domestic product, but the Govern [...] | 2007-07-27 07:27:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
07COLOMBO1046 | SRI LANKA: 1206 FUNDING JUSTIFICATION FOR FY2008 [...] (SBU) Embassy supports the allocation of fiscal year 2008 funds under the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) section 1206 for installation of a high frequency surface wave (HFSW) radar near Arugam Bay (Okanda) on the southeastern coast of Sri Lanka. The total estimated cost of this p [...] | 2007-07-27 08:45:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL MASS MOPS MARR PTER CE |
07COLOMBO1048 | OPPOSITION RALLY DRAWS SIGNIFICANT CROWD AND [...] (C) Summary: On July 26, the newly formed United National Party/Sri Lanka Freedom Party-Mahajana Wing alliance, now called the National Congress, held its first public rally at Colombo's Hyde Park with the theme "Country is ruined. Come forward." Rumors that the Government would try to preve [...] | 2007-07-27 09:35:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
07COLOMBO1050 | SRI LANKA: EMBASSY HELPS GLOBAL ENERGY REVIVE ITS OIL [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: Embassy continues advocacy for U.S. firm Global Energy and Industrial Operations, Inc., which seeks to build and operate an $800 million oil refinery near Colombo. The project has been stalled since 2004, when Global Energy thought it had a deal upon signing a memorandum of und [...] | 2007-07-30 06:35:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EINV ENRG PREL CE |
07COLOMBO1054 | SRI LANKA: SUPREME COURT ALLOWS CASE AGAINST [...] (C) SUMMARY: The Supreme Court on July 27 allowed a case filed by the Sinhalese nationalist parties against the constitutionality of the CFA to proceed. The Court of Appeals had previously dismissed the suit. The line of questioning by Chief Justice Silva may give an indication that he inte [...] | 2007-07-30 12:22:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
07COLOMBO1055 | SRI LANKA: LITTLE PROGRESS ON COMPLIANCE WITH [...] (C) On July 26, Acting DCM and Econ Chief called on Ministry of Foreign Affairs Additional Secretary for UN and Multilateral Affairs Sarala Fernando to follow up on earlier demarches (refs E and F) urging Sri Lanka to comply with UNSCR 1747. EmbOffs specifically emphasized the requirement to [...] | 2007-07-31 06:16:00 | Embassy Colombo | SECRET | KNNP PARM PREL ETTC EFIN IR CE |
07COLOMBO1056 | SRI LANKA: CENTRAL BANK GOVERNOR SAYS ECONOMY IS BETTER [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: In a recent presentation trumpeting the health of the Sri Lankan economy, Central Bank governor Cabraal told heads of missions and donor agencies that return to civil war was not ruining growth or busting the government's budget. The governor predicted that GDP growth would exc [...] | 2007-07-31 08:03:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON EINV CE |
07COLOMBO1057 | SRI LANKA: GOVERNMENT STILL WORKING ON PLANS FOR [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: The government of Sri Lanka announced soon after consolidating military control over the East (ref A) that it would ask donors to fund development of the area. The president has designated his brother Basil as the point man for the Eastern development push. Basil told UN offic [...] | 2007-07-31 10:22:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EAID EINV PGOV PHUM CE |
07COLOMBO1058 | SRI LANKA TO CONSIDER ADOPTING CONVENTION FOR THE [...] No summary [...] | 2007-07-31 10:23:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PTER KNNP MCAP PINR PINS PARM PREL CE |
07COLOMBO1067 | SRI LANKA: DEMARCHE RESPONSE ON AMERICAN RED CROSS [...] No summary [...] | 2007-08-01 10:14:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREF PREL PHUM ICRC CE |
07COLOMBO1071 | SRI LANKA: PRESIDENT'S SOUTHERN POLITICAL BASE [...] (C) SUMMARY: President Rajapaksa is losing support among his political base in southern coastal towns to former Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera, whose recent alliance with the United National Party (UNP) has re-energized the opposition. In an effort to sway public opinion in his favor, [...] | 2007-08-01 11:34:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
07COLOMBO1077 | SRI LANKA AND MALDIVES: 62ND UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY [...] (SBU) On July 26, A/DCM called on Sri Lankan Ministry of Foreign Affairs Additional Secretary for UN and Multilateral Affairs Sarala Fernando to request a list of high-level officials planning to attend the 62nd UN General Assembly (UNGA). Fernando replied that President Mahinda Rajapaksa and [...] | 2007-08-02 08:42:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL ITRA OVIP KSEP UNGA CE MV |
07COLOMBO1078 | SRI LANKA: JAFFNA HUMAN RIGHTS OFFICE ENDS CONTACT [...] (C) SUMMARY: Long-time Embassy interlocutors in Jaffna, including those who met with Assistant Secretary Boucher in May 2007, report that they continue to feel pressure from the government, particularly the Jaffna military commander. Contacts have told us that in addition to the GSL curtailin [...] | 2007-08-03 06:53:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
07COLOMBO1079 | SRI LANKA: DEFECTIONS REDUCE PRESIDENT'S [...] (C) SUMMARY: On August 2, the Ceylon Workers Congress (CWC) Party leader, Minister of Youth Empowerment and Socio-Economic Development Arumugan Thondaman, and four out of five CWC Members of Parliament announced they would no longer vote with the President's coalition. The one CWC parliam [...] | 2007-08-03 08:18:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
07COLOMBO1087 | MALDIVES: KEY GOVERNMENT REFORMERS RESIGN [...] (C) Summary. On August 5, Attorney General Hassan Saeed and Justice Minister Mohamed Jameel, both leading members of the "New Maldives" group of reform-minded ministers, resigned from Government, accusing the President of obstructing the reform process. Local press and POL section contacts [...] | 2007-08-06 13:01:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PHUM MV |
07COLOMBO109 | SRI LANKA: DEVOLUTION PROPOSAL ON TRACK, BUT WILL [...] (C) SUMMARY: Tissa Vitharana, Chair of the All-Party Representative Committee (APRC),has culled common elements from several devolution proposals and offered a compromise document for discussion within the committee. In a January 17 meeting with the Ambassador, Vitharana explained that he ba [...] | 2007-01-19 06:05:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
07COLOMBO1093 | SRI LANKA: EAST DEVELOPMENT -- TRINCOMALEE NOT READY TO [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: Trincomalee, the eastern seaboard town boasting one of Asia's finest natural harbors, is underdeveloped and depressed as a result of over two decades of civil war in Sri Lanka. The government wants to translate its recent reassertion of control over the east into development, mu [...] | 2007-08-08 11:44:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EAID ECON EINV PTER CE |
07COLOMBO1103 | SRI LANKA: PRESIDENT APPEARS READY TO ACCEPT [...] (C) SUMMARY: The chair of the committee to work out a consensus devolution proposal reported that the President and all parties represented in the current government had agreed to support a compromise. This foresees the province, rather than the district, as the unit of devolution. This con [...] | 2007-08-09 10:56:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
07COLOMBO1106 | SRI LANKA: HUMANITARIAN ACCESS COMMITTEE REVIEWS [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: UN Under Secretary General for Humanitarian Affairs John Holmes, currently visiting Sri Lanka, attended the 11th Consultative Committee on Humanitarian Assistance (CCHA) meeting chaired by Minister of Disaster Management and Human Rights Mahinda Samarasinghe on August 7. Charg [...] | 2007-08-10 05:11:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EAID PREF PHUM PGOV PREL CE |
07COLOMBO1113 | SRI LANKA: DEFENSE SECRETARY OUTLINES PLAN FOR [...] (C) Defense Secretary (and brother of the President) Gothabaya Rajapaksa told Charge and Pol Chief on August 9 of his plans to stabilize the security environment in Sri Lanka's East, where government forces recently routed the remaining regular Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) forces. [...] | 2007-08-13 10:45:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
07COLOMBO1114 | SRI LANKA: USAID LAUNCHES NATIONAL ANTI-CORRUPTION [...] SUMMARY: The final version of the USAID-sponsored National Anti-Corruption Action Plan (NACAP),which outlines key steps the Government and private sector can take to address corruption, was presented at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH) on July 28 as part of the [...] | 2007-08-13 11:12:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | EAID KCOR PGOV PREL ECON CE |
07COLOMBO112 | SRI LANKA: 1206 BOAT TRAINING TO SUPPORT [...] (U) Post supports PACOM's approval of $1.4 million to conduct boat training with the Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) through 1206 FY07 funding. This initiative provides training and equipment necessary for the SLN to effectively conduct Visit, Board, Search and Seizure (VBSS) operations off the coast of [...] | 2007-01-19 09:03:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PTER PGOV MOPS PREL CE |
07COLOMBO1123 | SRI LANKA: PRIME MINISTER LASHES OUT AT UN UNDER [...] (C) SUMMARY: UN Under Secretary General for Humanitarian Affairs John Holmes visited Sri Lanka from August 6-9, the first high-level UN visit to Sri Lanka in almost a year. Holmes met with senior Government officials, attended the first year anniversary of the killing of 17 Action Against Hun [...] | 2007-08-14 12:00:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
07COLOMBO1127 | SRI LANKA: COMPROMISE ON DEVOLUTION SHOWS SIGNS OF [...] SUMMARY: The deal the President put together on devolution (reftel) has come under fire from Sinhalese hardliners, delaying its approval for at least several days, perhaps much longer. The radical Sinhalese Buddhist monk-based party Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU) objected to the compromise, insi [...] | 2007-08-15 12:31:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
07COLOMBO113 | GOVERNMENT AGREES TO TEMPORARY CEASEFIRE IN [...] (SBU) At the fourth Consultative Committee on Humanitarian Affairs chaired by Minister for Human Rights and Disaster Management Samarasinghe and Defense Secretary Rajapaksa on January 19, Samarasinghe briefed selected donors, UN agency representatives, Ambassador and AID Mission Director o [...] | 2007-01-19 09:32:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL PTER PGOV CE |
07COLOMBO1134 | SRI LANKA: COLOMBO PORT STRUGGLING TO KEEP ITS DOMINANCE IN [...] SUMMARY: Due to congestion, low productivity, increasing freight rates, and security concerns caused by the conflict, global shipping lines have begun bypassing Sri Lanka in favor of India's emerging ports. In the last six months, shipping costs from Colombo have nearly doubled to $600 per T [...] | 2007-08-16 11:01:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON EINV ETRD EWWT CE |
07COLOMBO115 | SRI LANKA: MUSLIM PARTY LEADER ACCUSES GOVERNMENT [...] (C) SUMMARY: Sri Lanka Muslim Congress leader Rauff Hakim complained to Ambassador on January 19 that the President's brother and senior political advisor Basil Rajapaksa had employed strong-arm tactics to induce members of his party to join the government. Hakim said, however, that he was s [...] | 2007-01-19 10:51:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM CE |
07COLOMBO1161 | MALDIVES: REFORM-MINDED FOREIGN MINISTER RESIGNS; [...] (C) SUMMARY: On August 21, key Government reformer and Foreign Minister Ahmed Shaheed resigned from his post, joining the Attorney General and Justice Minister who resigned earlier this month (ref a). Embassy contacts tell us that Shaheed had several reasons to resign, including a scheduled [...] | 2007-08-22 12:02:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PHUM MV |
07COLOMBO1165 | SRI LANKA: TRINCOMALEE TAMILS WARY OF GOVERNMENT [...] (C) SUMMARY: DCM met with local government officials, civil society leaders, and community members in the eastern city of Trincomalee on August 10-12th to discuss the security and humanitarian situation in the area and promote policies that will foster peace and economic development. The Gov [...] | 2007-08-24 08:07:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV EAID PTER PHUM PREF MOPS PREL KMCA CE |
07COLOMBO1166 | MALDIVES: NEW FOREIGN, JUSTICE MINISTERS NAMED; [...] (C) SUMMARY: President Gayoom on August 23 appointed two new cabinet ministers, Abdullah Shahid as Foreign Minister and Mohamed Muiz Adnan as Justice Minister. Shahid and Muiz were previously both senior officials in their respective ministries. In addition to the new ministers, Gayoom has [...] | 2007-08-24 09:20:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PHUM MV |
07COLOMBO1168 | SRI LANKA: NATIONALISTS THREATEN TO END SUPPORT [...] (C) SUMMARY: The Sinhalese nationalist Janatha Vikmuthi Peramuna (JVP) has threatened to withdraw its support from outside for the government if the All-Party Representative Committee consensus in favor of meaningful devolution to the provinces is allowed to stand. The JVP insists on retainin [...] | 2007-08-27 09:33:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
07COLOMBO1170 | FOREIGN MINISTER AND AMBASSADOR DISCUSS DEVOLUTION [...] Summary: In an August 27 meeting, Foreign Minister Bogollagama and Ambassador reviewed human rights, the status of the All Parties Representative Committee (APRC) deliberations, and a request by the Foreign Minister to meet the Secretary anytime between October 4 and 8 in Washington. The Amb [...] | 2007-08-27 11:37:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PHUM UNGA CE |
07COLOMBO1171 | SRI LANKA: EMINENT PERSONS REASSURED AFTER MEETING [...] (C) SUMMARY: The International Independent Group of Eminent Persons (IIGEP) held its third plenary meeting with the Commission of Inquiry (COI) August 17 - 20. The positive tone of the meeting reassured even skeptics within the IIGEP. U.S. Eminent Person Gene Dewey noted that the possibilit [...] | 2007-08-27 12:00:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
07COLOMBO1182 | SRI LANKA PROMISES RESPONSE ON UNSCR 1737 AND 1747 [...] (S) Ambassador on August 24 sent a letter to Minister of Foreign Affairs Rohitha Bogollagama outlining US concerns about Sri Lanka's lack of compliance with UN Security Council Resolutions 1737 and 1747. Ambassador noted in the letter that Sri Lanka's Bank of Ceylon maintains a correspondent [...] | 2007-08-29 12:11:00 | Embassy Colombo | SECRET | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
07COLOMBO1184 | "NEW MALDIVES" MINISTERS WHO RESIGNED PREDICT [...] (C) Summary: At a private dinner on 8/29 hosted by Ambassador, the three leading "New Maldives" advocates for political reform, all of whom resigned from the government in recent days, candidly discussed the bleak outlook for political reform and the unsuccessful negotiations they had with Pr [...] | 2007-08-30 11:30:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV MV |
07COLOMBO1186 | MALDIVES: PRESIDENT GAYOOM SAYS REFERENDUM [...] (C) Summary: Maldives President Gayoom told Ambassador August 28 that the country's August 18 referendum had been "well-organized," "in general, free and fair," and had produced an outcome of 62 percent in favor of a "U.S.-style" presidential system. Opposition Maldives Democratic Party leade [...] | 2007-08-30 12:24:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM PREL KWWW ETRD EAID MV |
07COLOMBO1187 | SRI LANKA: DEFENSE CORRESPONDENT FEARS RETALIATION [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: Defense Correspondent Iqbal Athas is preparing to temporarily leave Sri Lanka with his family following a barrage of threats and intimidation apparently orchestrated by the Government of Sri Lanka (GSL). On August 12, he wrote an article for the Sunday Times about the Ukraini [...] | 2007-08-30 12:31:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
07COLOMBO1188 | SRI LANKA OPEN TO ENGAGEMENT ON TIP ACTION PLAN [...] (C) SUMMARY: DCM and Poloff called on Foreign Secretary Palitha Kohona on August 23 to deliver ref A talking points and Trafficking in Persons (TIP) action plan. DCM noted that the primary reason for watchlisting Sri Lanka was insufficient evidence of Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) efforts t [...] | 2007-08-30 12:41:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
07COLOMBO1196 | SRI LANKA - DCHA/FFP MONITORING REPORT ON WORLD FOOD [...] (U) Summary: From July 7 - 13, 2007, USAID/DCHA Food for Peace Asia Team Leader (FFP/TL) Matthew Nims and USAID/DCHA Food for Peace Officer Katey Schein (FFP/O) visited Sri Lanka to monitor the WFP Protracted Relief and Recovery Operation (PRRO) which receives U.S. Title II Emergency Assistanc [...] | 2007-08-31 06:49:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EAID PGOV PHUM PREF CE PINS |
07COLOMBO12 | COUNTRY CLEARANCE GRANTED FOR ERIC B. KING, [...] Post grants country clearance to Eric B. King, Country Manager, OFO, Washington D.C. The purpose of his visit is to conduct an initial visit as the country manager with the CSI Team in Colombo, Sri Lanka from January 7-14, 2007. Embassy control officer is Mr. Richard Merrin, Commercial Attach [...] | 2007-01-04 12:21:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | EAID ECON EWWT OTRA CE |
07COLOMBO1207 | SRI LANKA: GOVERNMENT OFFENSIVE IN SOUTHERN MANNAR [...] (C) SUMMARY: The Sri Lankan Army (SLA) began a military offensive on August 27 to clear Silavaturai and neighboring villages in southwestern Mannar district of Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) cadres. About four thousand civilians are reportedly displaced by the fighting. UN interlo [...] | 2007-09-04 11:35:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
07COLOMBO1216 | MALDIVES: FINAL REFERENDUM RESULTS ANNOUNCED, BUT [...] SUMMARY: On August 28, the Election Commission announced the final results of the August 18 referendum to decide on Maldives' future system of governance. 95,619 voters endorsed the presidential system, while 58,504 supported the parliamentary system. The final results do not require the app [...] | 2007-09-05 08:30:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PHUM MV |
07COLOMBO1218 | SRI LANKA: GOVERNMENT REVIVES SOVEREIGN BOND ISSUE PLANS; [...] (SBU) Summary: The Government of Sri Lanka plans to issue the country's first international sovereign bond, in hopes of raising $500 million to fund infrastructure projects. However, the main opposition United National Party has announced that a future UNP government would not honor the bonds [...] | 2007-09-05 12:48:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON EINV EFIN KMCA CE |
07COLOMBO1225 | HUMAN RIGHTS IN SRI LANKA: SOME IMPROVEMENT BUT [...] (C) SUMMARY: The period April-June 2007 showed a decline relative to the beginning of the year in Colombo and some other parts of Sri Lanka in certain categories of human rights abuses, such as abductions. However, the overall level of human rights violations compared to 2002-2005 remains e [...] | 2007-09-06 11:21:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
07COLOMBO1232 | SRI LANKAN PROGRESS ON ISSUES OF CONCERN TO U.S. - [...] (C) As Washington prepares for a busy fall, post thought it would be useful to provide a brief snapshot of where we stand on the key issues in our agenda with Sri Lanka; the outlook for the fall; and what specific steps the U.S. can take to advance our interests here. A number of factors have [...] | 2007-09-07 11:09:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PHUM CE |
07COLOMBO1233 | SRI LANKA: GOVERNMENT TAKES CREDIT FOR INCREASED FLOW OF [...] Summary: Two weeks after returning from a visit to the northern Jaffna Peninsula, the Commissioner General of Essential Services (CGES) on August 30 briefed the diplomatic community and United Nations agency heads in Colombo on steps the Government of Sri Lanka has taken to maintain a steady [...] | 2007-09-10 02:23:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EAID PGOV PHUM PREF CE |
07COLOMBO124 | MALDIVIAN FOREIGN MINISTER AGREES TO QUIET [...] (C) During a January 16 trip to Male', Ambassador encouraged Foreign Minister Ahmed Shaheed to consider establishing LOW-KEY diplomatic contacts with Israeli officials with a view to establishing full diplomatic relations at a future date. (Note: The Ambassador had earlier discussed this [...] | 2007-01-22 09:11:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV MV |
07COLOMBO1252 | SRI LANKA: SUCCESS IN GARMENT IPR CASES; LESS PROGRESS IN [...] Summary: US apparel brands have found some level of success in combating piracy in Sri Lankan courts. In August 2007, the Colombo Commercial High Court issued an order in settlement in favor of Polo/Lauren, LLP, the largest IPR enforcement case in the apparel sector to date. Other companies [...] | 2007-09-12 02:27:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | ECON ETRD KIPR EAID KMCA CE |
07COLOMBO1253 | SRI LANKA LIKELY TO SUPPORT US CANDIDATE FOR [...] No summary [...] | 2007-09-12 06:35:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL PHUM UNGA UNHRC CE |
07COLOMBO1254 | MALDIVES: RESIGNED MINISTERS CONTINUE REFORM [...] (C) SUMMARY: Former Foreign Minister Ahmed Shaheed, Justice Minister Mohamed Jameel, and Attorney General Hassan Saeed, the key advocates for reform within the Government until their resignations last month (refs d and e),are reportedly considering joining the opposition Maldivian Democra [...] | 2007-09-12 06:53:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PHUM MV |
07COLOMBO1259 | SRI LANKAN NAVY SINKS THREE LARGE LTTE SHIPS IN [...] (S) SUMMARY: On September 12, Ambassador and Defense Attache Oxley met with Sri Lanka Navy Commander Wasantha Karannagoda to discuss the navy's recent operational successes, including sinking three large Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) weapons supply ships (referred to by the media [...] | 2007-09-12 12:29:00 | Embassy Colombo | SECRET | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
07COLOMBO1260 | SRI LANKA: CHRISTIANS FACE MOUNTING LEGAL HURDLES [...] (C) SUMMARY: On September 10, Godfrey Yogarajah of the National Christian Evangelical Alliance of Sri Lanka (NCEASL) called on Ambassador to provide an update on the problems faced by Sri Lanka's Christian community. Yogarajah noted that Sri Lankan churches are experiencing a growing number [...] | 2007-09-12 12:30:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
07COLOMBO1261 | SRI LANKA: PRESIDENT SHARES HIS VIEWS ON THE [...] SUMMARY: In an early September interview with Indian author and journalist Inderjit Badhwar (full text at www.tamilunitedfront.com/articles/rajapakse.h tml),President Mahinda Rajapaksa emphasized his desire for a political solution that addresses the aspirations of the Tamil people. He also [...] | 2007-09-12 12:47:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
07COLOMBO1262 | SRI LANKA: SIT-REP ON THE TSUNAMI WATCH [...] Following local and international media reports of a tsunami watch issued by the Pacific Center, Embassy issued SIPDIS the following warden message at 6:17 p.m. local time: "7.9 earthquake reported in Indonesia. Tsunami watch issued for the Indian Ocean, including Sri Lanka. People in co [...] | 2007-09-12 13:09:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | CASC AEMR PREL PHUM CE |
07COLOMBO1263 | SRI LANKA: SIT-REP FOLLOW-UP ON TSUNAMI WARNING [...] After a 7.9 magnitude earthquake struck the west coast of Indonesia and the Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) issued a tsunami warning, Embassy convened the Emergency Action SIPDIS Committee at 7:00 p.m. local time to discuss contingencies and preparedness measures in the event of an tsunami. [...] | 2007-09-12 14:50:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | CASC AEMR PREL PHUM CE |
07COLOMBO1266 | SRI LANKA: RESPONSE ON PRESIDENT'S HUMAN RIGHTS [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: Ambassador, Embassy staff, and Washington-based officials have made a consistent, intensive effort over the past year to engage the Sri Lankan government on improving its human rights record, and to support and defend human rights advocates in the country. Sri Lanka has recen [...] | 2007-09-13 03:56:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
07COLOMBO1267 | MALDIVES LIKELY TO SUPPORT US CANDIDATE FOR [...] No summary [...] | 2007-09-13 04:13:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL PHUM UNGA UNHRC MV |
07COLOMBO127 | SRI LANKAN ARMY TAKES VAKARAI; TIGERS ATTACK [...] (C) Summary: Security forces captured the eastern LTTE redoubt of Vakarai on January 20 after almost three months of fighting. This significant victory in the east may embolden the GSL to continue its campaign to recapture LTTE-held territory in the north and east. On January 21, a cluster o [...] | 2007-01-22 12:13:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | MOPS PREL PTER PHUM PGOV CE |
07COLOMBO1273 | SRI LANKA: OFFICIAL DELEGATION LIST FOR 62ND UNGA [...] (SBU) Embassy Colombo has received by diplomatic note the following list (para 2) of the official delegation and media members who are scheduled to visit the USA accompanying H.E. the President of Sri Lanka for the 62nd United Nations General Assembly. 2. (SBU) (begin list) Composition [...] | 2007-09-13 12:07:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL ITRA OVIP UNGA CE |
07COLOMBO128 | SRI LANKA: IPR RAID SEIZES 17,000 FAKE "POLO" BRAND SHIRTS [...] Summary: Sri Lankan police on January 11 raided a Sri Lankan factory manufacturing and supplying counterfeit "Polo" brand garments. The raid was the largest intellectual property rights (IPR) enforcement bust since Sri Lanka began to enforce its 2003 IPR law in 2004. End Summary. 2. On [...] | 2007-01-23 03:13:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | ECON ETRD KIPR EAID CE |
07COLOMBO1284 | BUILDING A SOUTH ASIA COUNTERTERRORISM STRATEGY [...] (S) SUMMARY: Chiefs of Mission and other Embassy representatives from Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan met under the auspices of the Regional Security Initiative (RSI) in Colombo on September 7 to discuss regional counterterrorism strategy with the Coordinator for Counterte [...] | 2007-09-17 11:13:00 | Embassy Colombo | SECRET | PTER PGOV PREL PHUM MOPS CE |
07COLOMBO1286 | ICAO ASSEMBLY: SRI LANKA SUPPORT FOR U.S. RE-ELECTION TO [...] (U) Summary: The Sri Lanka Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Civil Aviation Authority support re-election of the United States to the Council of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). Sri Lanka plans to send a four-person delegation, including Minister of Ports and Aviation, C [...] | 2007-09-17 11:25:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | EAIR PREL AORC ICAO CE |
07COLOMBO1290 | MALDIVES: OFFICIAL DELEGATION LIST FOR 62ND UNGA [...] (SBU) Embassy Colombo has received by diplomatic note the following information (para 2) on the Maldivian official delegation to the 62nd United Nations General Assembly. 2. (SBU) (begin list) Composition of Delegation for the Official Visit of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Rep [...] | 2007-09-18 07:44:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL ITRA OVIP UNGA MV |
07COLOMBO13 | SRI LANKA: GOVERNMENT AIR STRIKES KILL 16 [...] (C) Summary: On January 2 Sri Lankan Air Force (SLAF) jets bombed a northwestern coastal area near Mannar. Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) website Tamilnet reported that 16 civilians died in the air strike. Government officials countered that the SLAF targeted and hit a known Sea Tig [...] | 2007-01-04 12:29:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | MOPS PTER PHUM PREL PGOV CE |
07COLOMBO130 | SRI LANKA: OPPOSITION LEADER SEEKS TO MEND PARTY [...] (C) SUMMARY: Ambassador met opposition leader Wickremesinghe on January 22 to urge him to seek common ground with his UNP critics, including leading dissident Karu Jayasuriya. Our only interest was in supporting the peace process, Ambassador noted, but the current round of political wrangli [...] | 2007-01-23 05:22:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PTER PHUM MOPS PREL CE |
07COLOMBO1301 | SRI LANKA: PRESIDENT'S BROTHER BASIL TAKES A [...] (U) The President's brother, Basil Rajapaksa, took a seat in parliament today, replacing Muslim MP Anver Ismail, who died recently, reportedly from alcohol-related illness. Speaker of Parliament Lokubandara swore in Basil, whose nomination had gone the previous day to the Election Commissione [...] | 2007-09-19 12:26:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL PHUM CE |
07COLOMBO1304 | SRI LANKA: GOVERNMENT OUTLINES EFFORTS TO COMBAT [...] (SBU) Summary. DCM and Poloff recently met with GSL officials from the Foreign Employment Bureau, the National Child Protection Authority, the Ministry of Women's Empowerment and Child Development, and the Sri Lanka Police to present the Department's TIP Action Plan and follow up on an Augu [...] | 2007-09-20 10:33:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
07COLOMBO1305 | SRI LANKA: 6.2% GDP GROWTH IN FIRST HALF OF 2007 AMIDST [...] (U) Summary and comment: Sri Lanka's GDP grew at an annual rate of 6.2% for the first half of 2007. The trade deficit narrowed as export growth significantly exceeded import growth. Growing remittances compensated for much of the trade deficit and boosted foreign exchange reserves to a level [...] | 2007-09-20 10:36:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON EFIN ETRD KMCA CE |
07COLOMBO1308 | SRI LANKA LIKELY TO SUPPORT U.S. CANDIDATE FOR [...] DCM phoned Foreign Secretary Palitha Kohona on September 20 to follow up on ref b demarche. Kohona indicated that Sri Lanka would likely support the U.S. candidate, remarking that this was "an easy decision." He said he would ask the Office of UN and Multilateral Affairs to answer the demarc [...] | 2007-09-21 07:23:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV PREL PHUM UNHRC CE |
07COLOMBO1309 | SRI LANKAN ATTENDANCE COMMUNITY OF DEMOCRACIE [...] No summary [...] | 2007-09-21 07:24:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV PREL PHUM KDEM UNGA CE |
07COLOMBO1313 | SRI LANKA: TOURISM INDUSTRY PINS HOPE ON NEW TOURISM ACT [...] Summary: On October 1, following a two year delay, the government will implement the Tourism Act of 2005. The law provides for greater private sector participation in government-controlled tourism regulatory, promotion and training agencies. More importantly, the private sector will now ha [...] | 2007-09-24 05:12:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | ECON ETRD EFIN EAID KMCA CE |
07COLOMBO1322 | SRI LANKA: PROGRESS ON DEVOLUTION PROPOSAL STALLED [...] (C) SUMMARY: The All-Party Representative Committee (APRC) has made substantial progress on drafting its devolution proposal, but remains stuck on some final key issues. The President, under pressure from his Sinhalese base to stick to the "unitary state" concept, has decided to delay action [...] | 2007-09-25 10:56:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
07COLOMBO1329 | MALDIVES TO SUPPORT US CANDIDATE FOR COMMITTEE [...] No summary [...] | 2007-09-27 11:00:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV PREL PHUM UNHRC MV |
07COLOMBO133 | SRI LANKA: DEATH THREATS CREATE AN ATMOSPHERE OF [...] (C) Summary. Death threats are aggravating the atmosphere of intimidation in Sri Lanka. Twenty-two individuals, mostly anti-war advocates and Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) sympathizers, received death threats in January from a shadowy Sinhalese ultra-nationalist group called the " [...] | 2007-01-23 10:00:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
07COLOMBO134 | SRI LANKA: FOREIGN SECRETARY ASKS FOR PATIENCE ON [...] (C) Summary: Foreign Secretary Palitha Kohona called an evening meeting with Ambassador Blake on January 22. Kohona expressed concern that a pending public letter from U.S. Congressman Frank Pallone to the White House would call for a special international envoy to investigate human rights. [...] | 2007-01-23 10:06:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
07COLOMBO1348 | MALDIVES: BLAST IN MALE APPARENTLY TARGETS [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: A blast in Male's Sultan Park on the afternoon of September 29 wounded 12 foreign tourists. Foreign Minister Shahid told Ambassador the same day that the Government of Maldives (GORM) was shocked by the incident and does not know who was responsible. Eleven arrests have so fa [...] | 2007-10-01 10:26:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PTER PREL CASC MV |
07COLOMBO1349 | DISCUSSION WITH PRESIDENTIAL ADVISOR ON [...] (SBU) Ambassador met on September 28 with Basil Rajapaksa, the President's brother, senior political advisor, and coordinator of the stabilization and reconstruction program in the east, to discuss the opportunities and risks in the east (reftels). Rajapaksa acknowledged the need to stop ill [...] | 2007-10-01 11:18:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV EAID CE |
07COLOMBO135 | MALDIVES: A NEED TO STRENGTHEN DEMOCRACY TO [...] (C) SUMMARY: The Ambassador met government officials and the leader of the opposition in Male' on January 16 to discuss the lagging democratic reform process. Ambassador also promoted the Maldives' purchase of Boeing aircraft and a potential joint venture with an American wind power firm. Int [...] | 2007-01-23 10:19:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PHUM MV |
07COLOMBO1352 | SRI LANKA: CONFLICT CONTRIBUTES TO BRAIN DRAIN [...] (U) SUMMARY: Professionals and business people are steadily migrating out of Sri Lanka in pursuit of better living conditions and a more stable business environment. Many are Tamils and Muslims fleeing the conflict and persistent harassment. The "brain drain" is depleting a local talent pool [...] | 2007-10-02 05:31:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON ETRD ELAB KMCA CE |
07COLOMBO1355 | SRI LANKA TEXTILES AND APPAREL SECTOR: UPDATED STATS AND [...] Summary: While growth in Sri Lanka's textile and apparel export market has slowed since expiration of the Multifiber Agreement, the sector continues to maintain market share and in some cases grow in niche garment industry markets. Exports to the U.S., Sri Lanka's largest market, were flat i [...] | 2007-10-02 10:15:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON ETRD KTEX CE |
07COLOMBO1357 | SRI LANKA SUPPORTS IN PRINCIPLE DRAFT RESOLUTION [...] No summary [...] | 2007-10-02 12:34:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | AORC PHUM KWMN SOCI UN CE |
07COLOMBO1358 | SRI LANKA: GOVERNMENT CRITICIZES EMINENT PERSONS; [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: The International Independent Group of Eminent Persons (IIGEP) submitted its second Interim Report to the President on September 18 and released its third public statement on September 19. The Commission of Inquiry (COI) and Attorney General's (AG) office sent strongly-worded [...] | 2007-10-02 12:36:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
07COLOMBO1369 | FORMER FOREIGN MINISTER ASSESSES STABILITY OF [...] (C) Summary: In a lunch on October 3 with Ambassador, former Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera said that his breakaway faction from the ruling SLFP party and the opposition UNP have not yet been able to persuade the JVP to vote against the Government in November, mostly because the JVP st [...] | 2007-10-04 08:37:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PHUM CE |
07COLOMBO1371 | 256TH SESSION OF THE COLOMBO PLAN COUNCIL [...] (U) SUMMARY: On September 27, 2007, The Colombo Plan Council convened for the 256th Session and discussed FY 2005/6 audited accounts, the 2006/7 draft annual report, a special paper on "Strategic Plan of The Colombo Plan 2025," and the needs assessment questionnaire. Ambassador Blake present [...] | 2007-10-04 12:04:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL SNAR SOCI ECON EAID CE |
07COLOMBO1372 | MEETING WITH NATIONALIST JVP PARTY [...] (C) Summary: Ambassador met for a spirited but cordial hour with JVP Parliamentary group leader Wimal Weerawansa, on October 1 at the JVP Party-Headquarters. Weerawansa expressed dissatisfaction with President Rajapaksa's failure to reduce inflation and corruption but said the JVP has not decid [...] | 2007-10-04 12:15:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PHUM CE |
07COLOMBO1384 | SRI LANKA PROTESTS IMPROMPTU VISIT BY ICELANDIC [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: An Icelandic diplomat on a tourist visa paid an impromptu visit to the Tamil Tiger de facto capital, Kilinochchi. Icelandic FSO Bjarni Vestmann, who apparently was under consideration for a position with the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM),decided to accompany the SLMM on [...] | 2007-10-05 10:42:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
07COLOMBO1385 | MALDIVES: DEMARCHE DELIVERED ON DRAFT RESOLUTION [...] No summary [...] | 2007-10-05 10:43:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | AORC PHUM KWMN SOCI UN MV |
07COLOMBO1387 | MUSLIM LEADERS VOICE CONCERNS ABOUT LAND RIGHTS [...] (U) SUMMARY: On October 2, Ambassador hosted prominent Muslim leaders for a roundtable discussion on Muslim issues to mark the holy month of Ramadan. Participants noted the absence of Al-Qaida and other radical Islamist terror groups but expressed concern about a growing Wahhabi presence, an [...] | 2007-10-09 06:28:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
07COLOMBO1391 | SRI LANKA: MIXED REACTIONS TO NEW U.S. LAW ON MARITIME [...] SUMMARY: Colombo Port authorities and managers of shipping lines expressed opposing views on the ability to meet the new U.S. law on maritime cargo scanning requirements. Authorities of the Port of Colombo maintain that the port will be able to scan all U.S.-bound shipping containers by year [...] | 2007-10-09 09:30:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | EWWT ETRD PREL PTER KMCA CE |
07COLOMBO1399 | SRI LANKA: LAGGING IN WORLD BANK EASE OF DOING BUSINESS [...] Summary: Sri Lanka rated poorly in the World Bank Group's just-released Doing Business 2008 index and in the middle of Transparency International's 2007 Corruption Perception Index. In the Ease of Doing Business index, Sri Lanka ranked 101 out of 178 economies. Notable was its ranking of 133 [...] | 2007-10-10 09:14:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | ECON EINV EAID KMCA KCOR CE |
07COLOMBO140 | SRI LANKA: ARMY COMMANDER CONSIDERS CLEARING [...] (C) Summary. Ambassador Blake met with Army Commander Major General Sarath Fonseka on January 23 following the Sri Lanka Army's (SLA) victory in the eastern Tiger (LTTE) strong hold of Vakarai (ref B). Fonseka estimated that the LTTE had been significantly weakened by two and a half months of [...] | 2007-01-24 08:53:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
07COLOMBO1400 | MALDIVES: BOMBING INVESTIGATION YIELDING RESULTS [...] (C) SUMMARY: The Maldivian police have made impressive progress on investigating the bombing in Male' on September 29 (reftel). All remaining suspects in the incident are Maldivian. The site of the bombing has been reopened to the public following the completion of the crime scene investig [...] | 2007-10-10 09:26:00 | Embassy Colombo | SECRET | ASEC PGOV PREL PHUM MV |
07COLOMBO1402 | SRI LANKA NOMINATES CANDIDATE FOR UNESCO [...] The Sri Lanka Ministry of Foreign Affairs informed Post via diplomatic note on October 1 that the Government of Sri Lanka has nominated Minister of Education Susil Premajayantha for election to the UNESCO Executive Board. A document outlining "Sri Lanka's Vision In and For UNESCO" was attach [...] | 2007-10-10 11:56:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV PHUM PREL UNESCO CE |
07COLOMBO1403 | MALDIVES: SUCCESSFUL AMERICAN PAVILION AT MAJOR TRADE SHOW [...] Summary: Post is pleased to report that the American Pavilion at an international trade fair in the Maldives produced encouraging results for participating companies and strengthened U.S. economic ties with Maldives. Fifteen U.S. companies, or their local partners, exhibited as part of an Am [...] | 2007-10-11 03:18:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | BEXP BTIO ENIV ABUD ECON MV |
07COLOMBO1406 | REQUEST FOR TIFA WITH MALDIVES [...] (U) This is an action request for USTR. Please see para two. 2. (SBU) Summary and action request: Post recommends, and seeks USTR guidance on, the start of Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) talks with the Government of the Republic of Maldives (GoRM). Post supports the neg [...] | 2007-10-11 09:04:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ETRD ECON ECIN EINV KISL CE |
07COLOMBO1407 | ARBOUR PROVIDES INTERIM READOUT OF HER VISIT TO [...] (C) Summary: At a working lunch on October 11 UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Louise Arbour expressed doubt that she will be able to negotiate during this trip an increase in the staff of the office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in Colombo with a broad mandate. She wants t [...] | 2007-10-11 09:51:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PREL AORC CE |
07COLOMBO1408 | SRI LANKA: RUMORS ABOUND ABOUT KARUNA'S [...] (S/NF) SUMMARY: On October 8, the Hindustan Times reported that pro-government paramilitary Tamil Makkal Viduthalai Pulikal (TMVP) military commander Chandrakanthan, more commonly known as Pillaiyan, ousted the group's founder Karuna Amman from the party's Executive Committee over "financia [...] | 2007-10-11 11:38:00 | Embassy Colombo | SECRET | PGOV PREL PHUM MOPS CE |
07COLOMBO1421 | ARBOUR CONCLUDES DISAPPOINTING TRIP TO SRI LANKA [...] (C) Summary. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Louise Arbour completed a five-day visit to Sri Lanka on October 14. UN Resident Representative Neil Buhne told Ambassador that Arbour was disappointed in the outcome of her visit and disturbed by the magnitude of the human rights problems [...] | 2007-10-15 10:21:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
07COLOMBO1425 | SRI LANKA: TIGERS STAGE A RAID DEEP IN THE [...] (SBU) On October 15, the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) attacked a Sri Lanka Army (SLA) base in Yala National Sanctuary, located deep in the predominantly Sinhalese portion of the South. Tamilnet, a pro-LTTE web site, reported that Tigers took a cache of weapons and set the camp ab [...] | 2007-10-16 10:25:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PHUM MOPS CE |
07COLOMBO1428 | TAMIL LEADER REFLECTS ON THE CONFLICT, THE EAST [...] No summary [...] | 2007-10-17 08:59:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PTER PGOV CE |
07COLOMBO1439 | SRI LANKA: PRESIDENT PLANS VISIT TO IRAN TO [...] (C) Summary: President Rajapaksa plans to make a state visit to Iran, probably in December. The focus of the visit will be on trade. Iran is Sri Lanka's sixth largest trading partner -- it provides half of Sri Lanka's crude oil imports and is the fourth largest buyer of Sri Lanka's tea. With [...] | 2007-10-19 05:06:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | ETRD ENRG PREL KNNP IR CE |
07COLOMBO1441 | SRI LANKA: NOMINATION FOR SECRETARY'S [...] Embassy Colombo wishes to nominate Ms. Srinithy Nandasekaran of Sri Lanka for the Secretary's International Woman of Courage Award. As one of Sri Lanka's few female attorneys from the ethnic minority Tamil population, Ms. Nandasekaran has worked tirelessly as a lawyer, judge, and human righ [...] | 2007-10-19 09:22:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL PHUM KWMN KPAO CE |
07COLOMBO1444 | SRI LANKA: TAMIL TIGERS ATTACK NORTH CENTRAL AIR [...] (C) Before daybreak on October 21, the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) launched a ground attack on the Sri Lankan Air Force (SLAF) base in Anuradhapura, 210 kilometers north-east of Colombo. Less than an hour later, two LTTE light aircraft dropped bombs over the base, hitting an air [...] | 2007-10-22 10:56:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
07COLOMBO1449 | SRI LANKA: PROPOSED TIP BENCHMARKS [...] In accordance with the Short Term Action Plan for Sri Lanka provided by G/TIP, post recommends the following benchmarks for use in evaluating Government of Sri Lanka progress in combating trafficking in persons: -Working with the International Organization for Migration (IOM),set up and be [...] | 2007-10-23 10:08:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
07COLOMBO1450 | SRI LANKA: AMBASSADOR LAUNCHES US-FUNDED [...] Summary. Ambassador on October 18 hosted a press event to launch a Department of State and USAID-funded anti-trafficking program implemented by the International Organization for Migration (IOM). The event received wide coverage in the Sri Lankan media. The Sri Lanka Police's Women's and Chi [...] | 2007-10-23 10:11:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
07COLOMBO1459 | SRI LANKA: GOVERNMENT PROVIDES WEAK RESPONSE TO [...] (C) Summary. Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama on October 23 provided Charge with an Aide Memoire response to U/S Burns' request for additional information on the GSL's progress on human rights indictments and convictions. The GSL document, although constructive rather than defensive in [...] | 2007-10-24 15:01:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
07COLOMBO1460 | SRI LANKA UNDECIDED ON UNGA THIRD COMMITTEE [...] No summary [...] | 2007-10-25 07:33:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV PREL PHUM KTIA UN CE |
07COLOMBO1461 | MALDIVES UNDECIDED ON IAAC ELECTION [...] No summary [...] | 2007-10-25 07:34:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV PREL AORC UN UNGA MV |
07COLOMBO1462 | MALDIVES: POSITIONS ON UNGA THIRD COMMITTEE [...] No summary [...] | 2007-10-25 07:35:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV PHUM PREL KTIA UN MV |
07COLOMBO1463 | SRI LANKA UNDECIDED ON IAAC ELECTION [...] No summary [...] | 2007-10-25 08:27:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV PREL AORC UN UNGA CE |
07COLOMBO147 | MCC IN SRI LANKA: MAJORITY OF INDICATORS PROBABLY NOW [...] (SBU) SUMMARY AND ACTION REQUEST: Almost three years ago when Sri Lanka qualified as a Millennium Challenge Account candidate country, many of Sri Lanka's MCC indicators were on a positive trend. Since then, the government has changed hands twice and each new government has proven less commi [...] | 2007-01-24 12:31:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON ETRD PHUM SOCI EAID EAIR CE |
07COLOMBO1479 | SRI LANKA: AIR BASE ATTACK RESULTS IN HEAVY [...] SUMMARY: Reports of damage from the October 21 attack on the Anuradhapura air base (ref A) remain varied. The Sri Lankan Air Force (SLAF) reports 8 aircraft destroyed and 14 SLAF casualties, including two pilots. According to a U.S. defense contractor, approximately 75 percent of the SLAF's [...] | 2007-10-30 10:18:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
07COLOMBO148 | SRI LANKA: ATTITUDE SURVEY REVEALS SINHALESE VIEWS [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: A Sri Lankan think tank, the Centre for Policy Alternatives, recently released a study intended to provide a measure of public confidence in the peace process and public opinion on resolving the conflict. This attitude survey provides valuable insight into the views of the maj [...] | 2007-01-24 13:29:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
07COLOMBO1484 | SRI LANKA: UN BRIEFS AMBASSADORS ON RESULTS OF [...] (C) SUMMARY: UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Louise Arbour did not call publicly for an international human rights monitoring mission during her recent visit here. However, she made her desire for international monitoring clear to Sri Lankan government officials in private. The GSL i [...] | 2007-10-31 09:53:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
07COLOMBO1488 | SRI LANKA: DEBUT SOVEREIGN BOND ISSUE RAISES $500 MILLION [...] (SBU) Summary and comment: International investors, 40% of them American, purchased all $500 million of Sri Lanka's first-ever sovereign bond issue, despite domestic opposition efforts to block the sale. The government offered 8.25% coupon bonds with a five-year maturity, and received orders [...] | 2007-11-01 08:53:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EFIN EINV ECON KMCA CE |
07COLOMBO1489 | SRI LANKA: MEDIA COME UNDER NEW FIRE; FIGHT BACK [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: A series of recent government actions against media outlets or individual reporters has given rise to concern that the government may again be trying to muzzle or intimidate media critics. The Information Ministry has withdrawn the broadcasting license of a radio network on the [...] | 2007-11-01 10:06:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PHUM PINS KPAO KDEM CE |
07COLOMBO1492 | SRI LANKA TO ENDORSE UNGA RAPE RESOLUTION [...] No summary [...] | 2007-11-01 11:36:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PHUM UNGA CE |
07COLOMBO1504 | SRI LANKA TO ENDORSE US CANDIDATE FOR IAAC ELECTION [...] No summary [...] | 2007-11-02 08:47:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL PHUM AORC UNGA CE |
07COLOMBO1505 | SRI LANKA CONFIRMS PARTICIPATION IN THE 4TH [...] No summary [...] | 2007-11-02 08:49:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV PREL KDEM PHUM UNGA CE |
07COLOMBO1506 | SRI LANKA: DELIVERY OF FATF GUIDANCE REGARDING IRAN REF: A. SECSTATE 149648 B. COLOMBO 1439 C. COLOMBO 1307 Classified By: Charge d'Affaires James R. Moore for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). [...] No summary [...] | 2007-11-02 08:51:00 | Embassy Colombo | SECRET | EFIN KNNP UNSC IAEA IR CE |
07COLOMBO1509 | SRI LANKA: TIGER POLITICAL WING HEAD KILLED IN AIR [...] (U) LTTE Headquarters announced in a press release on November 2 that LTTE political chief and lead peace negotiator S.P. Thamilchelvan was killed at about 6 a.m. in a Sri Lankan Air Force attack near the LTTE de facto capital of Kilinochchi. Five other LTTE officers, including Lt Col. Anpun [...] | 2007-11-02 09:49:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PTER MOPS PGOV CE |
07COLOMBO152 | SRI LANKA: PRESIDENT STRUGGLING IN ATTEMPT TO WOO [...] (C) SUMMARY: President Rajapaksa has yet to announce his anticipated cabinet reshuffle, leading to confusion and speculation in the media and among our political contacts. The Rajapaksa team is struggling to eke out a bare majority of the parliamentary seats. Both the governing Sri Lanka Fre [...] | 2007-01-25 05:53:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL CE |
07COLOMBO1523 | SRI LANKA: TAMILCHELVAN'S DEATH - AFTERMATH AND [...] (C) SUMMARY: LTTE Police Chief Nadesan has replaced the deceased Tamilchelvan as head of the LTTE political wing, but will continue to serve as head of the LTTE "police." A former Sri Lankan government peace negotiator noted that Nadesan has little experience in the negotiating field. A No [...] | 2007-11-07 13:04:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PTER PHUM MOPS PREL PINR CE |
07COLOMBO1526 | SRI LANKA: GSL HELPED KARUNA ENTER UK ON FALSE [...] (C) SUMMARY: UK High Commissioner Dominic Chilcott briefed Co-Chair Ambassadors on November 7 on the arrest of TMVP leader Karuna Amman for entering the UK on a false Sri Lankan diplomatic passport. Chilcott said there is no question that the GSL, with high-level authorization, knowingly iss [...] | 2007-11-08 11:33:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CVIS CE |
07COLOMBO1527 | SRI LANKA: CO-CHAIRS SEE LITTLE PROSPECT OF A [...] (C) SUMMARY: A meeting of Co-Chair Ambassadors in Colombo on November 5 concluded there will be little scope for promoting new peace talks in the next several months. Participants agreed to propose to capitals that the Co-Chairs principals meet during the first quarter of 2008 in Tokyo. Sever [...] | 2007-11-08 11:43:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS PINR CE |
07COLOMBO1528 | SRI LANKAN FOR MIN TO TRY TO DISSUADE PRESIDENT [...] (C) SUMMARY: Tourism Minister Moragoda told Ambassador that he was traveling to Tehran in mid-November to advance the President's trip to Iran. Embassy has continued to underline our concerns about Iran's proliferation programs and sponsorship of terrorist activities known to the most senior [...] | 2007-11-08 12:23:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS IR CE |
07COLOMBO153 | SRI LANKA: TAMIL PARLIAMENTARIANS FEAR "ETHNIC [...] (C) SUMMARY: Ambassador met with three Members of Parliament from the Tamil National Alliance (TNA),a party which shares the political goals of the LTTE, on January 24. The Tamil representatives said they feared an "ongoing campaign of ethnic cleansing" of Tamils from the east. Ambassador ex [...] | 2007-01-25 10:52:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
07COLOMBO1532 | MALDIVES: ENCOURAGING PROGRESS ON CONSTITUTION; [...] (C) SUMMARY: On the margins of U.S.-Maldives Friendship Week from November 4-6, Ambassador and Poloffs met a number of contacts to discuss the progress of democratic reform in Maldives. Most contacts reported a renewed sense of cooperation between the government and opposition and encoura [...] | 2007-11-09 09:12:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PHUM MV |
07COLOMBO1533 | SRI LANKA: AMBASSADOR PRESSES FOREIGN MINISTER ON [...] (C) SUMMARY: Foreign Minister Bogollagama requested a meeting with Ambassador on November 7 to follow up on Under Secretary Burns's October meetings with President Rajapaksa SIPDIS in New York and the Foreign Minister in Washington (reftel). He and his staff expressed frustration at their l [...] | 2007-11-09 09:29:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
07COLOMBO1534 | AMBASSADOR PRESENTS RADARS AND RIB BOATS TO SRI LANKAN [...] (SBU) Summary: Ambassador handed over to the Sri Lankan Navy Commander a radar-based maritime surveillance system and ten Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats in a ceremony on November 8 at the Trincomalee Base today. In his public remarks, the Ambassador explained that the equipment was transferred u [...] | 2007-11-11 07:19:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | MOPS PREL PTER PGOV CE |
07COLOMBO154 | SRI LANKA: HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVISTS IN CLERGY FACE [...] (C) Summary: Catholic and Protestant clergy engaged in human rights work in the predominantly Tamil North and East report they have received death threats from elements of the Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) security forces and their allied paramilitaries, including that of Social Development M [...] | 2007-01-25 10:56:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
07COLOMBO1542 | MEETING WITH SRI LANKAN DEFENSE SECRETARY ON [...] (C) Ambassador and EU Head of Mission Wilson met with Defense Secretary Rajapaksa on November 13 to present a list of incidents reported by NGOs operating in eastern Sri Lanka in the last year perpetrated by the paramilitary Karuna Group. Secretary Rajapaksa admitted such incidents were stil [...] | 2007-11-14 13:09:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL EAID PHUM CE |
07COLOMBO1546 | SRI LANKA: TIP INTERIM ASSESSMENT [...] (SBU) After meeting with numerous officials from throughout the GSL, Post assesses that the Government acknowledges the trafficking problem in Sri Lanka and is committed to addressing it. However, resource constraints, a lack of coordination among concerned ministries, and systemic problems [...] | 2007-11-15 10:13:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL KCRM KWMN PHUM SMIG CE |
07COLOMBO1550 | IMO COUNCIL ELECTIONS - SRI LANKA AND MALDIVES SUPPORT FOR [...] (SBU) Econoff delivered reftel demarche to Sri Lanka Ministry of Foreign Affairs Deputy Director for the United Nations and Multilateral Affairs Division, Satya Rodrigo. Rodrigo told Econoff that Sri Lanka will support the U.S. candidacy in the upcoming International Maritime Organization (IMO [...] | 2007-11-15 11:43:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | AORC EWWT PHSA PREL CE MV |
07COLOMBO1551 | SRI LANKA: BUDGET VOTE A CLIFFHANGER AS JVP [...] (C) SUMMARY: The leader of the principal Sinhalese nationalist party, the JVP, with 37 seats in Parliament, told a rally of supporters on November 13 that the party would not support the government on the crucial budget vote unless its conditions were met. He demanded that the President agree [...] | 2007-11-15 12:20:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
07COLOMBO1554 | SRI LANKA: TRO DESIGNATION WELCOMED BY GOVERNMENT [...] No summary [...] | 2007-11-16 10:55:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | KTFN PTER PREL SL |
07COLOMBO1560 | MALDIVES FEEDBACK ON EAST AFRICA SOUTH WEST INDIAN OCEAN [...] (U) Econoff thanked Maldives for their participation in the 2007 East Africa South West Indian Ocean Maritime Security (EASWIO) Conference, and discussed reftel with Maldives Ministry of Transport and Communication's Director of Ports and Maritime, Mohamed Latheef. Latheef led the five-person [...] | 2007-11-19 10:43:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EWWT MARR PREL MV |
07COLOMBO1562 | SRI LANKA: GSL ARM-TWISTING SUCCEEDS IN GETTING [...] (C) SUMMARY: The government came to its own rescue in a must-win budget vote, using every means at its disposal to ensure passage of its budget in the second reading. President Rajapaksa was once again able to outmaneuver opposition leader Ranil Wickremesinghe. In the process, Rajapaksa repo [...] | 2007-11-19 12:12:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
07COLOMBO1564 | SRI LANKA: TRO ASSET FREEZE ALIENATES TAMILS [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: Tamils and some non-Tamil Sri Lankans have conveyed to post predictably negative reactions to the U.S. Government's Executive Order 13224 designation of the Tamils Rehabilitation Organisation (TRO)(ref A). They assert the move will hurt Tamils and embolden the government to ta [...] | 2007-11-19 12:27:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | KTFN PTER PREL PHUM CE |
07COLOMBO1565 | SRI LANKA: TRO DESIGNATION WELCOMED BY GOVERNMENT [...] (C) Summary and comment: Ambassador informed the Government of Sri Lanka the evening of November 15 of the forthcoming U.S. designation of the Tamils Rehabilitation Organisation shortly before Treasury's Washington announcement of the Executive Order 13224 designation. The government welcomed [...] | 2007-11-20 10:42:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | KTFN PTER PREL SL |
07COLOMBO158 | Respected NGO Analyst Tells Donor Ambassadors to Expect Protracted Conflict in Sri Lanka [...] No summary [...] | 2007-01-25 12:30:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL MOPS PTER EAID CE PHUM |
07COLOMBO1580 | SRI LANKA: INCSR PART II 2007-2008 SUBMISSION [...] The following is Embassy Colombo's International Narcotics Control Strategy Report (INCSR) Part II regarding money laundering and financial crimes, per request in reftel. 2. Begin text: Sri Lanka Sri Lanka is neither an important regional financial center nor a preferred center for money [...] | 2007-11-21 11:34:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | KCRM EFIN KTFN SNAR KMCA CE |
07COLOMBO1581 | SRI LANKA AND MALDIVES: UPDATED CONTACT INFORMATION [...] Contact information for Embassy Sections. a. AMB: Robert O. Blake, Jr. Office: 94-11-249-8640 Cell: 94-77-347-6592 b. DCM: James Moore Office: 94-11-249-8640 Cell: 94-77-770-9571 c. POL: Michael DeTar Office: 94-11-249-876 [...] | 2007-11-23 05:50:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV AMGT CE |
07COLOMBO1582 | SRI LANKA: EMINENT PERSONS FRUSTRATED, DECIDE TO [...] (C) SUMMARY: The members of the International Independent Panel of Eminent Persons assisting the Sri Lankan Presidential Commission of Inquiry into Human Rights Abuses feel their efforts have been stymied and concluded they can do little more to influence events in a positive way. A letter [...] | 2007-11-23 11:42:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
07COLOMBO1588 | MALDIVES: CONSTITUTIONAL PROPOSAL TO DISQUALIFY [...] (SBU) On November 24, pro-government members of the Special Majlis (constituent assembly charged with drafting a new constitution) put forward two proposed changes which would effectively bar former Attorney General Hassan Saeed from running in the country's first multi-candidate Presidential [...] | 2007-11-26 11:37:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PHUM KDEM MV |
07COLOMBO1601 | LTTE CHIEF SAYS INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: In his annual "Heroes' Day" speech, LTTE supremo Prabhakaran reiterated his litany of charges against the majority Sinhalese community in Sri Lanka. However, Prabhakaran went further than he has before in condemning what he sees as the international community's passivity in the [...] | 2007-11-28 13:38:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PTER MOPS PGOV PHUM CE |
07COLOMBO1603 | SRI LANKA: WORST FORMS OF CHILD LABOR UPDATE - NOV 2007 [...] As requested by Ref A, below is an update of the worst forms of child labor information for Sri Lanka. Child Labor Legislation ----------------------- 2. Sri Lanka ratified International Labor Organization (ILO) Convention 138 on Minimum Age for Employment on November 2, 2000, and ILO [...] | 2007-11-29 11:01:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | ELAB EIND ETRD PHUM SOCI CE |
07COLOMBO1604 | SRI LANKA: TIGERS RESUME ATTACKS IN COLOMBO [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: A bomb exploded near a clothing store in a crowded shopping mall in Nugegoda, a southern suburb of Colombo, at 5:55 p.m. on November 28. The attack may have been a reprisal for an alleged attack on a bus transporting schoolchildren near the Tamil Tiger de facto capital of Kil [...] | 2007-11-29 12:02:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
07COLOMBO1616 | SRI LANKA: ARMY, POLICE ROUND UP TAMILS WHILE [...] (C) SUMMARY: On November 30 - December 3, Sri Lankan security forces conducted random arrests and cordon and search operations, rounding up approximately 2500 Tamils in Colombo and suburbs and perhaps 3500 island-wide. Some of the detainees were released within hours, others were transported [...] | 2007-12-04 13:51:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
07COLOMBO1618 | SRI LANKAN ARMY HOLDS HUMAN RIGHTS SEMINAR FOR [...] Summary: The Sri Lankan Army organized on December 4-7 a three-day seminar on "Human Rights, International Humanitarian Law, Disaster Response and Military Civilian Relations" for all of its battalion field commanders in the northern and eastern parts of Sri Lanka (where fighting is heaviest [...] | 2007-12-05 02:31:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | PHUM MARR PTER PREL CE |
07COLOMBO162 | SUPPORTING A BELEAGUERED TAMIL PRESS [...] (C) Summary: Ambassador and PAO called on beleaguered Tamil dailies "Tinakkural" and Sudar Oli" to demonstrate support for a free press. Ambassador agreed to try to help solve specific problems with their Jaffna editions, in immediate danger of closing due to lack of newsprint and other suppli [...] | 2007-01-26 09:10:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | KPAO PHUM CE |
07COLOMBO1627 | BUSINESS FACILITATION INCENTIVE FUND: SRI LANKA [...] No summary [...] | 2007-12-05 11:54:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | BEXP BTIO ENIV ABUD CE |
07COLOMBO1640 | CONVERSATION WITH PRESIDENT RAJAPAKSA ON THE WAY [...] (S) Summary: In a series of short conversations with Ambassador on December 6 during a trip to his home town of Tangalle, President Rajapaksa expressed confidence his government would win the third and final budget vote on December 14, but was less clear on the way forward after that. Rajapa [...] | 2007-12-07 11:32:00 | Embassy Colombo | SECRET | PREL PGOV CE |
07COLOMBO1641 | ISRAELI AMBASSADOR DISCUSSES ISRAELI RELATIONS [...] (C) In an introductory meeting on December 7, Israel's new Ambassador to Sri Lanka Mark Sofer (who is resident in New Delhi) told Ambassador that after presenting his credentials to President Rajapaksa and several days of consultations in Colombo he had noted considerable pessimism about the [...] | 2007-12-07 11:32:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PTER CE IR IS |
07COLOMBO1651 | IIGEP INFORMS DONORS IT IS LEAVING IN MARCH [...] (SBU) As reported reftel, the International Independent Group of Eminent Persons (IIGEP) has decided to end its work in Sri Lanka by March 2008. IIGEP informed the Government of Sri Lanka of this on December 7. Ambassador received the following letter dated December 4 from IIGEP. BEGIN ME [...] | 2007-12-12 09:47:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL PHUM MOPS PTER CE |
07COLOMBO1652 | SRI LANKA'S RELATIONS WITH UN DETERIORATING [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: The last month has seen a deterioration in the UN's already shaky relations with Sri Lanka. On November 12, JVP parliamentary floor leader Wimal Weerawansa made a speech to parliament in which he accused UNICEF of supporting the LTTE through contributions of money and vehicles. [...] | 2007-12-12 10:53:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL AORC PHUM MOPS CE |
07COLOMBO1656 | SRI LANKA: GOVERNMENT STRUGGLES FOR SURVIVAL ON [...] (C) SUMMARY: The third and final reading of the budget on December 14 is shaping up as a battle royal for the government's survival -- and the government is losing ground in the count. On December 12, Sri Lankan Muslim Congress leader Rauff Hakeem and three of his five Members of Parliament [...] | 2007-12-12 12:04:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
07COLOMBO1661 | SRI LANKA: 2008 BUDGET WOULD BOOST DEFENSE AND TRANSFERS TO RAJAPAKSA CONSTITUENTS [...] (SBU) Summary and comment: The Rajapaksa government could survive or fall depending on the outcome of a December 14 final vote on its 2008 budget. The proposed budget continues the president's emphasis on high taxes to fund big government and transfers to his primary constituents: civil servan [...] | 2007-12-13 10:55:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON EFIN KMCA PGOV CE |
07COLOMBO1666 | MALDIVIAN OPPOSITION PARTIES JOIN FORCES, ENDORSE [...] (C) SUMMARY: Opposition parties and other political groups in Maldives have formed a National Unity Alliance (NUA) and called for a transitional government that would run Maldives from the time the new constitution comes into effect until new officials can be elected. Member parties, includ [...] | 2007-12-14 11:25:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PHUM MV |
07COLOMBO1667 | SRI LANKA: FOREIGN SECRETARY COMPLAINS ABOUT U.S. [...] (C) DCM and Pol Chief were summoned by Foreign Secretary Palitha Kohona on December 13 to discuss proceedings at the Human Rights Council in Geneva. Kohona expressed the government's objection to the U.S. delegation's statement in support of the High Commissioner for Human Rights Louise Arbo [...] | 2007-12-14 11:49:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
07COLOMBO1676 | MALDIVES: AHMED KHALEEL NEW PERMREP IN NEW YORK [...] On December 13, Embassy received a diplomatic note dated December 10, 2007, announcing the appointment of Ahmed Khaleel as Maldives' Permanent Representative to the United Nations. [begin text] The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Maldives presents its compliments to the Emb [...] | 2007-12-18 09:11:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL OVIP PINR UN MV |
07COLOMBO1677 | SRI LANKA: GOVERNMENT SCRAPES TOGETHER A FINAL [...] SUMMARY: On December 14, the United People's Freedom Alliance passed its budget with a majority of 47 votes. The Government's victory was not assured until the JVP decided, in the final hours before the vote, to abstain. The decision to abstain, after voting against the budget in the first tw [...] | 2007-12-18 11:04:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
07COLOMBO168 | SRI LANKA: NAVY CLAIMS IT AVERTS TAMIL TIGER [...] (S) Summary: Government of Sri Lanka military sources described to DATT on January 27 an attempted Tamil Tiger (LTTE) attack on the Colombo Port that morning in which the Navy destroyed three suspected "Sea Tiger" vessels, two of them suicide boats, disguised as fishing craft. Local weekend [...] | 2007-01-29 12:40:00 | Embassy Colombo | SECRET | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
07COLOMBO1680 | Sri Lanka - DCHA/FFP Monitoring Report on WFP [...] Summary: From November 25 to December 4, 2007 USAID/DCHA Food for Peace Officer (FFP/O) visited Sri Lanka to monitor the UN World Food Program (WFP) Protracted Relief and Recovery Operation (PRRO),which receives U.S. Title II Emergency Assistance. FFP/O visited multiple sites in the conflict [...] | 2007-12-19 03:55:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EAID PGOV PHUM PREF PINS CE |
07COLOMBO1687 | MCC DECISION NOT TO RE-SELECT SRI LANKA FOR COMPACT [...] (SBU) Sri Lanka's national focal point for Millennium Challenge Account issues, Secretary of Ministry of Plan Implementation Dhara Wijayatilake, contacted Econoff December 20 to seek clarification regarding the MCC board's December 12 decision regarding Sri Lanka. Wijayatilake had seen a local [...] | 2007-12-20 10:58:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EAID KMCA PREL CE |
07COLOMBO1688 | SRI LANKA: GOVERNMENT HOLDS SUCCESSFUL TIP [...] On December 13, the Ministry of Child Development and Women's Empowerment hosted a four-hour roundtable discussion on trafficking in persons (TIP) with key stakeholders in the Government of Sri Lanka (GSL). The goal of the meeting was to share information and best practices, foster more effe [...] | 2007-12-20 11:43:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | KCRM KWMN PHUM PGOV CE |
07COLOMBO1689 | GOVERNMENT ISSUES PUBLIC STATEMENT IN SUPPORT OF [...] Summary: At the urging of the U.S., EU and UN in Sri Lanka, the Government of Sri Lanka issued a public statement on December 15 expressing its "support for, and confidence in, United Nations operations in Sri Lanka" and "the efforts of the international agencies in humanitarian assistance and [...] | 2007-12-20 12:00:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | AORC PREL CE |
07COLOMBO1698 | MINISTER PEIRIS PREVIEWS PRESIDENTIAL INITIATIVE [...] (C) Summary: In a one-on-one meeting with the Ambassador on December 20, Trade Minister GL Peiris (who was one of the Government's former chief negotiators in the 2002-3 talks with the LTTE) previewed a new initiative the President has asked him to draft to begin to redress Tamil grievances. [...] | 2007-12-21 08:42:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PTER PGOV CE |
07COLOMBO170 | SRI LANKA: CABINET RESHUFFLE NARROWS MAJORITY FOR [...] (C) SUMMARY: President Mahinda Rajapaksa reshuffled his cabinet on January 28. Joining the government ranks were 18 "dissident" MPs from the opposition United National Party (UNP) and all 6 MPs from the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC). This gave the government, which previously had 98 seat [...] | 2007-01-29 15:15:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS ETRD EINV CE |
07COLOMBO1707 | SRI LANKA: IRAN REFINERY OFFER COMPLICATES PICTURE FOR US [...] (SBU) Summary: Iran's recent promise to finance a $750 million expansion of Sri Lanka's sole oil refinery complicates the ambitions of U.S. firms Global Energy and ENGlobal to secure contracts for similar refinery investments. The head of the state-owned Ceylon Petroleum Corporation doubts Ira [...] | 2007-12-31 08:33:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EINV ENRG PREL CE IR |
07COLOMBO1708 | SRI LANKA: GOVERNMENT UPS WAR RHETORIC, FIGHTING [...] (C) Summary. In late December, Sri Lanka's Defense Secretary, Prime Minister, and Army Commander spoke out SIPDIS confidently on the GSL's prospects of defeating the LTTE militarily. Meanwhile, heavy fighting continued in several areas in the North. The GSL's statements and actions conf [...] | 2007-12-31 08:45:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
07COLOMBO175 | SRI LANKA: NEW FOREIGN MINISTER TO MAKE INDIA HIS [...] (C) Summary. Indian High Commissioner Alok Prasad informed the Ambassador on January 30 that new Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama is traveling this evening to New Delhi for introductory calls on the Government of India (GOI). Prasad suggested the U.S. and India should combine efforts t [...] | 2007-01-30 14:43:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
07COLOMBO176 | SRI LANKA: HUMAN RIGHTS MINISTER VOWS NOT TO TAKE [...] (C) Summary. Ambassador met with Minister of Disaster Relief and Human Rights Mahinda Samarasinghe January 30 to share with him a list of suggested actions the Government could take to address the human rights situation. The deeply frustrated Minister (strictly protect throughout) expressed [...] | 2007-01-30 14:43:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
07COLOMBO181 | SRI LANKA TO SIGN ACQUISITION AND CROSS SERVICING [...] On December 7, 2006, Ambassador and Office of Defense Cooperation (ODC) Chief met with Sri Lankan Defense Secretary Gothabaya Rajapaksa to provide background information (see para 4) on a Acquisition and Cross Servicing Agreement (ACSA) and a the draft ACSA proposed for signature. See paragra [...] | 2007-01-31 10:27:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | MARR PREL MOPS CE |
07COLOMBO186 | SRI LANKA: RULING PARTY LURES 8 MORE CROSSOVERS [...] (C) Eight out of nine Members of Parliament (MPs) from the Buddhist monk-based Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU) announced on January 31 that they have joined the Government. JHU MP Venerable Omalpe Sobitha Thero resigned to allow the party's Policy Formulator, Champika Ranawaka, to become an MP. R [...] | 2007-01-31 11:51:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
07COLOMBO188 | SRI LANKA: RULING PARTY LURES 8 MORE CROSSOVERS [...] (C) Eight out of nine Members of Parliament (MPs) from the Buddhist monk-based Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU) announced on January 31 that they have joined the Government. JHU MP Venerable Omalpe Sobitha Thero resigned to allow the party's Policy Formulator, Champika Ranawaka, to become an MP. R [...] | 2007-01-31 12:08:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
07COLOMBO189 | SRI LANKA: NORWEGIAN AMBASSADOR SAYS TIGERS WILL [...] (C) Summary: Ambassador met Norwegian Ambassador Hans Brattskar on January 31 to discuss the January 28-29 Sri Lanka Development Forum and the ramifications of the Government of Sri Lanka's (GSL) military victories in Vakarai and elsewhere in the east. The Ambassadors shared concerns over sp [...] | 2007-01-31 12:24:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
07COLOMBO20 | SRI LANKA: NEW HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION CHAIR - A [...] (C) SUMMARY: President Rajapaksa has named former Sri Lankan Supreme Court justice Anandacoomaraswamy chair of the national Human Rights Commission (HRC),circumventing a constitutional requirement that an independent council appoint the heads of national commissions. Sri Lanka's human right [...] | 2007-01-05 06:30:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PHUM PTER CE |
07COLOMBO200 | IMI - OIL EXPLORATION IN SRI LANKA [...] Sri Lanka is hoping to begin offshore oil prospecting soon. Seismic surveys and airborne gravity surveys have confirmed the possible existence of petroleum resources in Sri Lanka's territorial waters off the northern and western coasts, in the Cauvery basin in the Palk Straits (between Sri Lan [...] | 2007-02-05 09:46:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | KTDB ECON ETRD ENRG CE |
07COLOMBO211 | REQUEST FOR NIH ACCOUNTS TO ACCESS MALDIVES DATA [...] No summary [...] | 2007-02-05 12:14:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | TBIO SENV PREL CE MV |
07COLOMBO212 | SRI LANKA AND MALDIVES - NO TOBACCO-RELATED ACTIVITIES [...] No summary [...] | 2007-02-05 12:15:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | ECON EAGR ETRD CE MV |
07COLOMBO214 | SRI LANKA: DEFENSE SECRETARY RECKONS TIGER GROUND [...] (C) Summary: Defense Secretary Gothabaya Rajapaksa offered his interpretation of the government security forces' January victory in Vakarai to Ambassador and DATT on February 5 and explained the government's current military strategy. Gothabaya noted that the security forces encountered pred [...] | 2007-02-05 13:12:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
07COLOMBO215 | SRI LANKA: MONK-BASED JHU INSISTS GSL SHOULD SEEK [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: On February 2, Ambassador met with several members of the Buddhist monk-based Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU),including newly appointed environment minister Champika Ranawaka (reftel). JHU representatives said the government should crush the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) [...] | 2007-02-05 13:15:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL PHUM PTER CE |
07COLOMBO221 | NORWEGIAN AMBASSADOR'S VISIT TO "TENSE" KILINOCHCHI [...] Summary: In a February 5 readout of his February 1-2 visit to Kilinochchi, Norwegian Ambassador Brattskar described the mood in the area as very tense. LTTE spokesman and chief negotiator Tamilselvan complained to Brattskar that the Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) had gone to war by occupying V [...] | 2007-02-06 08:21:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PTER PGOV CE |
07COLOMBO227 | MALDIVES: AMBASSADOR ADVOCATES BOEING AND WINDPOWER SALES [...] (U) SUMMARY: Ambassador Blake advocated for the purchase of Boeing aircraft by a Maldivian airline and the expansion of an upcoming wind power pilot project utilizing US-made wind turbines during his January 16 visit to the Maldives. Either of these sales could significantly boost US exports [...] | 2007-02-06 11:37:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON EINV ENRG EAIR ETRD MV |
07COLOMBO228 | SRI LANKA: LIMITED EFFORTS TO ADDRESS INDOOR AIR POLLUTION [...] Summary: Government involvement in Indoor Air Pollution (IAP) issues in Sri Lanka is at an early stage. Although IAP was discussed at the country's first national symposium on air resource management in 2004, limited progress has been made in this area. The Ministry of Environment and Natural [...] | 2007-02-06 11:38:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | ECON SENV ETRD PHUM SOCI EAID CE |
07COLOMBO229 | SRI LANKA: OPPOSITION LEADER SAYS PROGRESS ON [...] (C) SUMMARY: The Ambassador met with Ranil Wickremesinghe, leader of the major opposition United National Party (UNP),on February 5, soon after 18 UNP parliamentarians joined the government to accept ministerial posts (ref). Wickremesinghe said he would not attempt to expel the "crossovers" f [...] | 2007-02-06 11:48:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PHUM PTER CE |
07COLOMBO23 | NEW ECONOMIC COUNCIL APPOINTED BY PRESIDENT [...] (U) SUMMARY: On December 26, 2006, President Mahinda Rajapaksa chaired the inaugural meeting of Sri Lanka's new Economic Council. The President appointed this council, comprised of the nation's top economic experts to advise the Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) on economic affairs, and to engage [...] | 2007-01-08 05:51:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON EFIN ETRD CE |
07COLOMBO230 | SRI LANKA: NEW MEGA-CABINET BOOSTS RAJAPAKSA [...] (C) Summary. President Mahinda Rajapaksa's recent cabinet reshuffle has served to consolidate his and his brothers' control, particularly over the all-important defense portfolio. The new United National Party (UNP) ministers have settled for distinctly secondary ministries, while their de [...] | 2007-02-06 12:43:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
07COLOMBO231 | FOREIGN MINISTER OUTLINES INITIAL PRIORITIES AND [...] (SBU) Sri Lanka's new Foreign Minister Rohita Bogollagama convoked diplomatic heads of mission on February 6 to outline his initial priorities and travel plans. Noting his prior experience as Minister of Industries, then Minister of Enterprise Development and Investment Promotion, Bogollagam [...] | 2007-02-06 13:02:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL PTER PGOV CE |
07COLOMBO232 | FOREIGN MINISTER OUTLINES INITIAL PRIORITIES AND [...] (SBU) Sri Lanka's new Foreign Minister Rohita Bogollagama convoked diplomatic heads of mission on February 6 to outline his initial priorities and travel plans. Noting his prior experience as Minister of Industries, then Minister of Enterprise Development and Investment Promotion, Bogollagama [...] | 2007-02-07 02:46:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL PTER PGOV CE |
07COLOMBO241 | PRESS CONFERENCE TO PUBLICIZE POSITIVE WORK OF [...] The Ambassador and EU Head of Mission Wilson organized on February 7 a press conference to publicize the positive work that international NGOs are performing in Sri Lanka and condemn the recent campaign to discredit international NGOs. The German Ambassador (and EU President),the U.S. Ambass [...] | 2007-02-08 06:55:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | EAID PREL PGOV CE |
07COLOMBO244 | COUNTRY CLEARANCE GRANTED FOR GEOFF MOYLE, ANURA [...] Post grants country clearance to consultants Geoff Moyle, Anura Widananpathirana, Ed Ely and John Standingford of URS Corporation to travel to Sri Lanka from January 23 to February 23, 2007. The purpose of the trip is to continue due diligence on the Infrastructure and ESA portions of the GOSL' [...] | 2007-02-08 11:30:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | EAID KMCA ECON ORTA KPAO AFIN OVIP CE |
07COLOMBO249 | SRI LANKA: NEW FOREIGN MINISTER AFFIRMS COMMITMENT [...] (C) SUMMARY: Ambassador paid his initial call on new Foreign Minister Bogollagama on February 8. Ambassador reviewed U.S. support for Sri Lanka in its fight against LTTE terrorism. He also underlined serious U.S. concerns about Sri Lanka's deteriorating human rights and humanitarian situati [...] | 2007-02-09 09:06:00 | Embassy Colombo | SECRET | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
07COLOMBO25 | SRI LANKA'S UNIVERSITY SYSTEM FAILING TO MEET STUDENT AND [...] SUMMARY: Sri Lanka's government-run university system is able to accommodate about 15 percent of eligible secondary school graduates, and the population of potential students is growing much faster than the universities can expand. The University Grants Commission (UGC),a government body, de [...] | 2007-01-08 09:35:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | ECON ELAB EIND ETRD CE |
07COLOMBO250 | SRI LANKA: GROWING COUT AND APPEAL OF NON-WESTERN [...] (SBU) Summary and comment: Sri Lanka is increasingly looking to non-Western partners like China, India, Korea, Malaysia, and even Iran to fund major infrastructure projects. These donors are promising aid without conditions, while the World Bank, Asian Development Bank, European donors and t [...] | 2007-02-09 09:42:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | EAID EINV PREL CE CH IN IR JA KS MY |
07COLOMBO251 | INVESTMENT CLIMATE STATEMENT, 2007 - MALDIVES [...] Per reftel, below is the investment climate statement for Maldives for 2007. INVESTMENT CLIMATE STATEMENT-MALDIVES FEBRUARY 2007 Investment Climate --Introduction Maldives is comprised of over 1,190 islands, of which 198 are inhabited and 87 are exclusive resort islands. Populati [...] | 2007-02-09 09:47:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | KTDB OPIC ECON USTR EINV EFIN ETRD ELAB PGOV |
07COLOMBO254 | SRI LANKA: NEW FOREIGN MINISTER AFFIRMS COMMITMENT [...] (C) SUMMARY: Ambassador paid his initial call on new Foreign Minister Bogollagama on February 8. Ambassador reviewed U.S. support for Sri Lanka in its fight against LTTE terrorism. He also underlined serious U.S. concerns about Sri Lanka's deteriorating human rights and humanitarian situati [...] | 2007-02-09 10:14:00 | Embassy Colombo | SECRET | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
07COLOMBO255 | SRI LANKA: NEW FOREIGN MINISTER AFFIRMS COMMITMENT [...] (C) SUMMARY: Ambassador paid his initial call on new Foreign Minister Bogollagama on February 8. Ambassador reviewed U.S. support for Sri Lanka in its fight against LTTE terrorism. He also underlined serious U.S. concerns about Sri Lanka's deteriorating human rights and humanitarian situati [...] | 2007-02-09 10:14:00 | Embassy Colombo | SECRET | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
07COLOMBO256 | UN A/SYG KANE PROPOSES HUMAN RIGHTS MONITORS TO [...] (C) Assistant Secretary General for Political Affairs Angela Kane briefed on February 9 Co-Chair Ambassadors regarding her current visit to Sri Lanka. She has met with Sri Lanka's Foreign Minister, Human Rights Minister, political party leaders and other senior government officials to gain a [...] | 2007-02-09 10:44:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM AORC PGOV CE |
07COLOMBO257 | SRI LANKA: AMBASSADOR URGES PRESIDENTIAL [...] (C) Summary: In a candid, hour-long meeting with President Rajapaksa on February 9, Ambassador pressed the President to show personal leadership in taking concrete steps to improve his government's human rights performance. Rajapaksa weighed in against a proposal by members of Congress to app [...] | 2007-02-12 11:16:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
07COLOMBO263 | SRI LANKA: PRESIDENT SACKS THREE MINISTERS, [...] (U) On February 9, President Rajapaksa dismissed Ministers Anura Bandaranaike (National Heritage portfolio) and Mangala Samaraweera (Ports and Aviation portfolio and Foreign Minister until the January 28 cabinet reshuffle),as well as non-cabinet Minister Sripathi Sooriarachchi (Ports portfoli [...] | 2007-02-12 12:39:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV CE |
07COLOMBO264 | SRI LANKA: GOVERNMENT ROUNDS UP ALLEGED SINHALESE [...] (C) SUMMARY: On February 5, three Sinhalese members of the Railway Services Trade Union disappeared. Three days after the abduction, Defense Spokesman Rambukwella announced that the Army had arrested the three men on allegations that they had links to the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (L [...] | 2007-02-12 13:12:00 | Embassy Colombo | SECRET | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
07COLOMBO265 | SRI LANKA: MILITARY VICTORIES IN THE EAST PAVE WAY [...] (C) Summary: The military victories of the Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) security forces against the Tamil Tigers (LTTE) in Vakarai, Sampur and elsewhere in the eastern province mark a significant change in the balance of power. The consensus, with which we agree, is that the capture of Vakara [...] | 2007-02-12 13:20:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM ECON MOPS CE |
07COLOMBO266 | ANTI-TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS (TIP) ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: On February 7 the Ambassador hosted a round-table discussion on trafficking in persons with 12 NGO representatives and three government officials working in related fields. Although there was no single working definition of "trafficking" or common assessment of the scope of th [...] | 2007-02-12 13:26:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PHUM ELAB ASEC PREF KCRM KWMN SMIG KFRD CE |
07COLOMBO274 | MODERATE TAMILS SEARCH FOR ALTERNATIVES [...] (C) Summary. Ambassador MET on February 9 with Ahilan Kadirgamar of the Sri Lanka Democracy Forum, a group of moderate Tamil expatriates. Kadirgamar, who is based in the U.S., was critical of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam's (LTTE) monopoly over Tamil politics and saw the breakaway [...] | 2007-02-13 12:31:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
07COLOMBO28 | SRI LANKA: TWO BUS BOMBS KILL 21 IN SINHALESE [...] (C) Summary: A January 5 bomb blast on a passenger bus in the Western Province town of Nittambuwa killed five and injured 50. On January 6, a second bus bomb near the southern coastal town of Hikkaduwa killed at least 15 people, and injured 42. Both buses originated in Colombo. The indepen [...] | 2007-01-08 11:49:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PTER PGOV MOPS PREL PHUM CE |
07COLOMBO281 | UNP WITHDRAWS FROM APRC BUT PLEDGES TO SUPPORT [...] (C) Upon receipt of press reports that the opposition UNP party planned to abandon the all-parties committee process, Ambassador called UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe to express concern and reaffirm the crucial role the UNP has to play in working with the government to develop a strong and [...] | 2007-02-14 10:37:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PTER PGOV CE |
07COLOMBO286 | CO-CHAIR AMBASSADORS DISCUSS POLICY IMPLICATIONS [...] (C) Summary: Ambassador hosted on February 14 a meeting with Co-Chair Ambassadors and Indian High Commissioner Prasad to agree on positions we should recommend that capitals take on the key policy issues that Co-Chairs now face as a result of the Sri Lankan military's victories in the east [...] | 2007-02-14 13:01:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PTER PGOV CE |
07COLOMBO289 | MALDIVES: STRATEGY FOR ENGAGING ONE OF ISLAMIC [...] (SBU) Maldives is a moderate, pro-American Islamic country that cooperates on American military objectives and is responsive to US advice on reform and openness. In a generation, it has gone from being South Asia's poorest country to that with the region's highest per-capita income. However, [...] | 2007-02-15 10:48:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL MASS MARR ECON ETRD AMGT OEXC KPAO |
07COLOMBO290 | SRI LANKA: PRODUCTIVE KICKOFF FOR IIGEP [...] (C) Summary. The eleven members of the International Independent Group of Eminent Persons (IIGEP) met February 12 for the first time with each other and with the Government of Sri Lanka's (GSL) recently established Commission of Inquiry (COI) into human rights abuses, which they will be obse [...] | 2007-02-15 11:51:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
07COLOMBO292 | SRI LANKA: TWO SACKED MINISTERS CRITICIZE [...] (U) Recently dismissed ministers Mangala Samaraweera and Sripathy Suriyarachchi (reftel) strongly criticized President Mahinda Rajapaksa at press conference they held at the Parliament building on February 15. Ex-Foreign Minister Samaraweera said he would not accept any ministerial post under [...] | 2007-02-15 12:16:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PHUM PTER CE |
07COLOMBO294 | SRI LANKA: GERMAN EMBASSY PROTESTS HARASSMENT OF [...] (C) SUMMARY: The German Ambassador has lodged a protest with Foreign Minister Bogollagama regarding separate recent incidents in Trincomalee and Batticaloa involving their aid agency and, apparently, members of the LTTE splitoff "Karuna group." German Technical Cooperation (GTZ),the German [...] | 2007-02-16 08:58:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS EAID CE |
07COLOMBO302 | SRI LANKA: AFTER THE FALL OF VAKARAI, GOVERNMENT [...] (C) Summary: An Embassy team that visited Vakarai on February 14 was the first group of foreign diplomats into the area since the Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) retook the strategic coastal town from the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) last month. Demining operations and infrastruct [...] | 2007-02-20 13:39:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PTER PHUM MOPS EAID CA |
07COLOMBO303 | SRI LANKA: PRESS COVERAGE FOR SIGNING OF ACQUISITION AND [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: With Department concurrence, Post plans to sign an Acquisition and Cross Servicing Agreement (ACSA) with the government of Sri Lanka on or about February 28, 2007. Because of the risk that the agreement could be misconstrued by local parties pursuing domestic political agendas, [...] | 2007-02-20 13:55:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | KPAO PREL MOPS MASS CE |
07COLOMBO304 | SRI LANKA: PRESS COVERAGE FOR SIGNING OF ACQUISITION AND [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: With Department concurrence, Post plans to sign an Acquisition and Cross Servicing Agreement (ACSA) with the government of Sri Lanka on or about February 28, 2007. Because of the risk that the agreement could be misconstrued by local parties pursuing domestic political agendas, [...] | 2007-02-20 13:56:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | KPAO PREL MOPS MASS CE |
07COLOMBO316 | SRI LANKA: 5-YEAR CEASEFIRE ANNIVERSARY INSPIRES [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: February 22 marks the five-year anniversary of the Cease-fire Agreement (CFA),which has inspired renewed calls to abandon the peace process. A group of Buddhist monks from the National Bhikku Front, officially backed by the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP),mounted a hunger [...] | 2007-02-22 11:57:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
07COLOMBO322 | SRI LANKA: UK CONSIDERING CANCELING TSUNAMI DEBT RELIEF [...] (SBU) Summary: The UK is considering canceling $80 million in debt relief provided to Sri Lanka following the 2004 tsunami because of concerns that Sri Lanka is not meeting pro-peace conditions of the debt relief agreement. The UK's privately-conveyed concerns were leaked to the Sri Lankan pre [...] | 2007-02-23 09:42:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EAID PGOV CE |
07COLOMBO324 | SRI LANKA: CABINET RESHUFFLE AND SACKING OF [...] (C) Summary. The effects of the President Rajapaksa's strategy of luring crossovers and reshuffling the Cabinet are still rumbling through both of Sri Lanka's main political parties. Senior Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) Vice President D.M. Jayaratne held talks on February 21 in an attempt [...] | 2007-02-23 12:28:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
07COLOMBO326 | SRI LANKA: FORMIN PROMISES DEVOLUTION PROPOSAL; [...] (C) SUMMARY: Ambassador called on Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama and Foreign Secretary Palitha Kohona on February 23 at their request. Bogollagama assured us that the All Party Representative Committee (APRC) devolution proposal would be ready soon, perhaps before Bogollagama's propo [...] | 2007-02-26 12:18:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
07COLOMBO327 | SRI LANKA: NO DECISION YET ON U.S. WTO TAFT GOODS [...] Summary: The Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) will not make a decision on the U.S. WTO textiles, apparel, footwear and travel goods (TAFT) negotiating text until it meets with apparel producers later this week. End summary. 2. Econoff delivered the TAFT negotiating text to senior government o [...] | 2007-02-26 12:54:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | ECON ETRD WTO CE |
07COLOMBO328 | ATTACK ON AMBASSADOR'S CONVOY IN BATTICALOA [...] On February 27, 2007 Ambassador Blake and the German, Italian, Japanese and French Ambassadors accompanied Minister of Disaster Management and Human Rights Mahinda Samarasinghe and representatives of the United Nations and international non-governmental organizations on a day trip to observe [...] | 2007-02-27 09:49:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | ASEC PTER PREL PGOV MOPS |
07COLOMBO332 | R/V ROGER REVELLE CLEARANCE REQUEST SUBMITTED [...] No summary [...] | 2007-02-28 03:29:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | KRVC TPHY EWWT CE |
07COLOMBO333 | COUNTRY CLEARANCE GRANTED FOR OPIC OFFICIALS DIANA JENSEN [...] Post grants country clearance to OPIC officials Diana Jensen, Senior Investment Officer and Barbara Gibian, Assistant General Counsel to travel to Colombo, Sri Lanka, arriving on or about March 7, 2007 and departing on or about March 13, 2007. Embassy control officer is Mr. Richard Merrin, Com [...] | 2007-02-28 05:26:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | ECON EINV EFIN CE |
07COLOMBO337 | SRI LANKA:EX-FOREIGN MINISTER COMPLAINS OF [...] (C) SUMMARY: Ambassador called on Ex-Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera at his residence on February 26, at Samaraweera's request. Samaraweera reported that following his petition to the Human Rights Commission on Friday regarding his personal security, a senior official from the Ministe [...] | 2007-02-28 12:17:00 | Embassy Colombo | SECRET | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
07COLOMBO338 | SRI LANKA: FORMER PRESIDENT KUMARATUNGA EXCORIATES [...] (C) SUMMARY: Former President Chandrika Kumaratunga expressed strong disapproval of President Rajapaksa's approach to governance in a meeting with Ambassador on February 26. She feared that the current government was committed to trying to resolve the country's ethnic conflict through purel [...] | 2007-03-01 02:52:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS ECON CE |
07COLOMBO341 | CIVIL SOCIETY LEADERS IN BATTICALOA DECRY HUMAN [...] (C) Summary: Ambassador participated in a visit to Batticaloa led by Minister for Disaster Management and Human Rights Samarasinghe. Although the visit was disrupted by a mortar attack as the delegation arrived in Batticaloa (reftel),the delegation met with civil society leaders. The Amba [...] | 2007-03-01 08:18:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PREL PTER PGOV MOPS KHDP CE |
07COLOMBO342 | LTTE HEAD REGRETS ARTILLERY FIRE ON AMBASSADOR [...] (S) SUMMARY: On February 28, Ambassador Blake received a faxed letter (full text para 2) dated February 27, 2007, from S.P. Tamilselvan, Head of the Political Division, LTTE, apologizing for the February 27 artillery attack on the delegation in which the Ambassador was traveling to Battical [...] | 2007-03-01 08:42:00 | Embassy Colombo | SECRET | PTER ASEC PREL CE |
07COLOMBO35 | SRI LANKAN MONITORING MISSION ADAPTING TO RESUMED [...] No summary [...] | 2007-01-09 12:17:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PTER PGOV MOPS PREL CE |
07COLOMBO350 | SRI LANKA: SCENESETTER FOR SCA PDAS MANN'S VISIT [...] (C) Your visit to Colombo comes at a critical time. There is a substantial risk of a return to fighting in the east and north in the next few weeks. Prospects are uncertain that the ruling Sri Lankan Freedom Party (SLFP) will present a viable devolution proposal to the All-Party Representati [...] | 2007-03-01 12:42:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
07COLOMBO352 | COUNTRY CLEARANCE GRANTED FOR DARIUS NASSIRY, EILEEN BURKE, [...] Post grants country clearance to Darius Nassiry, Eileen Burke, Carlton Bennett, Doris McMahon, Mary Jo Johnson, Thomas Hohenthaner, Berry Deren and Amanda Beatty of Millennium Challenge Corporation to travel to Sri Lanka from March 11 - 30, 2007. The purpose of the trip is to continue due dilig [...] | 2007-03-02 06:46:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | EAID KMCA ECON ORTA KPAO AFIN OVIP CE |
07COLOMBO36 | SRI LANKAN MONITORING MISSION ADAPTING TO RESUMED [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: SLMM head of mission Lars Solvberg briefed Co-Chair Ambassadors and new Indian Ambassador to Sri Lanka Alok Prasad on January 8 regarding SLMM plans to reconfigure the mission. Because of their limited numbers and various constraints on their operations, but especially because [...] | 2007-01-09 12:21:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PTER PGOV MOPS PREL CE |
07COLOMBO367 | SRI LANKA: THE SEVENTH ANNUAL ANTI-TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS [...] (U) Mission's submission for the seventh 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 +94-11-249-8822, fax +94-11-249-8820. Paragraph 27: Sri Lanka Overvi [...] | 2007-03-05 12:04:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PHUM ELAB ASEC PREF KCRM KWMN SMIG KFRD CE |
07COLOMBO368 | AMBASSADOR AND FOREIGN MINISTER DISCUSS FOREIGN [...] (C) Ambassador called on Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Rohita Bogollagama on March 5th to brief him on the Acquisition and Cross Servicing Agreement that Ambassador signed earlier in the day with Defense Secretary RajapaksA(septel). Bogollagama expressed appreciation for the briefing. Neithe [...] | 2007-03-05 12:35:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL OVIP CE |
07COLOMBO37 | SRI LANKAN SECURITY FORCES CAPTURE KEY TIGER BASE [...] No summary [...] | 2007-01-09 12:21:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PTER PGOV MOPS PREL CE |
07COLOMBO370 | SRI LANKA: PARA-TARIFFS BOOST REVENUE AND INCREASE [...] Summary: Tariffs and para-tariffs have hiked Sri Lanka's effective tariff rates to 50-85 percent. The para-tariffs include at least seven different levies, taxes, and surcharges, the rates of which frequently change (generally upward). These fees have added complexity and unpredictability to [...] | 2007-03-06 10:05:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | ECON ETRD CE |
07COLOMBO375 | SRI LANKA: 2006 U.S. EXPORTS UP, BUT BARELY DENT USD 1.9B [...] (U) Summary: The United States-Sri Lanka goods trade balance narrowed to nine-to-one in Sri Lanka's favor in 2006, from over ten-to-one in recent years. The improvement came from 20 percent growth in U.S. exports to Sri Lanka, while U.S. imports from Sri Lanka rose by only 3 percent. Neverth [...] | 2007-03-06 12:22:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON ETRD EFIN EAID CE |
07COLOMBO376 | TERRORIST FINANCE: SRI LANKA ENFORCING AGAINST ILLICIT CASH [...] (SBU) Summary: Sri Lanka Customs and the Central Bank's Financial Intelligence Unit are actively attempting to prevent illicit cash courier activity and are aware of the issues raised in reftel. They have had some success in disrupting transactions, but have been less effective in figuring ou [...] | 2007-03-06 12:39:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EFIN ETTC KFTN LE PREL PTER CE |
07COLOMBO379 | MUSLIM MINISTER SAYS PRESIDENT WAVERING ON [...] (C) On March 4 Ambassador paid an initial courtesy call on the President of the Sri Lanka Muslim Council (SLMC) Rauff Hakeem in his new capacity as SL Minister of Posts and Telecommunications. After a brief discussion on his new portfolio which Hakeem admitted he was still learning about, A [...] | 2007-03-06 13:14:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PTER PGOV CE |
07COLOMBO38 | SRI LANKAN SECURITY FORCES CAPTURE KEY TIGER BASE [...] (C) SUMMARY: Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) security forces captured the Tamil Tigers' (LTTE) main military camp in the eastern district of Ampara on January 7, where they reportedly uncovered an explosive-laden truck and three motorbikes fitted with explosive detonators. The military alleged [...] | 2007-01-09 12:21:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PTER PGOV MOPS PREL CE |
07COLOMBO383 | LTTE LEADER BREAKS NO NEW GROUND IN MEETING WITH [...] (C) Summary: The Norwegian Ambassador briefed Co-Chair ambassadors March 7 on his visit to Killinochi earlier this week. LTTE political chief Tamilselvan warned that a push by the Sri Lankan military in the North would produce aggressive retaliation by the LTTE. He criticized the internat [...] | 2007-03-07 14:23:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PTER ASEC PREL CE |
07COLOMBO386 | POLICE CHIEF DISCLOSES ARRESTS OF SECURITY FORCES [...] (SBU) Police Inspector General Victor Perera told selected members of the press on Tuesday, March 6, that "a large number" of police officers and troops had been arrested on charges of abduction and extortion. In some instances, he said, ransoms had been paid abroad. He indicated that among [...] | 2007-03-08 10:23:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PTER PHUM CE |
07COLOMBO388 | SRI LANKA: CRUNCH TIME COMING ON DEVOLUTION [...] (C) SUMMARY: Two months after the release of the All-Party Representative Committee (APRC) Experts Panel "Majority Report," the President's party, the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP),has yet to put forward its own proposals on devolution. The President reportedly has told his party's ad-ho [...] | 2007-03-08 11:08:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
07COLOMBO394 | SRI LANKA: ALLEGATIONS OF IMPROPRIETY IN CONNECTION WITH [...] (SBU) SUMMARY AND COMMENT: The Government of Sri Lanka plans to launch in March 2007 a state-run airline aimed at providing low-cost travel for migrant workers and tourists to the Middle East and India. The budget carrier, called Mihin Lanka, has elicited criticism from politicians, the press [...] | 2007-03-09 10:26:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON EIND ETRD EAIR EINV KCOR CE |
07COLOMBO398 | COUNTRY CLEARANCE GRANTED FOR USDA JOHN GROSMAN TO TRAVEL [...] Post grants country clearance to USDA Wildland Fire Training Officer, John Grosman, an employee of the US Forest Service, to travel to Colombo, Sri Lanka, March 17-25, 2007. The purpose of the visit is the development of a Disaster Simulation Exercise. Embassy control officer is Mr. Richard Me [...] | 2007-03-12 11:34:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | EAGR ECON OTRA CE |
07COLOMBO399 | COUNTRY CLEARANCE GRANTED FOR TRUDIE MAHONEY TO TRAVEL TO [...] Post grants country clearance to Trudie Mahoney, Emergency Management Specialist, an employee of the US Forest Service, to travel to Colombo, Sri Lanka, March 18-27, 2007. The purpose of the visit is to provide technical assistance for a program to integrate Incident Command System into the Di [...] | 2007-03-12 11:34:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | EAGR ECON OTRA CE |
07COLOMBO402 | SRI LANKA: EARLY ROADBLOCKS FOR IIGEP [...] (C) Summary: Minister of Disaster Management and Human Rights Mahinda Samarasinghe called a meeting on March 6 to brief donor country Heads of Mission on the status of the International Independent Group of Eminent Persons (IIGEP). Samarasinghe acknowledged a lack of clarity on the responsib [...] | 2007-03-12 13:14:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
07COLOMBO410 | SRI LANKA WILL CO-SPONSOR U.S. WTO TAFT GOODS NEGOTIATING [...] Summary: Sri Lanka will co-sponsor the U.S. WTO textiles, apparel, footwear and travel (TAFT) goods proposal on labeling. End Summary. 2. Department of Commerce Director of Multilateral Trade Affairs Gomi Senadheera informed Post that he has instructed the Sri Lanka Mission to the WTO in G [...] | 2007-03-13 12:30:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | ECON ETRD WTO CE |
07COLOMBO411 | SRI LANKA: PDAS MANN'S MEETING WITH FINANCE SECRETARY [...] (SBU) Summary: SCA PDAS Steven Mann raised the Millennium Challenge Account, the payment dispute between Sri Lanka and U.S. power producer AES, and prospects for offshore oil exploration with Finance Secretary P.B. Jayasundera March 8. Jayasundera remains optimistic about the health of the Sri [...] | 2007-03-14 03:14:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EAID ECON EINV ETRD PREL CE |
07COLOMBO412 | COUNTRY CLEARANCE GRANTED FOR NOAA FISHERIES EMPLOYEES [...] Post grants country clearance to NOAA fisheries employees, Lawrence Biondo and Rodney Platt to travel to Colombo, Sri Lanka, March 24-28, 2007. The purpose of the visit is to conduct audits for the USDOC Seafood Inspection Program. Embassy control officer is Mr. Richard Merrin, Commercial Atta [...] | 2007-03-14 03:28:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | TPHY ECON OTRA KSCA EFIS CE |
07COLOMBO413 | SRI LANKA: PDAS MANN PRESSES PRESIDENT ON [...] (C) SUMMARY: President Rajapaksa told visiting PDAS for South and Central Asia Steven Mann that the Sri Lankan Freedom Party would present its proposals for devolution by March 14. He outlined a multi-tiered process for reconciling this with proposals of other parties, submitting the proposal [...] | 2007-03-14 03:57:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
07COLOMBO414 | SRI LANKA: PDAS MANN URGES FOREIGN SECRETARY TO [...] (C) SUMMARY: PDAS Mann, accompanied by Ambassador Blake, met Foreign Secretary Palitha Kohona on March 10 to press the Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) to put forward a viable devolution proposal and to address human rights concerns. Kohona acknowledged the need to do more, but said constraints [...] | 2007-03-14 03:57:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PHUM PTER CE |
07COLOMBO416 | SRI LANKA: DEFENSE SECRETARY OUTLINES SIX-MONTH [...] (C) SUMMARY: Defense Secretary Gothabaya Rajapaksa told visiting SCA PDAS Steven Mann that the government was certain that the LTTE was not interested in a political solution to Sri Lanka's ethnic conflict. Nevertheless, he said, the government would try to reach out to the Tamil populations, [...] | 2007-03-14 05:42:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PTER PGOV MOPS PREL CE |
07COLOMBO423 | MALDIVES: U/S FORE MEETS WITH WOMEN LEADERS ON THE EVE OF [...] (U) Summary: On March 7, the eve of International Women's Day, visiting Under Secretary of State for Management Henrietta Fore held a round-table discussion with female political and business leaders in Male'. The participants said that female contributions to civil society and the economy a [...] | 2007-03-15 03:14:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | KWMN PREL PHUM MV |
07COLOMBO424 | SRI LANKA: U/S FORE COMMEMORATES INTERNATIONAL WOMENS DAY [...] SUMMARY: During a March 8 visit to Colombo, Under Secretary for Management Henrietta Fore marked International Women's Day by meeting with a group of leading female entrepreneurs and senior executives. Most participants offered their perspectives on the conflict in Sri Lanka and were unequivoc [...] | 2007-03-15 03:15:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | KWMN PREL PHUM CE |
07COLOMBO428 | SRI LANKA: MILITARY STRIKES LTTE BASES IN [...] (C) SUMMARY: On March 12, the Sri Lankan military launched its latest campaign in Thoppigala. Thoppigala, roughly between Polonnaruwa and Batticaloa, is home to a cluster of LTTE bases, which are among the last significant LTTE camps remaining in the east. Sri Lanka's air force used Kfir [...] | 2007-03-15 12:47:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
07COLOMBO429 | U/S FORE ENCOURAGES MALDIVIAN PRESIDENT TO PROCEED [...] (c) Summary: In a friendly 30-minute meeting on March 7, Under Secretary of State for Management Henrietta Fore urged Maldivian President Gayoom to support the political reform efforts of the Foreign Minister and Attorney General. Gayoom expressed confidence that his government's dialogue wi [...] | 2007-03-16 02:00:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV MV |
07COLOMBO434 | SRI LANKA WILL CONSIDER ENDORSING HAGUE CODE OF [...] No summary [...] | 2007-03-16 09:57:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL PTER MOPS PARM ETTC MTCRE KSCA CE |
07COLOMBO435 | SRI LANKA: DEMARCHE DELIVERED ON INTERNAL UN REFORM [...] No summary [...] | 2007-03-16 09:57:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL ACABQ AORC APER UNGA |
07COLOMBO436 | SRI LANKA TO CONSIDER ENDORSING THE GLOBAL [...] No summary [...] | 2007-03-16 09:59:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL PTER KNNP MCAP PINR PINS PARM CE |
07COLOMBO439 | MEETING WITH DEFENSE SECRETARY ON KARUNA PROBLEMS [...] (C) Ambassador, EU Head of Mission Wilson and UNHCR Head Awad met on March 16 with Defense Secretary Gothabaya Rajapaksa and Minister of Disaster Management and Human Rights Mahinda Samarasinghe. Wilson shared with Rajapaksa a list developed by the EC Humanitarian Office of concrete example [...] | 2007-03-16 12:29:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PREF CE |
07COLOMBO45 | SRI LANKA: MINISTER'S "THUGS" BEAT JOURNALIST AT [...] (C) Summary: The BBC and several local independent news agencies reported that on January 9 a mob led by Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) Deputy Minister of Labor Mervyn Silva attacked participants at a peace rally in Colombo organized by the United People's Movement (UPM),an organization repr [...] | 2007-01-10 12:29:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
07COLOMBO451 | SRI LANKA: OUTSPOKEN FORMER MINISTER, NOW A [...] (SBU) SUMMARY. Former Minister of Port Development, Sripathi Sooriyarachchi, was arrested Saturday by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) on charges of corruption for failing to return his government assigned vehicle after his dismissal as a minister. Sripathi alleges that he retur [...] | 2007-03-20 02:23:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER MOPS CE |
07COLOMBO455 | MALDIVES: DRUGS, EDUCATION, ISLAMIC EXTREMISM AND WOMEN'S [...] (SBU) SUMMARY. This cable contains an Action Request in Paragraph 14. During Under Secretary of State for Management Fore's March 7 visit to Maldives, in addition to discussions with President Gayoom (Ref A) and female political and business leaders (Ref B),she met separately with the Forei [...] | 2007-03-20 04:21:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL ECON ELAB ETRD MARR PHUM KDEM KISL EAID MV |
07COLOMBO46 | SRI LANKA: CABINET RESHUFFLE IMMINENT; PRESIDENT [...] (C) SUMMARY: President Rajapaksa told media representatives on January 9 that he will reshuffle his cabinet. A source in the presidential secretariat told pol FSN Rajapaksa may offer ministerial posts to opposition United National Party (UNP) members while allowing them to retain their presen [...] | 2007-01-10 12:34:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PHUM PTER CE |
07COLOMBO460 | SRI LANKA: KARUNA GROUP EMBOLDENED IN THE EAST [...] (C) SUMMARY: As ref A reported, Karuna, leader of a Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) breakaway faction in the East, is engaging in serious human rights violations and criminal activities, often under the protection of the Sri Lanka security forces. This cable provides additional det [...] | 2007-03-20 12:48:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
07COLOMBO463 | AMBASSADOR PRESENTS LIST OF ALLEGED ABDUCTIONS TO [...] (C) Ambassador met with Presidential Secretary (National Security Advisor equivalent) Lalith Weeratunga on March 20 to present a list of 350 Sri Lankans who are alleged by Sri Lankan NGOs to have been abducted in Colombo and Jaffna between January 2006 and February 2007. Ambassador explained [...] | 2007-03-21 03:39:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PHUM CE |
07COLOMBO464 | SRI LANKA: DEFENSE SECRETARY CANDIDLY BRIEFS FOREIGN MEDIA [...] (SBU) Summary: Sri Lankan Defense Secretary Gothabaya Rajapaksa held a closed door, off-the-record meeting with members of the Foreign Correspondents Association and some foreign diplomats. In response to pointed questions, Rajapaksa gave blunt answers, revealing a different side to that usual [...] | 2007-03-21 04:16:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL PHUM PTER EAID MOPS CE |
07COLOMBO475 | SRI LANKA: SLOW STRANGULATION OF MEDIA FREEDOM [...] (C) Summary: Since the inauguration of President Mahinda Rajapaksa in November 2005, Sri Lanka's vibrant media has been slowly smothered by attacks on journalists, publishers and broadcasters by the LTTE and armed paramilitary groups with alleged links to the government security forces. The [...] | 2007-03-22 11:28:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM PTER KPAO KDEM CE |
07COLOMBO476 | SRI LANKA TO "SERIOUSLY CONSIDER" U.S. POSITIONS [...] (C) On March 22, Ambassador met Foreign Secretary Palitha Kohona regarding reftel demarches concerning votes on Sudan, Zimbabwe, and the Occupied Territories at the UN Human Rights Council. The Ambassador delivered all key points in reftels. He suggested that if Sri Lanka found it could not [...] | 2007-03-22 11:45:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PREL PGOV ZI SU IS CE |
07COLOMBO477 | FORCED RESETTLEMENT CONTINUES; UNHCR DISSOCIATES [...] (SBU) UNHCR Representative Amin Awad informed Ambassador on March 22 that UNHCR had formally disassociated itself from all resettlement efforts in the east because of continued forcible resettlement of internally displaced people by the government. Awad said that even after the somewhat tense [...] | 2007-03-22 12:12:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREF PREL AORC CE |
07COLOMBO481 | MALDIVES: GOVERNMENT AND OPPOSITION NEGOTIATE ON [...] (C) SUMMARY: Ibrahim Hussein Zaki, the acting President of the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP),met the Ambassador in Colombo on March 20 to offer an update on the ongoing talks between his party and the governing DRP (Maldivian People's Party). The two parties meet regularly and [...] | 2007-03-23 02:18:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM PREL KDEM MV |
07COLOMBO483 | SRI LANKA: MANNAR COULD FACE HUMANITARIAN CRISIS [...] (C) Summary: Ambassador met with military personnel and civil society members in Mannar on March 21, 2007, to discuss the humanitarian and security situation in the area. Over 8,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) are living on Madhu Church grounds in Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTT [...] | 2007-03-23 09:55:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM MOPS PTER PREL EAID CE |
07COLOMBO484 | SRI LANKA: FRESH FIGHTING IN NORTHWEST COASTAL [...] (C) SUMMARY: On March 23, Government security forces attacked Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) mortar positions inside LTTE territory. The activity took place at approximately 10:00 am in an area east of Mannar on the northwest coast. The attacks penetrated about two kilometers int [...] | 2007-03-23 11:35:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | MOPS PTER PHUM PGOV PREL CE |
07COLOMBO491 | SRI LANKA: LTTE ATTACKS AIR BASE USING LIGHT [...] (SBU) At approximately 12:45 am on March 26, the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) conducted their first known aerial attack on Sri Lankan military targets. The LTTE used two small fixed-wing aircraft to drop four bombs on Katunayake Air Force Base adjacent to Colombo's Bandaranaike I [...] | 2007-03-26 11:21:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PTER PHUM MOPS EAIR CE |
07COLOMBO493 | SRI LANKA: FIU, MAKING LITTLE PROGRESS, WILL BE MERGED INTO [...] (SBU) Summary and comment: Sri Lanka's Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU),which began operations about a year ago, has made little progress towards becoming an effective, independent operation. Sri Lanka's Central Bank Governor, who currently supervises the nominally autonomous FIU, plans to m [...] | 2007-03-26 12:18:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EAID ECON PREL PTER CE |
07COLOMBO496 | SRI LANKA: LTTE SUICIDE BOMBER EXPLODES TRACTOR [...] (SBU) At 7:15 am on March 27, a LTTE suicide bomber detonated a tractor with an attached trailer just outside the entrance to Chenkalady Army camp near Batticaloa. Military spokesman Brigadier Prasad Samarasinghe told us that the LTTE initiated a mortar attack on the south side of Chenkalady [...] | 2007-03-27 10:58:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PTER MOPS PGOV CE |
07COLOMBO498 | SRI LANKA REQUESTS CO-CHAIR STATEMENTS CONDEMNING [...] (C) SUMMARY: Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Bogollagama convoked Co-Chair Ambassadors on March 27 to brief them on the March 26 LTTE air attack on the military airbase adjacent to Colombo's international airport (ref),and to request that Co-Chair countries issue a statement condemning the attac [...] | 2007-03-27 11:33:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PTER MOPS CASC CE |
07COLOMBO50 | PROPOSED TRANSHIPMENT PORT IN MALDIVES [...] Summary: Maldives is hoping to use its strategic location on major shipping lanes in the Indian Ocean to build a transshipment port. The first phase of the project to develop a container terminal with a capacity of 1.2 million twenty foot equivalent units (TEUs) annually is estimated to cost [...] | 2007-01-11 08:52:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | KTDM EWWT ECON EINV CE |
07COLOMBO500 | SRI LANKA: IMPLICATIONS OF THE LTTE AIR ATTACK FOR [...] (C) SUMMARY: There are indications that the damage to the Sri Lankan Air Force's fleet of attack aircraft may be more serious than the GSL has conceded. The military have clamped a virtual news blackout over the incident, refusing reporters and even the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission access to [...] | 2007-03-27 12:08:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PTER PGOV MOPS PREL CE |
07COLOMBO502 | SRI LANKA: PRESIDENT'S STATE VISIT TO CHINA FOCUSES ON PORT [...] (SBU) Summary and comment: Sri Lankan President Rajapaksa visited China February 26 - March 4 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Sri Lanka and China. For Sri Lanka, key deliverables from the visit were economic, in the form of a Chinese government commitment to [...] | 2007-03-28 07:04:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EAID ECON EINV ETRD PREL CE |
07COLOMBO508 | UNSCR 1747: SRI LANKA'S TIES WITH IRAN [...] (C) DCM and poloff delivered reftel demarche to MFA Additional Secretary for Multilateral Affairs T B Maduwegedera and Deputy Director of United Nations and Multilateral Affairs Division Satya Rodrigo on March 28. Maduwegedera and Rodrigo were familiar UNSCR 1747 and stated that the GSL inte [...] | 2007-03-29 08:16:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | KNNP EFIN IAEA PARM MNUC TRGY AORC UNSC PREL |
07COLOMBO509 | AMBASSADOR AND UN REACH AGREEMENT WITH GSL ON [...] (SBU) Ambassador hosted a meeting on Thursday, March 29 with UN Resident Coordinator Frederick Lyons and Minister for Disaster Management and Human Rights Samarasinghe to brief Samarasinghe on donor concerns about the current structure of the Consultative Committee on Humanitarian Assistance ( [...] | 2007-03-29 08:42:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL PREF AORC CE |
07COLOMBO51 | PROPOSED TRANSHIPMENT PORT IN MALDIVES [...] Summary: Maldives is hoping to use its strategic location on major shipping lanes in the Indian Ocean to build a transshipment port. The first phase of the project to develop a container terminal with a capacity of 1.2 million twenty foot equivalent units (TEUs) annually is estimated to cost [...] | 2007-01-11 08:54:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | KTDM EWWT ECON EINV MV |
07COLOMBO511 | SRI LANKA: FOREIGN MINISTER PROMISES [...] (C) SUMMARY: Foreign Minister Bogollagama called in Ambassador on March 29 to request Embassy cooperation in overcoming human rights-based concerns about Sri Lanka's eligibility for a Millennium Challenge Compact. Ambassador explained that MCC eligibility is based on a country's governance r [...] | 2007-03-30 05:25:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL EAID PHUM PGOV PTER MOPS CE |
07COLOMBO513 | RESPONSE RE OPIC FINANCE: MATH HYDRO (PVT) LTD. [...] No summary [...] | 2007-03-30 06:43:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | EINV EFIN CE |
07COLOMBO515 | UNSCR 1747: SRI LANKA FIU WILL ACT ON ANY LOCAL [...] (SBU) Econoff delivered reftel demarche to the new director of Sri Lanka's Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU),G. Karunaratne, and his deputy, Ravindra Jayaratne, on March 30. Econoff noted that, according to the Bankers' Almanac, Bank Sepah is believed to maintain either a branch, subsidiary, [...] | 2007-03-30 11:17:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EFIN KNNP PARM IR CE |
07COLOMBO516 | SRI LANKA REQUESTS US MILITARY TEAM TO ASSESS AIR DEFENSE FOLLOWING LTTE AIR ATTACK [...] (C/NF) Summary: Defense Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa convoked Ambassador and Defense Attache on March 30 to request the visit of a U.S. military team to assess how Sri Lanka can improve its air defense capabilities to defend against possible future LTTE air attacks. Rajapaksa outlined the countr [...] | 2007-04-01 05:33:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | MASS PTER PREL CE IN |
07COLOMBO521 | SRI LANKA: CONTINUED VIOLENCE IN THE EAST [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: Recent violence in Sri Lanka's east included an April 2 blast on a civilian passenger bus in Amara district that killed 15 and injured 20. On Apil 1, in Batticaloa district, six Sinhalese consruction workers were gunned down. The Sri Lanka government blamed the Liberation Tige [...] | 2007-04-03 13:29:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
07COLOMBO523 | SRI LANKA: OPPOSITION LEADER OUTLINES AGGRESSIVE [...] (C) SUMMARY. Ambassador met United National Party (UNP) leader Ranil Wickremesinghe on March 30 to press Wickremesinghe to stay involved in working towards a political solution to Sri Lanka's widening conflict. Wickremesinghe outlined the UNP's new aggressive strategy toward the ruling Sri [...] | 2007-04-04 12:02:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
07COLOMBO524 | SRI LANKA: DEVOLUTION COMMITTEE CHAIR OPTIMISTIC [...] (C) SUMMARY: In a March 30 meeting with Ambassador, Tissa Vitharana, chair of the All Party Representative Committee (APRC) convened to draft a devolution proposal, was optimistic the process would yield positive results. Vitharana said he expected the governing Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) [...] | 2007-04-04 12:16:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM CE |
07COLOMBO525 | SRI LANKA: PUSH FOR UN HUMAN RIGHTS MONITORING [...] (C) SUMMARY: In October-November 2006, senior UN officials proposed establishing a UN-sponsored human rights monitoring mission in Sri Lanka. However, the GSL has consistently resisted the idea, most recently citing the existence of the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (CoI) on Human Right [...] | 2007-04-04 12:49:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PREL PTER CE |
07COLOMBO526 | UNHCR ASSESSES HUMANITARIAN SITUATION IN THE VAKARAI [...] (U) Summary: Ambassador and USAID Program Officer attended the seventh Consultative Committee on Humanitarian Assistance (CCHA) meeting, chaired by the Minister of Disaster Management and Human Rights and attended by the Secretary of Defense and representatives of UN agencies, the ICRC, and o [...] | 2007-04-04 13:03:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PHUM PREF CE |
07COLOMBO528 | SRI LANKA: NO RELATIONS WITH IRAN'S DEFENSE [...] No summary [...] | 2007-04-05 05:44:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL KNNP PARM KN IR CE |
07COLOMBO534 | SRI LANKA: TAMIL PARLIAMENT MEMBERS PRESS [...] (C) SUMMARY. In an April 3 meeting with Ambassador, opposition party Tamil National Alliance (TNA) leader R. Sampanthan and three TNA members of Parliament pressed the U.S. to be a more vocal critic of the Rajapaksa administration. Speaking of the ruling Sri Lanka Freedom Party's (SLFP) an [...] | 2007-04-05 12:30:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PTER PHUM MOPS PGOV PREL CE |
07COLOMBO535 | COUNTRY CLEARANCE GRANTED FOR NOAA AND NWS EMPLOYEE KENNETH [...] Post grants country clearance to Physical Science Technician, Kenneth Clark of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and National Weather Service(NWS)to travel to Colombo, Sri Lanka, April 18-22, 2007 and to the Maldives April 22-26, 2007. The purpose of the visit is for s [...] | 2007-04-06 03:49:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | TPHY OTRA KSCA SENV EFIS AU CE |
07COLOMBO536 | SRI LANKA: 2006 GDP GREW 7.4 PERCENT; 2007 GROWTH LIKELY TO [...] (SBU) Summary and comment: Sri Lanka's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) grew by 7.4 percent in 2006, its highest annual growth rate since 1978. The Central Bank Governor announced that he expects 2007 growth to come in between and 7.5 and 8 percent. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) forecasts only [...] | 2007-04-06 06:15:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EAID ECON EINV ETRD PREL CE |
07COLOMBO539 | LEADING PRESIDENTIAL ADVISOR DISCUSSES GSL [...] (C) Summary: President Rajapaksa's senior political advisor and brother Basil Rajapaksa told the Ambassador on April 4 that once the All Parties Representative Committee (APRC) reaches agreement on a consensus devolution proposal, the GSL would need the approval of the Supreme Court and two [...] | 2007-04-06 07:18:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PTER PGOV CE |
07COLOMBO54 | SRI LANKA - DEAD BIRDS DID NOT HAVE AVIAN FLU [...] SUMMARY: Approximately 150 birds were found dead on January 5 in the town of Nikawaratiya, in Sri Lanka's North Western Province. Others were reported in the eastern part of Pollonaruwa Province on January 10. Salmonella caused the Nikawaratiya deaths. The Pollonaruwa deaths are still under [...] | 2007-01-11 11:38:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON SOCI EAID WHO KFLU KSCA CE |
07COLOMBO540 | SRI LANKA: JVP MAINTAINS PRO-WAR STANCE [...] (C) SUMMARY: On April 5, the Ambassador met with Somawansa Amarasinghe, chairman of the Marxist, Sinhalese chauvinist Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP),to discuss the prospects for a peaceful solution to Sri Lanka's ethnic conflict. The JVP, long critical of U.S. foreign policy, has made public [...] | 2007-04-06 10:44:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
07COLOMBO541 | SUMMARY OF UNITED NATIONS COMMON HUMANITARIAN [...] Summary: On March 30, UN agencies involved with the Sri Lanka Common Humanitarian Action Plan (CHAP) gave presentations on the status of their activities and funding levels. Additional funds are sought in all areas. During introductory remarks, UN Country Representative Frederick Lyons sta [...] | 2007-04-09 03:17:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV PHUM PREF CE |
07COLOMBO545 | SRI LANKA: INTENSIFIED FIGHTING LEADS TO [...] (SBU) Summary. Fighting between the Sri Lankan military and Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) intensified over the weekend. An April 8 claymore mine attack 12 kilometers northwest of Jaffna city killed at least one SLA soldier and wounded six others. A bus bomb the morning of April 7 [...] | 2007-04-09 11:25:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
07COLOMBO56 | COUNTRY CLEARANCE GRANTED FOR NANDA KUMAR RANGANATHAN AND [...] Post grants country clearance to Nanda Kumar Ranganathan and Gail Chambers of Millennium Challenge Corporation and URS consultant Michael Jacobs to travel to Sri Lanka from January 21 to February 1, 2007. Embassy control officer is Mr. Richard Merrin, Commercial Attache and Economic Officer, t [...] | 2007-01-11 12:21:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | EAID KMCA ECON ORTA KPAO AFIN OVIP CE |
07COLOMBO561 | SRI LANKA: PRESIDENT RAJAPAKSA APPOINTS NEW [...] (C) Summary. President Rajapaksa has tasked Justice Mahanama Tilakaratne to oversee the GSL's response to concerns about abductions, including the list of 347 names Ambassador presented to Presidential Chief of Staff Lalith Weeratunga. Prior to this assignment, Rajapaksa formally appointed [...] | 2007-04-11 12:35:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PTER PGOV MOPS PREL CE |
07COLOMBO563 | IIGEP'S GLACIAL PROGRESS DISCOURAGING [...] (C) Summary. International Independent Group of Eminent Persons (IIGEP) Assistants Rohan Titus and David Savage called on the DCM on April 10 to give an update on IIGEP's progress. The Commission of Inquiry (CoI) plans to finally hold public hearings for several days in May, June, and July. [...] | 2007-04-12 07:49:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
07COLOMBO564 | SRI LANKA: BUSINESS LEADERS WANT PEACE, BUT [...] (SBU) Summary and comment: Sri Lankan business leaders are concerned that increased fighting could provoke an LTTE attack that would seriously hurt the economy. While normally hesitant to question the government's handling of the conflict, a small group of American Chamber of Commerce members [...] | 2007-04-12 08:14:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON EINV ETRD PREL PGOV PTER CE |
07COLOMBO57 | SRI LANKAN DEFENSE SECRETARY REITERATES COMMITMENT [...] (C) SUMMARY: Defense Secretary Gothabaya Rajapaksa told Ambassador on January 10 that Army Commander Fonseka had been misquoted, and that the GSL would not take the fight to North after pushing the LTTE out of the East. Gothabaya insisted the GSL wants a peaceful solution to the conflict, not [...] | 2007-01-11 12:56:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PTER PGOV MOPS PREL CE |
07COLOMBO58 | SRI LANKA: INDIAN FOR MIN URGES GOVERNMENT TO [...] (C) SUMMARY: Indian Minister for External Affairs Pranab Mukherjee, in Colombo ostensibly to invite President Rajapaksa to the next SSARC summit in April, expressed India's concern to the President and other senior leaders over civilian casualties in the two-decade old ethnic conflict. He ga [...] | 2007-01-11 13:06:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PTER PHUM PGOV MOPS IN CE |
07COLOMBO59 | KARUNA GROUP AGGRAVATING TAMIL-MUSLIM TENSIONS [...] (C) Summary. A land dispute near Batticaloa led to violence between the Tamil and Muslim communities on January 8 and 9. At a meeting on January 10, political party, community, and government representatives agreed to allow the Batticaloa Government Agent to take control of the disputed lan [...] | 2007-01-12 02:33:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
07COLOMBO591 | SRI LANKA: DEFENSE SECRETARY THREATENS THE PRESS, [...] (S) SUMMARY: Defense Secretary Rajapaksa reportedly threatened Daily Mirror Editor Champika Liyanarachchi following the publication of a series of articles on the activities of the LTTE-breakaway Karuna group in the East. After the call from Gothabaya, Liyanarachchi contacted Karuna directl [...] | 2007-04-19 12:53:00 | Embassy Colombo | SECRET | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
07COLOMBO592 | SRI LANKA: AIR FORCE HITS LTTE POSITIONS IN JAFFNA [...] (SBU) The local wire service reported April 19 that the Sri Lanka Air Force bombed Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) gun positions in Palai (in the Jaffna peninsula, near the Forward Defense Line, or FDL) and in Mullaitivu in the East. The Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission also reported the [...] | 2007-04-19 12:55:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
07COLOMBO593 | SRI LANKA: DEFENSE SECRETARY THREATENS THE PRESS, [...] (S) SUMMARY: Defense Secretary Rajapaksa reportedly threatened Daily Mirror Editor Champika Liyanarachchi following the publication of a series of articles on the activities of the LTTE-breakaway Karuna group in the East. After the call from Gothabaya, Liyanarachchi contacted Karuna directl [...] | 2007-04-19 13:05:00 | Embassy Colombo | SECRET | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
07COLOMBO595 | SRI LANKA WILL ENDORSE THE GLOBAL INITIATIVE [...] (U) Sri Lanka's Ministry of Foreign Affairs on April 17 informed the Embassy via diplomatic note that Sri Lanka wishes to endorse the Statement of Principles of the Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism and to signify its continuing commitment to support all global efforts to combat [...] | 2007-04-20 09:28:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL PTER KNNP MCAP PINR PINS PARM CE |
07COLOMBO600 | HUMANITARIAN COORDINATION MEETING FOCUSES ON [...] (SBU) Summary: At the eighth meeting of Consultative Committee on Humanitarian Assistance on April 23 with Minister of Disaster Management and Human Rights Samarasinghe and Defense Secretary Rajapaksa, UN chief Lyons briefed on his April 20 trip to Killinochchi in which he expressed the UN's [...] | 2007-04-23 10:40:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PTER AORC EAID CE |
07COLOMBO603 | SRI LANKA: GSL DENIES TRAVEL CLEARANCE TO [...] (C) SUMMARY: On April 23, the Ministry of Defense denied clearance for Norwegian Ambassador Hans Brattskar to travel to Kilinochchi for a previously scheduled, regular meeting with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). On April 22 Associated Press correspondent Matthew Rosenberg (stri [...] | 2007-04-23 12:13:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
07COLOMBO604 | SRI LANKA: FOREIGN SECRETARY ASKS FOREIGN PARTNERS [...] (C) SUMMARY: Foreign Secretary Palitha Kohona called in the Ambassador on April 20 to provide an update on Government of Sri Lanka's (GSL) progress on human rights. He said the GSL's new Inter-Ministerial Committee on Promoting Sri Lanka's Image Abroad, which he chairs, is so far succeeding [...] | 2007-04-23 12:23:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
07COLOMBO608 | SRI LANKA: INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE TO RECOMMEND TRO [...] (C) Embassy Colombo would support a designation of the Tamils Relief Organization (TRO) if convincing evidence of TRO financial links to the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eeleam (LTTE) exists. Post has not seen solid evidence against the TRO and is therefore not in a position to make the case for [...] | 2007-04-24 11:12:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | KTFN PTER CE |
07COLOMBO609 | SRI LANKA: MAIN OPPOSITION PARTY KICKS OFF NEW [...] (C) SUMMARY: United National Party (UNP) leader Ranil Wickremesinghe met Ambassador on April 23 to outline the UNP's latest efforts (ref a) to push the Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) on human rights and media freedom. On April 22, the UNP launched a new website, www.unp.lk, which will serve [...] | 2007-04-24 11:58:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
07COLOMBO610 | SRI LANKA: GE TURBINES PART OF $90M U.S. CONTENT IN [...] SUMMARY: Negotiations continue between the Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) and Lakdhanavi Private Limited (Lakdhanavi) for a 300 megawatt power plant in Kerawalapitiya described in reftels. The project plan anticipates that the Export Import Bank will provide guarantees and insurance for suppl [...] | 2007-04-24 12:35:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EINV ENRG ETRD PREL CE |
07COLOMBO611 | SRI LANKA: LTTE CLAIMS SECOND SUCCESSFUL AIR [...] (C) SUMMARY: The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) reported on their website Tamilnet that two small LTTE aircraft bombed the Palaly military complex in Jaffna at approximately 1:30 a.m. on April 24, "inflicting heavy damage and casualties." Sri Lankan government military spokesmen so [...] | 2007-04-24 12:45:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PTER PGOV MOPS PREL CE |
07COLOMBO616 | SRI LANKA: GOVERNMENT MAKES HUMAN RIGHTS EFFORTS [...] (C) The Foreign Ministry on April 24 issued a media statement highlighting the April 12 re-issuance of the President's directive to the security forces on respecting human rights and outlining the Government of Sri Lanka's (GSL) progress on human rights issues. Essentially, the order on det [...] | 2007-04-25 12:04:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
07COLOMBO622 | SRI LANKA: AMBASSADOR URGES MINISTER OF POWER AND ENERGY TO [...] (SBU) Summary: U.S. company AES, operating a 163 megawatt power plant in Sri Lanka since 2003, has never received two contractually-required letters of credit from the state-owned Ceylon Electricity Board as protection against non-payment of AES's fuel costs. Ambassador, joined by AES project [...] | 2007-04-26 12:36:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EINV ENRG PREL CE |
07COLOMBO625 | SRI LANKA, COUNTING ON RISING REMITTANCES, TRIES TO [...] Summary: Sri Lankans abroad formally remitted a record $2.3 billion in 2006, up 21 percent from 2005. Higher salaries in the Middle East, where a majority of Sri Lankan migrant workers go, partially drove this rise. A higher share of remittances sent through formal, rather than informal, chan [...] | 2007-04-27 06:11:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | ECON ELAB EFIN PGOV PHUM SOCI SMIG CE |
07COLOMBO629 | MALDIVES: SCENESETTER FOR ASSISTANT SECRETARY [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: Your visit to Maldives comes as this moderate Islamic nation is experiencing the political strains of an indigenous push toward democracy that began in 2004. Tensions between the government and opposition have slowed the pace of constitutional reform, frustrating many. There is [...] | 2007-04-27 10:07:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL PHUM PTER EINV MV |
07COLOMBO630 | SRI LANKA: DEFENSE SECRETARY OUTLINES MILITARY [...] (C) SUMMARY: Ambassador called on Defense Secretary Gothabaya Rajapaksa on April 26 to inquire about the military's future ambitions in the North. Ambassador reasserted the U.S. position that only a political solution will resolve Sri Lanka's ethnic conflict. In a candid discussion, Gothab [...] | 2007-04-27 11:31:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
07COLOMBO631 | SRI LANKA: SCENESETTER FOR ASSISTANT SECRETARY [...] (C) INTRODUCTION: Your visit comes at a time when the environment for human rights, civil liberties, and media freedom is declining broadly as the conflict escalates. Our top priority is to press the government to put forward a serious power-sharing proposal that can help it win back the sy [...] | 2007-04-27 11:39:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS ECON EAID SL |
07COLOMBO632 | SRI LANKA: OIL EXPLORATION PROSPECTS REAL, BUT CONSTRAINED [...] (SBU) Summary: U.S. experts who have looked at recent geological survey data believe that significant petrochemical deposits lie off the coast of Sri Lanka. On May 1, the Ambassador will join Sri Lanka's Petroleum minister and others at the Offshore Technology Conference in Houston to describ [...] | 2007-04-27 12:29:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON EAID ENRG EPET ETRD CE |
07COLOMBO635 | MALDIVES: POLITICAL TURMOIL FOLLOWS PUBLIC [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: The discovery of a dead body floating in a lagoon near Male' on April 15 led to political controversy, as the deceased's family and opposition charged the victim was killed in custody -- and government authorities denied it. A demonstration erupted outside the cemetery. Police [...] | 2007-04-30 10:58:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PHUM MV |
07COLOMBO636 | SRI LANKA: AIR TIGERS BOMB OIL STORAGE FACILITIES [...] (C) SUMMARY: Between 1:30 a.m. and 2:30 a.m. on Sunday, April 29, while most people were watching Sri Lanka play in the Cricket World Cup finals, the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) carried out their third confirmed air attack, damaging Ceylon Petroleum Company oil and gasoline facili [...] | 2007-04-30 14:20:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PTER PGOV MOPS PREL CE |
07COLOMBO637 | SRI LANKA: LTTE AIR ATTACKS HITTING THE ECONOMY [...] (SBU) Summary: The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) attack early Sunday morning on oil storage facilities outside Colombo (septel) was the terrorist organization's first aerial strike aimed at an economic target. Whether by directly hitting economic infrastructure or by indirectly raisi [...] | 2007-04-30 14:22:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON EINV ETRD EAIR PREL PTER CE |
07COLOMBO643 | SRI LANKA: RULING PARTY'S DEVOLUTION PROPOSAL [...] (C) SUMMARY. The ruling Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) on May 1 released its devolution proposal, which will now move to the All Party Representative Committee (APRC). Unlike most previous APRC drafts, which recommend devolution to the provinces, the SLFP proposal recommends that the unit o [...] | 2007-05-02 11:12:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
07COLOMBO646 | COLOMBO EAC MEETING: APRIL 29 ATTACK ON PETROLEUM [...] (SBU) On May 2, 2007, Charge chaired a meeting of the Colombo Emergency Action Committee. Representatives from RSO, Consular, Management, Political, Econ, Public Diplomacy, IPC, USAID, DAO, ODC, IBB, and CSI attended. The EAC was convened to discuss the April 29 attack by LTTE light aircraf [...] | 2007-05-02 14:28:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREF PREL AORC CE |
07COLOMBO660 | SRI LANKA: COLOMBO AIRPORT TO SUSPEND NIGHT OPERATIONS IN [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: Sri Lanka's Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) will suspend nighttime operations following a series of air attacks by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE),including two in Colombo. Defense Secretary Gothabaya Rajapaksa made the decision, seeking to reduce the poss [...] | 2007-05-04 11:40:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EAIR ECON EINV ETRD PTER CE |
07COLOMBO661 | SRI LANKA: CRITICISM OF RULING PARTY DEVOLUTION [...] (C) SUMMARY: Most parties represented in parliament, including several elements of the ruling coalition, have come out publicly or privately against the governing Sri Lankan Freedom Party draft devolution proposals. The Sinhalese nationalist JVP has also attacked the plan, saying it is contr [...] | 2007-05-04 11:45:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PHUM CE |
07COLOMBO676 | UNSCR 1747: SRI LANKA CITES ASIAN CLEARING UNION [...] (SBU) Summary: Sri Lanka has not yet taken any action to sever the correspondent bank relationship between the state-owned Bank of Ceylon and Bank Sepah of Iran, as required by UNSCR 1747. Central Bank officials say that Sri Lanka's membership with Iran in the eight-country Asian Clearing Uni [...] | 2007-05-10 08:17:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EFIN ETRD KNNP PARM IR CE |
07COLOMBO68 | SRI LANKA: CATHOLIC BISHOPS ASSESS DIRE HUMAN [...] (C) Summary: Ambassador Blake met the Catholic Bishops of Jaffna and the northwestern district of Mannar on January 11. Political Chief and Poloff followed up with Jaffna Government Agent Ganesh on January 12. The bishops expressed deep concern regarding the humanitarian situation in the n [...] | 2007-01-12 13:29:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
07COLOMBO683 | NORTHERN TAMILS LOSING FAITH IN THE LTTE [...] (C) SUMMARY: Ambassador met Reverend S. Jeyanesan, a Tamil priest from Batticaloa, in late April. Jeyanesan reported that there are 172,000 internally displaced persons (IDP) in Batticaloa, and that those who were sent back to Vakarai have been relocated, not resettled in their original ho [...] | 2007-05-10 10:39:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
07COLOMBO686 | SRI LANKA: NO DECISION YET ON UN HUMAN RIGHTS [...] (C) PolOff delivered ref B demarche to Ministry of Foreign Affairs Deputy Director for UN and Multilateral Affairs Satya Rodrigo on May 4. Rodrigo agreed that electing Belarus to the Human Rights Council (HRC) would send a signal that human rights are of little concern to the international c [...] | 2007-05-10 12:41:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS UNHRC CE |
07COLOMBO689 | SRI LANKA - NO RESPONSE TO US PROPOSALS ON SPECIES [...] Summary: Sri Lanka has no comments on the proposals submitted by the United States for consideration at the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) in The Hague from June 3 through 15, 2007 and summarized reftel. End Summary. 2. EconFSN sp [...] | 2007-05-11 06:09:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | SENV KSCA ETRD CE |
07COLOMBO69 | SRI LANKA: DEFENSE SECRETARY AND AMBASSADOR REVIEW [...] No summary [...] | 2007-01-12 13:34:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | MARR MOPS PTER PREL PGOV CE |
07COLOMBO698 | PRESIDENT RELIES ON BROTHERS FOR POLICY ADVICE AND [...] (C) SUMMARY: President Rajapaksa relies on his brothers, Defense Secretary Gothabaya Rajapaksa and Senior Advisor to the President Basil Rajapaksa, for advice on security matters and political affairs respectively. Fear that Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) stalwarts are disloyal has caused [...] | 2007-05-15 05:32:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
07COLOMBO699 | HUMANITARIAN AND HUMAN RIGHTS SITUATION IN THE [...] (U) Summary: USAID Program Officer traveled to Trincomalee District April 22-26, 2007 to assess the humanitarian and human rights situation. The following organizations and locations were visited: the Human Rights Commission?s field office, ICRC, UNHCR, UNICEF, UNOCHA, World Food Program (W [...] | 2007-05-15 10:40:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PHUM PREF CE |
07COLOMBO70 | SRI LANKA: CROSSOVERS ENDANGERING COOPERATION [...] (C) SUMMARY: Opposition leader Wickremesinghe told Ambassador on January 11 that a large-scale defection of members of Parliament from his UNP to the government ranks would force him to end cooperation with President Rajapaksa. He was concerned about the negative fallout for the peace proces [...] | 2007-01-12 14:16:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
07COLOMBO700 | SRI LANKA: NO NAS PERSONNEL IN COUNTRY [...] No summary [...] | 2007-05-15 11:06:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | SNAR KRCM CE |
07COLOMBO702 | SRI LANKA: BOUCHER TELLS GOVERNMENT TO GET HUMAN [...] (C) SUMMARY: After meeting with human rights and non-governmental organization leaders in Jaffna, Assistant Secretary Boucher urged Sri Lankan officials to control SIPDIS paramilitary groups' human rights abuses and encourage greater freedom of the press. The Government asserted that it [...] | 2007-05-15 11:43:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
07COLOMBO703 | MALDIVES: ASSISTANT SECRETARY BOUCHER URGES [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: On a May 7-8 trip to Maldives, Assistant Secretary Boucher, accompanied by Ambassador, met with SIPDIS President Gayoom, government officials, members of the opposition, and women active in politics and civil society. Discussions covered the need for more concrete steps on [...] | 2007-05-15 11:48:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PHUM PTER SNAR MARR ETRD SENV ENRG |
07COLOMBO708 | SRI LANKA: KARUNA FACTION FRACTURES; EPDP [...] No summary [...] | 2007-05-16 08:38:00 | Embassy Colombo | SECRET | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
07COLOMBO709 | SRI LANKA: KARUNA FACTION FRACTURES; EPDP [...] (S) SUMMARY: The Karuna faction is experiencing a split between its political wing and its military wing. Some observers speculate this will result in Karuna leaving Sri Lanka again. Some Karuna members have requested asylum, fearing retribution from the breakaway faction led by Karuna's [...] | 2007-05-16 08:47:00 | Embassy Colombo | SECRET | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
07COLOMBO71 | SRI LANKA: DEMARCHE ON PSI PARTICIPATION DELIVERED [...] No summary [...] | 2007-01-13 10:12:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL KNNP EWWT PARM CE |
07COLOMBO712 | SRI LANKA TO SUPPORT SLOVENIA AND BOSNIA FOR HUMAN [...] (C) Ambassador spoke today with Foreign Secretary Palitha Kohona to urge that Sri Lanka vote on May 17 in the UN General Assembly for Bosnia and Slovenia -- and not for Belarus -- as members of the UN Human Rights Council. Several other western embassies also demarched the GSL on this issue. [...] | 2007-05-16 12:27:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS UNHRC CE |
07COLOMBO719 | SRI LANKA: MALDIVES MILITARY SINKS SUSPECTED LTTE [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: At approximately 8:25 a.m. on May 17, the Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF) fired on a 75 foot-long vessel suspected of trafficking weapons for the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). The MNDF's actions came after a 12-hour standoff with the vessel near the Gaaf Al [...] | 2007-05-17 11:28:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
07COLOMBO720 | SRI LANKA: PRESIDENT APPOINTS BROTHER AS MINISTER OF PORTS [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: President Rajapaksa has appointed his older brother, Chamal, as Minister of Ports and Aviation. The position makes Chamal responsible for oversight of several multi-million dollar ventures that the President has pushed, including an international port and airport in his home d [...] | 2007-05-17 11:31:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON EINV KCOR PGOV CE |
07COLOMBO722 | SRI LANKA: IN JAFFNA, STUDENTS TARGETED FOR [...] (C) SUMMARY: Two armed, masked men entered the University of Jaffna campus in broad daylight on May 16 and delivered a note threatening eight named students with summary execution for working with the LTTE. Ambassador, following a request by the university's Vice Chancellor, spoke with both t [...] | 2007-05-17 12:18:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PHUM PTER CE |
07COLOMBO728 | SRI LANKA: GSL COMPLICITY IN PARAMILITARY [...] (S) SUMMARY: Allegations of government complicity in crimes committed by organized paramilitary groups have mounted in the last year. Paramilitaries such as the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE)-breakaway Karuna group and Eelam People's Democratic Party (EPDP) have helped the Government of Sr [...] | 2007-05-18 09:22:00 | Embassy Colombo | SECRET | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
07COLOMBO733 | SRI LANKA: ATTEMPTS AT TMVP RECONCILIATION FAIL [...] (S) SUMMARY: On May 18, PolOff met Kanagasabai "Mahesh" Prabhakaran, the Head of the Peace Secretariat of the Tamil Makkal Viduthalai Pulikal (TMVP or "Karuna group") and "Pathmini" Devananda, also known as Sivageetha Prabhakaran, the TMVP Political Secretary. The two described the cause of [...] | 2007-05-21 10:51:00 | Embassy Colombo | SECRET | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM PINR KVPR CE |
07COLOMBO734 | SRI LANKA: ARMY COMMANDER REQUESTS REVIEW OF A [...] (C) Army Commander General Sarath Fonseka asked Ambassador on May 18 to reconsider the case of a Sri Lanka Army intelligence officer rejected for U.S.-funded counterterrorism training under Leahy Amendment provisions. Ambassador explained the application of the Leahy Amendment, and said the E [...] | 2007-05-21 10:52:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
07COLOMBO736 | MALDIVES FLOODING: TEXT OF PRESIDENT GAYOOM'S [...] Summary: The Maldives Ministry of Foreign Affairs delivered a diplomatic note to Embassy Colombo May 21 conveying a May 18 letter from Maldives President Gayoom to President Bush stating that widespread flooding caused by heavy sea swells had damaged a third of Maldives' 194 inhabited islands [...] | 2007-05-21 12:46:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | OPDC EAID PREL SENV MV |
07COLOMBO742 | SRI LANKA: SECOND "EMINENT PERSONS" PLENARY [...] (C) SUMMARY: The second plenary meeting of the International Independent Group of Eminent Persons (IIGEP) and the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) took place May 12. This was followed the same week by the CoI's first hearing, a meeting hosted by the Human Rights Minister to update donor countrie [...] | 2007-05-22 09:41:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
07COLOMBO743 | DISASTER DECLARATION FOR MALDIVES FLOODING [...] Summary and Action Request for USAID/OFDA: In response to recent flooding in Maldives, Ambassador Blake is making a disaster declaration and is exercising his authority to provide $50,000. In consultation with Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA) regional advisor, Ambassador requests [...] | 2007-05-22 11:50:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | EAID SENV PREL MV |
07COLOMBO746 | SRI LANKA: EMINENT PERSON DEVELOPS EYEWITNESS [...] (S) SUMMARY: In a May 21 meeting, U.S.-funded International Independent Group of Eminent Persons (IIGEP) Assistant David Savage told PolOff that a witness to the January 2006 killing of 5 youths in Trincomalee approached the United Kingdom's Eminent Person (EP) Sir Nigel Rodley in the UK wi [...] | 2007-05-23 12:19:00 | Embassy Colombo | SECRET | PHUM PGOV PTER MOPS PREL CE |
07COLOMBO747 | SRI LANKA: OPPOSITION "CROSSOVERS" PRESENT THEIR [...] (C) SUMMARY: On May 22, a group of "crossover" United National Party (UNP) Members of Parliament (MP) held a press conference to release their own devolution proposal. The UNP defectors are not members of the All Parties Representative Committee (APRC),but APRC Chairman Tissa Vitharana h [...] | 2007-05-23 12:47:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM CE |
07COLOMBO748 | SRI LANKA: PRESIDENT SEEKS TO NEUTRALIZE SINHALESE [...] (C) SUMMARY: Since the extremist Sinhalese party Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) withdrew official support for the President in April 2006, President Rajapaksa has been working to establish a measure of indirect control over the party and sap its ability to challenge his policies. The Presid [...] | 2007-05-24 08:42:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
07COLOMBO753 | SRI LANKA: LTTE ACTIVITY IN COLOMBO, JAFFNA, AND [...] (C) SUMMARY: On May 22 and 23, rounds from LTTE weapons fire fell in the vicinity of the ICRC compound at the crossing point at Omanthai on the A-9 highway and came close to hitting an ICRC vehicle with an expatriate ICRC worker inside. The checkpoint along the A-9 road to Jaffna was then [...] | 2007-05-24 13:26:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PTER MOPS PGOV PREL CE |
07COLOMBO754 | PROJECT PROPOSALS, 2007 IPR ENFORCEMENT TRAINING FUNDS [...] SUMMARY: Post is pleased to submit a proposal to obtain funds to conduct three IPR law enforcement training sessions for magistrates and customs officials at a total cost of USD 16,500. The training sessions will repeat as well as expand a highly successful workshop recently developed by the [...] | 2007-05-25 03:45:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | ECON ETRD KIPR CE |
07COLOMBO755 | SRI LANKAN AMBASSADOR TO U.S. ALLEGES LTTE SOLD NORWEGIAN [...] (SBU) Summary: Sri Lanka's Ambassador to the United States, Bernard Goonetilleke, stated in a May 17 radio interview that 130,000 Norwegian passports were in the hands of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE),who were selling them to Middle Eastern terrorist groups. On May 21, the Norw [...] | 2007-05-25 05:09:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL PTER PGOV KFRD CVIS CMGT CPAS CE |
07COLOMBO756 | SRI LANKAN AMBASSADOR TO U.S. ALLEGES LTTE SOLD NORWEGIAN [...] (SBU) Summary: Sri Lanka's Ambassador to the United States, Bernard Goonetilleke, stated in a May 17 radio interview that 130,000 Norwegian passports were in the hands of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE),who were selling them to Middle Eastern terrorist groups. On May 21, the Norw [...] | 2007-05-25 05:09:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL PTER PGOV KFRD CVIS CMGT CPAS CE |
07COLOMBO758 | SRI LANKA: SOLID WASTE ACCUMULATES AS AUTHORITIES FAIL TO [...] Summary: Solid Waste Management in Sri Lanka, particularly in urban areas, is a severe environmental issue. Around 6,400 tons of waste is generated each day in Sri Lanka, and only 40% of this volume is collected. Sri Lanka has not created sufficient landfill space to keep up with the volume [...] | 2007-05-25 09:01:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | ECON EAID SENV CE |
07COLOMBO768 | SRI LANKA: LTTE DETONATE MINE DURING RUSH HOUR ON [...] (C) SUMMARY: On May 28, 2007, at approximately 5:40 p.m. local time, the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) detonated a claymore mine on Galle Road near Ratmalana military base. The attack was clearly an attempt to kill Special Task Force (STF) soldiers traveling on a bus after comple [...] | 2007-05-29 12:16:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PTER PGOV PHUM MOPS CE |
07COLOMBO769 | SRI LANKA: EU HUMANITARIAN AID REPORT ON [...] (C) Summary: The EU Delegation to Sri Lanka, passed to us on May 28 a confidential report describing a recent European Commission Humanitarian Assistance (ECHO) visit to Sri Lanka's Vanni region, the heart of the northern area controlled by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). The repo [...] | 2007-05-29 13:05:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | EAID ECON MOPS PHUM PTER CE |
07COLOMBO777 | SRI LANKA SUPPORTS ZOELLICK NOMINATION [...] No summary [...] | 2007-05-30 11:48:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EAID ECON EFIN IBRD CE |
07COLOMBO778 | SRI LANKA: NATIONAL DECLARATION ON PREVENTION OF HIV/AIDS [...] Summary: An International Labor Organization-initiated National Tripartite Declaration on Prevention of HIV/AIDS at workplaces in Sri Lanka was signed recently. Partners in this new program include government agencies, trade unions, trade chambers and employers. The Declaration describes plans [...] | 2007-05-30 12:01:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | EAID ECON TBIO CE |
07COLOMBO779 | SRI LANKA: CORRUPTION PANELISTS TELL AMBASSADOR POLITICAL [...] (SBU) Summary: At a recent roundtable hosted by Ambassador, participants from government, civil society organizations, the private sector, and the media described corruption as endemic at all levels of Sri Lankan government, and also widespread in dealings between business and government. Most [...] | 2007-05-30 12:17:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON EAID KCOR PGOV CE |
07COLOMBO785 | GLOBAL INITIATIVE TO COMBAT NUCLEAR TERRORISM [...] (U) As requested ref A, post passed the information sheet on the Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism Third Meeting in Astana, Kazakhstan to the Government of Sri Lanka on May 3, 2007. 2. (SBU) Pursuant to ref D, Ambassador Blake and the Russian Ambassador to Sri Lanka demarched [...] | 2007-06-01 06:33:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PTER PARM PREL KGIC |
07COLOMBO787 | SRI LANKA: TAMIL HOSTEL OWNERS TOLD TO EXPEL ALL [...] (C) At approximately 5:30 p.m. on May 31, a local holiday, police in the central Colombo business district of Pettah summoned more than 60 Tamil hostel owners and ordered them to expel all occupants from their lodging that night. The police warned that they would do so forcibly the next morni [...] | 2007-06-01 10:35:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PTER PHUM MOPS PREL CE |
07COLOMBO788 | SRI LANKA: GOVERNMENT ARRESTS ANOTHER FORMER [...] (C) SUMMARY: On May 30, 2007, the Terrorism Investigation Division (TID) arrested the Chairman of Standard Newspapers Ltd. and former Chairman of the Civil Aviation Authority, Tiran Alles, on allegations of "aiding terrorists." The arrest occurred as Alles was receiving treatment in a priv [...] | 2007-06-01 10:36:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
07COLOMBO789 | SRI LANKA: CONSULTATIONS ON DEVOLUTION PROPOSAL [...] (C) SUMMARY: All-Party Representative Committee (APRC) chair Vitharana told Ambassador that discussions on devolution were proceeding constructively, and should be finished within two months, or by the end of July. He agreed with Ambassador's assessment that President Rajapaksa was prepared [...] | 2007-06-01 11:11:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
07COLOMBO805 | SRI LANKA: EXTRAJUDICIAL KILLINGS OF RED CROSS [...] (C) SUMMARY: The issue of abductions has again taken center stage in Sri Lanka as President Rajapaksa prepares to travel to Geneva to deliver a speech to the International Labor Organization on June 15 and meet with Louise Arbour. On June 1, President Rajapaksa announced a new committee desi [...] | 2007-06-06 11:08:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
07COLOMBO809 | SRI LANKAN SECURITY FORCES IMPOSE TRAVEL [...] (C) SUMMARY: On June 2, the Defense Ministry issued verbal directives to police stations in Colombo to evict from the city Tamils whose identification cards indicate they are from areas outside Colombo. According to local news media and Embassy sources, on June 6 and 7, police evicted Tamils [...] | 2007-06-07 11:42:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
07COLOMBO82 | INVESTMENT CLIMATE STATEMENT, 2007 - SRI LANKA [...] No summary [...] | 2007-01-16 12:01:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | CE EFIN EINV ELAB ETRD KTDB OPIC PGOV USTR |
07COLOMBO820 | SRI LANKA: SUPREME COURT STAYS ORDER EXPELLING [...] (S) SUMMARY: On June 8 the Sri Lanka Supreme Court stayed the removal of non-Colombo based Tamils temporarily residing in Colombo lodges and hostels (ref A). The Court ruled in favor of a Fundamental Rights Application filed by the NGO Center for Policy Alternatives (CPA). Military spokesm [...] | 2007-06-08 10:20:00 | Embassy Colombo | SECRET | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
07COLOMBO824 | SRI LANKA: PRIME MINISTER EXPRESSES REGRET FOR [...] (C) SUMMARY: Over the weekend, Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickremanayake publicly expressed "regret" for the deportation of Tamils from Colombo lodges and hostels. On Saturday June 9, approximately 160 Tamils who were forcibly deported from Colombo to Vavuniya returned to Colombo on the same [...] | 2007-06-11 10:32:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
07COLOMBO825 | COLOMBO RESPONSE TO TSUNAMI, EARTHQUAKE WARNINGS [...] Per reftel, Embassy Colombo provides the following responses to listed questions. 2. Question: Does a duty officer or Mission Disaster Relief Officer (and alternate MDRO) receive tsunami and earthquake warnings on a 24-hour basis from the Ops Center or other service? --Response: To date [...] | 2007-06-11 11:34:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | TPHY AORC EAID AMGT CASC |
07COLOMBO829 | AKASHI PLEDGES CONTINUED JAPANESE AID TO SRI LANKA [...] (C) Summary: In a briefing to Co-Chair Ambassadors on June 8, Japanese Special Envoy Yasushi Akashi found Colombo more polarized and pessimistic when he arrived on June 5 than he had seen in any of his 14 previous visits. By the end of his visit, he was only slightly more optimistic. In respo [...] | 2007-06-12 02:21:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PHUM PREF CE |
07COLOMBO830 | SRI LANKA: TAMIL TIGERS SIPHON OFF PART OF [...] (S) SUMMARY: In late May PolOff met the XXXXXXXXXXXX described the LTTE's complete control of all activities that take place in Tiger-controlled territory, including forced conscription and the use of the Tamil Rehabilitation Organization (TRO) to extract money from XXXXXXXXXXXX. XXXXXXXXXXXX also [...] | 2007-06-12 03:23:00 | Embassy Colombo | SECRET | PTER PHUM MOPS PGOV CE |
07COLOMBO833 | SRI LANKA: AMBASSADAR HIGHLIGHTS U.S.EFFORTS AT [...] Ambassador addressed an event organized by the U.S. Embassy, USAID and the Sri Lanka Energy Managers Association (SLEMA) to commemorate Earth Day 2007. Over 300 school children, government officials, representatives of the private sector and local NGOs participated in this half day seminar. [...] | 2007-06-12 11:54:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | ENRG PREL SENV CE |
07COLOMBO834 | UNSCR 1747: SRI LANKA HAS NOT YET SEVERED BANK [...] (SBU) Summary: Sri Lanka has not yet taken steps to implement UN Security Council Resolution 1747, but says it will do so soon. Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Bogollagama visited Iran May 25-28. With that visit past, Sri Lanka is likely to take steps to implement UNSCR 1747 in the near future. [...] | 2007-06-12 12:22:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EFIN KNNP UNSC IAEA IR CE |
07COLOMBO835 | SRI LANKA: IIGEP'S FIRST PUBLIC STATEMENT CRITICAL OF GSL [...] (U) SUMMARY: The first International Independent Group of Eminent Persons (IIGEP) public statement, released on June 10, outlines the group's key criticisms of the Commission of Inquiry's (CoI) progress to date and notes that the Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) has done little to address IIGEP's [...] | 2007-06-12 12:43:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PHUM PGOV PREL CE |
07COLOMBO836 | INTERVIEW PANEL SELECTS MALAYSIAN CANDIDATE FOR NEXT [...] On Monday, June 11, the Colombo Plan Council Selection Panel, comprised of representatives from Australia, India, Indonesia, Japan, Maldives, Myanmar, Pakistan, Thailand, and the United States, met to interview candidates for the position of Colombo Plan Secretary General. The four candidates [...] | 2007-06-13 02:31:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV PREL SNAR KJUS ASEC CE |
07COLOMBO837 | LEAHY VETTING FOR SRI LANKAN PARTICIPANT IN [...] (U) This is an action request. Please see paragraph 4. 2. (SBU) The following Sri Lankan official has been nominated to attend the following course of instruction: Funding Source: ODC Course Name: Pacific Army Chiefs Conference Course Dates: August 4-10, 2007 Location: Sydney, Australia [...] | 2007-06-13 03:43:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PHUM MASS CE |
07COLOMBO838 | SRI LANKA: INDIAN NAVY REPORTEDLY LIFTS OBJECTIONS [...] (C) On June 5, Sri Lanka Director of Naval Projects and Plans (DNPP) Commodore Lakshman Illangakoon contacted Embassy's Office of Defense Cooperation (ODC) to provide a readout of a meeting in New Delhi with the Indian Navy Commander and others (no further information) on the proposed U.S.-provided [...] | 2007-06-13 06:18:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN | PREL MASS MOPS IN CE |
07COLOMBO841 | SRI LANKA: DEFENSE SECRETARY CRITICIZES [...] (U) SUMMARY: Defense Secretary Gothabaya Rajapaksa, in an interview with Reuters and BBC correspondents, accused the international community, particularly the UK, of "bullying" Sri Lanka over human rights. He maintained that in fighting terrorism "anything is fair." He also charged that the [...] | 2007-06-13 12:51:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
07COLOMBO842 | FOREIGN MINISTER FOLLOWS UP WITH AMBASSADOR ON [...] (S) Summary: Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama invited Ambassador for a one-on-one meeting the evening of June 13th to discuss his requests to Secretary Gates at their recent meeting in Singapore for enhanced US-Sri Lankan maritime surveillance cooperation, UAVs, and enhanced i [...] | 2007-06-14 09:18:00 | Embassy Colombo | SECRET | PREL MASS PHUM CE |
07COLOMBO843 | SRI LANKA: WAR, AIR ATTACKS HIT BUSINESS CONFIDENCE [...] (SBU) Summary: The resumption of war in Sri Lanka is hurting the economy both in the short term and the long term, by driving up day-to-day business costs and by making firms nervous about new investments. Veteran Sri Lanka business people say the current investment environment is as bad as th [...] | 2007-06-14 10:33:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON EINV ETRD CE |
07COLOMBO844 | SRI LANKA: OPPOSITION LEADER CALLS FOR ARREST OF [...] (S) SUMMARY: United National Party (UNP) Opposition leader Ranil Wickremesinghe, citing the same grounds used by the Terrorism Investigation Division (TID) to arrest Tiran Alles (ref A),has called for the arrest of the President's brother Basil Rajapaksa and other members of the President's [...] | 2007-06-14 10:36:00 | Embassy Colombo | SECRET | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
07COLOMBO845 | OPPOSITION LEADER BLASTS RAJAPAKSA GOVERNMENT IN [...] (C) Summary: In a June 13 briefing to the diplomatic corps, Opposition Leader Wickremesinghe criticized the Rajapaksa government for being "at war with the LTTE, the international community, and with Sri Lankan values." He said the UNP party would soon start a campaign to bring the failures [...] | 2007-06-14 11:16:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV CE |
07COLOMBO847 | SRI LANKA: EASTERN MUSLIM PERSPECTIVE ON THE [...] (SBU) Summary: USAID Mission Director met with community leaders representing the Peace Secretariat for Muslims from the three districts of the Eastern Province -- Trincomalee, Batticaloa and Ampara. Participants in the the meeting, chaired by Mr. M.I.M. Mohideen, the body?s Secretary-Genera [...] | 2007-06-14 11:47:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EAID SOCI PHUM PINS PREF PGOV CE |
07COLOMBO848 | SRI LANKA: INVESTMENT DISPUTES AND EXPROPRIATION CLAIMS [...] (SBU) The following three claims are hereby submitted for 2007, in accordance with reftel request: 2. (SBU) a. Claimant A b. 2004 c. Claimant A had been contracted in June 2000 to provide power to the national grid under a combined cycle agreement signed with the state-owned Cey [...] | 2007-06-14 13:02:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | CASC EINV KIDE OPIC PGOV CE |
07COLOMBO849 | MALDIVES: NO INVESTMENT DISPUTES OR EXPROPRIATION CLAIMS [...] No summary [...] | 2007-06-14 13:03:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | CASC EINV KIDE OPIC PGOV MV |
07COLOMBO851 | SRI LANKA - NOMINATION OF VIRTUSA FOR CORPORATE EXCELLENCE [...] I am pleased to nominate Virtusa for the Secretary's Award for Corporate Excellence in the small and medium enterprise category. While meeting all eligibility requirements for this award, Virtusa has demonstrated outstanding corporate citizenship by assisting disaster-ridden countries with an [...] | 2007-06-15 03:21:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | ECON BEXP ETRD ELAB KSEP SENV AMGT CE |
07COLOMBO852 | SRI LANKA - NOMINATION OF MICROSOFT FOR CORPORATE [...] I am pleased to nominate Microsoft-Sri Lanka for the Secretary's Award for Corporate Excellence in the multinational enterprise category. While meeting all eligibility requirements for this award, Microsoft-Sri Lanka has demonstrated outstanding corporate citizenship by enabling reformed drug [...] | 2007-06-15 03:21:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | ECON BEXP ETRD ELAB KSEP SENV AMGT CE |
07COLOMBO854 | AMBASSADOR AND OFDA DIRECTOR VISIT TO BATTICALOA, SRI [...] (SBU)Summary: On June 4 and 5, Ambassador and USAID Mission Director joined an OFDA assessment mission led by OFDA Director Ky Luu to Batticaloa District in eastern Sri Lanka. Also on the mission were William Berger, OFDA Regional Advisor and John Lee Park, USAID HA Program Manager. The team as [...] | 2007-06-15 05:46:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PHUM PINS PREF PGOV EAID CE |
07COLOMBO861 | SRI LANKA: ABDUCTIONS PLAGUE MUSLIM COMMUNITY [...] (S) SUMMARY: Muslim businessmen have been subjected to abductions for the first time in recent weeks, marking a new and disturbing trend. Following numerous complaints from Muslim community groups, Ambassador called on Sri Lanka Muslim Congress leader Rauff Hakeem (strictly protect),who st [...] | 2007-06-19 05:44:00 | Embassy Colombo | SECRET | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
07COLOMBO867 | IRAN DELAYS APPROVAL OF NEW COLOMBO PLAN HEAD [...] (C) On June 18, the Colombo Plan Council held a special session to confirm the nomination of Malaysian candidate Patricia Yoon-Moi Chia as the new Secretary-General. Chia had been selected by the Colombo Plan Selection Committee on June 11 (ref) from a short-list of four candidates. 2. [...] | 2007-06-19 12:36:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
07COLOMBO868 | SRI LANKA: EMBASSY SUPPORTS SECTION 1206 POPOSAL [...] (S) Post hereby indicates its support for roviding the CENTRIX Communication package ($56,00) and Aircraft Command and Control Integrationpackage ($4.5 million) to the Government of Sri anka under Section 1206 of the National Defense uthorization Act for fiscal year 2007. BLAKE [...] | 2007-06-19 13:01:00 | Embassy Colombo | SECRET | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
07COLOMBO873 | SRI LANKA: SCENESETTER FOR TRADE MINISTER GL PEIRIS VISIT [...] (SBU) Summary: Sri Lankan Trade Minister Peiris will visit Washington June 22-26 to meet with senior officials including Assistant Secretary Boucher and Deputy U.S. Trade Representative Bhatia. Peiris will be accompanied by representatives of Sri Lanka's main garment exporter association, whic [...] | 2007-06-20 08:26:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON EINV ELAB ETRD PGOV PREL CE |
07COLOMBO88 | SRI LANKA: DEFENSE SECRETARY AND AMBASSADOR REVIEW [...] (S) On January 10, Ambassador and Pol Chief met Defense Secretary Gothabaya Rajapaksa (ref a). Ambassador noted that SIPDIS the U.S. and Sri Lanka wanted to work with each other and with India on interdiction of arms shipments to the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (ref b). He said the U [...] | 2007-01-16 13:45:00 | Embassy Colombo | SECRET | MARR MOPS PTER PREL PGOV CE |
07COLOMBO882 | SRI LANKA GOVERNMENT CREATES HIGH SECURITY ZONE [...] (C) SUMMARY: On June 18 media outlets reported that the Government of Sri Lanka has designated Sampur and Muttur in the Trincomalee district as a High Security Zone (HSZ) by formal "gazette notification." Some NGOs expressed concern that the move could prevent thousands of Tamils, displaced [...] | 2007-06-20 13:09:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
07COLOMBO883 | TWO EX-MINISTERS JOIN THE OPPOSITION, FORM NEW [...] (C) Summary. On June 19, two high profile ex-ministers, Mangala Samaraweera and Sripathi Sooriyarachchi, crossed over from the President,s party, the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP),to the opposition. In a letter to the Speaker of Parliament, Samaraweera announced his and Sooriyarachchi,s [...] | 2007-06-20 13:19:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
07COLOMBO889 | SRI LANKA: ACCESS TO TAMILNET RESTRICTED IN SRI [...] (C) SUMMARY: On June 19 TamilNet, a pro-Tamil website accused by the Government of posting propaganda for the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE),was blocked by the major Internet Service Providers (ISPs) in Sri Lanka. TamilNet has accused the GSL of ordering ISPs to restrict access, a [...] | 2007-06-21 12:06:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
07COLOMBO890 | SCENESETTER FOR JUNE 25-26 CO-CHAIR MEETING IN OSLO [...] Summary: The June 26 Co-Chair meeting in Oslo marks a good opportunity to think through our strategy to get the parties back to the negotiating table and into a more sustained process that could produce a breakthrough. In a June 15 meeting with Norwegian Minister Solheim in Geneva, President [...] | 2007-06-21 13:29:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PTER PGOV CE |
07COLOMBO893 | SRI LANKA: PRESIDENT'S SUPPORT IN PARTY AND [...] (C) SUMMARY: Since Mahinda Rajapaksa was selected as the Sri Lanka Freedom Party's (SLFP) candidate for the 2005 presidential election, tensions have been building within the party. Embassy contacts tell us that several SLFP stalwarts have tired of defending the Rajapaksa government's poor p [...] | 2007-06-22 05:22:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
07COLOMBO898 | SRI LANKA REQUESTS U.S. HELP ON THAI EXTRADITION [...] (C) Further to a June 13 conversation the Ambassador had with Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Bogollogama in which the Minister briefed on the GSL's efforts to work with partners in Southeast Asia to stop LTTE weapons procurement and transfer (reftel),Acting Foreign Secretary Maduwegedera contac [...] | 2007-06-22 09:50:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL KJUS PTER CE |
07COLOMBO899 | SRI LANKA: POLICE ARREST SUSPECTED ABDUCTIONS [...] (C) SUMMARY: On June 21, a special unit of the Police Department's Criminal Investigation Unit (CID) arrested former Air Force Squadron Leader Nishantha Gajanayake in connection with an ongoing probe into abductions, extortion and extra-judicial killings. Among other crimes, Gajanayake is [...] | 2007-06-22 10:25:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
07COLOMBO903 | SRI LANKA: FEW DONORS HAVE CUT AID DESPITE WIDESPREAD [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: The resumption of conflict and a deteriorating human rights climate have caused relatively few donors to reconsider parts of their planned aid to Sri Lanka. However, out of reluctance to penalize the intended recipients of development assistance, both multilateral and bilateral [...] | 2007-06-25 05:20:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EAID ECON PHUM CE |
07COLOMBO913 | SUMMARY OF UNITED NATIONS REVISED COMMON [...] (U) The Interagency Standing Committee Country Team held a mid-year review meeting on the revised Common Humanitarian Action Plan (CHAP) 2007 for the international donor community on June 14, 2007. The U.S., Japan, UK, South Korea, Australia, Canada, India, France, Sweden, and others other don [...] | 2007-06-26 03:28:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PHUM PINS PREF PGOV EAID CE |
07COLOMBO920 | AMBITIOUS CHIEF JUSTICE BREAKS AWAY FROM PRESIDENT [...] (C) SUMMARY: In a shift from regularly supporting the President in its rulings, the Supreme Court, headed by Chief Justice Sarath De Silva, made several decisions this month that the public widely hailed as justice served by a newly independent judiciary. Legal experts say, however, that whi [...] | 2007-06-27 13:29:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
07COLOMBO923 | ICAO ASSEMBLY: SRI LANKA SUPPORT OF U.S. POSITIONS [...] (U) SUMMARY: The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) of Sri Lanka generally supports all the U.S. positions on aviation safety and security for presentation at the upcoming International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Assembly. The Director General of the CAA, however, wanted more information [...] | 2007-06-28 04:46:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EAIR ECON ETRD SENV CE |
07COLOMBO924 | ICAO ASSEMBLY: SRI LANKA NON-COMMITTAL ON U.S. [...] (U) Summary: The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) does not support nor oppose the U.S. environmental positions for the September 2007 International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Assembly. The Director General of the CAA cited that the CAA is not sufficiently knowledgeable of the issues to s [...] | 2007-06-28 06:12:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EAIR ETRD SENV ECON CE |
07COLOMBO927 | AMBASSADOR AND OFDA DIRECTOR VISIT TO BATTICALOA, [...] (SBU) Summary: OFDA recently completed a mission to Sri Lanka that was highlighted by the participation of OFDA Director, Ky Luu. While in Sri Lanka Mr. Luu, along with the Ambassador and USAID Director, spent two days in Batticaloa District assessing the situation of IDPs and returnees. The [...] | 2007-06-29 04:03:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PHUM PINS PREF PGOV EAID CE |
07COLOMBO933 | SRI LANKA: TIGERS ATTEMPT TO ORCHESTRATE MASSIVE [...] (C) SUMMARY: On Friday June 29, the Sri Lanka Navy seized a truck laden with more than 1,000 kilograms of C4 explosives in the Panikkar district of Trincomalee. This find follows police confiscation on June 1 of a truck traveling towards Colombo containing 1,054 kilograms of explosives. T [...] | 2007-07-02 12:21:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
07COLOMBO934 | IRAN ENDORSES NEW COLOMBO PLAN HEAD [...] No summary [...] | 2007-07-02 12:21:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
07COLOMBO944 | OPPOSITION COOPERATING TO PRESSURE PRESIDENT [...] (C) SUMMARY: The Ambassador met with Former Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera on July 2 to discuss the goals of his newly formed Sri Lankan Freedom Party-Mahajana Wing (SLFP-M) and its new informal partnership with the main opposition United National Party (UNP). Samaraweera told us he h [...] | 2007-07-03 11:51:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
07COLOMBO946 | SRI LANKA: AMBASSADOR PRESSES PRESIDENTIAL [...] (C) SUMMARY: On July 2 Ambassador met with President Rajapaksa's brother and chief political advisor Basil Rajapaksa to discuss the GSL's development plans in the East. Ambassador inquired about ongoing efforts to resettle internally displaced persons (IDPs),the concerns surrounding the cr [...] | 2007-07-03 12:09:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
07COLOMBO947 | MALDIVES REPORTS PROGRESS ON NEW CONSTITUTION AND [...] (C) Summary. Foreign Minister Ahmed Shaheed called on Ambassador and DCM on June 29 to report positive progress on political reform. Shaheed and opposition contacts tell us that most of the draft of the new constitution is complete and that the Special Majlis, the committee drafting the new [...] | 2007-07-03 12:26:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
07COLOMBO948 | SRI LANKA: DEFENSE SECRETARY AGREES TO APPOINT [...] (C) Summary: Ambassador, Swiss Ambassador Flint and the Head of the European Commission Humanitarian Office Verboom presented Defense Secretary Rajapakse on June 29 the findings and recommendations of the Bilateral Donor Group (BDG) visit in May to the Vanni (the LTTE-controlled area of north [...] | 2007-07-03 13:02:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL MOPS EAID CE |
07COLOMBO957 | SRI LANKA: NO OBJECTION TO PROPOSED TRO DESIGNATION [...] (C) Embassy Colombo would support an E.O. 13224 designation of the Tamil Relief Organization (TRO) if the USG determines that there is sufficient evidence to establish that the TRO is channeling funds to the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) for arms purchases or terrorist activities. [...] | 2007-07-06 05:23:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | KTFN PTER CE |
07COLOMBO959 | SRI LANKA: GOVERNMENT TAKES STEPS TO ADDRESS [...] (C) SUMMARY: The Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) has recently made several announcements about its efforts to eliminate abductions in Sri Lanka. On July 4 Defense Spokesman Keheliya Rambukwella announced the arrest of 10 suspected abductors in the GSL's efforts to eliminate abductions-for-ra [...] | 2007-07-06 07:35:00 | Embassy Colombo | SECRET | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
07COLOMBO962 | SRI LANKA: COLOMBO AIRPORT RESUMES NIGHT OPERATIONS [...] SUMMARY: Sri Lanka's Bandaranaike International Airport resumed night operations on July 1 after the airport suspended night flights in early May following a series of air attacks near the airport by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam. However, only one airline operating through Colombo has [...] | 2007-07-09 10:45:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EAIR ECON EINV ETRD PTER CE |
07COLOMBO966 | IIGEP DISPUTE WITH GSL DIFFUSED FOR NOW [...] (C) SUMMARY: On June 20, the International Independent Group of Eminent Persons (IIGEP) received a harshly worded letter from the Attorney General (AG) accusing IIGEP of over-extending its mandate, relying too much on its assistants, and insulting the members of the Commission of Inquiry (C [...] | 2007-07-10 11:22:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
07COLOMBO971 | SRI LANKA: MILITARY TAKES LAST REMAINING LTTE [...] (C) On July 11 military spokesman Prasad Samarasinghe announced that the military had taken Baron's Cap, the last remaining high point in Thoppigala, the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam's (LTTE) last stronghold in the East. Later that evening, LTTE defense spokesman Irasiah Illanthirayan is [...] | 2007-07-12 10:49:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
07COLOMBO973 | SRI LANKA: DEVOLUTION PROCESS MAY BE RUNNING OUT [...] (C) Summary. The opposition United National Party (UNP) leadership has grown increasingly frustrated with the All Parties Representative Committee (APRC) process and is threatening to withdraw completely by August 15. UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe admits that he is staying out of the AP [...] | 2007-07-12 11:45:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
07COLOMBO977 | SRI LANKA: INSTABILITY IN THE EAST MAKES FREE AND [...] (C) SUMMARY: After more than a year of fighting to rid the eastern province of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE),the Government is making preparations to hold elections as a concrete sign that order has been restored. However, significant obstacles remain that could jeopardize th [...] | 2007-07-13 11:05:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
07COLOMBO978 | SRI LANKA: LTTE SOMBER IN LATEST TALKS WITH [...] (C) Summary: Norwegian Ambassador Brattskar met with Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) leadership in Kilinochchi July 11. In a briefing for Co-Chair Ambassadors, he described their mood as serious, somber, and determined. No new ground was broken. Political wing head Thamilselvan wa [...] | 2007-07-13 11:25:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PTER PGOV CE |
07COLOMBO98 | SRI LANKA: ARMY MAKES GAINS IN CAMPAIGN TO TAKE [...] (C) Military spokesman Brigadier Prasad Samarasinghe confirmed to pol FSN on January 16 that the security forces, through air strikes and ground movements, made progress against LTTE defenses both north and south of Vakarai on January 16. However, they have not yet captured the strategic brid [...] | 2007-01-17 12:39:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PTER PGOV MOPS PREL CE |
07COLOMBO980 | SRI LANKA: REQUEST TO STATE/DRL AND STATE/INL FOR SUPPORT [...] (SBU) Summary: The Government of Sri Lanka's Presidential Commission of Inquiry (COI) has begun investigations into serious human rights violations. The COI began hearings on one of the cases but a dispute between scientific experts regarding the forensic evidence is becoming a major impedimen [...] | 2007-07-16 10:53:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PHUM PINS PREL PREF PGOV EAID ASEC CE |
07COLOMBO982 | SRI LANKA LIKELY TO SUPPORT U.S. IOM CANDIDATE [...] No summary [...] | 2007-07-16 11:12:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV PREL AORC EUN PREF SMIG CE |
07COLOMBO983 | COLOMBO PLAN MONEY RETURNED [...] No summary [...] | 2007-07-16 11:13:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | AORC PREL CE |
07COLOMBO986 | SRI LANKA: FIGHTING SHIFTS TO THE NORTH [...] (C) SUMMARY: On July 14, the Sri Lankan Army (SLA) battled with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in Vavuniya district in northern Sri Lanka, resulting in at least 14 SLA deaths. The Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) is planning a large celebration on July 19 in downtown Colombo to c [...] | 2007-07-16 11:20:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
07COLOMBO99 | SRI LANKA: OPPOSITION WILL COOPERATE WITH [...] (C) The Ambassador met with Karu Jayasuriya, former deputy leader of the opposition United National Party (UNP),on January 17 to discuss whether the likely "cross-over" of UNP members to accept cabinet slots in the government would damage the MoU between the UNP and governing Sri Lanka Freedo [...] | 2007-01-17 12:50:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PHUM PTER CE |
08COLOMBO100 | MALDIVES: IN RUNUP TO ELECTION, INFIGHTING SLOWS [...] (C) SUMMARY: The Special Majlis has resumed work on the final two chapters of the constitution, but President Gayoom's DRP party and the opposition alliance NUA continue to battle over the specifics of two chapters, including the nature of the executive and transitional arrangements to a new g [...] | 2008-01-28 11:39:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM KDEM MV |
08COLOMBO1022 | MALDIVES: MAJLIS PROVISIONALLY CONFIRMS NEW 14-MEMBER [...] (U) SUMMARY: On November 12 President Nasheed secured approval for his new 14 minister cabinet. The cabinet represents each of the six parties and groupings that make up the ruling coalition. The cabinet's approval came amidst a power struggle between Nasheed and former President Gayoom's DRP [...] | 2008-11-13 12:35:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PINR PREL KDEM MV |
08COLOMBO1023 | SRI LANKA AND MALDIVES: POSITION ON UNGA THIRD [...] (U) On November 6, Ambassador conveyed reftel points to Sri Lankan Foreign Secretary Palitha Kohona. Ambassador sought Sri Lanka's support and vote for upcoming human rights resolutions in the United Nations General Assembly's Third Committee and stated U.S. opposition to "no-action" motions [...] | 2008-11-13 13:27:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PREL CE |
08COLOMBO1034 | TIP INTERIM ASSESSMENT FOR SRI LANKA [...] Post assesses that the Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) has taken many positive steps to address Sri Lanka's trafficking problem. These efforts have mainly focused on the foreign employment of Sri Lankans, building awareness of trafficking, and increasing interagency coordination to counter traffi [...] | 2008-11-17 10:30:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | KTIP KCRM KWMN PGOV PHUM SMIG CE |
08COLOMBO1040 | Sri Lanka: Scenesetter for the Visit of Deputy Assistant [...] (SBU) Summary: Your visit comes at a critical time, with Sri Lanka's 25-year ethnic conflict entering a possibly decisive phase. Government forces have made significant progress against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in the last several months, gaining a large swath of territory i [...] | 2008-11-18 11:32:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | MARR PGOV PHUM PREL CE |
08COLOMBO1042 | SRI LANKA: GOVERNMENT FORCES TAKING CONTROL OF [...] (C) SUMMARY: The recent fall of Pooneryn and the crossroads town of Mankulam to government forces has greatly improved the government's military position and put the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam in a strategic bind. Government forces now control virtually all of Sri Lanka's western coastli [...] | 2008-11-18 14:11:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV MOPS PTER CE |
08COLOMBO1044 | MALDIVES WILL VOTE WITH U.S. IN UNGA THIRD [...] (SBU) Foreign Minister Ahmed Shaheed reported to Ambassador that Maldives would vote against the no-action resolutions on Burma and DPRK and vote in favor of the resolutions. However, citing a common stand taken by the Organization of Islamic Countries, Shaheed said Maldives would not be abl [...] | 2008-11-19 09:03:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL PHUM UNGA BM KN IR MV |
08COLOMBO1046 | EMBASSY COLOMBO EAC MEETING 11/19/2008 REGARDING [...] (SBU) Summary: AmEmbassy Colombo convened an Emergency Action Committee (EAC) meeting on November 19, 2008. The EAC discussed post's security posture and security for the official and expatriate American communities vis-a-vis possible Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) terrorist attacks [...] | 2008-11-19 12:22:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ASEC CASC PTER |
08COLOMBO1049 | SRI LANKA: TERRORISM TRIAL OF JOURNALIST [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: The trial on terrorism charges of journalist J.S. Tissainayagam has entered a critical phase. The testimony in the case has not gone well for the government, with the officer who took Tissainayagam's confession conceding errors. The Judicial Medical officer who examined Tissa [...] | 2008-11-20 13:46:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM PTER PREL CE |
08COLOMBO1055 | SRI LANKA: AVIAN INFLUENZA PREPARATIONS CONTINUE [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: Sri Lankan health officials continue preparations to prevent an Avian Influenza (AI) outbreak in country. Repeated incidence of the disease in the region places Sri Lanka at risk of AI. Animal health authorities maintain monitoring activities while the Ministry of Health has [...] | 2008-11-24 11:27:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | KFLU TBIO KSTH ECON PREL SOCI EAGR CASC WHO CE |
08COLOMBO1056 | UNGA ANTI-ISRAEL RESOLUTIONS: POSITIVE MOVEMENT [...] (SBU) Maldivian Foreign Minister Shaheed assured Ambassador that Maldives could probably shift "to a more reasonable stance" on the anti-Israel resolutions. He indicated, however, that MFA would have to look at each resolution on a case-by-case basis. He also reported that he had instructed [...] | 2008-11-24 12:24:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL UNGA IS PA CE MV |
08COLOMBO1062 | GUIDANCE NEEDED ON 699(G) RESTRICTIONS APPLIED TO [...] (C) In a meeting with Ambassador on November 25, Foreign Minister Bogollagama informed post that two U.S. defense contractors, a Kuwaiti company affiliated with the U.S.-based Oshkosh Corp and DynCorp International, had instituted hiring restrictions on Sri Lankan expatriate workers in Kuwait [...] | 2008-11-26 04:55:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL ECON SMIG KTIP ELAB CE |
08COLOMBO1063 | AUSTR DELANEY'S VISIT TO SRI LANKA [...] (U) Summary: Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for South Asia Michael Delaney visited Sri Lanka November 11-14 to engage with key government and business leaders, to discuss issues related to U.S.- Sri Lanka Trade and Investment Framework Agreement talks, and to review labor issues raised in [...] | 2008-11-26 07:51:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON EFIN ETRD EINV PGOV CE |
08COLOMBO1070 | SRI LANKA: AMBASSADOR REVIEWS PROBLEMS IN EASTERN [...] (C) SUMMARY: In a meeting on November 25, Ambassador discussed current U.S. concerns about the situation in Sri Lanka with Foreign Minister Bogollagama. After praising GSL cooperation with the UN and ICRC over delivering food supplies to the population of the Vanni, Ambassador noted that incr [...] | 2008-11-26 11:21:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PHUM MOPS PREF CE |
08COLOMBO1071 | Internally Displaced Persons in Mannar Living in Detention [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: The Government of Sri Lanka's push to regain military control over Mannar district met with success in early 2008. The government may soon approve return of displaced persons to their homes within the district. However, over 800 persons, most originating from Jaffna and Kilin [...] | 2008-11-26 11:55:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREF PHUM PGOV EAID PREL CE |
08COLOMBO1073 | SRI LANKA: AUSTR DELANEY DISCUSSES LABOR AND THE AFL-CIO [...] (U) Summary: During a November 11-14 visit, Assistant U.S. Trade Representative (AUSTR) Michael Delaney met with key Sri Lankan government officials and local trade union representatives to discuss the June 2008 AFL-CIO petition to USTR that alleges Sri Lanka's labor laws do not comply with i [...] | 2008-11-28 03:01:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ELAB ECON ETRD EINV EAID PGOV KMCA CE |
08COLOMBO1074 | SRI LANKA: RESULTS OF COLOMBO PLAN NOVEMBER 20 MEETING [...] (U) SUMMARY: At Colombo Plan's 262nd Council meeting on November 20, 2008, participating delegates deferred a decision on whether to grant Burma a three-year moratorium on payment of the annual membership fee and on two requests from Bangladesh to both have its arrears waived and obtain a temp [...] | 2008-11-28 04:23:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | AORC CPCTC SNAR UNODC CE |
08COLOMBO1075 | MALDIVES 2009 BUDGET PRESENTED; 2008 DEFICIT INCREASES [...] (SBU) On November 25, Ali Hashim, Maldives Minister of Finance and Treasury, presented the GORM budget for 2009, proposing a total expenditure of Rf 13.6 billion (approx. USD 1.1 billion). Revenue is estimated at Rf 7.9 billion (USD 0.6 billion),resulting in a deficit of about Rf 5.8 billion [...] | 2008-11-28 05:57:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | ECON EFIN EAID MV |
08COLOMBO1076 | MALDIVIAN PRESIDENT NASHEED REQUESTS $8-10 MILLION [...] (U) This is an Action Request. Please see paragraph 5. 2. (C) Maldivian President Nasheed telephoned Ambassador the morning of November 27 to request a USG loan of 8 to 10 million U.S. dollars to help bridge a financial shortfall the Maldivian Government faces to meet its budgetary obligat [...] | 2008-11-28 06:30:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | EFIN PREL ECON EAID MV |
08COLOMBO1077 | EMBASSY COLOMBO EAC MEETS ON 11/28/2008 RE MUMBAI [...] (SBU) Summary: AmEmbassy Colombo convened an Emergency Action Committee (EAC) meeting on November 28, 2008. The EAC discussed post's security posture in light of the terrorist attacks in Mumbai, India on November 27. The EAC concurred that there was no threat information indicating that the [...] | 2008-11-28 07:03:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ASEC CASC PTER |
08COLOMBO1078 | SRI LANKA: DASD CLAD TOLD EASTERN PROBLEMS LIKELY [...] (C) SUMMARY: During a visit to Sri Lanka on November 22-23, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense James Clad discussed the Sri Lankan Army's military progress against the LTTE, future political arrangements in Sri Lanka's north, demobilization of the TMVP, and child soldiers with Defense Secr [...] | 2008-11-28 09:49:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
08COLOMBO1079 | SRI LANKA: LTTE CHIEF PRAISES INDIA, CALLS SRI [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: In his annual "Heroes' Day" speech, a defiant LTTE supremo Prabhakaran professed his commitment to a peaceful solution of the conflict, but labeled the government's pursuit of a military solution racist and genocidal. He criticized "so-called Peace Sponsors" who "impaired" neg [...] | 2008-11-28 09:54:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
08COLOMBO108 | FY08 BIOTECHNOLOGY OUTREACH STRATEGY AND DEPARTMENT [...] Post appreciates the opportunity to request funding for biotechnology outreach programs in Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka is at a turning point with respect to biotechnology. The country has regulations to label, regulate and control the import of Genetically Modified (GM) foods, as well as to regulat [...] | 2008-01-29 11:29:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | EAGR ECON ETRD TBIO KPAO |
08COLOMBO1082 | Sri Lanka Northern Districts Floods Disaster [...] The week of November 24, 2008, heavy rains pelted northern and eastern districts of Sri Lanka affecting more than 240,000 people. These heavy rains, caused by a cyclonic weather system, further aggravated the already challenging humanitarian situation in these same districts into a crisis aff [...] | 2008-12-01 03:17:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL PREF CE |
08COLOMBO1093 | SRI LANKA LIKELY TO PARTICIPATE IN ARF DISASTER [...] (U) MFA Director General for Asia Pamela Deen confirmed to Poloff that Sri Lanka would participate in the ASEAN Regional Forum Voluntary Demonstration of Response on Disaster Relief in May 2009. Deen also reported that Minister of Human Rights and Disaster Management Mahinda Samarasinghe would [...] | 2008-12-02 12:19:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | ARF EAID MARR MOPS PREL CE RP |
08COLOMBO1094 | SRI LANKA: ANTI-CONVERSION BILL STALLED IN [...] (C) After a meeting at the Peace Secretariat (SCOPP) on December 1, Secretary to the Ministry of Human Rights and Disaster Management Rajiva Wijesinghe reported to Charge that the anti-conversion bill currently being debated in Parliament is likely to remain in a standing committee and not com [...] | 2008-12-02 12:20:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | KIRF PHUM CE |
08COLOMBO1099 | SRI LANKA: SECURITY DETERIORATES IN EASTERN [...] (C) SUMMARY: Over the past three weeks the security situation in the East has deteriorated as LTTE cadres and TMVP members loyal to Karuna have conducted a series of killings. In response, the government imposed a curfew on Batticaloa and the Chief Minister and Mayor of Batticaloa went on a o [...] | 2008-12-03 05:11:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
08COLOMBO1102 | SRI LANKA: TMVP, GSL, AND UNICEF SIGN MOU ON CHILD [...] (C) SUMMARY: On December 1 the Government, the TMVP and UNICEF signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) that committed each party to end the use and recruitment of child soldiers by the TMVP. Karuna signed on behalf of the TMVP, "as leader of the TMVP in the presence of the Chief Minister o [...] | 2008-12-03 12:38:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM MOPS CE |
08COLOMBO1106 | MALDIVES: HOME MINISTER QASIM IBRAHIM RESIGNS [...] (U) SUMMARY: Home Minister Qasim Ibrahim has resigned following a police brutality scandal at a five-star resort. Qasim's Republican Party has not decided on its continued participation in the MDP-led government. Upcoming Parliamentary elections in February will determine the extent to which [...] | 2008-12-04 11:15:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV ELAB MV |
08COLOMBO1108 | SRI LANKA: VERBAL AGREEMENT REACHED ON TMVP [...] (SBU) According to IOM Chief of Party Mohammed Abdiker, on December 1 at a meeting convened by Secretary of Defense Gothabaya Rajapaksa, TMVP Commander and Member of Parliament Vinayagamurthi Muralitharan ("Karuna Amman") and Eastern Provincial Council Chief Minister Sivanesathurai Chadrakant [...] | 2008-12-04 13:40:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM MOPS EAID CE |
08COLOMBO111 | SRI LANKA: DISAPPOINTMENT AT LIMITED SCOPE OF [...] (C) SUMMARY: While the international response to the unveiling of the government proposals for limited devolution of powers to the provinces under Sri Lanka's 13th Amendment was cautiously positive, reactions from the minority Tamils and Muslims have ranged from disappointment to scathing rej [...] | 2008-01-29 15:02:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
08COLOMBO1113 | SRI LANKA: RELIGIOUS LEADERS FACE OBSTACLES [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: On November 23, international and Sri Lankan religious leaders held a conference in Anuradhapura at which they sought to facilitate the opening of a humanitarian corridor for the IDP population of the Vanni. Following the conference they met with the President who offered his [...] | 2008-12-08 05:38:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV MOPS PINR CE |
08COLOMBO1117 | SRI LANKA: TRIAL OF JOURNALIST ON TERRORISM [...] (U) The inquiry to determine whether the confession of journalist J.S. Tissainayagam was voluntary or forced was held on December 5 at the High Court of Colombo before High Court Judge Deepali Wijesundera. The court ruled that it was voluntary. The future direction of this high-profile case [...] | 2008-12-08 12:24:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV PREL TERAA CE |
08COLOMBO1118 | SRI LANKA LIKELY SUPPORTIVE OF PROPOSED GLOBAL [...] Econ Chief delivered reftel points to Additional Secretary for Agriculture Development and Agrarian Services AAR Ratnayake on December 8. Although Ratnayake could not pledge full GSL support for the Global Partnership for Agriculture and Food (GPAF),she stated Sri Lanka would be in favor of [...] | 2008-12-09 01:35:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | EAGR EAID ECON ETRD PGOV TBIO CE |
08COLOMBO1123 | SRI LANKA PASSES 2009 BUDGET [...] Summary: (SBU) Parliament easily passed the 2009 GSL budget on December 8, one month following President Rajapaksa's presentation of the draft on November 6. This is Rajapaksa's fourth budget since coming into office in 2005 on a platform of poverty reduction, steering investment to disadvan [...] | 2008-12-09 11:54:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON EFIN PGOV MARR KMCA CE |
08COLOMBO1127 | SRI LANKA: AMBASSDOR EXPRESSES CONCERN ABOUT [...] (SBU) Ambassador met with Central Bank Governor Nivard Cabraal on December 9 to express concern about the Supreme Court's interim order halting CPC hedge payments to banks (reftel). Ambassador noted that the ruling not only causes difficulty for Citibank and the other banks involved, but coul [...] | 2008-12-10 11:36:00 | Embassy Colombo | SECRET | ECON EINV PGOV CE |
08COLOMBO113 | AMBASSADOR IN SRI LANKA'S EAST: DISARM PARAMILITARY GROUPS [...] Ambassador and AID officer visited Batticaloa in Sri Lanka's volatile Eastern Province on January 22-24 to attend the opening of a vocational training center funded by private American donations; open two USAID funded facilities; and meet with local officials, donors, and INGO representatives. [...] | 2008-01-30 11:20:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PHUM PREF EAID PINS CE |
08COLOMBO1133 | SRI LANKA: FINANCING HARDSHIPS IN NEW YEAR [...] (SBU) Summary: Sri Lanka's macroeconomic outlook for 2009 is weakening. In November Central Bank reserves declined, for the fourth straight month, to around $2 billion, or less than 2 months of imports. The trade deficit in the first ten months expanded by 78%, and the Central Bank (CB) expe [...] | 2008-12-15 11:15:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON EFIN PGOV KMCA CE |
08COLOMBO1139 | DEMARCHE SRI LANKA: UNITED NATIONS HARMONIZATION [...] No summary [...] | 2008-12-17 08:09:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | AMGT AORC APER PREL UNGA CE |
08COLOMBO114 | SRI LANKA: RISING VIOLENCE IN NORTH KILLS STUDENTS [...] (C) SUMMARY: An LTTE artillery bombardment of the Palaly base near Jaffna thwarted an attempt by Defense Secretary Gothabaya Rajapaksa and Army Commander Sarath Fonseka to land there on January 28, forcing their aircraft to return to Colombo. Government forces responded by bombing the LTTE a [...] | 2008-01-30 11:46:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PTER PHUM PREF MOPS CE |
08COLOMBO1140 | IRAN VOTE: DEMARCHE TO MALDIVES [...] (SBU) On December 16, 2008, Ambassador conveyed ref A letter from Secretary Rice to Foreign Minister Shaheed thanking him for Maldives' helpful shift in stance on the Third Committee resolution in Iran (and the associated no-action motion). Ambassador requested that Maldives vote in acordanc [...] | 2008-12-17 08:33:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL PHUM UNGA MV CE |
08COLOMBO1143 | EMBASSY COLOMBO EAC MEETING DECEMBER 17, 2008 [...] (SBU) Summary: AmEmbassy Colombo convened an Emergency Action Committee (EAC) meeting on December 17, 2008. The EAC discussed post's security posture in light of the information provided reftel. The EAC discussed the current threat environment, the need to have RSO staff present in Colombo d [...] | 2008-12-17 11:12:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ASEC CASC PTER |
08COLOMBO1144 | SRI LANKA: RESPONSE TO LEGISLATIVE RESTRICTIONS FOR [...] (U) On (December 8 EconOff informed Colombo Plan Secretariat of the legislative restrictions for interest on external borrowing on FY 2009 assessed contributions to international organizations and assessed invoicing for FY 2009, per reftel request. Colombo Plan Secretary General informed post [...] | 2008-12-17 11:36:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | AORC KUNR AFIN CE |
08COLOMBO1145 | USAID TSUNAMI RECONSTRUCTION PROGRAM IN SRI LANKA [...] USAID /Sri Lanka has completed all projects related to the tsunami disaster of 2004, and funds of $134.6 million have been fully expended. The initial response to the tsunami during the first few months immediately following the disaster focused on emergency relief, providing basic necessitie [...] | 2008-12-18 05:47:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV PHUM PREF EAID CE |
08COLOMBO1146 | EMBASSY COLOMBO EAC MEETING 12/17/2008 - [...] (SBU) Summary: AmEmbassy Colombo convened an Emergency Action Committee (EAC) meeting on December 17, 2008. In addition to discussing post's security posture during the upcoming holiday period, the EAC reviewed proposed revisions to post's restricted travel zone and travel policy. The EAC-re [...] | 2008-12-19 08:15:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ASEC CASC PTER |
08COLOMBO1153 | 2008 Country Reports on Terrorism [...] (U) Here is the 2008 Country Report on Terrorism for Sri Lanka. The point of contact for this cable is Ben Barry. His e-mail address is BarryBG@state.gov. 2. (U) BEGIN TEXT: More than 7,000 people were killed and many thousands more displaced in 2008 as the Sri Lankan government continue [...] | 2008-12-23 08:19:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | PTER ASEC CE |
08COLOMBO1161 | SRI LANKA: SUICIDE BOMBER KILLS 8 OUTSIDE OF CIVIL [...] (U) At about 8:45 a.m. on December 28, a presumed LTTE suicide bomber killed himself, seven Civil Defense Force (CDF) personnel and one civilian in an attack on a CDF office in Wattala, a northern Colombo suburb. (Note: the Civil Defense Force, formerly the Home Guards, are roughly analagous t [...] | 2008-12-29 12:39:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PTER ASEC CE |
08COLOMBO1163 | STAFFDEL AHUJA BRIEFED ON HUMANITARIAN SITUATION [...] (U) SUMMARY: During her December 11-16 visit, House Foreign Affairs Committee (HFAC) staff member Jasmeet Ahuja met with Government of Sri Lanka, NGO, UN, and international organization representatives to assess the humanitarian situation in the North. Humanitarian access issues for the UN and [...] | 2008-12-31 06:28:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
08COLOMBO120 | SRI LANKA: TOURISM DOWN 12% IN 2007; COULD HAVE BEEN [...] Summary: The escalating ethnic conflict continues to hurt the Sri Lankan tourism industry, which experienced a 12% decrease in visitors in 2007 compared to 2006. Industry representatives have mixed assessments of the possible impact of the recent escalation of violence and the consequent bad [...] | 2008-01-31 10:54:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | ECON ETRD EFIN PTER CE |
08COLOMBO126 | EMBASSY COLOMBO EAC MEETING 02/01/2008 [...] (SBU) Summary: AmEmbassy Colombo convened an Emergency Action Committee (EAC) meeting on February 1, 2008. The EAC discussed Post,s security posture in light of possible attacks by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in retaliation for a bombing in LTTE controlled Mannar District and [...] | 2008-02-01 10:32:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ASEC CASC PTER |
08COLOMBO133 | MALDIVES ECONOMY GREW BY 6.6% IN 2007 [...] (SBU) Summary: In 2007, Maldives economy grew by 6.6%, marking a return to its pre-tsunami growth path. Tourism drove the growth, with visitors up 12% to over 675,000. Tourism-related activities, such as transport and communications, and construction of new resorts, also contributed to growt [...] | 2008-02-05 10:24:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | ECON EFIN EAID MV |
08COLOMBO134 | DIPLOMATIC NOTE RECALLING DR. MOHAMED LATHEEF FROM [...] (SBU) Post received the following diplomatic note with reference number (F2) EA-US/B/2008/2 informing us of Dr. Mohamed Latheef's recall from his post as Non-resident Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary and seeking agrement for his designated successor, Mr. Mohamed Hussain Maniku as [...] | 2008-02-05 10:29:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL PGOV PINR MV |
08COLOMBO135 | SRI LANKA: SPIKE IN DEADLY ATTACKS CONTINUES TO [...] (C) SUMMARY: Sri Lanka experienced a spike in terrorist attacks prior to its February Independence Day celebrations. On February 2, a bomb exploded on a civilian bus in Dambulla, in north central Sri Lanka, killing 20. On February 3, an LTTE suicide cadre killed herself and 14 others at the Fo [...] | 2008-02-05 12:18:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PTER PHUM MOPS ASEC CE |
08COLOMBO136 | EMBASSY COLOMBO EAC MEETING 02/05/2008 [...] (SBU) Summary: AmEmbassy Colombo convened an Emergency Action Committee (EAC) meeting on February 5, 2008. The EAC discussed Post's security posture in light of terrorist attacks on February 2, 3 and 4 (the weekend prior to, and the day of, Sri Lankan Independence Day). The EAC recommended, an [...] | 2008-02-05 13:21:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ASEC CASC PTER |
08COLOMBO137 | MALDIVES UPDATE: UN ELECTION MISSION DELAYED [...] (SBU) Summary: In a series of meetings on January 30, the Embassy learned that the Special Majlis considering constitutional reform has not yet resolved the section on transitional arrangements, because of disputes over whether President Gayoom should be allowed to run and whether a transitio [...] | 2008-02-05 13:59:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL PHUM KISL AORC ML |
08COLOMBO14 | ADMIRAL KEATING'S MEETING WITH MALDIVIAN PRESIDENT [...] (C) Summary: In a friendly courtesy call with Maldivian President Gayoom on November 21, Pacific Commander Admiral Timothy Keating told the President his visit had reinforced the partnership between the U.S. and Maldives. He outlined for Gayoom plans the two militaries have to share more inf [...] | 2008-01-03 11:11:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PTER PGOV CE |
08COLOMBO142 | SRI LANKA: OPPOSITION AND MINORITY PARTIES SEARCH [...] (C) SUMMARY: Sri Lanka's main opposition and minority parties have resigned themselves to working another year under the SLFP-led government. The opposition and minority parties remain frustrated with the SLFP-led government, but recognize they have few options for replacing the current admi [...] | 2008-02-07 08:33:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
08COLOMBO144 | SRI LANKA: SURGE IN VIOLENCE AND INTIMIDATION [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: Intimidation and attacks on the media in Sri Lanka have risen sharply since the beginning of the year. The International Federation of Journalists ranked Sri Lanka as the fifth deadliest country for journalists based on 2007 incidents that included six recorded deaths. January [...] | 2008-02-07 12:22:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PHUM PTER SCUL CE |
08COLOMBO149 | SRI LANKA: MINISTER'S STRATEGY FOR ENGAGEMENT WITH [...] (C) SUMMARY: Ambassador met Human Rights Minster Mahinda Samarasinghe on January 25 to discuss a range of U.S. concerns about Sri Lanka's human rights situation, including recent incidents. Samarasinghe explained Sri Lanka's strategy for engagement with the UN Human Rights Council, emphasiz [...] | 2008-02-11 08:22:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM PREL MOPS CE |
08COLOMBO15 | SRI LANKA: GOVERNMENT DECIDES TO ANNUL CEASE-FIRE [...] (C) Summary. On January 2, Sri Lanka's cabinet voted unanimously to end the Cease-Fire Agreement (CFA) signed between the GSL and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in 2002. Norway, the CFA's facilitator, issued a statement regretting the decision and noting that the Sri Lankan Mo [...] | 2008-01-03 12:18:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
08COLOMBO152 | SRI LANKA: PARLIAMENTARIANS TO ATTEND THE UN.GIFT [...] No summary [...] | 2008-02-11 10:01:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | KCRM KWMN PHUM PREF SMIG CE |
08COLOMBO153 | SRI LANKA: TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS PROPOSALS FOR [...] Post, following G/TIP instructions in reftel, solicited anti-trafficking project proposals from local and regional organizations and received three proposals. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) proposal includes improving the GSL's capacity to prosecute trafficking crimes and to [...] | 2008-02-11 10:12:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | ASEC ELAB PHUM PREL SMIG KCRM CE |
08COLOMBO156 | SRI LANKA: DEMARCHE ON GSL REPRESENTATIVE'S [...] No summary [...] | 2008-02-12 09:46:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL PARM MNUC UN CE |
08COLOMBO157 | SRI LANKA UNDECIDED ON KOSOVO INDEPENDENCE [...] (C) Ambassador delivered reftel demarche to Sri Lankan Minister of Foreign Affairs Rohitha Bogollagama on February 11, urging the Government of Sri Lanka to recognize Kosovo's independence if Kosovo issues such a declaration. Ambassador noted that the U.S. does not consider Kosovo independence [...] | 2008-02-12 09:50:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL UN UNMIK YI CE |
08COLOMBO162 | SRI LANKA: FIGHTING INTENSIFIES IN THE NORTH [...] (C) Summary: Fighting between Sri Lankan Army (SLA) and LTTE forces has intensified, particularly in Mannar district. On February 12, the LTTE attacked the Thallady brigade command center in Mannar district killing several soldiers and damaging a nearby church. On February 11, 10 government [...] | 2008-02-13 12:46:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PHUM MOPS CE |
08COLOMBO166 | SRI LANKA: GERMAN AID MINISTER CALLS FOR EU TO [...] (C) Summary: German Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development Heidemarie Wieczorek-Zeul told the German press this week that she would urge the EU to withdraw Sri Lanka's eligibility for tariff-free exports to the EU under the GSP program if Sri Lanka continues to pursue a military res [...] | 2008-02-15 10:26:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | EAID ETRD CE |
08COLOMBO167 | 02/15/2008, EAC MEETING REGARDING SECURITY [...] (S/NF) Summary: In response to information provided reftel, AmEmbassy Colombo convened a meeting of the core Emergency Action Committee (EAC). The EAC concurred that the death of the Hizballah leader was unlikely to affect Post's security profile, and therefore the EAC felt that it was not nec [...] | 2008-02-15 10:26:00 | Embassy Colombo | SECRET//NOFORN | ASEC PTER CASC |
08COLOMBO17 | SRI LANKA: GSL BLAMES CFA ABROGATION ON LTTE; [...] (C) Summary. On January 3, the GSL submitted to Norwegian Ambassador Tore Hattrem formal notification, dated January 2, of its intent to withdraw from the Cease Fire Agreement (CFA). Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama briefed Co-Chair Ambassadors on the evening of January 3 and the broad [...] | 2008-01-04 10:50:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
08COLOMBO172 | MGKV01: SRI LANKA REJECTS RECOGNITION OF KOSOVO [...] (U) On February 17, Sri Lanka rejected Kosovo's declaration of independence, citing its potential to set an "unmanageable" precedent, and claiming that it violates the UN Charter and UN Security Council Resolution 1244. 2. (U) In a statement issued on February 17, the Foreign Ministry state [...] | 2008-02-20 02:01:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL UN UNMIK YI EU KV CE |
08COLOMBO177 | NGOS IN LTTE-CONTROLLED AREA BRIEF ON GROWING [...] (SBU) Summary: In a February 19 briefing at the EU Commission for selected Heads of Mission, international NGOs operating in the northern area of the Vanni still controlled by the LTTE reported growing constraints on their operations, including increasing restrictions on access both to and w [...] | 2008-02-20 10:31:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EAID PREL PTER CE |
08COLOMBO180 | INPUT FOR NEW REQUIRED REPORTS TO CONGRESS ON ENERGY [...] No summary [...] | 2008-02-21 04:01:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | ENRG SENV APER ABUD CE |
08COLOMBO184 | SRI LANKA: FIGHTING CONTINUES IN MANNAR DISTRICT; [...] (U) On February 20 at 11:00 AM, three soldiers were shot and killed in Buttala, an area deep in Sri Lanka's south. The Defense Ministry blamed the attack on the LTTE and deployed additional troops to conduct a search operation. Following the attack, the Defense Ministry replaced the military [...] | 2008-02-21 11:44:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL MOPS CE |
08COLOMBO193 | SRI LANKA: EXPORTS TO U.S. DECLINE BUT STILL NINE TIMES [...] (U) Summary: The United States merchandise trade deficit with Sri Lanka in 2007 was $1.84 billion. Sri Lanka's exports to the United States were $2.1 billion, while U.S. exports to Sri Lanka were $227 million -- a ratio of about nine-to-one. The EU replaced the United States as Sri Lanka's l [...] | 2008-02-25 11:24:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | ECON ETRD EFIN EAID CE |
08COLOMBO197 | SRI LANKA: BOMB BLASTS IN COLOMBO SUBURB AND [...] (SBU) On February 23, a bomb blast injured 18 people at a bus stop in Mount Lavinia, a southern suburb of Colombo. According to press reports, a passenger who spotted an unattended parcel in the back of the bus alerted the driver, who evacuated the bus just before the explosion. Eight Tamils [...] | 2008-02-26 05:24:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PTER PGOV PHUM MOPS CE |
08COLOMBO198 | SRI LANKA: GOVERNMENT CIRCUMVENTS CONSTITUTIONAL [...] (C) SUMMARY: Parliament adopted the 17th Amendment to the Sri Lankan Constitution in 2001, intending it to be a significant check on the powers of the Executive President. The 17th Amendment mandates an independent Constitutional Council (CC) responsible for nominating members to key public [...] | 2008-02-26 05:24:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM CE |
08COLOMBO199 | SRI LANKA: LOCAL GOVERNMENT ELECTIONS IN EAST FACE [...] (C) SUMMARY: The GSL's plan of holding local government elections in nine constituencies in Batticaloa faces many challenges. Interlocutors from a variety of political parties and civil society organizations believe that holding a credible, free and fair election will be difficult, given the [...] | 2008-02-26 05:24:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PTER PHUM PREL MOPS CE |
08COLOMBO207 | SRI LANKA: CARE INTERNATIONAL LOCAL EMPLOYEE [...] (SBU) On February 26, the Country Director of CARE International in Sri Lanka (headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia) contacted Ambassador about the abduction of a CARE International staff member from a police checkpoint in Colombo on the evening of February 25. Three of CARE's staff from Ampara a [...] | 2008-02-26 12:04:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PHUM PGOV CE |
08COLOMBO211 | SRI LANKA: RARE MEETING BETWEEN PRESIDENT AND [...] (C) SUMMARY: President Rajapaksa and Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe had their first meeting in months, but Wickremesinghe called the meeting inconclusive. He rebuffed the President's attempt to encourage the UNP to rejoin the APRC discussions. However, Wickremesinghe said that the UN [...] | 2008-02-27 11:51:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PHUM MOPS CE |
08COLOMBO212 | SRI LANKA: ABDUCTED CARE INTERNATIONAL LOCAL [...] (SBU) Country Director for CARE International in Sri Lanka Nick Osborne told Ambassador on February 27 that the CARE employee abducted on February 25 (reftel) called CARE-Colombo from an unidentified location in Kandy to report that he was safe and on his way to the CARE office in Ampara. Th [...] | 2008-02-27 11:59:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
08COLOMBO213 | CHILD SOLDIERS IN SRI LANKA: DEMARCHE DELIVERED [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: On February 28, Ambassador delivered to Sri Lankan Minister of Foreign Affairs Rohitha Bogollagama reftel demarche on the possible restriction of U.S. Foreign Military Financing to the Government of Sri Lanka, due to the recruitment and use of child soldiers by government-backed [...] | 2008-02-28 12:24:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PHUM PGOV PTER MASS CE |
08COLOMBO215 | SRI LANKA: THE EIGHTH ANNUAL ANTI-TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS [...] (U) Mission's submission for the eighth annual Anti-Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report for Sri Lanka follows. Responses are keyed to questions in Reftel. Mission point of contact is poloff Amy Trimble, telephone +94-11-249-8822, fax +94-11-249-8820. Paragraph 27: Sri Lanka Overview ----- [...] | 2008-02-29 07:40:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PHUM ELAB ASEC PREF KCRM KWMN SMIG KFRD CE |
08COLOMBO216 | EXPLOSION IN COLOMBO, SRI LANKA NEIGHBORHOOD [...] (U) An alleged LTTE member detonated a bomb around 0615 hr. local on 02/29/2008 in a northern Colombo neighborhood. Police stated that the SUBJECT initiated the bomb as police officers, acting on a tip, attempted to search his room in a lodge on Aluth Mawatha in Modara, located in Colombo 15. A [...] | 2008-03-01 01:29:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | ASEC PTER |
08COLOMBO22 | EMBASSY COLOMBO EAC MEETING JANUARY 7, 2008 [...] (SBU) Summary: AmEmbassy Colombo convened an Emergency Action Committee (EAC) meeting on January 7, 2008. The EAC discussed Post's security profile and security for American citizens in general in light of the Government of Sri Lanka's (GSL) abrogation (ref A) of the 2002 Cease Fire Agreement [...] | 2008-01-07 13:13:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ASEC PTER CASC |
08COLOMBO222 | SRI LANKAN NAVY RESCUES 71 STRANDED AT SEA; LTTE [...] (U) On March 3, the Sri Lankan Navy rescued 71 Myanmar and Bangladeshi survivors on a large wooden trawler found drifting 140 nautical miles off Mullaitivu, on the northeast coast of Sri Lanka. According to press reports, the vessel set off on February 9 from Cox's Bazaar, near the Myanmar-B [...] | 2008-03-04 11:09:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PHUM PREL MOPS CE |
08COLOMBO231 | BASIL RAJAPAKSA DISCUSSES ELECTIONS IN EAST, APRC, [...] (C) Summary: At a March 5 lunch with Co-Chair Ambassadors, Basil Rajapaksa, the President's brother, senior political advisor, and coordinator for the stabilization and development of the East, said that the President had insisted to all the parties and the paramilitary TMVP that the March 10t [...] | 2008-03-06 11:37:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM CE |
08COLOMBO237 | MALDIVES: FISCAL TRANSPARENCY REPORT [...] (U) The following is the text of Embassy Colombo's fiscal transparency report for Maldives. 2. (SBU) Begin text: The Government of Maldives practices generally good economic management. It has not achieved a high degree of budgetary transparency, but this is due to capacity limitations, [...] | 2008-03-10 11:47:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | EAID ECON PGOV PREL MV |
08COLOMBO238 | SRI LANKA: FISCAL TRANSPARENCY REPORT [...] (U) The following is the text of Embassy Colombo's fiscal transparency report for Sri Lanka. 2. (SBU) Begin text: Sri Lanka has achieved a substantial degree of fiscal transparency in areas such as legal and administrative framework, compilation and reporting of fiscal accounts for the ce [...] | 2008-03-10 11:49:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | EAID ECON PGOV PREL CE |
08COLOMBO244 | SRI LANKA: GOVERNMENT-BACKED EX-TIGERS SWEEP LOCAL [...] (C) SUMMARY: The March 10 local elections in Batticaloa District in eastern Sri Lanka went off without any serious violations or incidents of violence. The TMVP, a government-backed anti-LTTE Tamil paramilitary, swept the elections, winning 8 of 9 local bodies (and in a coalition with the r [...] | 2008-03-11 14:34:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PHUM MOPS CE |
08COLOMBO245 | SRI LANKA: GOVERNMENT-BACKED EX-TIGERS SWEEP LOCAL [...] (C) SUMMARY: The March 10 local elections in Batticaloa District in eastern Sri Lanka went off without any serious violations or incidents of violence. The TMVP, a government-backed anti-LTTE Tamil paramilitary, swept the elections, winning 8 of 9 local bodies (and in a coalition with the r [...] | 2008-03-11 15:20:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PHUM MOPS CE |
08COLOMBO246 | SRI LANKA: GOVERNMENT-BACKED EX-TIGERS SWEEP LOCAL [...] (C) SUMMARY: The March 10 local elections in Batticaloa District in eastern Sri Lanka went off without any serious violations or incidents of violence. The TMVP, a government-backed anti-LTTE Tamil paramilitary, swept the elections, winning 8 of 9 local bodies (and in a coalition with the r [...] | 2008-03-11 15:20:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PHUM MOPS CE |
08COLOMBO247 | SRI LANKA: GOVERNMENT-BACKED EX-TIGERS SWEEP LOCAL [...] (C) SUMMARY: The March 10 local elections in Batticaloa District in eastern Sri Lanka went off without any serious violations or incidents of violence. The TMVP, a government-backed anti-LTTE Tamil paramilitary, swept the elections, winning 8 of 9 local bodies (and in a coalition with the r [...] | 2008-03-11 15:20:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PHUM MOPS CE |
08COLOMBO248 | SRI LANKA: GOVERNMENT-BACKED EX-TIGERS SWEEP LOCAL [...] (C) SUMMARY: The March 10 local elections in Batticaloa District in eastern Sri Lanka went off without any serious violations or incidents of violence. The TMVP, a government-backed anti-LTTE Tamil paramilitary, swept the elections, winning 8 of 9 local bodies (and in a coalition with the r [...] | 2008-03-11 15:20:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PHUM MOPS CE |
08COLOMBO249 | SRI LANKA: DEFENSE SECRETARY DEFENDS SPECIAL [...] (C) On March 11, Ambassador delivered reftel (a) points to Defense Secretary Gothabaya Rajapaksa, highlighting our desire to clarify U.S. vetting policy to the GSL while at the same time preserving our long-term relationship with the Sri Lankan military. Ambassador invited Gothabaya to provi [...] | 2008-03-11 15:20:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PREL MASS PGOV MOPS CE |
08COLOMBO250 | MALDIVES: CONSTITUTION NEAR COMPLETION; COUNTRY [...] (C) SUMMARY: On February 20, visiting Staffdel from the House Foreign Affairs Committee and Poloff called on Maldivian government officials to discuss the political reform process and upcoming multi-party elections. Staffdel consisted of Professional Staff Member Manpreet Anand, Senior PSM H [...] | 2008-03-12 03:59:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PHUM MV |
08COLOMBO26 | MALDIVIAN PRESIDENT SURVIVES ATTACK [...] (U) The Maldivian Deputy High Commissioner in Sri Lanka telephoned Ambassador on January 8 to inform us that President Gayoum had been attacked earlier in the day by an unknown Maldivian assailant with a knife during a visit by Gayoum to the island of Huvarafushi in the northern atoll of Haa- [...] | 2008-01-08 09:47:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL PTER ML |
08COLOMBO264 | SRI LANKA: EMINENT PERSONS REITERATE PROBLEMS [...] (C) SUMMARY: The International Independent Group of Eminent Persons (IIGEP) issued its fifth public statement on March 6, reiterating its concerns about the Commission of Inquiry's (COI) lack of progress and failure to adhere to international norms. The statement also announced IIGEP's decis [...] | 2008-03-14 05:18:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
08COLOMBO272 | SRI LANKA: GOVERNMENT REACTS SHARPLY TO HUMAN [...] (C) SUMMARY: On March 14, Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama called in the Ambassador to register strong protest to the U.S. State Department's 2007 Human Rights Report on Sri Lanka. The Minister objected to the report's sourcing and its negative conclusions, and to the State Department pr [...] | 2008-03-17 12:06:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PHUM PGOV MOPS PTER CE |
08COLOMBO279 | AMBASSADOR PRESSES SRI LANKAN JUSTICE SECRETARY ON [...] (C) SUMMARY: On March 17, Ambassador and DCM met the Secretary to the Ministry of Justice Suhada Gamalath to urge SIPDIS that the GSL, in the face of restrictions on U.S. Foreign Military Financing to Sri Lanka (ref A),take swift and effective measures to demobilize and rehabilitate child [...] | 2008-03-18 11:51:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PHUM PTER MOPS CE |
08COLOMBO280 | SRI LANKA: TAMIL JOURNALISTS DETAINED FOR ALLEGED [...] (C) SUMMARY: J.S. Tissainayagam, a columnist for the Sunday Times, and two other journalists were arrested on March 7 by the Sri Lanka Police's Terrorism Investigation Division. Police also arrested B. Jasikaran, owner of the printing press that prints the Tamil weekly Sarinihar, his busine [...] | 2008-03-18 12:01:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV PTER PREL CE |
08COLOMBO281 | SRI LANKA: CITIBANK BLOCKS SRI LANKAN AIRLINE [...] (SBU) Summary: Citibank Sri Lanka has blocked a $250,000 transaction between Sri Lankan Airlines and Iranian Bank Melli, in accordance with Executive Order 13382 sanctions against Bank Melli. The blocked transaction was intended to pay for routine civil aviation overflight fees due to the gov [...] | 2008-03-19 01:08:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | KTFN EFIN KNNP CE IR |
08COLOMBO286 | EU TROIKA VISIT TO COLOMBO YIELDS LITTLE [...] (C) Summary: In a briefing to Co-Chair Ambassadors at the conclusion of their March 17-18 visit to Colombo, EU Troika members noted they: pressed the Government of Sri Lanka to allow access to the Vanni for the Norwegian facilitators; noted the GSL's intention to implement the 13th Amendmen [...] | 2008-03-19 12:51:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV CE |
08COLOMBO287 | SRI LANKA: COORDINATING HUMAN RIGHTS STRATEGY WITH [...] (C) SUMMARY: On March 18, Ambassador hosted a meeting of representatives of missions that have contributed to the International Independent Group of Eminent Persons (IIGEP) to discuss how to maintain a strategy of continued engagement with the GSL on human rights following IIGEP's decision to [...] | 2008-03-19 12:57:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
08COLOMBO288 | SRI LANKA: PROVINCIAL COUNCIL ELECTIONS RISK [...] (C) SUMMARY: During EmbOffs' visit to Batticaloa before the March 10 district-wide local council elections, political parties reiterated their concerns that the elections would not be free or fair. Paramilitaries contesting as political parties claimed to have disarmed, but local residents fe [...] | 2008-03-19 13:56:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
08COLOMBO297 | SRI LANKAN NAVY CRAFT SUNK IN NORTHEAST; CONTINUED [...] (U) On March 22, a Sri Lankan Navy "Dvora" fast attack craft was sunk around 2:00 am while on patrol near Nayaru, south of Mullaitivu, the Defense Ministry said. Ten of 16 crew members were missing. Pro-Tamil Tiger sources claimed that suicide Sea Tiger crafts destroyed the Navy boat after a [...] | 2008-03-24 11:28:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV MOPS PTER PHUM CE |
08COLOMBO306 | SRI LANKA NONCOMMITTAL ON SUPPORTING SPECIAL [...] No summary [...] | 2008-03-25 10:28:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PHUM UNHCR CE |
08COLOMBO313 | UNSCR 1803: SRI LANKA REVIEWING "LINE BY LINE" [...] (C) Summary: Sri Lanka's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Central Bank both responded to post's demarches on UN Security Council Resolution 1803 with assurances that Sri Lanka would meet its international obligations with respect to sanctions against Iran. The MFA acting Director General for U [...] | 2008-03-27 10:31:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | EFIN KNNP UNSC IAEA IR CE |
08COLOMBO314 | SRI LANKA: EMBASSY DISCUSSES CHILD SOLDIERS [...] (C) SUMMARY: Ambassador and DCM called on Foreign Secretary Palitha Kohona on March 24 to discuss Embassy SIPDIS suggestions for a roadmap to address child soldiers. Ambassador recommended any progress on the issue be verified by UNICEF and noted that the Embassy would remain engaged in t [...] | 2008-03-27 11:11:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM PTER PREL MOPS CE |
08COLOMBO316 | SRI LANKA: SAARC SUMMIT IN COLOMBO JULY 27 - [...] (SBU) The Sri Lankan Ministry of Foreign Affairs Protocol Chief confirmed to DCM the following dates for the 15th SAARC Summit, to be held in Colombo July 27 to August 3: July 27-28: 32nd session, SAARC Programming Committee (DG level) July 29-30: 35th session, SAARC Standing Committee (Foreig [...] | 2008-03-27 12:33:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL PGOV OVIP CE |
08COLOMBO328 | MALDIVES: THE EIGHTH ANNUAL ANTI-TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS [...] (U) Mission's submission for the eighth annual Anti-Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report for Maldives follows. Responses are keyed to questions in reftel. Mission point of contact is Poloff Amy Trimble, telephone +94-11-249-8822, fax +94-11-249-8820. Paragraph 27: Maldives Overview ------- [...] | 2008-04-01 00:01:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PHUM ELAB ASEC PREF KCRM KWMN SMIG KFRD MV |
08COLOMBO335 | SRI LANKAN AIRLINES APPLICATION TO OFAC TO RELEASE [...] (C) Summary and recommendation: Sri Lankan Airlines has submitted a license application to the U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) requesting release of a Pounds Sterling 125,124.70 payment that Citibank's Sri Lanka branch blocked in accordance with Executive Order 13382 because the r [...] | 2008-04-01 12:20:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | EFIN KNNP KTFN IR CE |
08COLOMBO34 | SRI LANKA: TIGER ATTACK KILLS MINISTER OUTSIDE [...] (C) Summary. On January 8, non-cabinet Minister of Nation Building D.M. Dassanayake was killed in a roadside bomb attack just outside of Colombo. Initial indications are that Dassanayake was likely a target of opportunity for the LTTE. This incident is the first successful assassination of [...] | 2008-01-08 12:00:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS ASEC CE |
08COLOMBO341 | SRI LANKA: MAIN OPPOSITION AND MUSLIM CONGRESS [...] (U) On April 1, the Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe's United National Party (UNP) and Rauff Hakeem's Sri Lankan Muslim Congress agreed to contest the Eastern Provincial Council elections jointly in all three eastern districts - Ampara, Trincomalee, and Batticaloa. SLMC General Secreta [...] | 2008-04-02 09:37:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
08COLOMBO344 | SRI LANKA: REPORT BLAMES GOVERNMENT FOR "TRINCO 5" [...] (C) Summary: On April 1, the prominent Sri Lankan human rights group University Teachers for Human Rights (Jaffna) released a lengthy report on two cases that have received significant international attention: the murders of five Tamil youths in Trincomalee in January 2006, and the killing of [...] | 2008-04-03 11:43:00 | Embassy Colombo | SECRET | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
08COLOMBO345 | SRI LANKA: BISHOP OF MANNAR APPEALS TO STOP CHURCH [...] (U) On April 3, the Bishop of Mannar faxed to Ambassador a press release calling on both the LTTE and Sri Lankan military to stop shelling the premises of a venerated Catholic shrine in Madhu, and to respect it as a zone of peace. TamilNet reported that the LTTE said the SLA was shelling the [...] | 2008-04-03 11:48:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
08COLOMBO346 | SRI LANKA RESUMES MANAGEMENT OF NATIONAL CARRIER AND [...] (SBU) Summary and comment: The government of Sri Lanka resumed management control of the national carrier Sri Lankan Airlines on April 1. The government has appointed Treasury Secretary (and mastermind of the Sri Lankan economy) P.B. Jayasundera to be chairman of the Sri Lankan Board of Direc [...] | 2008-04-04 06:54:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EAIR EINV CE |
08COLOMBO347 | SRI LANKA: MFA ISSUES HARSH REBUTTAL TO U.S. HUMAN [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: On March 31, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs released publicly a detailed response to the U.S. Human Rights Report, defending Sri Lanka's human rights record and challenging much of the information cited in the U.S. report. The preamble to the GSL paper charges that the HRR i [...] | 2008-04-04 09:48:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL PHUM PGOV PTER MOPS CE |
08COLOMBO352 | SRI LANKA: LTTE ATTACK KILLS MINISTER, 13 OTHERS [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: Sri Lanka's Minister for Highways (and Chief Government Whip in Parliament),Jeyaraj Fernandopulle, and 13 others were killed by a suicide bomb blast on April 6 at about 8 am local time, just before the start of a marathon race about 25 kilometers northeast of Colombo. Also kil [...] | 2008-04-07 10:50:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PTER ASEC PGOV PHUM PREL CE |
08COLOMBO36 | SRI LANKA: SMALL BLAST IN COLOMBO, NO INJURIES [...] On January 8, around 7:30 pm, a small bomb exploded in the Colombo Fort area, opposite the government owned publishing house Lake House. No injuries or casualties were reported. The bomb, approximately 75 grams of C-4, according to police contacts, was placed inside a phone booth on the gro [...] | 2008-01-09 10:37:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS ASEC CE |
08COLOMBO363 | SRI LANKA: JVP RIFT RESULTS IN SUSPENSION OF [...] (C) Summary. On April 6, local press reported that the JVP, in a March 21 Central Committee meeting, had decided to suspend Parliamentary Group Leader and Propaganda Secretary Wimal Weerawansa from the party. Weerawansa reportedly upset fellow JVP leaders by publicly contradicting the party' [...] | 2008-04-09 10:52:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
08COLOMBO366 | SRI LANKA: 2007 GDP GROWTH REPORTEDLY 6.8%; FITCH [...] (SBU) Summary: Sri Lanka continued its healthy economic growth in 2007, reporting a 6.8% increase in real gross domestic product for the year. Weaknesses in the government's statistical methodology suggest the actual growth figure may have been lower, probably closer to 6%. The reported outco [...] | 2008-04-09 11:00:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON EINV EFIN KMCA CE |
08COLOMBO368 | SRI LANKA: AMBASSADOR OPENS USAID PROJECTS IN THE [...] SUMMARY: Ambassador visited Galle on April 4 to open two USAID projects and meet local officials. Party leaders expressed concern about Southern Province's disproportionate share of the war burden, a growing drug problem, a shortage of labor for traditional industries. A representative of t [...] | 2008-04-09 11:23:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS ELAB KCRM CE |
08COLOMBO369 | SRI LANKA: GOVERNMENT-BACKED PARAMILITARY RELEASES [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: Eleven TMVP child soldiers were released on April 7 to police custody in Batticaloa. They were transported on April 8 to a temporary holding facility in Pallekele, near Kandy, where they were met by Justice Secretary Suhada Gamalath, who chairs the GSL committee on SIPDIS c [...] | 2008-04-09 12:36:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
08COLOMBO370 | SRI LANKA: RAIN HURTS RICE CROP; PRICES RISE [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: Torrential rains are damaging paddy yields in the main rice growing areas of Sri Lanka, with as many as 15,000 hectares lost. Domestic prices are up in wholesale markets and sharp increases in retail prices have started and will continue unless international supplies can be as [...] | 2008-04-10 02:49:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON EINV KCOR KMCA PGOV CE |
08COLOMBO372 | EMBASSY COLOMBO EAC MEETING 04/09/2008 [...] (SBU) Summary: AmEmbassy Colombo convened an Emergency Action Committee (EAC) meeting on April 9, 2008. The EAC discussed post's security posture in light of a recent assassination of a government minister and the upcoming Sinhala/Tamil New Year celebrations. The EAC agreed that current secu [...] | 2008-04-10 09:37:00 | Embassy Colombo | SECRET//NOFORN | ASEC CASC PTER |
08COLOMBO385 | MALDIVES: CONSTITUTIONAL ASSEMBLY STALLED OVER [...] (C) SUMMARY: Intense debate continues between the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) and ruling Dhivehi Raiyyithunge Party (DRP) on the draft constitution's chapter on transitional arrangements. Drafting is stalled after DRP MPs walked out of the Special Majlis on April 6, protestin [...] | 2008-04-11 05:58:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PHUM MV |
08COLOMBO39 | BFIF FY08 PROPOSALS FOR SRI LANKA AND MALDIVES [...] Post expresses its appreciation for continued BFIF support of commercial activities in Sri Lanka and Maldives. Post has witnessed considerable success from BFIF support for the "American Pavilion" at the annual Maldives trade show (ref B); the Ambassador and post's Econ/Commercial Section str [...] | 2008-01-10 05:51:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | BEXP ETRD KIPR CE MV |
08COLOMBO394 | SRI LANKA: SCENESETTER FOR PDAS CAMP'S VISIT TO [...] (C) INTRODUCTION: Your visit comes at a time when our relations with Sri Lanka are beginning to show signs of strain from the increasing pressure we have applied on key issues, particularly human rights and military cooperation. Nonetheless, we continue to have access at the highest levels [...] | 2008-04-17 11:26:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
08COLOMBO407 | SRI LANKA: AMBASSADOR DISCUSSES HUMAN RIGHTS [...] (C) Summary: Ambassador met Tourism Minister Milinda Moragoda for a debrief of the Minister's recent visit to Washington. President Rajapaksa recently designated Moragoda as a special envoy on external military relations with the US, India and possibly other countries. Ambassador suggested [...] | 2008-04-24 12:49:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PREL PTER MOPS CE |
08COLOMBO409 | SRI LANKA: IIGEP COMES TO END; HOPE REMAINS FOR [...] (C) SUMMARY: The International Independent Group of Eminent Persons (IIGEP) has ended its work in country and released its final public statement on April 15. The statement concluded that the Commission of Inquiry's (COI) work has not met international standards, detailed the reasons for th [...] | 2008-04-25 06:31:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
08COLOMBO410 | SRI LANKA: TMVP RELEASES 28 CHILD SOLDIERS [...] (SBU) Minister of Disaster Management and Human Rights Mahinda Samarasinghe informed Ambassador the evening of April 24 that the TMVP (a government-backed paramilitary in the East) released 28 child soldiers earlier in the day in Batticaloa. This second release follows the release of 11 chil [...] | 2008-04-25 06:53:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM CE |
08COLOMBO412 | SRI LANKA: PDAS CAMP ENCOURAGES PROGRESS ON HUMAN [...] (C) Summary. During his April 21-22 visit to Colombo, SCA PDAS Don Camp highlighted to GSL officials that despite the long-standing friendship between our countries, continuing human rights abuses place limits on our cooperation. PDAS Camp pressed for the release of TMVP child soldiers and [...] | 2008-04-28 04:02:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS ECON CE |
08COLOMBO417 | SRI LANKA: BUS BOMBING KILLS 26 [...] (U) On April 25, a bomb exploded on a packed, evening rush-hour bus in Piliyandala, a suburb 15 km south of Colombo. Twenty-six people were killed, and 64 injured. The bus was traveling from the outskirts of Colombo to Kahapola, a village east of the city. Police have arrested nine suspect [...] | 2008-04-28 11:41:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
08COLOMBO423 | SRI LANKA: POLICE ARREST CHILD TRAFFICKING [...] On April 28, the National Child Protection Authority disclosed the arrest of four suspects involved in trafficking more than 20 children to Singapore over an extended period of time. NCPA Chairman Jagath Wellawatta said that in January, three Sri Lankan children, ages 11,13, and 14, were foun [...] | 2008-04-29 13:13:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV PREL ELAB SMIG KCRM KFRD KWMN CE |
08COLOMBO424 | G/TIP FY06 PROGRAMS: MONITORING REPORT (SRI LANKA) [...] No summary [...] | 2008-04-30 06:29:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV PREL SMIG KCRM KFRD KWMN CE |
08COLOMBO428 | RESPONSE: IMPACT OF RISING FOOD PRICES - SRI LANKA [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: The impact of rising food prices is affecting all households in Sri Lanka. Recent jumps in prices of rice and other food commodities have come on top of 20% domestic inflation rates. In the past year, food commodity prices are up 50-100%, and the trend is continuing. On averag [...] | 2008-04-30 11:37:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | ECON EINV EAGR KMCA PGOV CE |
08COLOMBO429 | SRI LANKA: NO SUBSTANTIVE RESPONSE ON NPT PREPCOM [...] Post delivered ref A and B demarches to the Sri Lankan Ministry of Foreign Affairs UN and Multilateral Affairs Division on April 25 and 30, respectively. Deputy DG Samantha Pathirana told Econoff April 30 that he was familiar with the NPT PrepCom II process and asked which countries we expect [...] | 2008-04-30 11:47:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | ENRG KNNP MNUC PARM PREL NPT IAEA CE |
08COLOMBO441 | SRI LANKA: GSL ACHIEVES PROGRESS ON CHILD SOLDIERS [...] (C) SUMMARY: UNICEF reported that in April, the number of child soldiers with the TMVP on whom it has files dropped by 55, to a total of 76. The actual number still with the TMVP is likely higher, possibly 200-250. Nevertheless, the GSL is clearly pushing the TMVP to release child soldiers, [...] | 2008-05-06 12:27:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
08COLOMBO448 | SRI LANKA: MAY 10 EASTERN POLLS SEEN AS REFERENDUM [...] (C) SUMMARY: The May 10 Eastern Provincial Council elections are the first provincial-level polls in the East in twenty years. A relatively free, fair, and peaceful election would help bring back normalcy in the East, lay the groundwork for democratic administrative structures, and reinforce [...] | 2008-05-08 13:25:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
08COLOMBO449 | SRI LANKA: PRESIDENT PROROGUES PARLIAMENT [...] (C) On May 6, President Rajapaksa abruptly prorogued (suspended) Parliament until June 5. All parliamentary committees must be reconstituted and pending legislation must be re-introduced when Parliament reconvenes. Presidential advisor Basil Rajapaksa and Presidential Secretary Lalith Weera [...] | 2008-05-08 13:31:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PHUM CE |
08COLOMBO450 | SRI LANKA: GOVERNMENT SEEKS LOWER BORROWING COSTS BY [...] (SBU) Summary and comment: Seeking to reduce government borrowing costs, Sri Lanka opened ten percent of its short-term local currency Treasury bill market to foreign investors. The Central Bank calculates, accurately it appears after the first day of trading, that offering the 3-12 month de [...] | 2008-05-09 04:59:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EFIN ECON EINV KMCA CE |
08COLOMBO453 | SRI LANKA SAYS PURCHASE OF BURMESE RICE WILL GO THROUGH; [...] (SBU) Summary: Sri Lanka's Secretary of Trade and Commerce assured the public that he expected a purchase of 22,000 metric tons of rice from Burma to go ahead, despite the impact of Cyclone Nargis. The purchase was part of Sri Lanka's effort to fill a domestic shortage of about 300,000 metric [...] | 2008-05-09 07:50:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON EAGR EAID BM CE |
08COLOMBO459 | REQUEST TO SRI LANKA TO PROVIDE AVIATION SUPPORT [...] (C) Ambassador and ODC Chief Orozco met with Sri Lankan Secretary of Defense Gotabhaya Rajapaksa on May 12 to request that Sri Lanka offer Mi-8 or Mi-24 helicopters to support the UN-AU peacekeeping operation in Darfur. Drawing on the background in para 4 of reftel, Ambassador noted that Suda [...] | 2008-05-12 11:12:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | MARR PREL KPKO CE |
08COLOMBO461 | SRI LANKA: POLICE RAID VENDORS OF PIRATED SOFTWARE [...] (SBU) Summary: On May 6, Sri Lankan police raided software dealers in a popular shopping mall in Colombo. The raid was Sri Lanka's first intellectual property rights (IPR) enforcement action against pirated software dealers. With uncommon swiftness, offenders were raided, charged, pleaded g [...] | 2008-05-12 11:48:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON ETRD KIPR EAID CE |
08COLOMBO462 | SRI LANKA: KARUNA RELEASED FROM UK PRISON; MAY BE [...] (C) Summary. Former LTTE-breakaway faction leader Karuna was released from prison on May 8 after serving half of his prison sentence for entering the United Kingdom on a false diplomatic passport, likely supplied by the Sri Lankan government (ref B). Karuna is currently being held in an im [...] | 2008-05-12 12:25:00 | Embassy Colombo | SECRET//NOFORN | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
08COLOMBO463 | SRI LANKA: GOVERNMENT WINS EASTERN POLLS BY NARROW [...] (C) Summary: The ruling UPFA won the Eastern Provincial Council elections on May 10, amidst criticism by the opposition parties and observer groups of large scale election malpractices. The UPFA-TMVP won 18 seats plus 2 bonus seats, the UNP-SLMC won 15, and the JVP and TDNA won one each. Re [...] | 2008-05-12 13:22:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
08COLOMBO465 | SRI LANKA: AMBASSADOR DISCUSSES PROSPECTS FOR [...] (C) On May 12 Ambassador met with V. Anandasangaree, President of the Tamil United Liberation Front (TULF) to discuss devolution of power and prospects for peace. Anandasangaree stressed that the LTTE is not the sole representative of the Tamil people, and that the government should talk with [...] | 2008-05-13 12:16:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
08COLOMBO47 | SRI LANKA: EMIRATES AIRLINES TERMINATES MANAGEMENT OF [...] (SBU) Summary and comment: Emirates Airlines announced on January 7 that it would not seek to renew its management contract with national carrier Sri Lankan Airlines, of which it owns 44 percent. Emirates' decision followed poor progress in negotiations with the government of Sri Lanka on ren [...] | 2008-01-10 11:40:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EAIR EINV CE |
08COLOMBO471 | SRI LANKA: MIHIN LANKA LOSES MONEY, SUSPENDS OPERATIONS, [...] (SBU) Summary: Mihin Lanka, a budget airline started by the government of Sri Lanka a year ago, has been hemorrhaging public money. The airline stopped flying on May 1 when the last of its two wet-leased aircraft was reclaimed after Mihin was unable to make lease payments, but plans to resume [...] | 2008-05-15 09:28:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EAIR EINV EFIN CE |
08COLOMBO473 | MALDIVES: CONSTITUTION DRAFTING COMPLETE; [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: The Maldives is now in the midst of final frenetic preparations to ratify its new constitution and then hold the first truly free presidential elections in the country's history in August of this year. The final chapter of Maldives' new constitution passed in the Special Majlis [...] | 2008-05-15 11:58:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PHUM MV |
08COLOMBO475 | SUICIDE BOMBER KILLS AT LEAST EIGHT IN CENTRAL [...] A suicide bomber on a motorbike detonated himself next to a police bus in downtown Colombo on May 16 at 12:00 noon. According to Defense Ministry spokesman Keheliya Rambukwella, six policemen and two civilians were killed and 75 to 80 persons were injured. Subsequent media reports put the fi [...] | 2008-05-16 09:19:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS ASEC CE |
08COLOMBO476 | DARFUR HELICOPTERS: SRI LANKANS HOPE THEY CAN HELP [...] (C) Ambassador spoke on May 16 with Defense Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa to seek an update on the Government of Sri Lanka's response to our request that Sri Lanka provide helicopters to support the UN-AU peacekeeping operation in Darfur (reftel). Rajapaksa said he had spoken with Air Force [...] | 2008-05-16 10:54:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | MARR PREL KPKO CE |
08COLOMBO477 | DARFUR HELICOPTERS: SRI LANKANS HOPE THEY CAN HELP [...] (C) Ambassador spoke on May 16 with Defense Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa to seek an update on the Government of Sri Lanka's response to our request that Sri Lanka provide helicopters to support the UN-AU peacekeeping operation in Darfur (reftel). Rajapaksa said he had spoken with Air Force [...] | 2008-05-16 10:54:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | MARR PREL KPKO CE |
08COLOMBO478 | SRI LANKA: SCENESETTER FOR DAS ERICA [...] (C) Summary and Introduction: Your visit comes at a time when our relations with Sri Lanka are strong, but show some strain from the pressure we have applied on key issues, particularly human rights. Nonetheless, we continue to have access at the highest levels of the GSL and to play an imp [...] | 2008-05-16 10:57:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PHUM MOPS PTER CE |
08COLOMBO479 | MALDIVES: EXPRESSION OF SYMPATHY FOR U.S. TORNADO [...] Post received a fax of the following message dated May 12, 2008, addressed to His Excellency Mr. George W. Bush, President of the United States, via Diplomatic Note (D2)EA-US/B-2008/17 dated May 13, 2008. The original text will be forwarded to S/ES-CR when received. 2. BEGIN TEXT: Your [...] | 2008-05-16 12:11:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL PGOV PHUM MV |
08COLOMBO480 | SRI LANKA: PILLAIYAN IS CHOICE FOR CHIEF MINISTER [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: The government's game plan for organizing the newly elected Eastern Provincial Council and naming the province's new Chief Minister may be unravelling. TMVP leader "Pillaiyan" and M.L.M. Hisbullah, both elected to the council for the United People's Freedom Alliance (UPFA),lay [...] | 2008-05-16 12:17:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
08COLOMBO483 | SRI LANKA: PRESIDENT NAMES PILLAIYAN CHIEF [...] (C) SUMMARY: President Rajapaksa swore in the TMVP leader "Pillaiyan" as new Chief Minister of the Eastern Province on May 16. However, it is still unclear whether a block of a few Muslim Provincial Councilors led by M.L.M. Hisbullah will assure Pillaiyan of a majority by supporting him in th [...] | 2008-05-20 12:12:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PHUM MASS MOPS PTER CE |
08COLOMBO489 | EMBASSY COLOMBO EAC MEETING 05/21/2008 [...] (SBU) Summary: AmEmbassy Colombo convened an Emergency Action Committee (EAC) meeting on May 21, 2008. The EAC discussed post's security posture in light of the most recent bombing incident in Colombo (refs A and B). The EAC recommended that Embassy personnel use routes that minimize exposure [...] | 2008-05-21 11:22:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ASEC CASC PTER |
08COLOMBO491 | SRI LANKA REMITTANCES UP AGAIN IN 2007 [...] (SBU) Summary: Sri Lankan migrant worker remittances rose 15% to $2.5 billion in 2007. Remittances are the second largest source of foreign exchange earnings to the country, after garment exports. Each year, over 200,000 Sri Lankans -- about one percent of the population -- leave to work abr [...] | 2008-05-21 11:50:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ELAB EFIN KWMN KCRM PGOV PHUM SOCI SMIG CE |
08COLOMBO492 | AMBASSADOR URGES MALDIVIAN PRESIDENT TO FINISH NEW [...] (SBU) Summary: Ambassador and US Coast Guard Rear Admiral Bone met on May 19 with Maldivian President Gayoom on the margins of the "Partnering for a Safer Sea" conference hosted by the Government of Maldives at Sun Island Resort, Maldives. The President noted the need for a South Asian Re [...] | 2008-05-22 02:29:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PHUM CE |
08COLOMBO493 | SRI LANKA: COMMISSION REQUESTS ASSISTANCE FOR [...] (C) SUMMARY: On May 6, Chairman of the Commission of Inquiry Udalagama formally requested assistance in continuing video conference testimony from abroad. Embassy and USAID have agreed that support of this effort would be the most appropriate use of unused U.S. funds which had been designat [...] | 2008-05-22 04:19:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
08COLOMBO495 | SRI LANKA: SENIOR LTTE COMMANDER BALRAJ DIES OF [...] (U) The LTTE announced on Tuesday that Balasegaram Kandiah, alias Balraj, a senior commander in the LTTE, died from a heart attack on May 20 in the Tiger-held Vanni. The 43 year old Balraj was one of an estimated 6 senior leaders directly below LTTE Chief Prabakharan. Balraj's duties includ [...] | 2008-05-22 10:33:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL PGOV PHUM MASS MOPS PTER CE |
08COLOMBO496 | TIGHT TIMETABLE TO PREPARE FOR PRESIDENTIAL [...] (C) Summary: Excitement and expectations are building for what Maldivians hope will be their country's first ever free and fair Presidential elections in the fall of 2008. Opposition parties failed to agree on a single "Alliance" candidate to contest against the presumptive ruling DRP party ca [...] | 2008-05-22 11:36:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PHUM CE |
08COLOMBO499 | SRI LANKA: TENSIONS RISE FOLLOWING SEVERAL [...] (C) On May 22, a TMVP member named Santhan and his bodyguard were shot dead near the Divisional Secretary's office in Kattankudy (Batticaloa District),the home electorate of Pillaiyan's chief rival for the post of Chief Minister, M.L.A.M. Hisbullah. Santhan's wife successfully contested th [...] | 2008-05-22 12:29:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
08COLOMBO503 | SRI LANKA: IRAN REFINERY OFFER GOING AHEAD, BUT IN WHOSE [...] (SBU) Summary and comment: Iran's offer of concessionary financing for a major expansion of Sri Lanka's sole oil refinery was firmed up with the late April visit of President Ahmadinejad to Sri Lanka. Iran has promised to lend Sri Lanka 70% of the estimated $1.2 billion project cost, at a conc [...] | 2008-05-27 04:16:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EINV ENRG PREL CE IR CH |
08COLOMBO504 | ICAO'S NINETEENTH AVIATION SECURITY PANEL MEETING - SRI [...] No summary [...] | 2008-05-27 05:01:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | EAIR ECON ETRD PREL PTER CE |
08COLOMBO506 | SRI LANKA: PARCEL BOMB ON TRAIN KILLS NINE AT SUBURBAN [...] (U) SUMMARY: A parcel bomb on a train detonated at a suburban Colombo station on May 26 causing nine deaths and wounding more than seventy. It was unclear whether the bomb was triggered by a remote control (such as a cell phone) or a timer. The government of Sri Lanka blamed the attack on t [...] | 2008-05-27 11:37:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PTER ASEC PGOV CE |
08COLOMBO507 | SRI LANKA: DEFENSE JOURNALIST ABDUCTED, BEATEN AND [...] (C) SUMMARY: Keith Noyahr, a prominent journalist and defense analyst, was abducted and severely beaten by unidentified men on the night of May 22. The next day, hundreds of journalists protested the attack and demanded a full investigation. Some of the victim's journalist colleagues specula [...] | 2008-05-27 12:00:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM PREL PTER CE |
08COLOMBO509 | SRI LANKA: EMBASSY MAKES HEADWAY ON LETTERS OF CREDIT FOR [...] (SBU) Summary: Following Ambassador's intervention with senior presidential advisor Basil Rajapaksa, the Government of Sri Lanka has acted to resolve its longstanding failure to provide standby letters of credit to U.S. investor AES. AES operates a $104 million 163 megawatt power plant in Co [...] | 2008-05-28 11:21:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON EINV PGOV PREL CE |
08COLOMBO510 | SRI LANKA: DISCUSSIONS ON NEXT STEPS AFTER EASTERN [...] (C) SUMMARY: The Ambassadors or Heads of Mission of the U.S., France, Norway, India, and U.K., and the Resident Representatives of the UN, World Bank and Asian Development Bank met on May 21 to discuss policy responses to the recent elections for the Provincial Council in the east. Most agreed [...] | 2008-05-28 12:13:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PTER MARR PHUM CE |
08COLOMBO516 | SRI LANKA OFFERS TO PROVIDE ONE HELICOPTER FOR [...] (C) In response to Ambassador's May 12 meeting with Secretary of Defense Gotabaya Rajapaksa (ref B) and follow-up conversations May 16 (ref A) and May 23, post today received written confimation, dated May 27, that the Government of Sri Lanka is prepared to make available one Bell 212 helicop [...] | 2008-05-29 12:51:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | KPKO MARR PREL |
08COLOMBO517 | SRI LANKA TO CONSIDER SUPPORTING IOM DG CANDIDATE [...] No summary [...] | 2008-05-30 05:34:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV PREL AORC PREF SMIG CE |
08COLOMBO527 | SRI LANKA: GOVERNMENT RAISES FUEL PRICES BY RECORD AMOUNTS [...] (SBU) Summary and comment: On May 25, the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation, Sri Lanka's state-owned oil company, raised diesel and gasoline prices by an unprecedented 37% and 23% respectively. This is the second CPC fuel price increase in 2008, bringing prices to double the level of two years ago [...] | 2008-06-02 11:19:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON EINV EAGR PGOV CE |
08COLOMBO528 | SRI LANKA: DEFENSE MINISTRY MOBILIZES AGAINST [...] (C) SUMMARY: The Defense Secretary summoned two media workers from the government-owned publishing house. He reportedly harangued them for over two hours for participating in a rally to protest the abduction and beating of defense journalist Keith Noyahr. The journalists told us that Gothab [...] | 2008-06-02 13:14:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM PTER MOPS PREL CE |
08COLOMBO534 | MALDIVES HOSTS INDIAN OCEAN COUNTRIES FOR U.S. COAST [...] (SBU) Summary: In conjunction with the U.S. Coast Guard, the Government of Maldives hosted the "Partnering for a Safer Sea" conference May 19-22, at which Indian Ocean national and private maritime security and maritime industry stakeholders discussed regional security trends and issues. Offi [...] | 2008-06-03 06:06:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EWWT MARR PREL PTER BG CN IN MA MP MU MV PK SL |
08COLOMBO536 | SRI LANKA'S CHILD SOLDIERS: INITIAL STEPS WELCOME, [...] (C) SUMMARY: In May 22-23 meetings, DRL DAS Barks-Ruggles obtained an update on the government's efforts to release child soldiers. She urged Justice Secretary Gamalath to put in place effective measures to combat the problem, and pressed the Foreign Secretary and the Secretary of the Disast [...] | 2008-06-03 10:18:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PHUM PTER MASS CE |
08COLOMBO539 | SRI LANKA: ETHNIC DIVIDE IN ATTITUDES ON THE [...] (C) SUMMARY: In May 22-24 meetings with visiting DAS Barks-Ruggles, representatives from the ICRC, the UN, and a leading local think tank described a deteriorating human rights situation. Human Rights Ministry Secretary Amarasinghe highlighted the limited steps the government has taken to rec [...] | 2008-06-03 10:39:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM PREL PTER CE |
08COLOMBO546 | MALDIVES COAST GUARD REQUESTS TRAINING FROM U.S. [...] (C) U.S. Coast Guard Rear Admiral Craig E. Bone, Commander, U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) District Eleven, met Major General Mohamed Zahir, Chief of Staff Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF) and Embassy Colombo ODC Chief Orozco on May 9 in Maldives. 2. (C) Major General Zahir requested from Ad [...] | 2008-06-05 03:12:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | MAS MV PGOV PREL |
08COLOMBO55 | SRI LANKA: PRESIDENTIAL ADVISOR WELCOMES USG [...] (C) Summary. On January 8, Senior Presidential Advisor Basil Rajapaksa outlined for Ambassador and the visiting 1210 team the GSL's ambitious development agenda for the East and welcomed USG assistance on a wide range of policy initiatives. Rajapaksa highlighted the government's progress i [...] | 2008-01-11 08:00:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
08COLOMBO551 | SRI LANKA: GOVERNMENT BLOCKS VIDEO TESTIMONY TO [...] (C) SUMMARY: The Presidential Secretariat has directed the Commission of Inquiry to suspend all further hearing of video testimony from protected witnesses abroad in the cases of five Tamil students slain in January 2006 in Trincomalee and the massacre of 17 humanitarian workers of the French [...] | 2008-06-05 11:12:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
08COLOMBO552 | SRI LANKA'S EASTERN PROVINCIAL COUNCIL CONVENES; [...] (C) SUMMARY: Sri Lanka's new Eastern Provincial Council was sworn in June 4 despite an opposition boycott. Since the announcement of Chief Minister Pillaiyan's appointment, tensions have remained high between the Muslim and Tamil communities in the East with targeted political assassination [...] | 2008-06-05 12:10:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PINR EAID PTER PHUM MOPS ECON EINV |
08COLOMBO554 | SRI LANKA: BOMB BLAST SOUTH OF COLOMBO KILLS 21, [...] (SBU) At around 7:30am on June 6, a bomb exploded targeting a crowded public transport bus in the Katubedda area on the Moratuwa-Piliyandala road (25 kilometers south of Colombo). Police at the scene confirmed to Emboff that it was a roadside claymore mine. Twenty-one people were killed an [...] | 2008-06-06 06:39:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
08COLOMBO56 | MALDIVES: PRESIDENT AND AMBASSADOR LAUNCH PILOT RENEWABLE [...] (SBU) Summary: Ambassador joined Maldives President Gayoom January 7 for the commissioning of a pilot renewable energy project that uses turbines produced by U.S. company Southwest Windpower. The hybrid wind/solar/diesel micro-grid power systems replace the inefficient generators that most Mal [...] | 2008-01-11 08:31:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ETRD EINV SENV PREL MV |
08COLOMBO563 | EMBASSY COLOMBO EAC MEETING 06/09/2008 [...] (SBU) Summary: AmEmbassy Colombo convened an Emergency Action Committee (EAC) meeting on June 9, 2008. The EAC discussed post's security posture and advice to the general American community in light of the most recent terrorist attacks attributed to the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) [...] | 2008-06-09 11:19:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ASEC CASC PTER |
08COLOMBO564 | SRI LANKA: FOREIGN MINISTRY CONFIRMS SUPPORT FOR [...] No summary [...] | 2008-06-09 12:41:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL AORC PREF SMIG CE |
08COLOMBO568 | SRI LANKA: TIP REPORT DELIVERED TO MFA [...] No summary [...] | 2008-06-10 09:45:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV PREL PHUM ELAB SMIG KCRM KPAO KWMN CEA |
08COLOMBO57 | SRI LANKA: GOVERNMENT PROMISES DEVOLUTION PACKAGE [...] (C) SUMMARY: The government has announced a new deadline for presenting a proposal for a political solution to Sri Lanka's ethnic problem. The President and Council of Ministers have asked the All-Party Representative Committee to endorse enhanced powers for the Northern and Eastern Province [...] | 2008-01-11 09:27:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
08COLOMBO571 | SRI LANKA: TWO PROVINCIAL COUNCILS DISSOLVED; [...] (U) At midnight on June 10, the government dissolved the Sabaragamuwa and North Central Provincial Councils. Both councils' terms were scheduled to end in August 2009. North Central Chief Minister (CM) Bertie Premalal Dissanayake and Sabaragamuwa Chief Minister Mahipala Herath confirmed tha [...] | 2008-06-11 11:51:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
08COLOMBO572 | MALDIVES: FIU WANTS AND NEEDS USG ASSISTANCE IN [...] (SBU) Summary: Despite the lack of a developed Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU),Maldives -- a moderate, pro-U.S. Islamic state -- is taking steps to combat financial crimes and enact legislation that will make it more difficult for money launderers or terrorist financing networks to abuse [...] | 2008-06-11 11:54:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | EFIN PTER ETTC PREL MV |
08COLOMBO578 | SRI LANKA'S CHILD SOLDIERS: GSL AGREES TO JOINT [...] (C) SUMMARY: At a dinner on June 10, Defense Secretary Rajapaksa, Justice Secretary Gamalath and UNICEF Country Representative Duamelle agreed to a joint verification plan in which UNICEF officials and Justice Ministry staff would seek to identify the whereabouts of the approximately 70 child [...] | 2008-06-12 11:58:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM PREL MASS CE |
08COLOMBO58 | INVESTMENT CLIMATE STATEMENT, 2008 - MALDIVES [...] Per reftel, below is the investment climate statement for Maldives for 2008. INVESTMENT CLIMATE STATEMENT-MALDIVES FEBRUARY 2008 Investment Climate --Introduction Maldives is comprised of over 1,190 islands, of which 198 are inhabited and 95 are exclusive resort islands. The popu [...] | 2008-01-14 02:57:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | KTDB OPIC ECON USTR EINV EFIN ETRD ELAB PGOV MV |
08COLOMBO581 | SRI LANKA: PRESIDENT TELLS PRESS TO TOE THE LINE [...] (C) SUMMARY: Two senior journalists told Embassy that President Rajapaksa called in the heads of Sri Lanka's major media outlets on June 6 to criticize their coverage of the war and instructed them to avoid publishing any sensitive or derogatory military information. The President implied that [...] | 2008-06-13 03:26:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM PTER MOPS PREL CE |
08COLOMBO585 | SRI LANKA: NO DELEGATE TO MADRID GLOBAL INITIATIVE [...] No summary [...] | 2008-06-13 07:58:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | PARM PREL PTER KGIC KNNP CE |
08COLOMBO588 | SRI LANKA: SUICIDE BLAST KILLS 12 POLICEMEN, [...] (U) A little after 7:00 am on June 16 a suicide bomber on a motorbike killed himself and 12 police personnel in front of the Senior Superintendent of Police's (SSP) office in Vavuniya. RSO FSN's contacts reported that 19 additional police personnel were admitted to the general hospital in V [...] | 2008-06-16 10:53:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER MOPS ASEC CE |
08COLOMBO595 | SRI LANKA: LOW EXPECTATIONS FOR NORTHERN TASK [...] (U) Summary. On April 30, the Cabinet approved President Rajapaksa's proposal for a Special Task Force (STF) for Northern Development to administer the Northern Province. He appointed Minister of Social Welfare and Eelam People's Democratic Party (EPDP) leader Douglas Devananda as Chairman [...] | 2008-06-17 10:45:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
08COLOMBO6 | BOMB BLAST IN COLOMBO TARGETS ARMY BUS [...] A bomb exploded in the "Slave Island" area of Colombo 2 around 9:30 am on January 2. The apparent target was a bus carrying Sri Lanka Army troops. The director of the Colombo National Hospital has confirmed five deaths, at least two of which were SLA personnel, and over 25 injuries. A nearb [...] | 2008-01-02 11:49:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS ASEC CE |
08COLOMBO600 | SRI LANKA: SEVERAL TRACK 2 AND 1.5 INITIATIVES [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: Prominent Sri Lankans and interested members of the international community are pursuing a number of Track 1.5 and 2 initiatives to resolve Sri Lanka's ethnic conflict. The One Text Initiative (OTI) appears to have progressed the most. Other initiatives are either embryonic o [...] | 2008-06-20 07:28:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
08COLOMBO601 | (S) REQUEST FOR SHARING OF INTELLIGENCE ON [...] (S) Charge, accompanied by DATT, met with Sri Lankan Navy (SLN) Commander Karunagoda on June 20 to receive the Sri Lankan Navy's request for location and tracking information on one or more LTTE motherships believed to be carrying weapons to a location approximately 190 miles off the Indian co [...] | 2008-06-20 13:25:00 | Embassy Colombo | SECRET | CE MARR MOPS PINR PREL PTER |
08COLOMBO604 | SRI LANKA: COLOMBO PLAN BUDGET PROPOSAL STILL PENDING [...] SUMMARY: In a meeting convened solely to approve the budget, the Colombo Plan failed to approve a proposed budget increase. Bangladesh, Japan, South Korea and the U.S. objected to the increase in membership dues. The remaining participating countries supported the increase. (Note: Burma lac [...] | 2008-06-23 09:45:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | SNAR CPCTC UNODC CE |
08COLOMBO609 | SRI LANKA: U.S. INVESTOR AES RECEIVES LONG- OVERDUE LETTERS [...] (SBU) Summary: U.S. power producer AES has received two long-overdue standby letters of credit to protect against non-payment by the state-owned Ceylon Electricity Board. Issuance of the letters of credit mostly resolves the Embassy's top priority advocacy case, which Ambassador has pressed [...] | 2008-06-24 11:31:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON EINV PGOV PREL CE |
08COLOMBO61 | INVESTMENT CLIMATE STATEMENT, 2008 - SRI LANKA [...] No summary [...] | 2008-01-14 10:32:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | CE ECON EFIN EINV ELAB ETRD KTDB OPIC PGOV USTR |
08COLOMBO610 | SRI LANKA: HIGH LEVEL INDIAN DELEGATION URGES [...] (C) Summary. Indian Security Advisor M.K. Narayanan, Foreign Secretary Shiv Shankar Menon and Defense Secretary Vijay Singh made an unannounced, two-day visit to Colombo from June 20-21 to meet with Sri Lankan officials, military service chiefs, and Tamil political party leaders. Indian DC [...] | 2008-06-24 11:33:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
08COLOMBO619 | CLOSING CAC AT AMEMBASSY COLOMBO DUE TO WHITE [...] (SBU) Summary: At approximately 1000 hrs. local on June 25, 2008, RSO Colombo received a report that a mailroom clerk had opened an envelope containing a white, powdery substance while conducting a secondary screening of the envelope in post's mail screening room. Further inquiries revealed tha [...] | 2008-06-25 13:03:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ASEC CASC PTER AMED CE |
08COLOMBO62 | OPPOSITION LEADER PROVIDES GLOOMY ASSESSMENT TO [...] (C) Summary: In a meeting with Co-Chair and other key Ambassadors on January 11, Opposition and UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe criticized the GSL for abrogating the cease-fire agreement, failing to come forward with a devolution package, and continued human rights abuses. He predicted the [...] | 2008-01-14 11:30:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PTER PGOV CE |
08COLOMBO620 | SRI LANKA: SCENESETTER FOR DAS FEIGENBAUM'S VISIT [...] (C) Sri Lanka: Your visit comes at a time when our relations with Sri Lanka are showing signs of strain from the increasing pressure we have applied on key issues, particularly human rights. Nonetheless, we continue to have access at the highest levels of the GSL and to play an important [...] | 2008-06-25 13:18:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE MV |
08COLOMBO631 | Colombo: Powder not Dangerous, Embassy Resumes Normal [...] (SBU) On June 30, 2008, the Medical Research Institute Department of Bacteriology returned a negative report for anthrax for the sample from the suspicious powder incident of June 25 (see reftel for details). 2. (U) The Embassy has re-opened the Compound Access Control (CAC) inspection ar [...] | 2008-06-30 11:21:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ASEC CASC PTER AMED CE |
08COLOMBO632 | MALDIVES: INTERNATIONAL DONORS MEET TO PLAN [...] (U) Summary. Representatives from interested donor countries met in Colombo on June 20 to review the status of preparation for Maldives' presidential election in Fall 2008, discuss the assistance plans of the UN, Commonwealth Secretariat (CS) and European Union, and identify individual dono [...] | 2008-06-30 11:34:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV PREL PHUM MV |
08COLOMBO637 | SRI LANKA: LARGE SEARCH OF TAMILS IN COLOMBO [...] (C) On July 2, in an early morning operation Sri Lankan army, police, and STF forces cordoned off and searched Kimbula Ela, a predominantly Tamil area of Colombo. According to an Embassy mail room employee who lives in the area, 800 people (including the Embassy employee) were told to leave [...] | 2008-07-02 10:36:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM ASEC CE |
08COLOMBO638 | SRI LANKA: POWER SECTOR BADLY NEEDS REFORM, [...] Summary: The state owned Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) is the primary provider of electricity to Sri Lanka. The company is plagued with inefficiencies and a spiraling debt. Sri Lanka is dependent on petroleum products to produce 60 percent of its electricity. The price of production is sky [...] | 2008-07-02 11:36:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | ECON ENRG EINV KCOR KMCA PGOV CE |
08COLOMBO646 | SRI LANKA: TMVP LEADER ASSURES COOPERATION ON [...] (C) SUMMARY: In his first meeting with USG officials, new Eastern Province Chief Minister and TMVP head Pillaiyan pledged his cooperation to release the TMVP's remaining child soldiers. He was less forthcoming about the near-term disarmament of all TMVP cadres, arguing that the LTTE had re-i [...] | 2008-07-07 07:33:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
08COLOMBO648 | SRI LANKA OIL EXPLORATION: CAIRN INDIA GETS FIRST BLOCK [...] (SBU) Summary and comment: Sri Lanka, in its first ever offshore oil exploration licensing round, will award a block to Cairn India Ltd. The round attracted six bids from three companies (none American),for the three blocks on offer. Against the advice of the Petroleum Resources Development [...] | 2008-07-07 08:43:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EPET ECON EINV CE |
08COLOMBO65 | SRI LANKA TO SUPPORT US CANDIDATE FOR CERD ELECTION [...] No summary [...] | 2008-01-14 11:49:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV PREL PHUM UNGA CE |
08COLOMBO650 | SRI LANKA: DAS FEIGENBAUM CONFRONTS GSL'S [...] (C) SUMMARY: In a series of June 30 meetings with GSL officials, SCA Deputy Assistant Secretary Evan Feigenbaum stressed that Sri Lanka has many friends in Washington, but a growing sense of frustration, even despair, now prevails that the political track has not kept up with the military track [...] | 2008-07-08 08:47:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS EAID CE |
08COLOMBO652 | MALDIVES: DAS FEIGENBAUM ENCOURAGES REFORM AND [...] (C) Summary. On July 2, SCA Deputy Assistant Secretary Evan Feigenbaum held meetings in Male' with government officials, civil society, the UN, and opposition groups to urge progress on democratic reform and free and fair multi-party elections in coming months. Government officials, includ [...] | 2008-07-08 09:15:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PHUM EINV ECON MV |
08COLOMBO653 | SRI LANKA: TWO PROVINCIAL COUNCIL ELECTIONS SET [...] (U) SUMMARY: The Sri Lankan Election Commission set August 23rd as the date for two Provincial Council elections in the North Central and Sabaragamuwa provinces. The campaigns in both provinces are likely to revolve around the government's war strategy versus the opposition's emphasis on poc [...] | 2008-07-08 09:28:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
08COLOMBO654 | KARUNA RETURNS TO SRI LANKA [...] (U) SUMMARY: Former TMVP head Karuna Amman was deported from the UK and returned to Sri Lanka on July 3rd after spending the last three months in a UK detention center after the Crown Prosecution Service announced it had insufficient evidence to charge him with gross human rights violations. C [...] | 2008-07-08 09:40:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
08COLOMBO656 | MALDIVES: DAS FEIGENBAUM ENCOURAGES REFORM AND [...] (C) Summary. On July 2, SCA Deputy Assistant Secretary Evan Feigenbaum held meetings in Male' with government officials, civil society, the UN, and opposition groups to urge progress on democratic reform and free and fair multi-party elections in coming months. Government officials, includ [...] | 2008-07-08 10:56:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PHUM EINV ECON MV |
08COLOMBO659 | SRI LANKA: FONSEKA MOVES GOALPOSTS ON VICTORY AGAIN [...] (U) In a June 30 interview widely reported in the Sri Lankan press, Army Chief Sarath Fonseka estimated LTTE strength at 5,000 cadres and stated "maybe a maximum of a year from now the LTTE should lose large areas." He also said "Even if we finish the war, capture the whole of the north, stil [...] | 2008-07-09 10:35:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
08COLOMBO66 | SCENESETTER FOR ADMIRAL WILLARD'S VISIT TO SRI [...] (C) INTRODUCTION: Your visit comes at a defining juncture for Sri Lanka. With the abrogation of the 2002 Cease-Fire Agreement (CFA),we expect to see an escalation in fighting and further deterioration of the human rights situation in the coming months. The Sri Lankan military is a key pla [...] | 2008-01-14 12:01:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | MARR PREL PHUM EAID CE |
08COLOMBO660 | SRI LANKA: GSL FLOATS IDEA THAT PEACE TALKS MUST [...] (U) On July 8, English language newspaper The Daily Mirror quoted Government Peace Secretariat chief Rajiva Wijesingha saying the "Government has conveyed to the LTTE it must leave aside its weaponry for future peace talks." The article also stated that the Government was insisting that all T [...] | 2008-07-09 10:55:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL PGOV PTER MOPS CE |
08COLOMBO662 | SRI LANKA: INDIAN GOVERNMENT AND FIRMS INVEST IN SRI LANKA [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: The Indian government and Indian parastatal and private firms are lending to or investing in a number of major infrastructure projects in Sri Lanka. Projects that have been in the discussion stage for some time are gaining momentum as the two sides prepare deliverables for the [...] | 2008-07-10 10:22:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON EINV PREL CE IN CH |
08COLOMBO666 | SRI LANKA: GENERAL STRIKE BRINGS INCONVENIENCES [...] (U) SUMMARY: Public sector unions, led by the JVP, had only modest impact with a planned general strike July 10, with most public and private service functioning nearly normally. The unions sought higher wage increases than what the government was willing to give. While high inflation is the [...] | 2008-07-10 11:11:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM ECON CE |
08COLOMBO668 | SRI LANKA: CHALLENGE ISSUED AND WITHDRAWN TO [...] (U) Summary: Ranil Wickremesinghe, leader of the main opposition United National Party (UNP) has faced the third challenge to his leadership since 2000. In June, a group of senior UNP MPs threatened to boycott the upcoming Provincial Council (PC) election campaigns (Ref A) if Wickremesinghe di [...] | 2008-07-11 09:05:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
08COLOMBO681 | SRI LANKA: RAJAPAKSA GOVERNMENT'S SUPPORT BASE [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: Despite economic troubles and democratic lapses, President Rajapaksa continues to enjoy popular support among the Sinhalese majority, even as opinions differ radically among the minority communities. Minister of Environment Ranawaka reflected GSL's approach to the conflict in a [...] | 2008-07-16 04:18:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PHUM PTER CE |
08COLOMBO682 | SRI LANKA: ARF DISASTER RELIEF PREPAREDNESS [...] (SBU) On July 16 PolOff delivered non-paper on improving ARF disaster relief preparedness (ref A) to Ministry of Foreign Affairs Director General for East Asia and Pacific Dissanayake and urged Sri Lanka to support language in the Chairman's Statement at the ARF ministerial on July 24. Dissana [...] | 2008-07-16 09:40:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL EAID PHUM CE |
08COLOMBO686 | MALDIVES: AMBASSADOR PRESSES FOR SPEEDY [...] (C) Summary: In a meeting with the Ambassador on July 15, Foreign Minister Shahid stressed the need for additional enabling legislation -- in advance of President Gayoom's signature on the constitution -- that will allow the police forces to continue to legally operate. He said the President [...] | 2008-07-18 05:34:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PHUM ECON MV |
08COLOMBO694 | SRI LANKA: DESIGNATION OF ADDITIONAL IRANIAN [...] (U) On July 21 Ambassador spoke with Foreign Secretary Palith Kohona following Post's transmittal of the non-paper concerning the additional Iranian entities designated under E.O. 13382 (ref A) and information on Ambassador Burns' participation in the in the P5 1 talks with the Iranians (ref B [...] | 2008-07-21 10:52:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EFIN PARM PREL KNNP IR CE |
08COLOMBO695 | SRI LANKA: TENSION IN THE TMVP: KARUNA AND [...] (U) SUMMARY: On July 12 in Colombo, Karuna and Pillaiyan held their first face to face meeting since Karuna's return to the country July 3. The TMVP spokesman characterized the meeting positively, yet two days later Karuna appeared in Batticaloa unannounced causing deep concern for Pillaiyan a [...] | 2008-07-21 11:05:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
08COLOMBO696 | SRI LANKA: AMBASSADOR CONTINUES EFFORTS ON BEHALF [...] (C) On July 16 Ambassador met with Ronnate Tissainayagam, wife of detained journalist and two time IVP participant J.S. Tissainayagam (Ref B). Mrs. Tissainayagam reported that the four and a half month detention had severely affected her husband's mental capacity and he was now hardly able to [...] | 2008-07-21 11:11:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM CE |
08COLOMBO7 | MODERATE TAMIL POLITICIAN ASSASSINATED IN COLOMBO [...] (C) Summary. United National Party (UNP) member of parliament T. Maheswaran was shot and killed on January 1 while attending New Year's Day ceremonies at a Hindu temple in Colombo. Sri Lanka Police officials say that the suspected assailant, who they claim was working for the LTTE, was am [...] | 2008-01-02 12:12:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
08COLOMBO706 | SRI LANKA: LTTE DECLARES UNILATERAL CEASEFIRE FOR [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: The LTTE announced that it will observe a unilateral ceasefire during the SAARC summit from July 26 to August 4, but warned that it would continue to respond to any government offensives with defensive actions. The Sri Lankan government has reacted warily to the ceasefire declar [...] | 2008-07-22 12:04:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
08COLOMBO713 | EMBASSY COLOMBO EAC MEETING 07/23/2008 [...] (SBU) Summary: AmEmbassy Colombo convened an Emergency Action Committee (EAC) meeting on July 23, 2008. The EAC discussed post's security posture in light of the upcoming South Asia Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) conference, hosted by the Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) in Colombo [...] | 2008-07-24 08:31:00 | Embassy Colombo | SECRET//NOFORN | ASEC CASC PTER |
08COLOMBO719 | MALDIVES: EMPLOYMENT BILL RATIFIED AMID CONCERNS [...] (U) Summary: The President of Maldives recently ratified an employment bill which sets new rights and responsibilities for workers including a minimum wage, a limit on weekly working hours, and the establishment of an institution to resolve employment-related disputes. The legislation was cri [...] | 2008-07-25 05:19:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON ELAB EAID ETRD PHUM SOCI MV |
08COLOMBO721 | SCENESETTER FOR A/S BOUCHER'S VISIT FOR THE 15TH [...] (C) Summary and Introduction: Your visit for the 15th SAARC Summit finds most SAARC member countries preoccupied with domestic issues. After surviving a no-confidence vote, the Indian government is looking ahead to national elections next year, and frustrated that last minute objections from [...] | 2008-07-25 08:04:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS PINR ECON CE MV |
08COLOMBO723 | SRI LANKA: APRC RECOMMENCES MEETINGS, JOINED BY [...] (C) SUMMARY: Ambassador met with All Party Representative Committee (APRC) Chairman Tissa Vitharana to discuss the devolution process and encourage the APRC to invite the Opposition to reach a consensus on a post-conflict political solution. Vitharana told Ambassador that the APRC's main dif [...] | 2008-07-28 08:53:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
08COLOMBO725 | SRI LANKA: AMBASSADOR ASKS FOR GSL SUPPORT FOR [...] No summary [...] | 2008-07-28 13:24:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | IAEA KNNP PREL KZ SY AORC CE |
08COLOMBO730 | SRI LANKA: TREASURY SECRETARY OFFERS TO RESIGN FOLLOWING [...] (SBU) Summary: On July 28, P. B. Jayasundera, Treasury Secretary, handed in his resignation following a Supreme Court judgment that severely criticized his role in the privatization of Lanka Marine Services (LMS),a government-owned bunkering company. Jayasundera, Rajapakse's primary economic [...] | 2008-07-29 12:38:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN | ECON EINV KCOR KMCA PGOV CE |
08COLOMBO733 | SAARC SUMMIT: BOUCHER AND GILANI FOLLOW UP [...] (C) SUMMARY: In a meeting on the margins of the SAARC summit, Prime Minister Gilani told Assistant Secretary for South and Central Asian Affairs Richard Boucher that he felt his recent meetings in Washington had gone well. Foreign Minister Qureshi objected to Afghanistan's withdrawal from pla [...] | 2008-08-04 09:04:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL MOPS PINR PGOV PTER KNNP PARM IN AF PK |
08COLOMBO735 | Pakistan-Sri Lanka FTA Presents Opportunities for U.S. [...] (U) Summary: Trade between Pakistan and Sri Lanka has increased significantly following signing of the Pakistan-Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement in June 2005. Total trade in 2004 was valued at USD 147.4 million; by 2007 it grew to USD 233.4 million, an increase of 58 percent. As tariffs are re [...] | 2008-08-04 09:31:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | ECON ETRD EAID CE PK |
08COLOMBO74 | AKASHI READOUT OF VISIT TO COLOMBO [...] (C) Summary: In a briefing for the Co-Chair and Indian Ambassadors on January 15, Japanese Special Envoy Yasushi Akashi reported that he conveyed to President Rajapaksa and other interlocutors Japan's deep concern about the abrogation of the cease-fire and the likelihood of intensified hosti [...] | 2008-01-16 10:54:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PTER PGOV CE |
08COLOMBO744 | MALDIVES: PRESIDENT GAYOOM RATIFIES NEW [...] (U) As expected, President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom ratified Maldives' new constitution on August 7, providing a legal foundation for the first multi-party presidential elections in Maldives' history. The new constitution sets up a framework for several politically independent bodies, most signi [...] | 2008-08-07 11:42:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV PREL MV |
08COLOMBO746 | MALDIVES: SUCCESSFUL AMERICAN PAVILION AT MAJOR HOTEL AND [...] This is an action request for EEB/CBA. Please see para six. 2. Summary: Post is pleased to report the successful conclusion of the embassy-organized American Pavilion at an international trade fair in Maldives July 15-17, 2008. The American Pavilion once again helped to increase U.S. ex [...] | 2008-08-07 12:00:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | BEXP BTIO ENIV ABUD ECON MV |
08COLOMBO747 | SRI LANKA: BOUCHER PRESSES DEFENSE SECRETARY ON [...] (C) SUMMARY: Assistant Secretary for South and Central Asia Richard Boucher and Ambassador Blake met Defense Secretary Gothabaya Rajapaksa on August 1 to discuss bilateral security cooperation, the progress of the government's war against the separatist Tamil Tigers, and humanitarian and hum [...] | 2008-08-08 10:21:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
08COLOMBO748 | SAARC SUMMIT: PROGRESS ON DELIVERABLES DESPITE [...] (C) SUMMARY: The margins of the 15th South Asia Association for Regional Cooperation summit served as a venue for Pakistan, India, and Afghanistan to address the fallout of the embassy attack in Kabul and other recent incidents productively. For the first time in the Association's history th [...] | 2008-08-08 10:32:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
08COLOMBO75 | SRI LANKA: LTTE STRIKES CIVILIAN BUS IN THE [...] (C) On January 16 at 7:30 am, a claymore mine exploded near Buttala, in Sri Lanka's southeastern Uva Province, hitting a civilian bus. At least 24 people were killed, including several women and children, and more than 60 were wounded. Chief of Defense Staff Donald Perera confirmed to Amba [...] | 2008-01-16 11:35:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS ASEC CE |
08COLOMBO753 | SRI LANKA: GSL WEAKENS CORRUPTION OVERSIGHT BY APPOINTING [...] (SBU) Summary: In a move that is likely to encourage further government corruption, chairmanships of Sri Lanka's parliamentary Public Accounts Committee (PAC) and the Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) were recently awarded to government ministers. These committees have been traditionally [...] | 2008-08-13 08:55:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON EINV KCOR PGOV CE |
08COLOMBO754 | POLICE DETAIN SUSPECT IN JUNE WHITE POWDER [...] (SBU) Summary - The Sri Lanka Police Service (SLPS),working at the behest of RSO Colombo, located and detained a subject believed to have delivered the envelope containing the white powder (ref B and C) that closed AmEmbassy Colombo for normal business for a week in June. Subsequent to his de [...] | 2008-08-13 09:15:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ASEC CASC PTER AMED |
08COLOMBO76 | SRI LANKA: INFLATION 17.5% IN 2007; CENTRAL BANK SAYS [...] (SBU) Summary and comment: Sri Lanka's inflation remained high in 2007, averaging 17.5% for the year after spiking to around 20% at times. Consumers and business both felt the impact, with food and fuel prices rising most steeply. Correspondingly high interest rates compounded the pain. The [...] | 2008-01-16 11:58:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON EFIN EAID CE |
08COLOMBO763 | ANTI-GOVERNMENT PROTEST NEAR AMEMBASSY COLOMBO [...] At approximately 1630 hr. local time, August 14, 2008, an anti-government demonstration took place near the U.S. Embassy in Colombo. A group of approximately 3000 protesters reached the Colpetty Junction, approximately 150 meters south of the Embassy's main gate. The protesters from two student [...] | 2008-08-14 14:54:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | ASEC |
08COLOMBO765 | MALDIVES: BOUCHER VISITS MALDIVES FOR FIRST BIG [...] (C) SUMMARY: Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Richard Boucher visited Male August 6, a day before President Gayoom signed the new constitution (ref A) which provides the legal framework for the first multi-party presidential elections in Maldives' history. Pres [...] | 2008-08-15 05:40:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM PREL MV |
08COLOMBO766 | SRI LANKA: BOUCHER FINDS COMMITMENT TO MILITARY [...] (C) SUMMARY: During Assistant Secretary for South and Central Asian Affairs Richard Boucher's visit to Colombo for the SAARC summit on August 1-4, Sri Lankan government interlocutors made clear they were committed to a military solution to the conflict. The President, the Foreign Minister, th [...] | 2008-08-15 06:43:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS EAID CE |
08COLOMBO779 | MALDIVES: DESIGNATION OF IRANIAN ENTITIES AND INDIVIDUALS [...] (SBU) We conveyed on August 21 reftel points on the U.S. Treasury's designation of five Iranian nuclear and missile entities to Mohamed Niyaz, Third Secretary at the Maldives High Commission in Colombo, and asked that the Maldives seek to identify and freeze any assets related to these entities [...] | 2008-08-22 05:05:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | KNNP MNUC PREL PARM EFIN MV IR GM |
08COLOMBO780 | SRI LANKA: DESIGNATION OF IRANIAN ENTITIES AND INDIVIDUALS [...] (SBU) We conveyed on August 21 reftel points on the U.S. Treasury's designation of five Iranian nuclear and missile entities to Gihan Indragupta, Assistant Director of UN and Multilateral Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and asked that the GSL seek to identify and freeze any assets related [...] | 2008-08-22 05:06:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | KNNP MNUC PREL PARM EFIN CE IR GM |
08COLOMBO783 | SRI LANKA: DUE DILIGENCE FOR THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S 2008 [...] We appreciate the continued consideration of Virtusa as a candidate for the Secretary's Awards for Corporate Excellence. We continue to support fully this company for the ACE. 2. Our response to ref A is keyed to the questions in para 4: A) The Embassy knows of no downside to Virtusa beco [...] | 2008-08-22 05:54:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | BEXP ECON AMGT ELAB ETRD SENV AFIN KSEP CE |
08COLOMBO80 | BOGOLLAGAMA SEEKS U.S. ADVICE ON WAY FORWARD [...] (C) Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama convoked the Ambassador on January to hear the Ambassador's thoughts on steps Sri Lanka should take on issues of concern to the U.S. and others. With respect to the intensified conflict, which the US and other countries oppose, the Ambassador urged the [...] | 2008-01-18 08:47:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PTER PHUM CE |
08COLOMBO801 | SRI LANKA: JOURNALIST TISSAINAYAGAM CHARGED UNDER [...] (C) SUMMARY: State prosecutors charged detained journalist J.S. Tissainayagam on August 25 in High Court under the Prevention of Terrorism Act for conspiracy to discredit the government, intent to aid and abet a terrorist organization, and accepting money from non-governmental organizations to [...] | 2008-08-26 14:52:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM CE |
08COLOMBO807 | EMBASSY COLOMBO EAC MEETING 08/27/2008 IN WAKE OF [...] (SBU) Summary: AmEmbassy Colombo convened a meeting of the Emergency Action Committee (EAC) on August 27, 2008 to discuss post's security posture in light of an attack on a Sri Lanka naval base in Trincomalee, Sri Lanka. The attack occurred during the evening of August 26, 2008. GSL police and [...] | 2008-08-27 10:35:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ASEC CASC CE MARR PTER |
08COLOMBO81 | SRI LANKA: APRC RESISTING GSL PRESSURE [...] (C) SUMMARY: On January 17, Ambassador called on All Parties Representative Committee (APRC) Chairman Tissa Vitharana to discuss the current status of the APRC process. Vitharana said the President has encouraged the APRC to focus its report on full implementation of the 13th amendment. Vit [...] | 2008-01-18 08:58:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
08COLOMBO811 | MALDIVES DEMARCHE DELIVERED: INSTRUCTIONS TO DISCUSS PSIDS [...] (SBU) We conveyed on August 21 reftel points on our position on the Pacific Small Islands Developing States (PSIDS) resolution to Third Secretary Mohamed Niyaz at the Maldives High Commission in Colombo. We followed up this week with First Secretary Lauza Ali for a substantive response on Augu [...] | 2008-08-28 09:49:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | UNGA SENV AORC KGHG PREL ECON CE |
08COLOMBO812 | MALDIVES DEMARCHE DELIVERED: INSTRUCTIONS TO DISCUSS PSIDS [...] (SBU) We conveyed on August 21 reftel points on our position on the Pacific Small Islands Developing States (PSIDS) resolution to Third Secretary Mohamed Niyaz at the Maldives High Commission in Colombo. We followed up this week with First Secretary Lauza Ali for a substantive response on Augu [...] | 2008-08-28 09:49:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | UNGA SENV AORC KGHG PREL ECON CE |
08COLOMBO821 | SRI LANKA: IMF CONCERNED ABOUT ECONOMIC POLICY [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: During a meeting with Econoffs, IMF officials visiting Sri Lanka for "Article IV" consultations privately expressed concerns about Sri Lanka's persistently high inflation, various fiscal problems, and external imbalances. Taken together, these signs from the Sri Lankan economy [...] | 2008-09-02 01:59:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EFIN EINV ECON KMCA CE |
08COLOMBO825 | UN CHIEF REPORTS HUMANITARIAN SITUATION IN NORTH [...] (C) Summary: UN Resident Representative Neil Buhne provided Ambassador a readout of a quiet two-day trip he took to Kilinochchi August 27-29. Buhne told the Ambassador the humanitarian situation was worse than expected. He met some families that had been forced to move up to 20 times as a res [...] | 2008-09-02 11:08:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN | PREF PHUM PGOV EAID CE |
08COLOMBO849 | GSL ORDERS ALL INGOS AND UN OUT OF VANNI FOR [...] (SBU) Summary: At the September 8 Consultative Committee of Humanitarian Affairs (CCHA),the Government of Sri Lanka confirmed that all UN and international NGO expatriate staff will have to leave the LTTE-controlled areas effective immediately with their key equipment (vehicles, communication [...] | 2008-09-09 08:26:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREF PHUM PGOV EAID CE |
08COLOMBO850 | SRI LANKA VENTURES INTO NANOTECHNOLOGY [...] Summary: The Sri Lankan business community and the government will establish Sri Lanka's first-ever attempt at public-private partnership in research and development with the establishment of a nanotechnology research and development institute and a nanotechnology park. The venture, which aim [...] | 2008-09-09 10:40:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | ECON EINV ETRD PREL CE |
08COLOMBO851 | EMBASSY COLOMBO EAC MEETING 09/03/2008 IN WAKE OF [...] (SBU) Summary: AmEmbassy Colombo convened a meeting of the Emergency Action Committee (EAC) on September 3, 2008 to discuss post's security posture in light of the bombing incident that occurred on August 30, 2008 in the Pettah district, Colombo 11. The detonation of an improvised explosive de [...] | 2008-09-09 11:23:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ASEC CASC PTER |
08COLOMBO854 | MALDIVES: MAJOR STEPS TAKEN AS DEADLINE NEARS FOR [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: The Government has achieved significant, if still insufficient, progress on preparations for the first multi-party presidential elections in Maldivian history. Elections Commissioner Ibrahim announced that if the Parliament can pass two critical pieces of legislation by Septemb [...] | 2008-09-11 02:04:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM PREL MV |
08COLOMBO86 | SRI LANKA: US PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION STIRRING [...] (C) Summary. Recent comments by US Presidential candidates Senator Hillary Clinton and Senator Barack Obama have been a catalyst for open discussion over what the US presidential election will mean for Sri Lanka. Tamil press and politicians have generally favored the perceived nuanced positi [...] | 2008-01-23 07:25:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PTER OREP CE |
08COLOMBO860 | AMBASSADOR REVIEWS US CONCERNS REGARDING SITUATION [...] (C) Summary: In a September 11 meeting, the Ambassador briefed the Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Bogollogama on US concerns regarding the rapidly evolving situation in northern Sri Lanka. He expressed concern that the Government Agents would not be able to replace the UN in managing the massive [...] | 2008-09-11 11:43:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PREF PHUM CE |
08COLOMBO868 | DEFENSE SECRETARY AND PRESIDENTIAL ADVISOR SHARE [...] No summary [...] | 2008-09-15 11:15:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN | PREL PREF EAID CE |
08COLOMBO880 | MALDIVES: FIRST ROUND OF PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS [...] (U) On September 16, the Election Commission announced that the first round of Maldives' first ever multi-party Presidential Elections will take place October 8. The announcement came after the Majlis passed the Presidential Elections Bill earlier the same day, clearing the last major legisla [...] | 2008-09-17 12:22:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL MV |
08COLOMBO882 | CIVIL SOCIETY GROUP EXPRESSES CONCERN ABOUT HUMAN [...] (SBU) Summary: A Sri Lankan Civil Society Group that traveled to Vavuniya September 11 and 12 to assess conditions for establishing a humanitarian hub for internally displaced persons (IDPs) from the north, reported to Colombo-based diplomats that an increasing number of abductions, disappeara [...] | 2008-09-18 05:35:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREF PHUM PGOV EAID CE |
08COLOMBO883 | HUMANITARIAN SITUATION IN SRI LANKA'S NORTHERN PROVINCE: [...] (U) Summary: As the Sri Lankan military makes headway into the Northern Province, UN Agencies and INGOs have been requested by the Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) to pull back to Vavuniya as their safety and security cannot be guaranteed. As a result, the security and humanitarian situation f [...] | 2008-09-18 06:16:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EAID PREF PGOV PHUM CE |
08COLOMBO888 | PREPARING FOR GC VOTE ON MESA GROUP SEAT ON IAEA [...] (S) DCM met on September 22 with MFA Director General for Multilateral Affairs Aruni Wijewardena to convey Ref A points. DCM emphasized that it would be inappropriate for either Iran or Syria to serve on the IAEA Board of Governors due to their lack of cooperation with the IAEA's investigat [...] | 2008-09-22 10:34:00 | Embassy Colombo | SECRET | IAEA KNNP PREL KZ SY AORC CE |
08COLOMBO889 | EMBASSY COLOMBO EAC MEETING 09/22/2008 [...] (SBU) Summary: AmEmbassy Colombo convened an Emergency Action Committee (EAC) meeting on September 22, 2008. The EAC discussed post's security posture in light of the recent terrorist attack of the US Embassy in Sanaa, Yemen and the suicide bombing of the Marriott Hotel in Islamabad, Pakistan. [...] | 2008-09-22 12:29:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ASEC CASC PTER |
08COLOMBO902 | Sri Lanka: Journalists Face Continued Pressure [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: Munza Mushtaq, news editor the English-language, independent daily "The Nation," resigned on August 30, 2008 to protest a spate of recent actions by the publication's new management to curb journalistic and editorial independence. The change in management and in editorial oien [...] | 2008-09-26 02:38:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PHUM PROP CE |
08COLOMBO907 | SRI LANKA: GRENADE ATTACK AGAINST HOME OF HUMAN [...] (U) On Saturday September 27, 2008 at approximately 11:30 p.m., two grenades were thrown at the residence of Mr. J.C. Weliamuna in Kohuwela, a Colombo suburb. Weliamuna is a well-known human rights lawyer and also Director of Transparency International (Sri Lanka). One of the two grenades d [...] | 2008-09-29 11:29:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
08COLOMBO917 | MALDIVES SET TO VOTE OCTOBER 8 IN FIRST ROUND OF [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: On September 22, the Elections Commission declared six candidates eligible to stand in Maldives' first-ever multi-party Presidential election. Five opponents are challenging President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom of the ruling DRP: the Maldives Democratic Party's Mohamed Nasheed ("An [...] | 2008-10-03 09:43:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL PHUM KDEM MV |
08COLOMBO92 | SRI LANKA: TEXTILE AND APPAREL SECTOR CONCERNS FOR 2008: [...] (U) Summary: Sri Lanka's garment sector remains healthy, but is concerned about the possible impact of a U.S. recession. An even more pressing worry is the possibility of losing preferential access to the EU market under the EU's GSP+ program. The industry is frustrated that the government [...] | 2008-01-24 11:39:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON ETRD KTEX CE |
08COLOMBO921 | SRI LANKA: SUICIDE BOMBING KILLS ABOUT 27, [...] (C) An apparent suicide attack took the lives of at least 27 people and wounded about 90 in government-controlled territory in northern Sri Lanka. Reports state that a suicide bomber dressed in business attire walked into an office of the main opposition United National Party (UNP) in Anurad [...] | 2008-10-06 12:18:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PTER PREL PHUM MOPS PGOV CE |
08COLOMBO922 | SRI LANKA: ECONOMY GROWING, BUT PROBLEMS REMAIN [...] (U) Summary: Despite the war, Sri Lanka's GDP grew by a respectable 6.6% in the first half of 2008. The Sri Lankan rupee (SLR) remains relatively steady due to Central Bank intervention. Other key macro indicators weakened. Inflation remains high at 24.3%. The trade deficit expanded sharply [...] | 2008-10-07 11:50:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON EFIN ETRD KMCA CE |
08COLOMBO929 | MINISTER OUTLINES PROGRESS ON LANGUAGE TRAINING; [...] (C) Summary: In an October 8 meeting with Ambassador, Minister of Constitutional Affairs and National Integration Dew Gunasekera described the progress his Ministry is making to increase Tamil language training for Sinhalese-speaking civil servants, police and Buddhist monks to help promote [...] | 2008-10-09 11:15:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PHUM CE |
08COLOMBO93 | SRI LANKA: GOVERNMENT UNVEILS PROPOSAL FOR FIRST [...] (C) SUMMARY: The All-Party Representative Committee (APRC) complied with a Presidential instruction to produce a devolution plan based on full implementation of the 1988 13th Amendment to Sri Lanka's Constitution. In effect, it submitted to the President a draft reportedly dictated largely b [...] | 2008-01-24 13:44:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PHUM KDEM CE |
08COLOMBO930 | SRI LANKA: SUICIDE BOMBER MISSES MINISTER SIRISENA [...] (U) On October 9 a suicide bomber targeted the motorcade of Minister of Agricultural Development and Agrarian Services Development Maithripala Sirisena 15 kilometers south of central Colombo. One person was killed and five were injured including Deputy Minister Gamlath and the Minister's priv [...] | 2008-10-09 11:42:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PTER CE |
08COLOMBO933 | MALDIVES: GAYOOM IS TOP VOTE-GETTER, BUT FACES [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: Final results of the first round of Maldives' first-ever multiparty presidential election (ref a) showed that incumbent President Gayoom took just over 40% of the vote, with five challengers splitting the rest. There were technical flaws in the election, including problems with [...] | 2008-10-10 11:02:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
08COLOMBO976 | PRESIDENT RAJAPAKSA AND AMBASSADOR DISCUSS [...] (C) Summary: On the margins of ceremonies opening a USAID-funded vocational training center in President Rajapaksa's hometown of Tangalle on October 26, Ambassador and the President discussed a range of important issues. The President indicated he wants to become more personally involved in h [...] | 2008-10-27 09:34:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PHUM CE |
08COLOMBO981 | AMEMBASSY COLOMBO EAC MEETS REGARDING SECURITY [...] (SBU) Summary: On October 29, 2008, AmEmbassy Colombo convened an Emergency Action Committee (EAC) meeting in response to guidance provided reftel. The EAC considered potential threats, if any, to post's planned election day representational event. RSO informed the EAC of the security measures [...] | 2008-10-29 10:04:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ASEC CASC PTER AMGT |
08COLOMBO984 | SRI LANKA/MALDIVES: DESIGNATION OF IRANIAN [...] (SBU) On October 28 the Ambassador delivered reftel points and FATF 1803 guidelines to Foreign Secretary Palitha Kohona. The Ambassador strongly urged the GSL to take local action against the Export Development Bank of Iran (EDBI) and to cease any activities the GSL may have with this instit [...] | 2008-10-30 07:03:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EFIN MNUC PREL PARM KNNP CE MV |
08COLOMBO985 | CO-CHAIRS MEET WITH FOREIGN MINISTER TO ON [...] (C) Summary: At the request of Co-Chair Ambassadors, Foreign Minister Bogollagama met with the Co-Chair Ambassadors on October 29 to discuss the humanitarian situation in the north and progress towards a political solution to Sri Lanka's conflict. The Co-Chairs urged continued humanitarian acc [...] | 2008-10-30 08:29:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PREF PGOV CE |
08COLOMBO989 | AMEMBASSY COLOMBO EAC ADDRESSES LTTE "AIR TIGER" [...] (SBU) Summary: On October 29, 2008, AmEmbassy Colombo convened an Emergency Action Committee (EAC) meeting to discuss security for the official and expatriate American communities in light of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) "Air Tiger" attacks on the evening of October 28, 2008. T [...] | 2008-10-31 04:17:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ASEC CASC PTER |
08COLOMBO990 | MALDIVES: INVITATION TO INAUGURATION CEREMONY OF [...] U.S. Embassy Colombo received the following diplomatic note from the Maldives Foreign Ministry. 2. BEGIN TEXT: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Maldives presents its compliments to all Diplomatic/Consular Missions, Offices of the United Nations System and other Represe [...] | 2008-10-31 09:34:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL OVIP KDEM MV |
08COLOMBO994 | BASIL RAJAPAKSA DISCUSSES INDIA TRIP, [...] (C) Summary: In a November 3 meeting with Ambassador, Presidential senior advisor Basil Rajapaksa agreed security remains a problem in eastern Sri Lanka and agreed to discuss with the Defense Secretary a timetable for demobilizing paramilitaries there. Regarding his recent trip to India, he sa [...] | 2008-11-04 12:25:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PHUM IN CE |
09COLOMBO100 | Sri Lankans Welcome Inauguration of Barack Obama [...] Summary. Sri Lankans welcomed the inauguration of President Barack Obama with widespread enthusiasm. Ambassador hosted a viewing of the occasion with high level contacts and attended services at two Buddhist temples where monks blessed the President. Sri Lankan media carried a congratulator [...] | 2009-01-28 10:17:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | KPAO PREL KMDR CE |
09COLOMBO1001 | FROM AMBASSADOR PATRICIA A. BUTENIS TO UNDERSECRETARY OF [...] We appreciate your willingness to reconsider the decision not to purchase the former British High Commission property for a New Embassy Compound (NEC) in Colombo. We know a re-examination of the decision will entail lots of work, and we will accept your final decision. 2. OBO has approve [...] | 2009-10-30 12:27:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | AMGT ABLD ASEC CE |
09COLOMBO1002 | IMF PRESSURING THE MALDIVES TO IMMEDIATELY REDUCE [...] (SBU) Summary. The Government of the Maldives (GOM) and the IMF agree that the GOM must drastically cut its government payroll expenses, but they disagree how to do it. The GOM has substantially increased its government salaries over the last two years, which, in combination with reduced [...] | 2009-11-01 06:21:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON EFIN MV PGOV |
09COLOMBO1003 | FROM AMBASSADOR PATRICIA A. BUTENIS TO UNDERSECRETARY OF [...] We appreciate your willingness to reconsider the decision not to purchase the former British High Commission property for a New Embassy Compound (NEC) in Colombo. We know a re-examination of the decision will entail lots of work, and we will accept your final decision. 2. OBO has approve [...] | 2009-11-02 02:03:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | AMGT ABLD ASEC CE |
09COLOMBO1006 | MFA CALLS IN AMBASSADOR OVER DHS QUESTIONING OF [...] (C) On November 2, Foreign Minister Bogollagama called in Ambassador regarding reports that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security had requested that Sri Lankan Chief of Defense (CHOD) Sarath Fonseka come in for a "voluntary" interview with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement office [...] | 2009-11-02 12:37:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PREF PHUM PTER EAID MOPS CE |
09COLOMBO1007 | SRI LANKA'S VERY AMBITIOUS PLANS TO EXPAND [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: As part of Sri Lanka's overall plan to boost tourist arrivals from nearly 500,000 currently to 2.5 million by 2016, Sri Lanka has embarked on a very ambitious plan to expand its airport facilities. Sri Lanka's only international airport in Colombo, Bandaranaike International [...] | 2009-11-03 06:40:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | CE ECON ETRD EINV EAIR ELTN |
09COLOMBO1009 | SRI LANKA: 2010 NTE: REPORT ON SANITARY AND PHYTOSANITARY [...] No summary [...] | 2009-11-04 02:01:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | ECON ETRD EFIN CE |
09COLOMBO1010 | ETILSALAT: THE NEWEST PLAYER IN THE SRI LANKAN [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: Competition within Sri Lanka's mobile telecommunications sector is poised to increase further with the recent entry of Emirates Telecommunications Corporation (Etilsalat). In October 2009, Etilsalat purchased TIGO, one of five mobile service providers in Sri Lanka. Etilsalat's [...] | 2009-11-04 02:59:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | CE ECON EFIN ETRD PGOV ECPS EINV |
09COLOMBO1011 | MODIFIED CABLE: SRI LANKA - 2010 NTE REPORT ON SANITARY AND [...] (U) This cable corrects an earlier version by replacing paragraphs 10 and 11 with paragraph 10 here. The following is in response to reftel's request on Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) and Standards Related Foreign Barriers to trade in Sri Lanka. STANDARDS 2. (U) The Sri Lanka Standards I [...] | 2009-11-04 07:37:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | ECON ETRD EFIN CE |
09COLOMBO1012 | THE MALDIVES AGREES TO ACCEPT FIVE UIGHUR DETAINEES [...] (C) SUMMARY. On October 27, Ambassador Daniel Fried, Special Envoy for Guantanamo Closure, held meetings with senior officials from the Government of the Republic of the Maldives (GORM) to discuss the possibility of the GORM accepting five ethnic Uighur detainees from Guantanamo Bay. Followi [...] | 2009-11-04 09:37:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PREF PHUM PTER EAID MOPS MV |
09COLOMBO1015 | LOSS OF EU GSP-PLUS TRADE BENEFITS WOULD BE A [...] (U) SUMMARY: The European Union granted Sri Lanka GSP-Plus trade benefits after the 2004 tsunami, and Sri Lanka has substantially increased its EU-bound exports. However, an EU Commission recommended on October 19 the withdrawal of the GSP-Plus benefits because its investigation found that the [...] | 2009-11-05 05:33:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON ETRD PGOV EINV KTEX CE |
09COLOMBO1016 | JVP: PLAYING IT CLOSE TO THE CHEST--FOR NOW [...] (C) SUMMARY. In a meeting with PolOff, MP Vijitha Herath of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP, the People's Liberation Front) offered guarded comments indicated the leftist-nationalist party was probably waiting for a more certain political climate to declare publicly its political intention [...] | 2009-11-06 06:09:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PREF PHUM PTER EAID MOPS CE |
09COLOMBO1017 | SIGNIFICANT IDP RELEASES CONTINUE IN SRI LANKA [...] (C) Significant numbers of IDPs continue to be released from camps in Manik Farm and elsewhere. Exact figures differ on just how many have been released, depending on whether the source of the information is the UN or the Government of Sri Lanka (GSL). The bottom line is that in dramatic cont [...] | 2009-11-06 12:20:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PREF PHUM PTER EAID MOPS CE |
09COLOMBO1018 | FONSEKA'S U.S. VISIT AND RECALL MAKE WAVES IN SRI [...] (C) News of CHOD General Sarath Fonseka's visit to the U.S. and subsequent interaction with DHS dominated the local headlines in Colombo during the week of November 1. Many news outlets and political actors strongly criticized the U.S. for this apparent attempt to question Fonseka and possib [...] | 2009-11-06 12:26:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PREF PHUM PTER EAID MOPS CE |
09COLOMBO1019 | MUSLIM CONGRESS LEADER ON ELECTIONS, FONSEKA, AND [...] (C) SUMMARY: In a meeting with PolOff, Chairman of Sri Lanka Muslim Council (SLMC) and Eastern Provincial opposition leader Basheer Segudawood spoke of his party's strategy to defeat President Rajapaksa at the upcoming elections. The strategy included forming a broad coalition with the UNP and [...] | 2009-11-06 12:37:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PREF PHUM PTER EAID MOPS CE |
09COLOMBO1021 | BUDGET TRANSPARENCY DEMARCHE FOR THE MALDIVES [...] Post delivered reftel demarche to the Government of the Maldives (GOM) through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Finance and Treasury. Minister of Finance and Treasury Ali Hashim responded that the GOM plans to increase its budget transparency. The GOM has conducted a P [...] | 2009-11-09 02:58:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | ECON MV PGOV |
09COLOMBO1030 | HANGING CHOD? GENERAL SARATH FONSEKA SUBMITS HIS [...] (C) Chief of Defense (CHOD) General Sarath Fonseka submitted his resignation to President Rajapaksa on November 12. Senior military officials in the Office of Chief of Defense Staff (OCDS),a Ministry of Defense official, United National Party (UNP) insiders and a retired military general wit [...] | 2009-11-12 14:16:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PREF PHUM PTER EAID MOPS CE |
09COLOMBO1031 | TAMIL LEADER SAMPANTHAN FORESEES "HOT" ELECTION [...] (C) SUMMARY: In a November 10 meeting with PolChief, Tamil National Alliance Chairman Rajavarothiyam Sampanthan said President Rajapaksa told him there would be early presidential elections. He affirmed General Fonseka's intention to run but noted that a Rajapaksa/Fonseka contest would "spli [...] | 2009-11-13 10:24:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PREF PHUM PTER EAID MOPS CE |
09COLOMBO1032 | MISSION ANNOUNCES RE-DIRECTION OF ASSISTANCE AWAY [...] (C) On November 11, Ambassador met with Basil Rajapaksa, senior advisor to the president and chief of the Sri Lankan Government's relief and reconstruction efforts, to announce the U.S. decision to redirect aid from closed camps to returnees, host families, and open camps by March 2010. Rajapa [...] | 2009-11-13 10:40:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PREF PHUM PTER EAID MOPS CE |
09COLOMBO1033 | Countries Vulnerable to Climate Change Press for Action at [...] (U) SUMMARY: Government leaders from eleven countries participated in the Climate Vulnerable Forum November 9-10 in the Maldives. The participants and observers heard from experts on special challenges the most vulnerable countries are facing, scientific aspects of global climate goals, and [...] | 2009-11-14 05:35:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON ETRD EFIN CE |
09COLOMBO1037 | LABOR SLOWDOWNS BEGIN POLITICAL SEASON [...] (SBU) Summary. Labor unions affiliated with the opposition political parties UNP and JVP held a three day labor slowdown Nov 11-13 in the government run electricity, petrol, water and port companies. The labor action had a limited impact, but post expects continued labor actions in advan [...] | 2009-11-16 09:46:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | CE ECON ELAB PGOV |
09COLOMBO1038 | PRESIDENT RAJAPAKSA GETS COLD FEET ON ELECTIONS [...] (SBU) Summary. President Mahinda Rajapaksa in a much-anticipated nationwide speech on Sunday night failed to announce either a presidential or general election. Rajapaksa instead largely gave a speech that extolled the virtues of his Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) and took thinly-veiled swi [...] | 2009-11-16 13:02:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL PREF PHUM PTER EAID MOPS CE |
09COLOMBO1040 | SRI LANKA,S PERSONALIZED SYSTEM OF ECONOMIC [...] (C) Summary. The real power to make economic policy appears to transcend the formal government policy channels and focus on the influence of President Rajapaksa and his circle. According to our contacts, the new Secretary to the Treasury, P.B. Jayasundera, is the policymaker with the mos [...] | 2009-11-17 06:06:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | CE ECON EFIN PGOV |
09COLOMBO1043 | MALDIVES OPPOSES IRAN'S NO-ACTION MOTION ON UNGA [...] (C) On November 16, Vice President Ahmed Shaheed assured Ambassador of the support of the government of the Maldives (GOM) and of the Maldives intention to oppose the &no-action8 motion on the human rights resolution on Iran. Shaheed instructed their mission in New York not to participate in t [...] | 2009-11-17 10:08:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | EAID MOPS PGOV PHUM PREF PREL PTER UNGA MV |
09COLOMBO1044 | SRI LANKA REMAINS OPPOSED TO UN HUMAN RIGHTS [...] (C) On November 17, Ambassador delivered reftel points urging Sri Lanka to vote against "no-action" motions and for substantive resolutions on human rights abuses in Iran, Burma, and the DPRK to MFA Foreign Secretary Romesh Jayasinghe. Jayasinghe promised to convey our concerns to his princip [...] | 2009-11-17 11:53:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | UNGA PREL PHUM CE |
09COLOMBO1045 | FRAUD SUMMARY - SRI LANKA [...] Political insecurity and socioeconomic conditions put pressure on Sri Lankans of all ages and societal classes to migrate legally and illegally to the United States. In May 2009, the Sri Lankan government announced victory over the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE),an armed insurgent g [...] | 2009-11-18 07:43:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | KFRD CVIS CPAS CMGT ASEC CE |
09COLOMBO1046 | MALDIVES POISED TO CHANGE POSITION ON ANTI-ISRAEL [...] (C) On November 18, PolChief delivered reftel points urging non-support of Anti-Israel UN Resolutions to the Maldives High Commissioner Ali Hussain Didi. While he could not commit to a definitive response, Didi assured Pol Chief of government of the Maldives (GOM) serious consideration of the [...] | 2009-11-18 12:20:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | EAID MOPS PGOV PHUM PREF PREL PTER UNGA MV |
09COLOMBO1047 | SRI LANKA WILL NOT OPPOSE UNGA RESOLUTIONS WITH [...] (C) On November 18, PolChief delivered ref A points urging Sri Lanka to oppose UNGA resolutions with anti-Israel bias to Sri Lankan MFA U.N. and Multilateral Affairs Director General (DG) Ambassador Aruni Wijewardene. Wijewardene informed us that the Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) would continu [...] | 2009-11-18 12:22:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | EAID MOPS PGOV PHUM PREF PREL PTER UNGA CE |
09COLOMBO1048 | MALDIVES SEEKS ASSISTANCE WITH CLIMATE CHANGE [...] ESTHOff met with Maldivian government officials on the margins of the Climate Vulnerable Forum November 9-10 (reftel) and in Male November 15 to discuss a range of climate change and other environmental issues. The Government of the Maldives (GOM) has called climate change its number one nati [...] | 2009-11-19 10:20:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | ECON SENV PGOV TSPL KGHG TPHY KICR IO CE |
09COLOMBO1049 | SRI LANKA CONSIDERING INTERNATIONAL MARITIME [...] No summary [...] | 2009-11-19 10:39:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | AORC IMO EWWT PHSA UK CE |
09COLOMBO1050 | Committee to Monitor Investigations into Abductions and [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: On November 17, Ambassador met with Deputy Minister P. Radhakrishnan, a member of parliament who also serves as the Deputy Minister of Vocational and Technical Training and as the Convener of the Committee to Monitor Investigations into Abductions and Disappearances. Although P [...] | 2009-11-20 01:58:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL PHUM CE |
09COLOMBO1051 | PRM PDAS WITTEN EXAMINES IDP ISSUES [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: The November 12-16 visit of PRM Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Samuel Witten came during a critical period in the ongoing humanitarian situation in Sri Lanka. The Government is accelerating releases from closed camps, a move welcomed by the international community but on [...] | 2009-11-20 10:03:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL PREF PHUM PTER EAID MOPS CE |
09COLOMBO1053 | SRI LANKA MEETS IMF TARGETS IN SEPTEMBER; CONCERN [...] (SBU) Summary. An IMF team has found that Sri Lanka is meeting its foreign reserve and government deficit targets for September, although the Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) will need to restrain expenditures to meet the December deficit targets. The GSL has submitted a Vote on Account in [...] | 2009-11-23 02:39:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | CE ECON EFIN PGOV |
09COLOMBO1054 | SENATE FOREIGN RELATIONS COMMITTEE (SFRC) FACT FINDING [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: On November 2-8, Senate Foreign Relations staff members Nilmini Rubin and Fatema Sumar visited Sri Lanka and held meetings with senior government officials, international organizations, political leaders, civil-society activists, and journalists to discuss post war reconciliation [...] | 2009-11-23 02:40:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL PHUM CE |
09COLOMBO1056 | FOOD SECURITY IN SRI LANKA: A "GROWING" PROBLEM [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: Sri Lanka continues to focus attention on food security and is taking some actions to increase production on the island. Post-harvest losses remain a particular problem. The government is encouraging farmers to modernize production and transport techniques, but is hindered by [...] | 2009-11-23 04:38:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EAGR ECON IO AID CE |
09COLOMBO1059 | SRI LANKA: ICRC ROLE INCREASINGLY UNCERTAIN, [...] (C) SUMMARY: In a November 12-16 visit to Sri Lanka on a range of post-conflict humanitarian issues, PRM Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary (PDAS) Sam Witten discussed the situation of LTTE ex-combatants (including rehabilitation programs) in separate meetings with Minister of Justice Milin [...] | 2009-11-23 08:48:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PREF PHUM CE |
09COLOMBO106 | INDIAN EXTERNAL AFFAIRS MINISTER STRESSES [...] (C) Summary: In a briefing on the January 27 visit to Sri Lanka of External Affairs Minister Mukherjee, Indian Deputy High Commissioner stressed that Mukherjee registered deep concern over the current humanitarian crisis in the Vanni, where Tamil civilians are caught in the crossfire between milit [...] | 2009-01-29 12:27:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PREF PHUM IN CE |
09COLOMBO1060 | COLOMBO PLAN NOVEMBER SESSION READOUT: USA TAKES [...] SUMMARY: At the 266th session of the Colombo Plan Council held November 19, the United States took over the one-year rotating Presidency held most recently by Thailand. The minutes from the 265th session were adopted and council members focused on the upcoming 42nd Consultative Committee Meet [...] | 2009-11-23 08:50:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | APER AORC ECON KUNR UN CE |
09COLOMBO1061 | TAMIL PARTIES CONFUSED AND UNDECIDED ON WAY FORWARD [...] (C) SUMMARY: Sri Lanka's main Tamil parties remain disorganized and unsure of their strategy for the upcoming election season. Faced with the possible role of kingmaker in the upcoming presidential election, the Tamil parties generally are uncomfortable with the prospect of supporting the ree [...] | 2009-11-23 12:25:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PREF PHUM PTER EAID MOPS CE |
09COLOMBO1062 | TRUST BUT VERIFY: SRI LANKA ANNOUNCES IDP FREEDOM [...] (C) SUMMARY: On November 21, 2009, the Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) announced its intention to increase freedom of movement for internally displaced persons (IDPs) living in camps in northern Sri Lanka. While specifics are unclear, it appears that as of December 1, IDPs will be able to leav [...] | 2009-11-23 12:31:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PREF PHUM PTER EAID MOPS CE |
09COLOMBO1066 | BATTLE OF THE TITANS BEGINS [...] (U) Late on November 23, President Mahinda Rajapaksa began the process to hold an early presidential election and instructed the Elections Commission to begin preparations for the election. Rajapaksa issued the instructions at a meeting with leaders of political parties constituting the ruling [...] | 2009-11-24 05:57:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL PREF PHUM PTER EAID MOPS CE |
09COLOMBO1067 | SRI LANKA,S ECONOMIC POLICY FOCUSES ON GOVERNMENT [...] (C ) Summary. The Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) has adopted a hybrid economic model based on government led development, private sector exports, agricultural self sufficiency, large infrastructure projects and focusing on Asia instead of the United States or Europe. Sri Lanka has an his [...] | 2009-11-25 07:35:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | CE EAGR ECON ETRD PGOV |
09COLOMBO1068 | POST DELIVERED EID AL-ADHA MESSAGE FROM PRESIDENT [...] (U) Post has faxed a copy of the Eid Al-Adha message from President Obama (reftel) to the Maldivian High Commission in Colombo and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Male'. Post has also mailed a copy of the message to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Male'. FOWLER [...] | 2009-11-25 08:13:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV PREL MV |
09COLOMBO1069 | EMBASSY COLOMBO P-1 REQUEST [...] (SBU) This is an action request for PRM,s Admissions Office. 2. (SBU) SUMMARY AND ACTION REQUEST: Post requests access to the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP) for a Sri Lankan national well-known to the Embassy Public Affairs Section who is planning to flee the country within day [...] | 2009-11-25 08:24:00 | Embassy Colombo | SECRET | PHUM PREF SCUL CE |
09COLOMBO1070 | COLOMBO ACTIVITY FOR ELIMINATION OF VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN [...] On November 25, 2009, to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, Post coordinated with the Legal Aid Commission of Sri Lanka to organize a ceremony in recognition of the Commission's efforts to support women and end gender-based violence in Sri Lanka. 2. [...] | 2009-11-25 10:28:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL PHUM KWMN KPAO CE |
09COLOMBO1072 | HINI VIRUS IN SRI LANKA [...] As of November 24, there are a total of 254 confirmed H1N1 cases in Sri Lanka, and six deaths have been reported since the first suspected case of H1N1 on the island was reported in June 2009. The Epidemiology Unit now describes the situation in the country as a pandemic. The deaths reported [...] | 2009-11-25 10:37:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | TBIO KFLU ECON CE |
09COLOMBO1073 | RUMBLE IN THE JUNGLE: UNP LEADERS BELIEVE THEY ARE [...] (C) SUMMARY: Members of the main opposition United National Party (UNP) are upbeat about the party's electoral prospects and are confident that UNF alliance candidate General Sarath Fonseka can beat President Rajapaksa in the upcoming presidential election. UNP party members noted that the U [...] | 2009-11-25 12:01:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PREF PHUM PTER EAID MOPS CE |
09COLOMBO1074 | MALDIVES: OVERVIEW OF RECENT LEGISLATION PASSED BY [...] SUMMARY: The Maldivian parliament recently passed the Child Sexual Abuse Act and an amendment to the penal code that decriminalizes defamation. President Nasheed has signed the former into law and is expected shortly to sign the latter. While local journalists and international press freedom [...] | 2009-11-27 02:19:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV KDEM PHUM MV |
09COLOMBO1075 | SRI LANKA'S TEA SECTOR: "A GIFT FROM GOD" [...] (U) SUMMARY: Long Sri Lanka's top export, tea remains one of the country's most valuable foreign currency earners despite being supplanted by the textile sector in the top slot. The country's highly sought-after "orthodox" teas remain global favorites, particularly in the Middle East and the [...] | 2009-11-27 06:33:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON EAGR ETRD CE |
09COLOMBO1076 | SRI LANKA: 2010 NATIONAL TRADE ESTIMATE REPORT [...] The following is in response to Ref A's request for information on the National Trade Estimate in Sri Lanka. Ref B includes information for the Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) and Standards Related Foreign Barriers to trade in Sri Lanka, submitted November 4, 2009 (and also included here). [...] | 2009-11-27 07:01:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | ETRD ECON EFIN CE |
09COLOMBO1077 | INTERNATIONAL NARCOTICS CONTROL STRATEGY REPORT FOR [...] Per reftel, below is the 2009/10 International Narcotics Control Strategy Report for Sri Lanka. The INCSR for the Maldives will be transmitted septel. SUMMARY -- 2. Sri Lanka has a relatively small-scale drug problem. The Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) remains committed to targeting drug [...] | 2009-11-27 07:02:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | SNAR CE |
09COLOMBO1078 | IPR IN THE MALDIVES: LOTS TO DO IN LITTLE TIME [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: The Maldives does not currently have legislation on the books protecting intellectual property rights (IPR). The Maldives is expected to graduate from the list of least developed nations by 2011, necessitating passage of WTO-compatible intellectual property legislation. Since 2 [...] | 2009-11-27 08:16:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | KIPR ECON PGOV CE |
09COLOMBO1091 | SRI LANKA: NON-COMMITTAL ON PRESSING TRADITIONAL [...] (C) On November 30, PolOff delivered reftel points to Sri Lankan MFA Additional Director General for East Asia and Pacific Affairs Ranjith Gunaratna urging Sri Lanka's support for engaging Burmese authorities to offer a dialogue with National League for Democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi. Gunar [...] | 2009-12-01 12:20:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV CE |
09COLOMBO1092 | PANDEMIC FLU PREPARATIONS IN THE MALDIVES - [...] (U) This is an action request. Please see paragraph 5. 2. (U) SUMMARY: To date, there have been only 32 confirmed cases of H1N1 (Swine flu) in the Maldives with one reported death. Maldivians are increasingly concerned with the country's ability to cope with a full-blown outbreak. The Ma [...] | 2009-12-02 07:31:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON PGOV TBIO KFLU SOCI CASC MV |
09COLOMBO1094 | SHOW ME THE MONEY: KEY TAMIL LEADER DELAYS [...] No summary [...] | 2009-12-02 13:24:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PREF PHUM PTER EAID MOPS CE |
09COLOMBO1095 | HUAWEI SRI LANKA: A MAJOR PLAYER WITH AN IRON [...] (SBU) Summary. Chinese firms continue to make inroads into the Sri Lankan market, including into areas such as telecommunications infrastructure. The Sri Lankan telecommunications market has expanded rapidly, and telephone companies plan to expand into the newly freed conflict areas of the N [...] | 2009-12-03 03:18:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | CE ECON ETRD EINV EAID CH |
09COLOMBO1109 | USAID Support for Reconstruction of Eastern Sri Lanka [...] Summary. On November 8-11, Foreign Assistance Coordinator for the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs/Office of Regional Affairs (SCA/RA) Aisha Sabar visited USAID funded projects in the Eastern Province. USAID has focused on fostering economic growth, good governance, and reconcili [...] | 2009-12-03 12:53:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | EAID ECON PGOV CE |
09COLOMBO1110 | IDP UPDATE: SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS WITH CHALLENGES [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: Large numbers of returns of internally displaced persons (IDPs) over the past several months and recent advances in freedom of movement policy are very encouraging. The returns process will continue to be complex, however, and long-term reintegration may present new challenges [...] | 2009-12-04 05:01:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV PREL PREF PHUM PTER EAID MOPS CE |
09COLOMBO1111 | SRI LANKA ABUZZ OVER FONSEKA CANDIDACY, BUT [...] (C) SUMMARY. The announcements of an early presidential election January 26 and of General Fonseka's candidacy have dramatically altered the political landscape in Sri Lanka and created a palpable sense of new possibilities. But the general is likely to face an uphill battle in his attempt to [...] | 2009-12-04 05:01:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PREF PHUM PTER EAID MOPS CE |
09COLOMBO1112 | IDP UPDATE: SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS WITH CHALLENGES [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: Large numbers of returns of internally displaced persons (IDPs) over the past several months and recent advances in freedom of movement policy are very encouraging. The returns process will continue to be complex, however, and long-term reintegration may present new challenges [...] | 2009-12-04 05:01:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV PREL PREF PHUM PTER EAID MOPS CE |
09COLOMBO1113 | SRI LANKA ABUZZ OVER FONSEKA CANDIDACY, BUT [...] (C) SUMMARY. The announcements of an early presidential election January 26 and of General Fonseka's candidacy have dramatically altered the political landscape in Sri Lanka and created a palpable sense of new possibilities. But the general is likely to face an uphill battle in his attempt to [...] | 2009-12-04 05:01:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PREF PHUM PTER EAID MOPS CE |
09COLOMBO1114 | HUAWEI SRI LANKA: A MAJOR PLAYER WITH AN IRON [...] (SBU) Summary. Chinese firms continue to make inroads into the Sri Lankan market, including into areas such as telecommunications infrastructure. The Sri Lankan telecommunications market has expanded rapidly, and telephone companies plan to expand into the newly freed conflict areas of the N [...] | 2009-12-04 05:01:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | CE ECON ETRD EINV EAID CH |
09COLOMBO1117 | Re-declaration of Disaster for the Complex Emergency in Sri [...] (U) Background: Continued civil strife in the North of Sri Lanka has displaced upwards of hundreds of thousand people from their homes creating a complex emergency for the region. A disaster was initially declared in August of 2006 when almost 50,000 people had been displaced. In 2007 and 200 [...] | 2009-12-04 10:03:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EAID PREF PGOV PHUM CE |
09COLOMBO1118 | ELECTION SEASON MAY BRING INCREASED RISK TO [...] (C) SUMMARY: Sunday Leader newspaper editor-in-chief Frederica Jansz, and chairman of Leader Publications Lal Wickramatunge reported feeling increasingly at risk as election season took off and expected that conditions would worsen after presidential nominations on December 17. The pair wer [...] | 2009-12-04 10:12:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PREF PHUM PTER EAID MOPS CE |
09COLOMBO1120 | IPR IN THE MALDIVES: LOTS TO DO IN LITTLE TIME [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: The Maldives does not currently have legislation on the books protecting intellectual property rights (IPR). The Maldives is expected to graduate from the list of least developed nations by 2011, necessitating passage of WTO-compatible intellectual property legislation. Since 2 [...] | 2009-12-07 06:27:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | KIPR ECON PGOV CE |
09COLOMBO1121 | SRI LANKA: 2010 NATIONAL TRADE ESTIMATE REPORT (Resubmit) [...] The following is in response to Ref A's request for information on the National Trade Estimate in Sri Lanka. Ref B includes information for the Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) and Standards Related Foreign Barriers to trade in Sri Lanka, submitted November 4, 2009 (and also included here). [...] | 2009-12-07 07:51:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | ETRD ECON EFIN CE |
09COLOMBO1125 | HAMBANTOTA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT: INCREASING [...] (SBU) Summary: The Government of China is constructing an international airport in conjunction with the large Hambantota port. Hambantota is located in the rural South of Sri Lanka, which also happens to be President Rajapaksa,s home region and political base. China Harbor Ltd. is engaged [...] | 2009-12-09 02:36:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | CE ECON ETRD EINV EAIR ELTN CH |
09COLOMBO1126 | SRI LANKA'S AMBITIOUS PLAN FOR NORTHERN [...] (C) Summary. An official of Sri Lanka,s Ministry of Nation Building provided Econoff with the Government of Sri Lanka,s (GSL) plans to rebuild the Northern region of Sri Lanka. The document outlines how the economy and infrastructure were destroyed by the war, the GSL,s 180 day plan to [...] | 2009-12-09 02:40:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | CE ECON PGOV |
09COLOMBO1129 | RED ROVER: PARTY MEMBERS START CROSSING OVER [...] (C) On December 7, senior UNP leader S.B. Dissanayake resigned from his position as National Organizer for the UNP and his position as opposition leader of the Central Province provincial council. Local observers have noted in the past that Dissanayake was a possible presidential candidate ( [...] | 2009-12-09 12:56:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PREF PHUM PTER EAID MOPS CE |
09COLOMBO1130 | Maldives Budget Reduces Government Deficit [...] (SBU) Summary. The Government of the Maldives (GOM) proposed an austere 2010 budget to its Parliament. The budget projects both reduced spending and growing tax collection that would reduce the government budget deficit from 29% of GDP in 2009 to 16% of GDP in 2010 and reaching a mere 3% of G [...] | 2009-12-10 08:09:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON PGOV MV |
09COLOMBO1135 | SRI LANKA: A/S BLAKE FINDS SITUATION IMPROVED BUT [...] (C) SUMMARY AND COMMENT: During a December 8-10 visit, Assistant Secretary Blake found progress on humanitarian issues but also much that remained to be done. The IDP situation had greatly improved, with about three-fifths of the IDPs returned home or resettled, freedom of movement allowed f [...] | 2009-12-14 06:28:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PREF PHUM PTER EAID MOPS CE |
09COLOMBO1136 | Business Leaders See Progress in Eastern Reconstruction; [...] Summary: A/S Robert Blake met with a group of business leaders to discuss reconstruction of the conflict regions of the North and East. The Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) defeated the LTTE in 2007 in the East, and there has been great progress in that region, with fewer checkpoints, improved r [...] | 2009-12-14 10:19:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | ECON SOCI PGOV CE |
09COLOMBO1139 | SRI LANKA: ELECTIONS UPDATE NO. 1 [...] (SBU) Introduction: As an air of anticipation builds in Sri Lanka in advance of the upcoming Sri Lankan elections, including a presidential election scheduled for January 26 and a parliamentary election anticipated for later in the spring, post will provide update reports as events dictate, [...] | 2009-12-14 13:50:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PREF PHUM PTER EAID MOPS CE |
09COLOMBO1140 | UPDATE ON KEY IDP PROTECTION ISSUES [...] No summary [...] | 2009-12-15 05:57:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL PREF PHUM PTER EAID MOPS CE |
09COLOMBO1142 | SCHOOL OF HARD KNOCKS: MALDIVIAN PARTIES LEARNING ABOUT [...] (U) SUMMARY: On December 7 and 8, PolOffs traveled to Maldives to meet with political parties tomee Party (DQP),a member of the coalition party that recently broke away from government. As expected, there were dissenting opinions on the current state of the country but also several points of a [...] | 2009-12-15 12:25:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV KDEM PHUM PREL MV |
09COLOMBO1144 | Request for Economic Support Funds for the Maldives [...] No summary [...] | 2009-12-16 11:20:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EAID ECON ETRD MV |
09COLOMBO1145 | SRI LANKA: ELECTIONS UPDATE NO.2 [...] (C) Former Chief Justice Sarath N. Silva spoke at an event organized by UNF member Mangala Samaraweera on December 15, criticizing the concentration of powers developed through the executive presidency under Mahinda Rajapaksa. Fonseka was a "surprise" guest at the event, and local media publis [...] | 2009-12-16 12:59:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PREF PHUM PTER EAID MOPS CE |
09COLOMBO1146 | A/S Blake Views IDP Freedom of Movement at Menik Farm [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: On December 8, one week after the Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) announced freedom of movement for internally displaced persons (IDPs),Assistant Secretary of State Robert Blake visited the Menik Farms IDP camp complex and several communities to which Tamil-speaking civilians were [...] | 2009-12-17 04:02:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | PREF PHUM PGOV PREL CE |
09COLOMBO1147 | A/S Blake Views IDP Freedom of Movement at Menik Farm [...] No summary [...] | 2009-12-17 04:03:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | PREF PHUM PGOV PREL CE |
09COLOMBO1148 | UPDATE ON KEY IDP PROTECTION ISSUES [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: Civilian population displacement issues in Sri Lanka have evolved rapidly over the last several months. Key protection issues identified most recently by the humanitarian community in Colombo include freedom of movement, transferred displacement, de-mining and demarcation, singl [...] | 2009-12-17 05:17:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL PREF PHUM PTER EAID MOPS CE |
09COLOMBO1150 | FORMER PRESIDENT NOTES DESTRUCTIVE INFLUENCE OF [...] (C) In a December 14 meeting with Ambassador, former President Chandrika Kumaratunga discussed President Rajapaksa's abuse of power and said that under his leadership, the economy, the political climate, health care, education and international relations had spiraled down reaching a new low in [...] | 2009-12-17 09:54:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PREF PHUM PTER EAID MOPS CE |
09COLOMBO1152 | SRI LANKA ELECTIONS UPDATE NO.3 [...] (C) With official nominations registered between 9:00 and 11:00 this morning, 23 candidates will be vying in the January 26 presidential election. Both President Rajapaksa from the UPFA and his main challenger former General Fonseka of the UNF and JVP handed in their nominations while hundreds [...] | 2009-12-17 12:41:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PREF PHUM PTER EAID MOPS CE |
09COLOMBO1155 | PUTTALAM'S "OLD" IDPS: A STABLE, IF LEAN, EXISTENCE [...] (SBU) On December 10-11, Embassy officials visited the Puttalam district and held meetings with senior government officials, international organizations, civil-society, and NGOs to assess the post-war humanitarian conditions and resettlement options of Muslim internally displaced persons (IDPs) [...] | 2009-12-18 09:07:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL PHUM CE |
09COLOMBO1156 | TRUTH AND RECONCIALIATION COMMISSION PROPOSED FOR MALDIVES [...] (U) SUMMARY: Maldivian media reported December 18 that a South African-style Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) had been proposed following President Mohamed Nasheed's radio address last week, where he called on the Human Rights Commission of Maldives (HRCM) to look into past injustices [...] | 2009-12-19 09:08:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV KDEM PHUM PREL MV |
09COLOMBO1159 | DEFENSE SECRETARY DEFENDS SRI LANKAN POLICIES WITH [...] (C) SUMMARY: In a December 8 meeting with A/S Blake, Sri Lankan Defense Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa discussed accountability and reconciliation; the State of Emergency; disarmament of ex-combatants and paramilitary groups; reconstruction in the North; rehabilitation of Liberation Tigers of [...] | 2009-12-22 04:33:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PREF PHUM PTER EAID MOPS CE |
09COLOMBO1165 | EASTERN PROVINCE: RETURNS NEARLY COMPLETE BUT [...] (C) SUMMARY: Emboffs met with local authorities, community leaders, United Nations (UN) officials, and returnees in Batticaloa and Trincomalee districts in the Eastern Province. Returns of internally displaced persons (IDPs) to these districts are nearly complete but land issues, livelihoods, [...] | 2009-12-22 11:13:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PREF PHUM PTER EAID MOPS CE |
09COLOMBO1166 | ELECTIONS IN THE EAST: TAMILS UNCONVINCED [...] (S) SUMMARY: A visit to the Eastern Province by Embassy officers found that Tamils in the East do not strongly support either President Rajapaksa or General Fonseka in the upcoming election and that many would spoil their votes. Only Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) authorities expressed strong c [...] | 2009-12-22 11:13:00 | Embassy Colombo | SECRET | PGOV PREL PREF PHUM PTER EAID MOPS CE |
09COLOMBO1177 | SRI LANKAN ELECTIONS COMMISSIONER: FAQS FOR AND [...] (C) SUMMARY AND INTRODUCTION: The following provides Post assessment of key issues related to the Sri Lankan Elections Commissioner and the upcoming presidential election scheduled for January 26. The message is organized in frequently-asked-question (FAQ) format and draws on Ambassador's Dec [...] | 2009-12-22 12:50:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PREF PHUM PTER EAID MOPS CE |
09COLOMBO1179 | Action Request for FY 2010 Funds for Northern Sri Lanka [...] (SBU) This is an action cable. Please see paragraphs 7-13. 2. (SBU) SUMMARY: The coming months offer a unique window of opportunity for the United States and other donors to assist the Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) in supporting peace and reconciliation through development and assistance p [...] | 2009-12-23 10:51:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EAID PREL PHUM PREF ECON CE |
09COLOMBO118 | EMBASSY COLOMBO EAC MEETING 02/02/2009 RE SECURITY [...] (SBU) Summary: AmEmbassy Colombo convened a meeting of the core Emergency Action Committee (EAC) on February 2, 2009. The EAC discussed post's security posture and guidance to the expatriate American community in light of the upcoming Sri Lankan Independence Day celebrations and the possibility [...] | 2009-02-03 03:13:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ASEC CASC PTER |
09COLOMBO1180 | ACCOUNTABILITY: FONSEKA STIRS UP HORNETS' NEST [...] (C) SUMMARY: The committee appointed by the president to look into allegations raised in the Department's October 21 incidents report to Congress will not issue a public report but rather a recommendation memo for President Rajapaksa's consideration. Although Sarath Fonseka was quoted as accu [...] | 2009-12-23 12:15:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PREF PHUM PTER EAID MOPS CE |
09COLOMBO12 | GOVERNMENT OF SRI LANKA LIKELY SOON TO BAN LTTE [...] (C) A senior Government Minister confirmed to Ambassador on January 5 that the Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) is likely to ban the LTTE as early as Wednesday, January 7. Although he was one of the Ministers involved in lifting the ban in 2002 so the Government could open peace talks with the LT [...] | 2009-01-06 02:35:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PTER CE |
09COLOMBO127 | SRI LANKA: PRESIDENTIAL ADVISOR WELCOMES CO-CHAIRS [...] (C) SUMMARY: On February 4 Presidential Advisor Basil Rajapaksa, after expressing concerns over the description of India's role, privately welcomed the Co-Chairs statement, as did Foreign Minister Bogollagama. On February 5, Defense Secretary Gothabaya Rajapaksa blasted the statement, calling [...] | 2009-02-05 09:39:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | MOPS PREL PHUM PINS CE |
09COLOMBO128 | President Mahinda Rajapaksa's Independence Day Speech [...] (U) In his February 4th speech to the nation, President Mahinda Rajapaksa said that for thirty years, Sri Lankans have lived in the midst of an illegal, armed, terrorist movement which prevented the country from celebrating 'true' freedom. President Rajapaksa reminded the people of his 2005 Pre [...] | 2009-02-05 09:45:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV PREL CE |
09COLOMBO133 | CO-CHAIR MEETING WITH UN SPECIAL ENVOY TO SRI LANKA [...] (C) Summary: Co-Chair Ambassadors briefed UN Special Envoy Tamrat Samuel on the short- and longer-term issues he should focus on during his February 5-8 visit. Short term issues include the need for both sides to do much more to protect civilians in the conflict zone, and provide them food [...] | 2009-02-05 12:37:00 | Embassy Colombo | SECRET | PREL AORC PGOV CE |
09COLOMBO139 | MALDIVES DECLARES INTENTION TO RECOGNIZE KOSOVO [...] Maldivian Foreign Minister Dr. Ahmed Shaheed contacted Ambassador on February 6 to share with him the text of a Maldivian Foreign Ministry announcement that the Government of Maldives is committed to extending diplomatic recognition to the Republic of Kosovo at an early date. The statement n [...] | 2009-02-06 12:47:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL MV KV |
09COLOMBO143 | SRI LANKA: CHRISTIAN GROUPS CONCERNED OVER [...] (C) SUMMARY: On January 20 and February 2, separate evangelical Christian groups met Ambassador to discuss their concerns regarding the likely passage of "anti-conversion legislation." The legislation's vague language and harsh punishments would infringe on their rights of thought, conscience [...] | 2009-02-10 05:17:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PHUM KIRF CE |
09COLOMBO146 | SRI LANKA: GSL CENSORSHIP PROMPTS BBC TO PULL FM [...] (C) The BBC announced on February 9 that it was suspending its FM programming in Sinhala, Tamil and English from the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation (SLBC) due to "deliberate interference" by the government. According to a local BBC employee the suspension would affect 60-70% of the BBC's [...] | 2009-02-10 11:48:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM MOPS PREL CE |
09COLOMBO155 | MALDIVES: THE NINTH ANNUAL ANTI-TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS [...] (U) Post's submission for the ninth annual Anti-Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report for the Maldives follows. Responses are keyed to questions in reftel. Post point of contact is ConOff Joel T. Wiegert, telephone +94-11-249-8635, fax +94-11-249-8590. One officer, FS-04, spent 24 hours in the [...] | 2009-02-16 06:23:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | KTIP ELAB KCRM KFRD KWMN PGOV PHUM PREF SMIG MV |
09COLOMBO166 | Northern Sri Lanka SitRep 14: ICRC to Ship Food Aid into [...] (SBU) On Monday, the ICRC evacuated by sea 400 wounded persons, who are now receiving medical treatment in Trincomalee. This brings the total number of medical evacuations by sea to 1145. ICRC Country Director Paul Castella told Ambassador that an ICRC-flagged ship carrying 30 tons of food pl [...] | 2009-02-17 12:45:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | MOPS PREF PHUM PGOV PREL ASEC CE |
09COLOMBO167 | SRI LANKA: SINHALESE VOTE CARRIES PRESIDENT'S [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: Sinhalese voters delivered resounding victories to President Rajapaksa's UPFA coalition in the Northwestern (NWP) and Central (CP) Provincial elections on February 14. The results reflected the Sinhalese majority's strong endorsement of Rajapaksa's military focus in combating t [...] | 2009-02-17 12:49:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PINS CE |
09COLOMBO173 | Northern Sri Lanka SitRep 15: Heavy Fighting Continues; UN [...] (SBU) Defense Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa informed Ambassador and DATT on February 17 that the military has now occupied almost all the former safe zone and is now engaged in house to house combat with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in Puthukkuduyiruppu (PTK) town. LTTE continue [...] | 2009-02-18 12:21:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | MOPS PREF PHUM PGOV PREL ASEC CE |
09COLOMBO174 | Sri Lanka Humanitarian Update, 02/18/09 [...] The U.N. reports 30,000 internally displaced people from Sri Lanka's northern Vanni Region are receiving humanitarian assistance at 17 locations in the Vavuniya District. International organizations report they are responding to the food and non- food emergency needs of the displaced and that a [...] | 2009-02-18 12:23:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | EAID PGOV PHUM PREF CE |
09COLOMBO180 | Northern Sri Lanka SitRep 16 [...] (SBU) Summary: UN Under Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs John Holmes began his visit to Sri Lanka, which will likely bring renewed international attention to the Sri Lankan conflict. Ambassador stressed to Holmes and Foreign Minister Bogollagama that Sri Lankan forces would likely con [...] | 2009-02-19 13:53:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | MOPS PREF PHUM PGOV PREL ASEC CE |
09COLOMBO186 | Northern Sri Lanka SitRep 17 [...] (SBU) Summary: On February 20, the Defense Secretary told the Ambassador that the army expects to push the remaining LTTE back to the safe zone within the next week (February 21-27). He assured the Ambassador that the Government would at that point enter "passive mode" to permit civilians to f [...] | 2009-02-20 10:21:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | MOPS PREF PHUM PGOV PREL ASEC CE |
09COLOMBO193 | SRI LANKA: DEMARCHE DELIVERED ON NUCLEAR [...] No summary [...] | 2009-02-23 11:41:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PARM ENRG IAEA KNNP MNUC PGOV PREL AORC CE |
09COLOMBO199 | SRI LANKA: UN LAUNCHES 2009 COMMON HUMANITARIAN ACTION PLAN [...] Summary: On February 18, 2009, the United Nations launched its 2009 Common Humanitarian Action Plan (CHAP) for Sri Lanka. The 2009 CHAP requests US$ 155 million for 103 projects proposed by 42 organizations. Priority activities for immediate requirements are estimated at $75.7 million. The [...] | 2009-02-23 11:54:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | EAID PGOV PHUM PREF CE |
09COLOMBO200 | SRI LANKA: AIR TIGERS RAID COLOMBO; SUSPECTED LTTE [...] (SBU) On February 20 at about 21:45 local time, two LTTE aircraft attacked Colombo. The government of Sri Lanka reacted quickly to activate the air defense system in Colombo, cutting electric power while high-intensity spotlights searched the sky. Shortly thereafter, the security forces act [...] | 2009-02-23 12:07:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PTER ASEC PGOV CE |
09COLOMBO201 | Northern Sri Lanka SitRep 18 [...] (SBU) Summary: On September 20, Sri Lankan Air Defenses shot down two light planes sent by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) on suicide missions to attack targets in the Colombo area. The planes narrowly missed their targets. The visit by UN U/SYG John Holmes made clear to both the [...] | 2009-02-23 12:18:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | MOPS PREF PHUM PGOV PREL ASEC CE |
09COLOMBO204 | SRI LANKA: NEW IDPS ARRIVE IN JAFFNA; HUMAN [...] (SBU) Summary: On a February 10-11 trip to Jaffna, DCM and RSO discussed conditions for internally displaced persons (IDPs) and the human rights situation on the peninsula with government, military, and civil society representatives and the UN. They also participated in the launch of a prog [...] | 2009-02-24 10:02:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM PREF PREL ECON EAID MOPS CE |
09COLOMBO208 | CORRECTED COPY (NEW SUBJECT) SRI LANKA: IDP ARRIVALS AT [...] SUMMARY: The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has transported 1,611 people from the Mullaitivu conflict area to a reception center at the Trincomalee Hospital in northern Sri Lanka. USAID Office of Foreign Disaster regional advisor (OFDA R/A) was given access to the hospital, wh [...] | 2009-02-24 13:46:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | EAID PGOV PHUM PREF CE |
09COLOMBO215 | SRI LANKA: MORE STIMULUS [...] (U) SUMMARY: In addition to a Rs 16 billion (USD 140 million) stimulus package announced in December 2008 (ref a),the GSL recently announced several steps to provide support to its economy, introducing a Rs 4.2 billion (USD 36 million) stimulus package for finance and leasing companies, inter [...] | 2009-02-26 10:19:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON EFIN PGOV KMCA CE |
09COLOMBO218 | SRI LANKA: TAMIL NEWSPAPER EDITOR'S "WHITE VAN" ARREST [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: Eyewitnesses reported that several men, some in plain clothes and some in police uniforms took Tamil newspaper editor M. Vidyatharan at gunpoint at about 9:45 am local time on February 26 and bundled him into a white van. Vidyatharan was taken as he came out of a funeral parlor [...] | 2009-02-26 13:08:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | PHUM PGOV PTER PREL CE |
09COLOMBO22 | SRI LANKA: GOVERNMENT UNVEILS ECONOMIC STIMULUS PACKAGE [...] (SBU) Summary: On December 30, the government announced a 16 billion rupee (USD 140 million) economic stimulus package intended to aid various ailing economic sectors and ensure 6% GDP growth in 2009. Actual implementation mechanisms for the plan remain unclear, and certain components of the [...] | 2009-01-07 11:11:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON EFIN PGOV KMCA CE |
09COLOMBO229 | SRI LANKA: PRESIDENT LAUNCHES ANTI-CHILD SOLDIER [...] (C) SUMMARY: On February 26 Charge attended the launch of the GSL campaign against child soldiers. In his remarks at the event President Rajapaksa focused on the LTTE's use of children in combat but pointedly singled out Eastern Province Chief Minister Pillaiyan in an oblique reference to the [...] | 2009-02-27 08:51:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PHUM MOPS CE |
09COLOMBO231 | SRI LANKA: ACCESS TO GENETIC RESOURCES IN ADVANCE OF [...] Per ref A request, the following information concerning Sri Lanka's regulations governing access to genetic resources and benefit sharing is keyed below to ref A, para 20. Additional questions raised by AmEmb New Delhi (ref B) are not relevant at present as Sri Lanka's patent law does not pro [...] | 2009-03-02 02:15:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | EAGR EAID SENV TBIO CE |
09COLOMBO236 | English Language Programs to Support Reconciliation in Sri [...] Summary: Limited access to quality English instruction has left successive generations of Sri Lankan youth without the language skills to interact across ethnic or international boundaries, curbing their chances for professional employment and social reconciliation. After 25 years of civil co [...] | 2009-03-03 06:15:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | KPAO OEXC SCUL CE |
09COLOMBO244 | SRI LANKA LIKELY TO REQUEST IMF ASSISTANCE [...] (C) SUMMARY: The GSL appears ready to request IMF assistance to help cope with its otherwise looming economic crisis. IMF officials report that a formal invitation to begin negotiations could come from the government "within a couple of weeks." END SUMMARY It's bad... ------------- 2 [...] | 2009-03-04 11:20:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON EFIN PGOV CE |
09COLOMBO252 | SRI LANKA: CO-CHAIR AMBASSADORS DISCUSS WAYS TO [...] (S) Summary: Ambassador hosted a meeting of Co-Chair Ambassadors on March 5 to take stock of actions since the February 3 Co-Chair statement and consider what further actions we should recommend to capitals. Ambassadors agreed not to recommend an additional Co-Chair statement at this time [...] | 2009-03-05 13:44:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PTER PGOV CE |
09COLOMBO26 | GOVERNMENT OF SRI LANKA BANS LTTE [...] (U) SUMMARY: On January 7, the Government of Sri Lanka banned the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). Under the ban's regulations, anyone found guilty of promoting, encouraging or aiding and abetting the LTTE would be sentenced to 20 years imprisonment. On January 8, Ambassador attended [...] | 2009-01-08 12:03:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | PHUM PTER PREF CE |
09COLOMBO264 | SERBIA LOBBYING MALDIVES TO REVERSE KOSOVO [...] (SBU) This is an action request for EUR/SCE. Please see paragraph 3. 2. (C) Maldives Foreign Minister Ahmed Shaheed contacted Ambassador on March 6 to indicate that Maldives' recognition of Kosovo had become controversial within the government of Maldives. On March 9, Shaheed reported tha [...] | 2009-03-09 10:45:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL OPDC SR MV |
09COLOMBO265 | Northern Sri Lanka SitRep 28 [...] (SBU) Summary: Both government and pro-Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) sources reported heavy fighting and high casualties after counterattacks by the remaining LTTE forces in and near Puthukkudiyiruppu (PTK) and Chalai. One source said the LTTE pushed back the Sri Lankan army about [...] | 2009-03-09 11:28:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | MOPS PREF PHUM PGOV PREL ASEC CE |
09COLOMBO266 | SRI LANKA: PILLAIYAN'S TMVP HANDS IN SOME OF ITS [...] (SBU) On March 7, cadres loyal to Eastern Provincial Council Chief Minister Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan ("Pillaiyan") surrendered 150 weapons and 7,000 rounds of ammunition to government security forces in Batticaloa. Press reports characterized the ceremony as the "official disarming" of Pi [...] | 2009-03-09 11:50:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PHUM PTER MARR EAID CE |
09COLOMBO27 | EMBASSY COLOMBO EAC MEETING JANUARY 8, 2009 [...] (C) Summary: AmEmbassy Colombo convened an Emergency Action Committee (EAC) meeting on January 8, 2009. The EAC discussed post's security posture in light of the recent attacks by Israel in Gaza and the possible U.S. veto of a one sided, Libyan-proposed resolution to the United Nations Securit [...] | 2009-01-08 12:06:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | ASEC CASC PTER PREL |
09COLOMBO273 | INVESTMENT CLIMATE STATEMENT, 2009 - MALDIVES [...] Per reftel, below is the investment climate statement for Maldives for 2009. INVESTMENT CLIMATE STATEMENT-MALDIVES JANUARY 2009 Investment Climate --Introduction Maldives is comprised of over 1,190 islands, of which 198 are inhabited and 95 are exclusive resort islands. The popul [...] | 2009-03-11 08:04:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | KTDB OPIC ECON USTR EINV EFIN ETRD ELAB PGOV MV |
09COLOMBO277 | Northern Sri Lanka SitRep 29 [...] (SBU) Summary: The UN reports heavy shelling within the safe zone on March 10, resulting in many civilian casualties. A medical team arrived from India to establish and run a field hospital in Pulmoddai that will treat medical evacuees from the safe zone. Despite Government pledges to cease u [...] | 2009-03-11 12:14:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | MOPS PREF PHUM PGOV PREL ASEC CE |
09COLOMBO278 | SRI LANKA: KARUNA JOINS THE SLFP AND BECOMES A [...] (U) After months of growing tension between former comrades-in-arms Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan ("Pillaiyan") and Vinayagamoorthy Muralitharan ("Karuna Amman") (refs C, D, E),Karuna officially left the TMVP (a breakaway faction of the LTTE formerly known as the "Karuna group") and joined Pr [...] | 2009-03-11 12:31:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PHUM CE |
09COLOMBO279 | SRI LANKA: SUICIDE BOMBING AT SOUTHERN MOSQUE KILLS 14; ONE [...] A presumed LTTE suicide bomb attack killed at least 14 and injured 36 at celebrations for the birthday of the Prophet Mohammed on March 10 at 10:15 am. The explosion at the Godapitiya Mosque in Akuressa, 15 km inland from the principal southern coastal town of Matara and about 160 km south of [...] | 2009-03-11 12:33:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | PTER PGOV ASEC MOPS CE |
09COLOMBO281 | SRI LANKA: OPPOSITION MEDIA ADVISOR ABDUCTED, THEN [...] (U) At approximately 19:30 local time on March 11, Professor Dhammika Ganganath Dissanayake, the former Chairman of the State Broadcasting Corporation, was abducted by men in civilian clothes who came in a white van. Early in the morning of March 12 Dissanayake was released unharmed more than [...] | 2009-03-12 11:43:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PREL PINS CE |
09COLOMBO283 | Northern Sri Lanka SitRep 30 [...] (SBU) Summary: In a March 12 meeting Ambassador pressed Defense Secretary to minimize civilian casualties. The U.N. reports 2,683 killed and 7,241 injured in fighting from January 20-March 7. UN Resident Representative Buhne informed Ambassador that 72 persons were killed and 91 injured as t [...] | 2009-03-12 12:53:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | MOPS PREF PHUM PGOV PREL ASEC CE |
09COLOMBO285 | AMBASSADOR DISCUSSES IMF AGREEMENT AND CITIBANK [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: In a March 12 meeting with Ambassador, Central Bank Governor Cabraal disclosed that an IMF team is expected shortly in Colombo with a view to concluding an agreement in as little as one month. The Fund will be focused on GSL measures to help Sri Lanka strengthen and stabilize it [...] | 2009-03-12 13:03:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON EFIN PGOV CE |
09COLOMBO287 | Northern Sri Lanka SitRep 31 [...] (U) SUMMARY: WFP will complete delivery of 500 MT of food aid to the no-fire zone today. The ICRC is planning an evacuation of 400 wounded from the no-fire zone as soon as March 14. Indian DCM reported that the Indian-supplied field hospital will begin operating today in Pulmoddai. End Summ [...] | 2009-03-13 07:55:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | MOPS PREF PHUM PGOV PREL ASEC CE |
09COLOMBO288 | SRI LANKA: PRINCIPLES FOR POST-CONFLICT RECONSTRUCTION [...] (SBU) The Ambassador and USAID Mission Director hosted bilateral and multilateral donors and the UN Resident Representative on March 11 to discuss principles and plans for possible future reconstruction in Sri Lanka's North, where the Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) appears to be on the verge of [...] | 2009-03-13 08:15:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | EAID PREF PGOV PHUM MOPS CE |
09COLOMBO294 | Northern Sri Lanka SitRep 32 [...] (U) Summary: The March 13 statement by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights attesting that 2,800 civilians have died in fighting in the north since January 20 and that the Sri Lankan Government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) may have committed "war crimes" met with angry [...] | 2009-03-16 12:29:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | MOPS PREF PHUM PGOV PREL ASEC CE |
09COLOMBO299 | Northern Sri Lanka SitRep 33 [...] (U) Summary: The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) reports basic medical supplies are still urgently needed in the safe zone; this plea is repeated by health administrators in the safe zone. The UN accuses the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) of forcibly recruiting a loc [...] | 2009-03-17 11:33:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | MOPS PREF PHUM PGOV PREL ASEC CE |
09COLOMBO3 | SRI LANKA: ARMY CAPTURES KILINOCHCHI; LTTE ANSWERS [...] (C) SUMMARY: On the afternoon of January 2, President Mahinda Rajapaksa announced the much-delayed capture of Kilinochchi on state television. The fall of the LTTE's administrative capital follows a series of victories for the government on the Northern battlefield in the fall and early winte [...] | 2009-01-02 13:25:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREF MOPS PGOV CE |
09COLOMBO300 | SRI LANKA: UN HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: On March 13 U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights released a statement in which she raised the possibility that war crimes were being commited by the Sri Lankan military and the LTTE. Human Rights Minister Samarasinghe responded for the government describing the statement as [...] | 2009-03-17 11:49:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PREL PINS UN CE |
09COLOMBO304 | Northern Sri Lanka SitRep 34 [...] (U) Summary: Ambassador pressed Foreign Minister to allow in medical supplies and to stop shelling near civilian concentrations. ICRC reports that some medicine "may" be loaded onto a passenger ferry departing this evening (March 18) from Trincomalee for the safe zone. Unconfirmed reports we [...] | 2009-03-18 12:24:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | MOPS PREF PHUM PGOV PREL ASEC CE |
09COLOMBO307 | SRI LANKA: AMBASSADOR PRESSES ON SAFE ZONE [...] (C) SUMMARY: On March 18 Ambassador met with Foreign Minister Bogollagama to urge him to fulfill GSL commitments not to shell the safe zone and to allow medicine to reach civilians trapped there. Ambassador called claims that the army was not shelling the safe zone "not credible" and echoed [...] | 2009-03-19 09:50:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PHUM MOPS PINS CE |
09COLOMBO308 | A SUGGESTION FOR GETTING MANY OF SRI LANKA'S [...] (C) Summary: While the US and some others are engaged in intensive efforts to protect the estimated 120-150,000 civilians trapped in the "safe zone" of northern Sri Lanka from shelling, and assure they have adequate food and medicine, the international community needs a plan to evacuate as ma [...] | 2009-03-19 11:18:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM PREF EAID CE |
09COLOMBO31 | MALDIVES: FOREIGN MINISTER EAGER TO CONVINCE [...] (SBU)In a January 8 exchange with Minister of Foreign Affairs of Maldives Dr. Ahmed Shaheed, Ambassador urged Maldives to join the 52 nations across the world that have recognized Kosovo. Ambassador emphasized Kosovo's successful and stable development as one of the most important priorities [...] | 2009-01-09 07:23:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL UN UNGA KV MV |
09COLOMBO310 | Northern Sri Lanka SitRep 35 [...] (SBU) Summary: The UN Resident Coordinator informed Ambassador of reports of planes dropping bombs in the Government-designated "safe zone" on March 18. Multiple accounts substantiate reports of civilian retaliation against the LTTE on March 18. Larger numbers of civilians are fleeing into G [...] | 2009-03-19 11:43:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | MOPS PREF PHUM PGOV PREL ASEC CE |
09COLOMBO314 | SRI LANKA: ENGAGING THE TAMIL DIASPORA [...] (C) SUMMARY: The Tamil Diaspora is vocal, internet-savvy and heavily influenced by hard-line views. Recent demonstrations across North America and Europe showed the diaspora unafraid to label the GSL "genocidal". In response to hundreds of e-mails received, Ambassador and other Mission staff [...] | 2009-03-20 04:47:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PHUM PINS CE |
09COLOMBO316 | Northern Sri Lanka SitRep 36 [...] (SBU) Summary: The Government claims sufficient medicine has been sent to civilians trapped in the conflict zone; however, ICRC reconfirms that there have been no recent medical shipments. According to UN local staff, LTTE fighters have become reluctant to challenge or fire on large groups of [...] | 2009-03-20 10:08:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | MOPS PREF PHUM PGOV PREL ASEC CE |
09COLOMBO32 | DISCUSSION WITH PRESIDENT RAJAPAKSA ON MEDIA [...] (c) Summary: In a January 8 meeting with President Mahinda Rajapaksa requested by Ambassador, the President offered little hope that investigations into recent attacks on the press would lead anywhere, but agreed to provide security for two prominent critics. He predicted the Sri Lankan mil [...] | 2009-01-09 08:35:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PHUM CE |
09COLOMBO320 | Northern Sri Lanka SitRep 37 [...] (SBU) Summary: The Government provided a 2-ton shipment of medical supplies for civilians in the conflict area on March 22, the first in a month. Following on the death of a local CARE worker in the conflict area, the Government accused both CARE and the deceased of supporting the LTTE. The [...] | 2009-03-23 12:18:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | MOPS PREF PHUM PGOV PREL ASEC CE |
09COLOMBO321 | Northern Sri Lanka SitRep 38 [...] (SBU) Summary: Local contacts report LTTE abuses against civilians trapped in the conflict zone. World Food Programme plans next shipment to conflict zone will depart the weekend of March 28-29. The Government's delivery of medical supplies on March 22 lacked some supplies necessary to trea [...] | 2009-03-24 11:49:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | MOPS PREF PHUM PGOV PREL ASEC CE |
09COLOMBO322 | SRI LANKA: FOREIGN MINISTER EXPRESSES GSL [...] (C) SUMMARY: In a March 23 meeting, the Foreign Minister questioned why the U.S. was supporting a briefing to the United Nations Security Council on the fighting in northern Sri Lanka. Ambassador stressed that continued shelling of civilians in the safe zone was a major concern of the United [...] | 2009-03-24 13:06:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PHUM MOPS PINR UN CE |
09COLOMBO329 | Northern Sri Lanka SitRep 39 [...] (SBU) Summary: The Sri Lankan Air Force confirms that the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) fired shoulder-mounted missiles from the safe zone on March 25. The Government publicly assails humanitarian agencies, free media, and civil rights activists, among others. UNHCR reports access [...] | 2009-03-25 12:00:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | MOPS PREF PHUM PGOV PREL ASEC CE |
09COLOMBO33 | SRI LANKA: AFTER THE FALL OF KILINOCHCHI, WHAT WAY [...] (C) SUMMARY: The government of Mahinda Rajapaksa has achieved considerable success in its military campaign against the LTTE. The Defense Ministry under his brother, Secretary Gothabaya Rajapaksa, has had top priority for funding and other support, and has used this mandate to transform the [...] | 2009-01-09 11:00:00 | Embassy Colombo | SECRET | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE |
09COLOMBO339 | SRI LANKA: FOREIGN MINISTER CONVOKES PERM 5 [...] (SBU) In a bid to show that briefings to the UN Security Council on Sri Lanka are not needed, Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Rohita Bogollagama convoked the Ambassadors of the permanent members of the Council, Japan and India for a dialogue on March 25 with Senior Presidential Advisor Basil Raja [...] | 2009-03-26 10:46:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL AORC MOPS CE |
09COLOMBO34 | CO-CHAIR AMBASSADORS RE-AFFIRM IMPORTANCE OF A [...] (C) Summary: In a meeting convened by Ambassador on January 8, Co-Chair Ambassadors and the Indian High Commissioner agreed that recent Sri Lankan military successes have given new impetus to Sinhalese extremists and other hard-liners to expand their extreme agenda to include efforts to sto [...] | 2009-01-09 11:53:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PTER PGOV CE |
09COLOMBO342 | Northern Sri Lanka SitRep 40 [...] (U) Summary: The Foreign Minister summoned the UN Resident Coordinator to defend the UN's much publicized civilian casualty figures; the UN continues to stand by its estimate of 2,683 dead and over 7,000 injured from January 20-March 5. On March 30, the UN World Food Program (WFP) will load [...] | 2009-03-26 11:51:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | MOPS PREF PHUM PGOV PREL ASEC CE |
09COLOMBO35 | U.K., India and Japan Call for Political Solution [...] The recent capture of Kilinochchi, the former capital of the LTTE in northern Sri Lanka, to the Sri Lankan Armed Forces elicited similarly cautious responses from the British Foreign Office, the Indian Foreign Secretary, and an unnamed Japanese foreign ministry official. UK Calls for Sustaina [...] | 2009-01-12 02:29:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL PHUM PGOV UK IN JA CE |
09COLOMBO350 | TIMEFRAME FOR NEXT TIFA TALKS AGREED [...] During a February 20 meeting U.S.-Sri Lanka Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) lead counterparts Minister for Export Development and International Trade G.L. Peiris and Assistant U.S. Trade Representative (AUSTR) Michael Delaney agreed in principle to hold 2009 TIFA talks in Colom [...] | 2009-03-27 07:49:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | CE EAGR ECON ENIV ETRD USTR |
09COLOMBO351 | Northern Sri Lanka SitRep 41 [...] (SBU) Summary: Contrary to various reports that the LTTE retains control over just one square kilometer of land in addition to the "safe zone", the Sri Lankan army continues to face heavy fighting a few kilometers west of the "safe zone". The Ministry of Resettlement has instructed two inter [...] | 2009-03-27 10:45:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | MOPS PREF PHUM PGOV PREL ASEC CE |
09COLOMBO353 | BIOTECH OUTREACH EVENT [...] Post appreciates the support extended by BFIF to support the outreach event of the Science and Technology Advisor held on February 23, 2009. The visit was organized to increase awareness of the safety and benefits of biotechnology; dispel inaccurate beliefs concerning use of biotechnology and [...] | 2009-03-30 06:28:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | BEXP BTIO ENIV ABUD ECON CE |
09COLOMBO356 | SRI LANKAN GOVERNMENT OPENS DIALOGUE WITH TAMIL DIASPORA [...] (U) Twenty Tamils from Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom, Norway, Germany, France, and Switzerland attended a two-day conference hosted by the Sri Lankan Government on March 29-30 2009. The initiative grew out of a meeting Sri Lankan Foreign Minster Rohitha Bogollagama held with Australian [...] | 2009-03-30 11:16:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV PREL PHUM CE |
09COLOMBO357 | Northern Sri Lanka SitRep 42 [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: The Foreign Minister announced the GSL would suspend attacks against the LTTE for a short period of time. He did not indicate when the suspension would begin. 1000MT of food and non-food items are set to be delivered to the safe zone on March 31. Basil Rajapaksa outlined steps [...] | 2009-03-30 11:27:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREF MOPS PHUM PGOV PREL ASEC CE |
09COLOMBO359 | FRAUD SUMMARY - SRI LANKA [...] Political insecurity, economic and population pressures, and the lure of earning hard currency put pressure on Sri Lankans of all ages and classes of society to migrate legally and illegally to the United States. The violent civil conflict between the Sri Lankan government and the Liberation [...] | 2009-03-30 11:32:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | KFRD CVIS CPAS CMGT ASEC CE |
09COLOMBO360 | SRI LANKA: ASSESSMENT OF DISPLACED PERSONS CAMPS [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: Two USAID officials recently concluded separate trips to the Districts of Vavuniya and Mannar in Sri Lanka's Northern Province. Through meetings with local officials and implementing partners, visits to IDP sites ("camps"),and informal conversations with IDPs, they assessed t [...] | 2009-03-30 12:15:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EAID PREF PGOV PHUM CE |
09COLOMBO362 | SRI LANKA: DOL PROPOSED LABOR PROGRAM [...] (SBU) In response to the Department of Labor's proposal to implement a program in Sri Lanka that addresses workers' rights (ref emails),post confirms that it believes that if funding is identified, the Government of Sri Lanka would likely be responsive and receptive to such an initiative. Pos [...] | 2009-03-31 02:58:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ELAB ETRD TIFA CE |
09COLOMBO365 | SRI LANKA: FISCAL TRANSPARENCY [...] (U) The following is in response to ref A's request for information concerning Sri Lanka's compliance under Section 7088(c)(1) of the Department of Stae, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act (SFOAA),2009 (Div. H, P.L.111-8). Responses are keyed to ref A questions. 2 [...] | 2009-03-31 10:05:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EAID ECON PGOV PREL CE |
09COLOMBO367 | MALDIVES TO SUBMIT A KOSOVO BRIEF TO ICJ [...] (SBU) Ambassador communicated ref A points to Maldives Foreign Minister Ahmed Shaheed on March 27. Embassy Colombo notes that the letter from Secretary Clinton thanking Maldives for its recognition of Kosovo (ref B) has helped greatly to sustain Maldives' support for Kosovo independence. Se [...] | 2009-03-31 11:03:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | PQL AORC ICJ KV MV CE |
09COLOMBO368 | Northern Sri Lanka SitRep 43 [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: Walter Kaelin, UN Special Rapporteur for IDPs will visit Sri Lanka April 2-6. ICRC President Kellenberger has tentative plans to visit Sri Lanka starting April 9. India is sending additional equipment and personnel to support the GOI's field hospital in Pulmoddai. Last week's [...] | 2009-03-31 11:11:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREF MOPS PHUM PGOV PREL ASEC CE |
09COLOMBO369 | AFGHANISTAN-PAKISTAN STRATEGY: SRI LANKA OFFERS [...] (SBU) Ambassador briefed Foreign Secretary Palitha Kohona on the conclusions of the Afghanistan-Pakistan Strategic Review on March 31. Kohona expressed appreciation for the detailed readout. With respect to how Sri Lanka might help, Kohona offered two thoughts. First, he noted that Afghani [...] | 2009-03-31 11:57:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL MARR MOPS NATO PK AF CE |
09COLOMBO370 | SRI LANKA: JOINT DEMARCHE PRESENTED ON EXERCISE [...] (SBU) Pol Chief, accompanied by Russian and Korean counterparts, presented the invitation (ref a) for the Exercise Planning Group Meeting to Sri Lankan MFA Assistant Director for Multilatleral Affairs Gihan Indraguptha on March 19. The Korean political counselor also provided a folder conta [...] | 2009-03-31 12:07:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | MCAP PARM PINR PINS PREL PTER KGIC CE |
09COLOMBO374 | Northern Sri Lanka SitRep 44 [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: The U.N. now reports 3937 civilians killed and more than 9000 injured since January 20. 78% of those killed were in the safe zone. The U.N. has received reports that the Army has fired on escaping civilians. The planned food aid shipment to the safe zone has been delayed. UNH [...] | 2009-04-01 12:37:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREF MOPS PHUM PGOV PREL ASEC CE |
09COLOMBO378 | MALDIVES: FISCAL TRANSPARENCY REPORT [...] (U) The following is in response to ref A request for information concerning Maldives' compliance under Section 7088(c)(1) of the Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act (SFOAA),2009 (Div. H, P.L.111-8). Responses are keyed to ref A questions. 2. ( [...] | 2009-04-02 06:16:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EAID ECON PGOV PREL MV |
09COLOMBO383 | EMBASSY COLOMBO EAC MEETING 04/01/2009 [...] (SBU) Summary: AmEmbassy Colombo convened an Emergency Action Committee (EAC) meeting on April 1, 2009. The EAC discussed post's residential security policy and the provision of static guards at residences, as well as a newly-drafted armored vehicle policy. The EAC concurred that no specific [...] | 2009-04-02 10:57:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ASEC CASC PTER |
09COLOMBO384 | Northern Sri Lanka SitRep 45 [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: The Sri Lankan Army reports it has surrounded hundreds of LTTE cadres in the eastern sections of PTK. The military reports the LTTE is moving portions of the civilian population to the southern section of the safe zone. 1,030MT of food aid and non-food items have arrived off th [...] | 2009-04-02 11:15:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREF MOPS PHUM PGOV PREL ASEC CE |
09COLOMBO385 | SRI LANKA: IMF NEGOTIATIONS COMPLETE; GSL MUST ACT [...] (C) Summary: The IMF team negotiating a stand-by agreement with the GSL returned to Washington on April 1 with GSL-agreed language for Sri Lanka's Letter of Intent (LOI) and a hope that the government will demonstrate it is ready to take necessary steps to put the economy back on track. The p [...] | 2009-04-02 12:07:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON EAID CE |
09COLOMBO392 | SRI LANKA: GDP GROWS BY 6% in 2008, BUT PROSPECTS ARE [...] (U) Summary: The Sri Lankan economy grew by a healthy 6% in 2008, despite the fourth quarter global economic slowdown, the escalated conflict in the north, and terrorist attacks elsewhere. Total GDP was $40.1 billion. This translates into a per capita income of $2,014. Inflation surged to 28 [...] | 2009-04-03 06:53:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON EINV EFIN KMCA CE |
09COLOMBO393 | Northern Sri Lanka SitRep 46 [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: U.N. satellite imagery documented clear indications of damage from sustained shelling and air strikes in the safe zone. Ambassador hosted a briefing for Co-Chair Heads of Mission by U.N. Special Rapporteur on the Human Rights of IDPs Walter Kaelin. Norwegian Minister for Intern [...] | 2009-04-03 07:33:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREF MOPS PHUM PGOV PREL ASEC CE |
09COLOMBO395 | MALDIVES: ECONOMY GREW BY 5.7% IN 2008; DOWNTURN EXPECTED [...] (U) Summary: In 2008, the Maldivian economy grew by 5.7%, down from 7.2% growth in 2007. Tourism and fisheries, the mainstays of the economy, fared poorly. Tourism grew by only 2.9% compared to 9.4% in 2007. The fisheries sector contracted for the second straight year. While these key sect [...] | 2009-04-06 08:08:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON EFIN EAID MV |
09COLOMBO396 | Northern Sri Lanka SitRep 47 [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: Army Commander Fonseka reported to Ambassador that the LTTE controls only 3 square kilometers outside the safe zone. Fonseka also estimated that the LTTE only had 600-700 hard core cadres and 300 Sea Tigers left. Defense Secretary Rajapaksa told Reuters that the military was i [...] | 2009-04-06 11:49:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREF MOPS PHUM PGOV PREL ASEC CE |
09COLOMBO397 | SRI LANKA: POLICE ACADEMY SUPERINTENDENT [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: H. L. Jamaldeen the Superintendent of Police (SP) of the Kalmunai police division was shot and killed on April 5 outside of a mosque in Kalmunai, Ampara District. Jamaldeen was also the Director of Kalladi Police Training College and USAID's main point of contact for a DoD-fund [...] | 2009-04-06 12:11:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM PTER ASEC CE |
09COLOMBO399 | SRI LANKA AND MALDIVES BOTH SUPPORTIVE OF US [...] (SBU) Ambassador conveyed reftel points concerning the U.S. candidacy for the UN Human Rights Council to Sri Lankan Foreign Secretary Palitha Kohona. DCM contacted Maldivian Foreign Minister Ahmed Shaheed. 2. (SBU) Foreign Secretary Kohona responded as follows: "We also believe that the [...] | 2009-04-07 09:14:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PHUM PREL UNGA CE MV |