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| Identifier | Subject | Date | Office | Classification | Tags |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 00COLOMBO968 |
LTTE OFFERS TEMPORARY CEASE-FIRE [...] (C) SUMMARY. WITH THE SRI LANKAN ARMY HAVING PULLED BACK TO NEW DEFENSIVE LINES AND A SLOWDOWN IN LTTE ADVANCES OVER THE WEEKEND ON THE JAFFNA FRONT, THE LTTE HAS OFFERED A TEMPORARY CEASE-FIRE TO ALLOW GSL FORCES TO "WITHDRAW FROM THE UNFAVORABLE THEATER OF WAR WITH DIGNITY AND HONOR." THE O [...] |
2000-05-08 10:45:00 | Embassy Colombo | SECRET | MOPS PREL CE |
| 01COLOMBO2233 |
SRI LANKA/MALDIVES: 2001 ANNUAL TERRORISM REPORTS [...] POST'S RESPONSE TO REF B REQUEST FOR INPUT FOR THE DEPARTMENT'S 2001 ANNUAL TERRORISM REPORT FOLLOWS. DATA ON SRI LANKA IS CONTAINED IN PARA TWO AND DATA ON THE MALDIVES IN PARA THREE. PARAS 2-3 ALSO CONTAIN INFORMATION RESPONSIVE TO REF A CONCERNING UPGRADING HOST COUNTRY ANTI-TERRORISM LA [...] |
2001-12-12 11:51:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | PTER PGOV PREL CE MV |
| 01COLOMBO579 |
COLOMBO CALM AFTER THREE MONTHS OF LTTE CEASEFIRE [...] (U) SUMMARY: RELATIVE CALM PREVAILS IN COLOMBO MORE THAN THREE MONTHS AFTER AN ANNOUNCEMENT IN DECEMBER 2000 BY THE LIBERATION TIGERS OF TAMIL EELAM (LTTE) OF A UNILATERAL CEASE-FIRE (SEE REFTELS A-C, F-H). AFTER A SERIES OF OFFENSIVES TO RECLAIM PART OF THE JAFFNA PENINSULA, SRI LANKAN AR [...] |
2001-04-03 10:13:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV PREL CE |
| 02COLOMBO1422 |
GSL minister cautiously optimistic on direction of peace process based on meeting with Tiger spokesman [...] (C/NF) Summary: In a July 31 meeting, Milinda Moragoda, a senior GSL minister, provided the Ambassador a detailed readout of his recent talks with Anton Balasingham, the spokesman of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). The atmospherics were excellent, he related. On substantive issues, pro [...] |
2002-08-01 11:11:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN | PGOV PTER PINR PREL PARM CE NO LTTE |
| 02COLOMBO1427 |
In more good human rights news, cause celebre [...] (C) Summary: A high-profile court case involving Anuruddha Ratwatte, the former Defense Minister and a relative of President Kumaratunga, will come to trial on August 9. Ratwatte and two of his sons have been accused of planning the murder of ten Muslim campaign workers in December 2001. A [...] |
2002-08-02 06:06:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM CE |
| 02COLOMBO1433 |
Breaking down possible cohabitation scenarios [...] (C) Summary: Colombo is aswirl in reports that the tense cohabitation relationship between President Kumaratunga and Prime Minister Wickremesinghe is coming to a head. At this point, three possible scenarios seem to be emerging, all of them equally plausible. The first scenario is that both [...] |
2002-08-05 01:27:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PINS PINR PREL CE |
| 02COLOMBO1434 |
Scenesetter for your upcoming visit to [...] (U) I want to extend a very warm welcome to you on your August 22-23 visit to Sri Lanka. The Country Team and the entire Mission community eagerly look forward to your visit. ------- Summary ------- 2. (C) Your visit to Sri Lanka comes at an exciting time. The ongoing ceasefire is th [...] |
2002-08-06 09:00:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PTER ECON CE LTTE |
| 02COLOMBO1441 |
Government and president headed for a [...] (C) Summary: President Kumaratunga and Prime Minister Wickremesinghe are headed for a showdown. In an August 5 conversation with the Ambassador, G.L. Peiris, a senior minister, said the GSL plans to demand that Kumaratunga agree to a constitutional provision voiding her right to call a parli [...] |
2002-08-06 11:00:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN | PGOV PINS PINR PREL CE |
| 02COLOMBO1448 |
ECONOMIC REFORMS [...] (U) Summary: In its eight months in power, Sri Lanka's UNF government has made measurable progress on one of its main goals, economic reform, with efforts starting to show real results over a broad range of promised actions. The true tests will be action on pending economic legislation and im [...] |
2002-08-07 11:29:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON PREL ETRD CE ECONOMICS |
| 02COLOMBO1450 |
Cohabitation standoff continues, with no firm [...] (C) Summary: The cohabitation standoff between Sri Lanka's two major political parties continues. The PM reportedly met August 6 with former FM Kadirgamar, a close adviser to President Kumaratunga, in a bid to resolve the situation. A readout of that meeting was not available, but a preside [...] |
2002-08-07 11:38:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN | PGOV PINS PINR PREL CE |
| 02COLOMBO1452 |
SRI LANKA: FIRST HALF ECONOMIC PERFORMANCE [...] Summary: After a year of declining indicators in 2001, growth in the Sri Lankan economy turned positive in the first half of 2002. Central Bank figures show that GDP expanded by 0.1 percent in the first quarter, far off the government's target of 3.7 percent growth for 2002. Available data [...] |
2002-08-08 05:46:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | ECON EINV ETRD PGOV CE ECONOMICS |
| 02COLOMBO1479 |
Amidst vehement rhetoric, President leaves [...] (C) Summary: On August 9, the President delivered a televised speech to the nation that focused on cohabitation with the ruling United National Front (UNF) and the peace process. The President opened her national address with conciliatory remarks, but halfway through morphed into attack mod [...] |
2002-08-10 06:39:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PINS PINR CE |
| 02COLOMBO1491 |
PM ON COHABITATION: "NOT LOOKING GOOD" [...] (C) SUMMARY: PM WICKREMISINGHE TOLD ME LAST NIGHT (AUGUST 13) THAT COHABITATION TENSIONS REMAIN HIGH AND THAT PROSPECTS FOR IMPROVEMENT ARE "NOT LOOKING GOOD". HE PROFESSED TO BE SERIOUSLY CONCERNED ABOUT THE PRESIDENT'S MENTAL BALANCE. WHEN TOLD THAT SHE WILL BE COMING TO JEFFERSON HOUSE [...] |
2002-08-14 09:05:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PTER PINR PREL PARM CE NO |
| 02COLOMBO1501 |
PRESIDENT KUMARATUNGA SAYS SHE WILL MEET RANIL ON [...] (C) SUMMARY: My dinner with President Kumaratunga last night (August 14) went well. She was vivacious, relaxed and chatty. We hardly discussed substance at all, but she did say she will try to meet with Ranil before she leaves for the UK this weekend. She is prepared to discuss new terms f [...] |
2002-08-15 08:43:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PTER PINR PREL PARM CE NO |
| 02COLOMBO1527 |
MORAGODA ON MEETING LTTE IN OSLO: GUARDED OPTIMISM [...] (C) GSL Minister Moragoda appeared to have regained a bit of optimism following his Oslo meeting (reftels) with LTTE "theorist" Anton Balasingham. Moragoda said that Balasingham seems serious about getting talks going, is very sensitive to US and Indian attitudes re the LTTE, and concerned abo [...] |
2002-08-20 06:48:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | CE PGOV PINR PINS PREL PTER LTTE |
| 02COLOMBO1541 |
President meeting with JVP leads to much [...] (C) Summary: The President recently met with the JVP in what many saw as a move to thwart the UNF peace initiatives. PA representatives and other observers state the meetings between the President and JVP were simply a show of strength. The upcoming no confidence vote against a UNF Minister [...] |
2002-08-21 09:20:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV CE |
| 02COLOMBO1551 |
SRI LANKA: DEPUTY SECRETARY ARMITAGE HEARS HOPES [...] (C) Summary: Deputy Secretary Armitage had four brief "pull-aside" meetings at the start of a reception held in his honor, August 22, with the Leader of the PA Opposition the Maldivian High Commissioner, Tamil National Alliance representatives, and the Leader of the Muslim Congress. D heard [...] |
2002-08-23 02:15:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PTER PHUM PARM ECON ETRD CE LTTE |
| 02COLOMBO1553 |
SRI LANKA: DEPUTY SECRETARY MEETS PRIME MINISTER: [...] (C) SUMMARY: In a very cordial half-hour August 22 meeting (followed by a press conference and a working dinner) with Sri Lankan Prime Minister Wickremesinghe, Deputy Secretary Armitage stressed US support for the GSL's ongoing SIPDIS efforts to reach a negotiated solution to Sri Lanka's 2 [...] |
2002-08-23 02:26:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | EAID PGOV PINS PREL PTER CE ECONOMICS LTTE |
| 02COLOMBO1563 |
DEPUTY SECRETARY VISITS WAR-RAVAGED JAFFNA [...] (C) Summary: The Deputy Secretary and his delegation visited the Jaffna peninsula for two and a half hours during his one-day visit to Sri Lanka, August 22. The delegation visited a U.S. demining site and a front line position where Sri Lankan army troops and the LTTE face off, and met with [...] |
2002-08-26 02:40:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PINS PTER CE LTTE |
| 02COLOMBO1573 |
Amendment limiting President's powers before [...] (C) Summary: A proposed amendment to limit the President's power to dissolve Parliament and to permit voting outside of party lines is to be considered this week. PA representatives split on the amendment. While supporting the amendment, minority parties still concerned with some issues. A [...] |
2002-08-26 10:51:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV CE |
| 02COLOMBO1599 |
Leftist JVP: Predicts failure of peace talks; [...] (C) During a recent one hour meeting with poloff, JVP General Secretary Tilvin Silva outlined his party's position on a multitude of issues, including: -- predicting the peace process will fail; -- dissatisfaction with a proposed constitutional amendment limiting the Presidents powers; [...] |
2002-08-30 06:09:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PTER PHUM PINS PREL CE LTTE |
| 02COLOMBO1604 |
DEPUTY SECRETARY VISITS WAR-RAVAGED JAFFNA [...] (C) Summary: The Deputy Secretary and his delegation visited the Jaffna peninsula for two and a half hours during his one-day visit to Sri Lanka, August 22. The delegation visited a U.S. demining site and a front line position where Sri Lankan army troops and the LTTE face off, and met with [...] |
2002-09-03 05:43:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PINS PTER CE LTTE |
| 02COLOMBO1610 |
Telecommunication reforms and opportunities in Sri [...] Summary: Sri Lanka plans extensive reforms in the telecommunications sector with the aim of developing a technology-neutral, open and convergent telecommunications market. One of the most significant developments will be the opening of international voice services. Other planned reforms inc [...] |
2002-09-03 09:54:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | KTDB BEXP ECPS ECON EINV ETRD CE ECONOMICS |
| 02COLOMBO1619 |
Peace process update: Tiger-Muslim talks said [...] (C) This update of Sri Lanka's peace process reviews the following: -- Tamil Tiger spokesman and Muslim leader reportedly hold constructive meeting in London -- GSL official meets with Tigers on development-related issues -- Recent incident in Jaffna pits students against security for [...] |
2002-06-02 05:52:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PTER PREF PHUM ECON EAID CE LTTE |
| 02COLOMBO1626 |
SRI LANKA AND ATA TRAINING: A PLEA FOR IT TO [...] (U) I have recently heard that S/CT and DS/ATA no longer consider Sri Lanka a priority country when determining which countries should benifit from the Anti-Terrorism Assistance (ATA) Training Program. 2. (U) I hope that this is not true. The ATA program has been extremely effective in trai [...] |
2002-09-05 08:18:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | CE KTIA PTER LTTE |
| 02COLOMBO1629 |
Sri Lankan government lifts ban on the [...] (U) Suggested press guidance for Department's review is contained in Para eight. 2. (C) Summary: The GSL lifted its ban on the Tamil Tigers late September 4. By doing so, the government acceded to a key demand of the Tigers, paving the way for the planned high-level talks in Thailand. [...] |
2002-09-04 15:04:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PTER PINS KPAO CE LTTE |
| 02COLOMBO1633 |
SRI LANKAN GOVERNMENT FINANCE-DOLLAR DEBT AND [...] Summary: The Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) has requested proposals for a financial facility of up to $350 million to finance the budget deficit. The funds raised in this issue will ease pressure from the local money market and interest rates. The proceeds will be part of a Rs 329 billion ( [...] |
2002-09-06 02:32:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | KTDB BEXP ECON EINV ETRD EFIN CE ECONOMICS |
| 02COLOMBO1652 |
Counternarcotics update: Heroin shipments on [...] (C) Summary: This Counternarcotics update reviews: Sri Lanka's Police Narcotics Bureau (PNB) reports that heroin shipments to Sri Lanka have been dramatically reduced of late. The PNB attributes this positive trend to three factors: (1) The recent success of Indian authorities in interdic [...] |
2002-09-06 06:05:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | SNAR PGOV PTER CE MV |
| 02COLOMBO1663 |
Additional information on VIP attendance at [...] Per Refs B and C, Mission has requested the additional information on VIP attendance at the 57th UNGA from the Sri Lankan and Maldivian Governments. 2. Although the GSL has provided a list of attendees (see Ref D), it has not yet provided us all of the required additional information for [...] |
2002-09-09 10:41:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL OTRA ASEC CE MV UNGA UN |
| 02COLOMBO1664 |
OFFICIAL INFORMAL NUMBER 126 (09-09-02) [...] (SBU) Milinda Moragoda called Charge today to check whether a U.S. principal could attend a GSL-proposed meeting hosted by the GSL that would include PM Wickremesinghe, the Norwegian FM, Kofi Annan, and a U.S. rep such as D. (Note: Per our class e-mails to you, Moragoda had mentioned the id [...] |
2002-09-09 10:51:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | AMGT CE UNGA |
| 02COLOMBO1671 |
Additional information on VIP attendance at [...] Per Ref B, Mission continues to request the Sri Lankan Government for a complete listing of the additional information on VIP attendance at the 57th UNGA. 2. Although the GSL continues to provide information on its attendees to the UNGA, it is doing so incrementally. Ref A contains the m [...] |
2002-09-10 11:20:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL OTRA ASEC CE UNGA |
| 02COLOMBO1682 |
Biographic sketches of members of Tamil Tiger [...] (C) Para two contains brief biographic sketches of the members of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) team attending the upcoming talks with the Sri Lankan government. (Note: The talks are scheduled to take place in Thailand, September 16-18.) The four members of the LTTE team are: [...] |
2002-09-11 10:29:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PTER PINR CE LTTE |
| 02COLOMBO1693 |
On the eve of talks with the Tamil Tigers, [...] (C) Summary: The Sri Lankan government's decision to lift its ban on the Tamil Tigers last week has provoked surprisingly little negative reaction. The pro-peace mood of the public has clearly buoyed the GSL ahead of next week's talks with the Tigers. In fact, after a large pro-peace rally [...] |
2002-09-10 02:41:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PTER PINS CE LTTE |
| 02COLOMBO1695 |
Additional information on VIP attendance at [...] No summary [...] |
2002-09-12 11:48:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL OTRA ASEC CE UNGA |
| 02COLOMBO1699 |
OFFICIAL INFORMAL NUMBER 129 (09-13-02) [...] (C) Try as we might, we have not yet received any Sri Lankan or Maldivian government reaction to President Bush's speech to UNGA yesterday. Regarding international events, it usually takes both governments time to digest things and then develop a response. They are very, very careful and re [...] |
2002-09-13 05:55:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | AMGT CE |
| 02COLOMBO1719 |
Sri Lankan government-Tamil Tiger talks [...] (C) Summary: The opening ceremony kicking off talks between the GSL and the Tamil Tigers on September 16 was constructive, with both sides making conciliatory remarks. The talks, which are being held at a naval base in Thailand, are now in closed-door session until a closing ceremony and pr [...] |
2002-09-16 05:20:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PTER PINS CE TH NO LTTE |
| 02COLOMBO1736 |
Peace process update: Positive response to [...] (C) This update of Sri Lanka's peace process reviews the following: -- Kickoff of peace talks in Thailand engenders highly positive response in Sri Lanka -- Before start of talks, President Kumaratunga hits out at GSL -- Government and Tamil Tigers working closely on prisoner exchange [...] |
2002-09-17 11:24:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PTER PHUM PINS SOCI CE LTTE |
| 02COLOMBO1740 |
SRI LANKA PREPARES FOR POST-QUOTA WORLD [...] Summary: Well aware of the potential impact of the expiration of the MFA on its number one export (apparel), Sri Lankan players are beginning to explore their options, ranging from special trade agreements with the US to strengthening the domestic industry and diversifying the export base. Po [...] |
2002-09-18 05:59:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | ETRD KTEX EAID CE USTR ECONOMICS |
| 02COLOMBO1743 |
Thailand talks conclude on positive note, with [...] (U) This message contains an Action Request -- Please see Para six. 2. (C) Summary: The first round of talks between the Sri Lankan government and the Tamil Tigers has ended on a positive note. Per a press statement issued by the Norwegian facilitators (see Para seven), the two sides h [...] |
2002-09-18 11:07:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PTER PINS EAID KPAO CE LTTE |
| 02COLOMBO1750 |
Scenesetter for your upcoming visit to [...] (C) I want to extend a warm welcome to you on your September 28-30 visit to Sri Lanka. Your visit comes at an exciting time. A ceasefire has been in place since December 2001, and the government and the Tamil Tigers just sat down for constructive face-to-face talks, which are due to continu [...] |
2002-09-19 10:37:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PTER ECON CE |
| 02COLOMBO1751 |
Positive reaction to talks; LTTE spokesman's [...] (C) Summary: Sri Lankans have reacted in a highly positive fashion to the successful conclusion of the first round of talks between the government and the Tamil Tigers. Contacts highlighted as noteworthy the announcements that the two sides would soon meet again, that they would form joint [...] |
2002-09-19 10:37:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PTER PINS EAID KPAO CE LTTE |
| 02COLOMBO1758 |
Foreign Terrorist Organizations: Sri Lanka update [...] (C) Per Reftel Action Request, Mission has carefully reviewed the Sri Lanka section of the 2001 Patterns of Global Terrorism Report. Mission provides the following update for Department's review: -- The Sri Lankan government continues to support the global campaign against terrorism. -- [...] |
2002-09-20 05:43:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PTER ASEC KCRM PINS CE LTTE |
| 02COLOMBO1767 |
OFFICIAL INFORMAL NUMBER 132 (09-23-02) [...] (SBU) We have the following demining and ESF ideas for your review: Demining: 2. (SBU) PM/HDP knows the demining situation in Sri Lanka from A through Z. As you know, Murph McCloy and company ran an assessment of the situation over the summer, which came up with a number of conclusions [...] |
2002-09-23 11:02:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | AMGT CE LTTE ECONOMICS |
| 02COLOMBO1768 |
In positive human rights gesture, Tamil Tigers [...] (C) Summary: UNICEF has confirmed that the Tamil Tigers have recently released up to 85 child recruits. The Tigers apparently took this step, unprecedented in its size, in reaction to the pressure it has received on this issue from domestic and international sources. The move may indicate a [...] |
2002-09-12 02:41:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PTER PHUM CE LTTE |
| 02COLOMBO1778 |
Reviewing recent talks, Muslim leader says he is [...] (C) Summary: Charge met September 24 with Rauf Hakeem, the Muslim leader who was a member of the GSL's team at the recent talks with the Tamil Tigers. Hakeem remarked on the positive atmospherics of the talks, noting that he was now "cautiously optimistic" about the peace process. Mulling [...] |
2002-09-24 11:08:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PTER PINS PINR CE LTTE |
| 02COLOMBO1787 |
GSL/LTTE prisoner exchange seems set; Both [...] (C) Summary: The GSL and the Tamil Tigers seem set to conduct a prisoner exchange soon. In a related development, MIA issues were discussed during the recent talks in Thailand, with the two sides agreeing to review the issue again. Newly on the radar screen is discussion of a possible gene [...] |
2002-09-25 10:49:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PTER PINS PHUM CE LTTE |
| 02COLOMBO1790 |
Peace process update: Report of tensions in [...] (C/NF) This update of Sri Lanka's peace process reviews the following: -- Reported tensions in military toward government's peace initiative -- President muted in public re peace process -- Largest Tamil Tiger cadre movement to date goes smoothly, according to monitors -- The flavor [...] |
2002-09-26 11:01:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN | PGOV PTER PINS MOPS CE LTTE |
| 02COLOMBO1828 |
LTTE Update: Tigers reportedly have success [...] (C) This update of Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) activities reviews the following: -- Tigers reportedly having success recruiting -- Divisions in the LTTE regarding the peace process?? -- LTTE spokesman Balasingham said to be "obsessed" with the U.S. -- In a first, Tigers p [...] |
2002-10-01 11:08:00 | Embassy Colombo | SECRET//NOFORN | PGOV PTER PINS PINR PREL CE LTTE |
| 02COLOMBO1835 |
LTTE pressure, cohabitation stresses, and [...] (S) Summary: The Sri Lankan military is in a difficult period. According to sources, a number of factors are acting to demoralize the military, including pressure from the Tamil Tigers, stresses in the relationship between the PM and the President, and frictions with the police. The milita [...] |
2002-10-02 11:43:00 | Embassy Colombo | SECRET | PGOV PTER PINS PINR MOPS PHUM CE LTTE |
| 02COLOMBO1839 |
OFFICIAL INFORMAL NUMBER 137 -0302) [...] (U) The joint Treasury/AID team had a tremendously successful one-week visit here last month. It was packed with meetings from early morning into each evening. Even though it was an office director (and below) level team, we had no problems getting meetings with numerous Ministers (Finance [...] |
2002-10-03 10:41:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | AMGT CE LTTE |
| 02COLOMBO1840 |
ICC Article 98 agreement: Sri Lanka update [...] (U) This is an Action Request -- Please see Para 4. 2. (C) Foreign Secretary Rodrigo sent Mission a letter today containing a proposed alteration to the U.S. draft ICC Article 98 agreement. (Note: The text of the letter is contained in para 5 below; it is also being faxed to SA/INS.) T [...] |
2002-10-03 10:43:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV CE |
| 02COLOMBO1848 |
President Kumaratunga's swipe at the PM sparks [...] (C) Summary: In a recent speech, President Kumraratunga accused Prime Minister Wickremesinghe of soliciting bribes years ago. The accusation has prompted another cohabitation dustup, with the PM's supporters responding with salvos of their own aimed at Kumraratunga. In a more muted fashion [...] |
2002-10-04 05:48:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PINS PINR CE LTTE |
| 02COLOMBO1856 |
GSP CHILD LABOR UPDATE FOR SRI LANKA [...] Refs (B) and (C) contain comprehensive information on child labor in Sri Lanka. Below is an update. 2. Responses keyed to Ref A. (a) Whether the country has adequate laws and regulations proscribing the worst forms of child labor: Sri Lanka ratified ILO convention 182 for the immedia [...] |
2002-10-07 10:47:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | ELAB EIND ETRD PHUM SOCI CE USAID |
| 02COLOMBO1858 |
To ease cohabitation tensions, president and [...] (C) Summary: The Ambassador met Minister Milinda Moragoda and Norwegian Ambassador Westborg on October 5. In a wide-ranging discussion, Moragoda reviewed his recent meeting with President Kumaratunga, and said the two sides had agreed to hold regular high-level discussions on peace process a [...] |
2002-10-07 11:45:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PTER PINS PINR PHUM CE LTTE |
| 02COLOMBO1869 |
REOPENING IN SRI LANKA [...] As you know, a security assessment team visited Sri Lanka a few months ago to investigate whether the Peace Corps could safely reopen its mission here. At the moment, we are awaiting a second inspection of Sri Lanka by members of your staff who can determine the programmatic and administrati [...] |
2002-10-08 09:38:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL PGOV EAID AMGT CE |
| 02COLOMBO1878 |
Scenesetter for DRL P/DAS Parmly's upcoming [...] (C) I want to extend a warm welcome to you on your upcoming visit to Sri Lanka. Your visit comes at an exciting time, with many of the positive trends we briefed you on during your January visit gaining increased traction. A ceasefire has been in place since December 2001, and the government [...] |
2002-10-08 11:54:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PHUM PTER ECON CE LTTE |
| 02COLOMBO1879 |
Radical JVP party sponsors lightly attended [...] (U) In a first, an anti-U.S. Iraq policy demonstration took place in Colombo on October 7. The rally, which took place near the embassy, was lightly attended, with only about 250 people participating. The radical, Sinhalese chauvinist Janantha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) party sponsored the eve [...] |
2002-10-07 11:52:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PINS PREL ECON KPAO CE IZ |
| 02COLOMBO1887 |
SRI LANKA: REQUEST FOR DEBT RELIEF UNDER TROPICAL [...] This is an action request. Please see para. 3. 2. The Ambassador received the following letter dated September 19 from K.N. Choksy, Minister of Finance and Planning, requesting consideration under the Tropical Forest Conservation Act (TFCA). Begin Text: Further to the recent informal di [...] |
2002-10-09 06:08:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | EAID ECON CE ECONOMICS |
| 02COLOMBO1891 |
Peace process update: Detainees go on [...] (C) This update of Sri Lanka's peace process reviews the following: -- Demanding immediate release, Tamil detainees go on hunger strike -- Amid strong hints that a resolution may be near, standoff involving captured soldiers continues -- Tigers reportedly attack office of pro-governmen [...] |
2002-10-09 11:05:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PTER PINS PHUM ECPS CE LTTE |
| 02COLOMBO1904 |
Amid some positive news, violence in east [...] (C) Summary: Police shot and killed at least seven suspected Tamil Tiger supporters on October 9. The incident was triggered by an attempt to storm a police station in the east. On a positive note for the peace process, the Tigers released six soldiers after obtaining the release of two of [...] |
2002-10-09 12:45:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PTER PINS PHUM MOPS CE LTTE |
| 02COLOMBO1908 |
SCENESETTER FOR DAS CAMP'S VISIT TO SRI LANKA [...] (C) I want to extend a warm welcome to you on your upcoming visit to Sri Lanka. Your visit comes at an exciting time, with many of the positive trends we are now observing having gained increased traction since your December 2001 visit. A ceasefire has been in place since December, and the g [...] |
2002-10-11 05:48:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON PGOV PREL PTER CE LTTE |
| 02COLOMBO1920 |
After surge in tension, situation in east seems [...] (C) The situation in the east seems to have calmed down after violence last week left at least ten Tamils dead. The cooling down process was given a critical boost via an announcement by Tiger leader Prabhakaran that he wanted the peace process to continue. Reinforcing the positive trend, Ti [...] |
2002-10-15 12:35:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PTER PINS PHUM MOPS CE LTTE |
| 02COLOMBO1927 |
OFFICIAL INFORMAL NUMBER 143 (10-16-02) [...] (C) On October 15, Milinda Moragoda passed to the Ambassador an advance copy of a statement on Iraq that the GSL is planning to release in the near future. Begin text: -- Sri Lanka welcomes the decision of the government of Iraq to allow the weapons inspectors entry into the country wit [...] |
2002-10-16 11:19:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | AMGT CE |
| 02COLOMBO1942 |
GSL plan to rein in executive powers in [...] (C) The GSL's proposed constitutional amendment reining in executive powers has run into a major roadblock. While not officially announced, the Supreme Court has reportedly decided that one part of the proposal is unconstitutional and the other subject to a referendum. This apparent decisio [...] |
2002-10-17 06:38:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PINS PHUM CE |
| 02COLOMBO1968 |
Tumult among small parties undermines [...] (C) SUMMARY: The governing United National Party is being buffeted by severe turbulence triggered by unhappy junior coalition partners. The Sri Lanka Muslim Congress is sharply divided over the peace process, for example, while the major party for tea estate Tamils is driving a hard bargain [...] |
2002-10-20 07:52:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PINS PHUM PINR CE |
| 02COLOMBO1969 |
GSL generally receptive to concerns raised by [...] (C) Summary: During an October 10 visit to Sri Lanka, DRL P/DAS Michael Parmly raised USG concerns regarding the upcoming session of the United Nations Human Rights Commission with Foreign Secretary Nihal Rodrigo. Rodrigo was generally receptive to the points raised. In a meeting with Atto [...] |
2002-10-21 12:08:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PHUM PGOV CE UNHRC |
| 02COLOMBO1972 |
OFFICIAL INFORMAL NUMBER 146 (10-22-02) [...] (C) DCM met with Mohan Kumar, the Indian Deputy High Commissioner, today. Out of the blue, Kumar said the GoI was not planning to participate in the Oslo donors conference. Kumar linked the Indian stance to their reluctance to have anything to do with the LTTE. He indicated that high-level [...] |
2002-10-22 11:16:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | AMGT CE KWMM |
| 02COLOMBO1975 |
Adverse court ruling and coalition stresses [...] (C) SUMMARY: In a widely anticipated decision, Sri Lanka's Supreme Court has shot down the government's bid to rein in President Kumaratunga's powers. The government is still developing its reaction to the adverse ruling. On another front, the GSL continues to try to squelch a mutiny by a [...] |
2002-10-22 06:42:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PINS PHUM PINR CE |
| 02COLOMBO1979 |
SCENESETTER FOR DEPUTY USTR HUNTSMAN'S NOVEMBER [...] (U) I extend to you a warm welcome in advance of your visit to Sri Lanka next month for the first meeting of the U.S. - Sri Lankan Trade and Investment Council (TIC). I am sending this message now, nearly a month before your visit, because I know that you and your team are already busy prepa [...] |
2002-10-23 04:30:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON ETRD CE WTO USTR ECONOMICS LTTE |
| 02COLOMBO1982 |
Peace Process Update: Norwegian envoy visits; [...] (C) This update of Sri Lanka's peace process reviews the following: -- Norwegian Deputy Foreign Minister visits north and south in run-up to second round of talks -- Senior Tiger negotiator Balasingham continues consultations with leadership -- New poll highlights strong support for pe [...] |
2002-10-23 11:15:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PTER PINS PHUM CE NO LTTE |
| 02COLOMBO1989 |
In conversation with Ambassador, key ministers [...] (C) SUMMARY: In separate conversations with the Ambassador, key ministers Peiris and Moragoda reviewed GSL thinking in the wake of the Supreme Court's rejection of the government's effort to rein in executive powers. In terms of next steps for the GSL, Peiris outlined five options, which in [...] |
2002-10-24 11:30:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN | PGOV PINS PHUM PINR CE |
| 02COLOMBO1990 |
OFFICIAL INFORMAL NUMBER 148 (10-24-02) [...] (C) We have the following points for you to use regarding President Gayoom's request for a meeting with President Bush: -- In his almost 25 years in power, President Gayoom has been very friendly to the U.S., and the Maldives has consistently used OIC, UN, and other fora to stake out moder [...] |
2002-10-24 11:32:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | AMGT CE |
| 02COLOMBO1993 |
SRI LANKA: DRAFT SUBMISSION FOR 2002 ANNUAL HUMAN RIGHTS REPORT [...] No summary [...] |
2002-10-24 14:00:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | CE ELAB KSEP PHUM PREL |
| 02COLOMBO1995 |
ENGAGING THE SRI LANKAN MILITARY AFTER DOD [...] (S) DOD has just completed three major assessments of the SL military. These assessments make plain that the Sri Lankan military forms a central component of the GSL's strategy to secure peace in the country after 20 years of civil war. The GSL needs the support of the military to make pea [...] |
2002-10-25 04:36:00 | Embassy Colombo | SECRET | MARR PREL MASS PGOV PTER PHUM CE LTTE |
| 02COLOMBO2000 |
In meeting with SA DAS Camp, Prime Minister [...] (C) SUMMARY: In an October 24 meeting with SA DAS Camp and Ambassador Wills, PM Wickremesinghe was none too optimistic about the cohabitation situation, indicating that the GSL had tried to work with the president to no avail, so far. The PM did not show his cards on what the GSL planned to [...] |
2002-10-25 00:42:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PINS PHUM PINR CE LTTE |
| 02COLOMBO2003 |
SRI LANKA: DAS CAMP AFFIRMS U.S. SUPPORT FOR PEACE [...] (C) Summary: During his October 24-27 visit to Sri Lanka, South Asia Bureau DAS Donald Camp delivered a message of firm U.S. support for the peace process. At the same time, Camp encouraged both government and opposition leaders not to let cohabitation stresses threaten the progress made thus [...] |
2002-10-28 10:22:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM PINR PINS EAID ELAB CE LTTE |
| 02COLOMBO2007 |
Biographic sketches of new members of LTTE [...] (C) Para three contains brief biographic sketches of two new members of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) negotiating team. (Note: The second round of peace talks between the LTTE and the Sri Lankan government is scheduled to take place in Thailand from October 31 - November 3.) [...] |
2002-10-28 11:35:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PTER PINR CE LTTE |
| 02COLOMBO2022 |
U.S.-sponsored Quick Reaction Demining Force [...] (U) This message is Sensitive but Unclassified -- Please handle accordingly. 2. (U) After approximately seven months of operations, the U.S.-sponsored Quick Reaction Demining Force (QRDF) has wrapped up its work in Sri Lanka. On October 24-25, the QRDF turned over two plots of land clear [...] |
2002-10-29 10:41:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL PARM PHUM PREF KPAO EAID CE LTTE |
| 02COLOMBO2032 |
Second round of GSL-LTTE talks slated to kick [...] (C) SUMMARY: The Sri Lankan government and the Tamil Tigers are scheduled to kick off their second round of talks on October 31 in Thailand. The Norwegian-facilitated talks are slated to focus mainly on technical issues, including the modalities of forming a task force on humanitarian issue [...] |
2002-10-30 11:15:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PTER PHUM EAID CE NO TH LTTE |
| 02COLOMBO2046 |
Sri Lanka: Muslim-Sinhalese riot in Colombo [...] (U) This message is Sensitive but Unclassified -- Please handle accordingly. 2. (SBU) On the afternoon of October 30, a riot erupted in Maligawatte, a northern suburb of Colombo, between Sinhalese and Muslim residents. The initial dispute reportedly began when Sinhalese locals protested ag [...] |
2002-10-31 11:14:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PINS ASEC CASC CE |
| 02COLOMBO2055 |
GSL says court judgment convicting LTTE leader [...] (C) SUMMARY: A court has convicted LTTE leader V. Prabhakaran in absentia of planning a 1996 terrorist attack. The GSL has said the judgment will not affect the peace process. The LTTE has not yet formally reacted. The announcement came on the same day as GSL and LTTE negotiators sat down [...] |
2002-11-01 06:40:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PTER PINS PHUM CE NO TH LTTE |
| 02COLOMBO2064 |
Second session of talks between the Sri Lankan [...] (C) SUMMARY: The second session of GSL-LTTE talks made significant progress, with the two sides agreeing to form sub-committees focusing on humanitarian, de- escalation, and political issues. The two sides also agreed to a meeting schedule stretching into March 2003. In another constructive [...] |
2002-11-04 10:54:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PTER EAID KPAO CE NO TH LTTE |
| 02COLOMBO2080 |
Reviewing recent talks, Norwegian envoy upbeat, [...] (C) SUMMARY: In a November 4 meeting with Ambassador Wills, Norwegian Ambassador Westborg was upbeat about the recently concluded second session of GSL-LTTE talks, but stressed that the process still had a long way to go. He took note of the LTTE's apparent downgrading of its long-standing [...] |
2002-11-05 11:40:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PTER EAID PINR CE NO TH LTTE |
| 02COLOMBO2082 |
2003-2004 SRI LANKA FULBRIGHT JUNIOR SCHOLAR [...] THE UNITED STATES - SRI LANKA FULBRIGHT COMMISSION (US-SLFC) RECEIVED A TOTAL OF 120 APPLICATIONS IN RESPONSE TO ITS PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE SUBJECT AWARDS PROGRAM. AFTER A PRELIMINARY INTERVIEW OF ALL ELIGIBLE CANDIDATES BY THE COMMISSION'S COMMITTEE ON STUDY AND TRAINING, A SHORT LIST OF [...] |
2002-11-06 04:00:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | OEXC CE |
| 02COLOMBO2086 |
Peace talk reactions: Tamils optimistic; [...] (C) Summary: Reactions by Sri Lankans to the October 31 to November 3 peace talks in Thailand are generally positive. Muslim representatives raised some isolated issues, but were satisfied that their concerns were acknowledged during the second round of talks. The President's office claims [...] |
2002-11-04 11:52:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PTER PGOV CE LTTE |
| 02COLOMBO2089 |
Human rights review for Operation Balance [...] (U) This is an Action Request. Please see paragraph four. 2. (C) A Joint/Combined Exercise Training (JCET) has been proposed for Sri Lanka for the period of January 13 to March 3, 2003, involving the First, Second and Third Special Forces Regiments, the First and Second Commando Regimen [...] |
2002-11-07 06:53:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | MOPS MASS MARR PHUM CE |
| 02COLOMBO2101 |
Voting with their feet on the peace process, [...] (C) SUMMARY: Returns of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) to points of origin in Sri Lanka have surged, with a large percentage of the 213,000 total returns this year transiting in the past eight weeks alone. Most of the returns are to points in Jaffna, but many have returned to the Tiger [...] |
2002-11-07 11:27:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREF PHUM PTER EAID CE LTTE |
| 02COLOMBO2120 |
Controversial journalist's visa extension [...] (U) SUMMARY: GSL recently denied a visa extension for Paul Harris, a UK national and a journalist loosely affiliated with the "Daily Telegraph" in London. The British High Commission doubts that Harris will return except perhaps to finalize some personal financial matters. Speculation in th [...] |
2002-11-11 03:56:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PREL CE LTTE |
| 02COLOMBO2131 |
BUSINESS FACILITATION INCENTIVE FUND END [...] Post is pleased to inform EB/CBA of the completion of all activities approved under FY2002 BFIF funding. Post will fax copies of receipts as requested. 2. Following is the expenditure summary for BFIF projects, 2002: Project 1: American Fair - trade/catalog show ----------------------- [...] |
2002-11-14 09:20:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | BEXP BTIO ETRD ABUD CE MV ECONOMICS |
| 02COLOMBO2132 |
OFFICIAL INFORMAL NUMBER 160 (11-14-02) [...] (C) Per our recent o/i on this issue, we received an official request today from the Permanent Secretary of the Maldivian MFA Ahmed Shaheed to obtain information about the investigation of Ibrahim Fauzee, the Maldivian national being held at Gitmo. Shaheed proposes sending an official from t [...] |
2002-11-14 11:13:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | AMGT CE |
| 02COLOMBO2133 |
Tigers gradually expand network of control in [...] (C) SUMMARY: A Mission team visited Sri Lanka's Eastern Province on November 12. On the surface, the situation in Batticaloa and Ampara Districts seemed calm, with the ceasefire sparking increased business activity and civilian bustle. Amid this positive news, there were clear and troublin [...] |
2002-11-14 11:24:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PTER PHUM MOPS ECON SOCI CE LTTE |
| 02COLOMBO2137 |
SRI LANKAN/MALDIVES: 2002 ANNUAL TERRORISM [...] MISSION'S RESPONSE TO REFTEL REQUESTING INPUT FOR THE DEPARTMENT'S 2002 ANNUAL TERRORISM REPORT FOLLOWS. DATA ON SRI LANKA IS CONTAINED IN PARA TWO AND DATA ON THE MALDIVES IN PARA THREE. PARA 2 IS KEYED TO QUESTIONS A THROUGH K IN PARA TWO OF REFTEL. PARA 3 CONTAINS A REVIEW OF THE SITUATI [...] |
2002-11-15 06:13:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | PTER CE MV |
| 02COLOMBO2142 |
In public statement, president's party flays [...] (C) SUMMARY: President Kumaratunga's party, the People's Alliance, has issued a public statement excoriating the government's handling of the peace process. The statement was also critical of the Norwegian facilitation effort, and U.S. and UK participation in the Oslo conference. Somewhat a [...] |
2002-11-16 07:34:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PTER PREL KPAO EAID CE NO LTTE |
| 02COLOMBO2147 |
OFFICIAL INFORMAL NUMBER 162 (11-19-02) [...] (SBU) The Japanese Ambassador rang the Ambassador last night to report on his and Mr. Yosikawa's attendance at the first Subcommittee meeting on North-East Reconstruction. The atmosphere was "positive and friendly" but the details of how the Subcommittee and related North-East Reconstruction [...] |
2002-11-19 10:15:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | AMGT CE LTTE |
| 02COLOMBO2149 |
High profile court case against former defense [...] (C) SUMMARY: Anuruddha Ratwatte, a former defense minister and relative of the president, was formally indicted on November 15 for the December 2001 murder of ten Muslim campaign workers. Observers portray the case as an example of the government's commitment to overcoming a history of impun [...] |
2002-11-19 11:28:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM PINR CE |
| 02COLOMBO2160 |
Joint GSL-LTTE sub-committees on humanitarian [...] (C) SUMMARY: The joint GSL-LTTE sub-committees on humanitarian and de-escalation issues recently held their initial meetings. The humanitarian-focused meeting led to an agreement to form a secretariat. The de-escalation meeting led to the first ever face-to-face discussions between the GSL [...] |
2002-11-20 11:21:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PTER PREL MOPS EAID CE NO LTTE |
| 02COLOMBO2163 |
WHAT THE PM WILL RAISE WITH YOU IN OSLO [...] (C) I saw PM Wickremesinghe three times this week, twice at social events and most recently today together with Deputy USTR Huntsman, who is here for the first official meeting on trade issues since the TIFA was signed in July. (Ambassador Huntsman's visit, by the way, is going extremely well [...] |
2002-11-21 09:19:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL EAID PGOV CE LTTE |
| 02COLOMBO2174 |
High hopes for Oslo conference, as Sri Lankans [...] (C) SUMMARY: Expectations in Sri Lanka are running high for the November 25 Oslo conference. Observers see the conference as a chance for the international community to send a strong signal of support for the peace effort. Amid this focus on a political message, expectations have been lowe [...] |
2002-11-20 14:02:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PTER EAID CE NO LTTE |
| 02COLOMBO2184 |
Meeting of Sri Lankan PM with LTTE nets heavy [...] (C) SUMMARY: The meeting between Prime Minister Wickremesinghe and LTTE negotiator Balasingham in Oslo on November 24 has received extensive press coverage in Sri Lanka. In other peace process developments, LTTE leader Prabhakaran is preparing to give his annual speech on November 27. Missi [...] |
2002-11-25 10:44:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PTER KPAO PHUM CE NO LTTE |
| 02COLOMBO2194 |
SRI LANKA: DEPUTY USTR HUNTSMAN PUSHES FURTHER [...] (U) Summary: Deputy U.S. Trade Representative Ambassador Jon M. Huntsman Jr. used his November 19-22 visit to Sri Lanka to push the GSL to move forward with key economic reforms. He delivered this message during separate meetings with President Kumaratunga, Prime Minister Wickremesinghe and [...] |
2002-11-26 10:33:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | ETRD ECON EINV CE USTR ECONOMICS |
| 02COLOMBO2195 |
OSLO MEETING REAPS LAVISH, UPBEAT PRESS COVERAGE; DEPUTY SECRETARY´S REMARKS EARN PRAISE [...] (C) SUMMARY: The Oslo meeting on the Sri Lankan peace process has received lavish, upbeat press coverage. Deputy Secretary Armitage´s remarks -- which were specifically highlighted in the press coverage -- earned special praise. President Kumaratunga has not yet issued a public statement on the [...] |
2002-11-26 10:48:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PTER EAID KPAO CE NO LTTE |
| 02COLOMBO2196 |
SRI LANKA: FIRST JOINT COUNCIL MEETING UNDER [...] Summary: In the first Joint Council meeting under the US - Sri Lanka TIFA, the GSL identified its goal as an eventual Free Trade Agreement, and, in the interim, stronger ties in the bilateral trade relationship and in the WTO. The US representatives focused on the USG commitment to closer co [...] |
2002-11-26 10:52:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | ETRD ECON EINV CE USTR ECONOMICS |
| 02COLOMBO2202 |
SRI LANKA: A REFORM-MINDED 2003 BUDGET [...] Summary: Indicating government commitment to fiscal discipline and continued reforms, the 2003 GSL budget concentrated on improving the macro economic situation through measures to narrow the budget deficit and public debt while increasing tax revenue. The fundamental weakness of the fiscal [...] |
2002-11-27 10:36:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | ECON EFIN ETRD CE ECONOMICS |
| 02COLOMBO2204 |
Mission team journeys through LTTE controlled [...] (U) This message is Sensitive But Unclassified, please handle accordingly. 2. (U) SUMMARY: Mission team successfully concluded its first journey through the Tiger controlled north since opening of the A-9 road in April 2002. Although the trip was uneventful in terms of LTTE actions, trave [...] |
2002-11-27 10:56:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PTER PGOV CE LTTE |
| 02COLOMBO2206 |
LTTE leader Prabhakaran's annual hero's day [...] (C) On November 27 Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) leader Velupillai Prabhakaran made his annual "Hero's Day" speech. The government of Sri Lanka has commented favorably on the speech, highlighting Prabhakaran's acceptance of regional autonomy instead of a separate state. Prabhakara [...] |
2002-11-29 05:27:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PTER PINS PHUM PREL CE LTTE |
| 02COLOMBO2267 |
Just-concluded talks help peace process gain [...] (C) SUMMARY: The just-concluded third session of GSL-LTTE talks has helped the peace process pick up significant new traction. In particular, the LTTE's agreement to examine federalism as a potential solution to the conflict was a key shift by the group away from separatism or a confederal [...] |
2002-12-09 10:58:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PTER PINS PHUM CE LTTE |
| 02COLOMBO2277 |
AS LEADERSHIP DISPUTE FLARES, SRI LANKA'S MAJOR MUSLIM PARTY MARGINALIZED IN PEACE PROCESS DEBATE [...] No summary [...] |
2002-12-10 11:29:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PTER PINS PHUM CE LTTE |
| 02COLOMBO2282 |
OFFICIAL INFORMAL NUMBER 172 (12-11-02) [...] (C) We wanted to get back to you re your incoming o/i note dated December 9 on small arms destruction. There is some history here. Per State 11328 dated January 18, Mission deployed Department's talking points on small arms/light weapons destruction (see Colombo 139 dated January 22). DAO [...] |
2002-12-11 10:51:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | AMGT CE KWMM |
| 02COLOMBO2285 |
Colombo, City of Lights [...] SUMMARY: Colombo is lit up this holiday season, with electric lights draped all over the city. The GSL is sponsoring the effort in a bid to increase the city's attractiveness. For Sri Lankans, it is the first time since the conflict began almost 20 years ago that they remember the city loo [...] |
2002-12-11 11:02:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV SOCI CE |
| 02COLOMBO2293 |
Sri Lanka: Muslim leader Rauf Hakeem's [...] (C) SUMMARY: With his party fragmenting around him, Rauf Hakeem of the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) finds himself in a very precarious position. While he is respected in Colombo circles for his support of the peace process, Hakeem is considered a lightweight politician. The fact that h [...] |
2002-12-12 10:59:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PINR PINS CE |
| 02COLOMBO2294 |
BOMB THREAT CALLED IN TO AMEMBASSY COLOMBO [...] (SBU) ON DECEMBER 12, 2002 AT APPROXIMATELY 1045 HOURS, AN UNIDENTIFIED MALE CALLED THE EMBASSY AND SAID TO THE OPERATOR, "THERE IS A BOMB IN THE EMBASSY." THE CALLER WAS DESCRIBED AS A LOCAL MALE, WELL EDUCATED WITH CLEARLY SPOKEN ENGLISH. THE CALLER IMMEDIATELY HUNG UP. 2. (SBU) GIVEN T [...] |
2002-12-12 11:00:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | ASEC PTER CE |
| 02COLOMBO2304 |
2002 International Narcotics Control Strategy [...] Please find attached Mission's 2002 International Narcotics Control Strategy Report (INSCR). Responses to Ref B queries re Sri Lanka are covered in Paragraph two and the Maldives in paragraph three. Information on money laundering requested in Ref A will be provided by Septel. ========= [...] |
2002-12-13 06:02:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | SNAR PGOV PREL CE MV |
| 02COLOMBO2312 |
GSL MINISTOR MORAGODA SAYS INDIANS MAD AT JAPANESE [...] (C) SUMMARY: GSL Minister Milinda Moragoda told me over the weekend that the Indians are "really mad" over the attempts by the Japanese to involve themselves in Sri Lanka's negotiation to end the war. Moragoda said Indian Foreign Secretary Sibal, who visited Colombo last week, was SIPDIS [...] |
2002-12-16 09:55:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PINR PARM CE LTTE |
| 02COLOMBO2314 |
2002 International Narcotics Control Strategy [...] Please find attached Mission's statistical update for the 2002 International Narcotics Control Strategy Report (INSCR). 2. Per instructions in Ref C, Mission is providing the following statistics for Section V of the 2002 INSCR. ((NOTE: The statistical information was not yet available [...] |
2002-12-16 10:04:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | SNAR PGOV PREL CE |
| 02COLOMBO2315 |
SCENESETTER FOR THE VISIT OF COMMERCE A/S LASH TO [...] On behalf of the country team and the entire mission community, I extend to you a warm welcome in advance of your visit to Sri Lanka. Your visit comes at an exciting time, with the government of Sri Lanka (GSL) making real progress toward its twin goals of peace and economic development. Thi [...] |
2002-12-16 11:27:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | ETRD ECON EINV CE USTR ECONOMICS |
| 02COLOMBO2319 |
Tensions rise incrementally as LTTE demands [...] (C) SUMMARY: The last few weeks have seen continued tension between the Eelam People's Democratic Party (EPDP) and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). The tension was briefly highlighted when the LTTE stated that the EPDP must leave Jaffna. In return, the EPDP is accusing the LTTE o [...] |
2002-12-17 11:22:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PTER PHUM CE LTTE |
| 02COLOMBO2337 |
Import of radio equipment for Tamil Tigers sparks controversy for GSL and Norwegian facilitators Ref: Colombo 1891 (U) Classified by Lewis Amselem, Deputy Chief of Mission. Reasons 1.5 (b, d). [...] (C) SUMMARY: The recent import of radio equipment for the LTTE has stirred controversy, with critics asserting that the government and the Norwegian facilitators have gone too far in pleasing the Tigers. In response, the GSL says it assisted in the import of the equipment in exchange for the LTTEÂ [...] |
2002-12-20 06:16:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PTER ECPS CE NO LTTE |
| 02COLOMBO2341 |
Peace Process Update: Reports of ceasefire [...] (C) This update of Sri Lanka's peace process reviews the following: - Reports of ceasefire violations spike way down - Criticism of government and Norwegians over import of radio equipment for LTTE continues to flare - GSL-LTTE meeting in London canceled, but January talks in Bangkok s [...] |
2002-12-23 10:18:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PTER PINS PHUM EAID CE NO LTTE |
| 02COLOMBO2346 |
SRI LANKA: COMMERCE A/S LASH PUSHES INVESTMENT [...] Summary: Following up on President Bush's July commitment to Prime Minister Wickremesinghe to examine areas for greater economic engagement with Sri Lanka, William H. Lash III, Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Market Access and Compliance, brought a Commerce Department delegation to Sri La [...] |
2002-12-24 05:58:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | ETRD ECON EINV CE USTR CWC |
| 02COLOMBO2348 |
OFFICIAL INFORMAL NUMBER 179 (12-26-02) [...] (C) We are really, really, really worried about your e-mail re the apparent postponement in the DoD-sponsored mil-to-mil demining program. (Note: We're not blaming the messenger; we appreciate your successful effort to quickly find out what's going on.) We can appreciate that important thi [...] |
2002-12-26 10:16:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | AMGT CE MV LTTE |
| 02COLOMBO2355 |
President backs military on Jaffna security [...] (C) SUMMARY: President Kumaratunga has come out strongly in favor of the Sri Lankan military's position on the need to maintain "high security zones" in Jaffna. For its part, the LTTE has announced that it wants to discuss the security zone issue at the next round of political-level talks. [...] |
2002-12-30 10:08:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PTER MOPS ECPS CE NO LTTE |
| 03AMMAN7688 |
POST SECURES IRAQI PASSPORTS FROM IRAQI MISSION; [...] (U) Action request for Department. See paragraph 5. ------- SUMMARY ------- 2. (C) On November 23, PolOff picked up from the Iraqi mission in Amman more than 3,500 blank Iraqi ordinary, service and diplomatic passports along with passport stickers. Post seeks Department guidance on pr [...] |
2003-11-24 16:01:00 | Embassy Amman | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL BA CE CH FI RS SW SZ JO |
| 03BRUSSELS5593 |
A/S ROCCA CONSULTATIONS ON SOUTH ASIA WITH EU [...] (C) On December 8 in Brussels, SA A/S Christina Rocca met with EU counterparts at the European Commission to discuss ongoing developments in South Asia (participants listed para 11). --On Afghanistan, interlocutors said at this time they could identify only euros 20 million in available Comm [...] |
2003-12-11 14:50:00 | Embassy Brussels | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL EAID PTER AF PK IN CE NP XD EUN USEU BRUSSELS |
| 03COLOMBO1007 |
Tokyo conference, including D's address, nets [...] (C) SUMMARY: The Tokyo donors conference has generally netted a highly positive reaction in Sri Lanka. Media coverage was lavish and upbeat. D's address was considered constructive by all quarters. The PM's speech received a mixed reaction, however, with some Tamils skeptical of his promis [...] |
2003-06-10 11:01:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PTER EAID CE JA NO LTTE |
| 03COLOMBO1008 |
MEDIA PLAY: (JUNE 10) Tokyo Conference: Colombo [...] Summary. Tamil newspapers reserved pride of place for optimistic headlines about an interim administration and the future of the peace talks. Donor money and international support of the peace process were also well-represented subjects. English and vernacular government-owned and independe [...] |
2003-06-10 11:19:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | KPAO OPRC KMDR OIIP CE LTTE |
| 03COLOMBO101 |
Sri Lanka: Five things that upset Sinhalese [...] (C) Always a lively crowd, Sri Lanka's Sinhalese extremists have been raising a ruckus over five issues of late. They have demanded, for example, that (#1) the Norwegian Ambassador be expelled from the country, and complained about (#2) a pro-Tamil movie that opened in Europe recently and (# [...] |
2003-01-17 05:53:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PTER SOCI CE NO LTTE |
| 03COLOMBO1015 |
MEDIA PLAY: (JUNE 11) TOKYO CONFERENCE [...] Summary. In the aftermath of the Tokyo Conference, Sri Lankan English and vernacular media was in high gear. Tamil newspapers ran positive headlines about Tokyo's outcome, but reflected concern about opposition party views of donor money. Tamil editorials encouraged the LTTE to return to pe [...] |
2003-06-11 08:10:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | KPAO OPRC KMDR OIIP CE LTTE |
| 03COLOMBO1016 |
OFFICIAL INFORMAL NUMBER 88 (06-11-03) [...] (S) Please see our class email dated 6/10/03 re a dipnote received June 10 from the Maldives. In this dipnote, the Maldivian MFA states that it has heard that a Maldivian national held at Guantanamo Bay may be released soon. The MFA would like the USG to clarify the matter. (Note: In askin [...] |
2003-06-11 09:38:00 | Embassy Colombo | SECRET | CE MV AGMT |
| 03COLOMBO1018 |
Despite some Opposition criticism, the Tokyo [...] (C) SUMMARY: The Tokyo donors conference continues to generate a positive reaction in Sri Lanka. The president maintains a studied silence, however, despite some criticism of the conference by her party. The Tamil Tigers, who controversially did not go to Tokyo, have also been mum, thus fa [...] |
2003-06-11 09:54:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PTER EAID KPAO CE JA NO LTTE |
| 03COLOMBO1025 |
Tigers stick to hard-line stance, essentially [...] (C) SUMMARY: Reacting with haste to the Tokyo donors conference, the Tamil Tigers restated their view that the GSL must take quick steps to form an interim structure in the north/east. The Tigers also underscored that they did not accept the understandings reached at Tokyo. In spite of the [...] |
2003-06-12 09:36:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PTER KPAO CE JA NO LTTE |
| 03COLOMBO1026 |
Mission conveys 2003 Trafficking in Person Report to Sri [...] No summary [...] |
2003-06-12 09:38:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL PHUM CE |
| 03COLOMBO1028 |
MEDIA PLAY: (JUNE 12) TOKYO CONFERENCE [...] Summary. Sri Lankan media coverage of the Tokyo Donor Conference and its implications lessened somewhat, but was still energetic. Tamil newspapers' lead headlines concentrated on the LTTE rejection of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe's suggested interim administration for the north and e [...] |
2003-06-12 10:36:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | KPAO OPRC KMDR OIIP CE LTTE |
| 03COLOMBO1034 |
Reports continue to flow in linking the Tigers [...] (C) SUMMARY: Reports continue to flow in linking the Tigers to violence against Tamil opponents. In addition to over 20 killings in recent months, the latest incidents involve the slayings of two Tamils in the east. The GSL is having problems proving Tiger involvement, though it may have g [...] |
2003-06-13 05:59:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PTER PINS PHUM CE LTTE |
| 03COLOMBO1048 |
MEDIA PLAY: (JUNE 13) TOKYO CONFERENCE [...] No summary [...] |
2003-06-16 07:48:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | KPAO OPRC KMDR OIIP CE LTTE |
| 03COLOMBO1050 |
MISSION CONVEYS CIRCULAR RE STATUS OF FOREIGN [...] No summary [...] |
2003-06-16 09:30:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL OTRA AMGT CE IZ |
| 03COLOMBO1052 |
OFFICIAL INFORMAL NUMBER 90 (06-16-03) [...] (SBU) URGENT: MFA Foreign Secretary Nihal Rodrigo sent us a fax today (June 16) confirming that Sri Lanka's ambassador to Iraq, M.M.A. Farouque, plans to return to Baghdad at some point this week. (Note: Farouque is now in Sri Lanka. By the way, we have already passed the MFA the info re [...] |
2003-06-16 10:38:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | CE MV AGMT LTTE |
| 03COLOMBO1053 |
Tensions notch up over sinking of Tamil Tiger [...] (C) SUMMARY: Two violent incidents on June 14 have sparked an increase in tension between the Tigers and the GSL. In the first, a Tiger ship exploded off the northeast coast after being intercepted by the navy. It is unclear whether the crew detonated the ship or whether it was destroyed b [...] |
2003-06-16 10:46:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PTER MOPS PHUM CE JA NO LTTE |
| 03COLOMBO106 |
SRI LANKA'S LABOR RECORD MERITS RETAINING GSP [...] (SBU) Summary: Though the GSL does need to improve its handling of certain labor-related issues, it also has some of the best labor conditions in the region. The AFL-CIO petition to lift GSP privileges from Sri Lanka focuses on the one main area - union access in the Export Processing Zones ( [...] |
2003-01-21 09:28:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ELAB ECON EINV CE USTR ECONOMICS |
| 03COLOMBO1061 |
GSL tries to calm situation after sinking of [...] (C) SUMMARY: In the aftermath of the June 14 sinking of a Tiger ship, the GSL is trying to calm the situation, assuring the Tigers that it is looking into ways to devolve power to the north/east. Minister Moragoda, a key adviser to the PM, has expressed deep concerns to us about the navy's [...] |
2003-06-17 09:22:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PTER MOPS CE JA NO LTTE |
| 03COLOMBO1062 |
Information on INL agreements [...] No summary [...] |
2003-06-17 09:30:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL SNAR CE |
| 03COLOMBO1063 |
REQUEST FOR REAPPORTIOMENT OF FMF [...] During the recent visit of the PACOM J4, Brigadier General James Kennon to Colombo, Post learned that India may not accept five million dollars in Foreign Military Funding (FMF) from the US government for a variety of reasons. If India does in fact not need the FMF, Post requests considerati [...] |
2003-06-17 09:31:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL PGOV MASS MARR CE |
| 03COLOMBO107 |
SRI LANKA IMPLEMENTS WTO CUSTOMS VALUATION [...] Sri Lanka Customs (SLC) announced the implementation of the WTO Customs Valuation Agreement on January 7, 2003, and began actual implementation January 13, ten weeks after the fourth extension for implementation lapsed on October 31, 2002. All importers and agents are now required to submit [...] |
2003-01-21 09:41:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | ETRD ECON CE WTO USTR ECONOMICS |
| 03COLOMBO1073 |
OFFICIAL INFORMAL NUMBER 92 (06-18-03) [...] (C) Just wanted to flag that the situation remains relatively quiet in the aftermath of the June 14 sinking of the Tiger ship off the northeast coast (Colombo 1061, 1053). From what we hear, however, the Tigers remain very, very angry over the incident. Thus far, however, the group has conf [...] |
2003-06-18 09:55:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | AMGT CE MV LTTE |
| 03COLOMBO1075 |
In visit to central region, some interlocutors [...] (C) SUMMARY: In a June 15-16 visit, Kandy, an important city in Sri Lanka's Sinhalese belt, was quiet and peaceful. Many interlocutors, however, expressed anxiety about Tamil Tiger intentions. Buddhist monks, an influential group, were more serene. There was much comment -- in a favorable [...] |
2003-06-18 10:35:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER SOCI CE LTTE |
| 03COLOMBO1078 |
In positive news for peace process, Norwegian [...] (C) SUMMARY: After a brief hiatus in contacts, Norwegian facilitators met with the Tamil Tigers on June 18. Norwegian Ambassador Brattskar told us the Tigers complained about the June 14 sinking of one of their ships and denied culpability for a wave of recent assassinations. The group als [...] |
2003-06-19 09:35:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PTER PHUM CE NO JA LTTE |
| 03COLOMBO1079 |
OFFICIAL INFORMAL NUMBER 93 (06-19-03) [...] (C) FYI: Former Dep. defense minister (and close relative of President Kumaratunga) Anuruddha Ratwatte was again refused bail by a Sri Lankan lower court on June 18. As previously reported, Ratwatte and 14 others (including two of his sons) are incarcerated due to their alleged involvement [...] |
2003-06-19 11:07:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | AMGT CE MV |
| 03COLOMBO1081 |
FOREIGN GOVERNMENT EOI FOR CONSULTANTS FOR [...] 542/01/T0015 2. 061903 3. MANLOWETL 4. 542 5. N 6A. CONTACT 6B.JAYANTHA NAGENDRAN, SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT (PROJECT MANAGEMENT), ADMINISTRATIVE UNIT, RERED PROJECT 6C. DFCC BANK, 73/5 GALLE ROAD, COLOMBO 3, SRI LANKA 7. PHONE: 94-1-442442 FAX: 94-1-440376 E-MAIL: I [...] |
2003-06-19 11:16:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | BTIO CE KWMM |
| 03COLOMBO1085 |
Sri Lankan PM gives conciliatory speech re [...] (C) SUMMARY: In a June 19 speech, PM Wickremesinghe urged the Tigers to return to the peace talks, underlining the GSL's willingness to move toward forming an interim administrative structure in the north/east. In a nearly immediate reaction, the Tigers said they wanted to see more details b [...] |
2003-06-20 06:05:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PTER PINS CE NO JA LTTE |
| 03COLOMBO1092 |
Facilitators slated to meet Sri Lankan PM in [...] (C) SUMMARY: Norwegian facilitators are scheduled to meet with PM Wickremesinghe in London late June 23. The Tamil Tigers' London-based spokesman Anton Balasingham has also indicated that he will try to meet the GoN team. In other peace process-related developments, local elections in the n [...] |
2003-06-23 09:21:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PTER PINS PHUM CE NO UK LTTE |
| 03COLOMBO1093 |
OFFICIAL INFORMAL NUMBER 94 (06-23-03) [...] (C) We just received late word that a police officer was gunned down in the greater Colombo area earlier today (June 23). After taking cyanide, the suspect was arrested and is now in the hospital. The inspector who was killed, Sunil Thabrew, had reportedly been heavily involved in investiga [...] |
2003-06-23 09:23:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | AMGT CE MV LTTE |
| 03COLOMBO1102 |
Human rights verification: Operation [...] (C) Embassy Colombo verifies that the Department of State possesses no credible information of gross violations of human rights by the 4th Fast Attack Flotilla and Special Boat Squadron of the Sri Lankan Navy, or a member of those units, as of this date. 2. (U) Charge certifies this state [...] |
2003-06-24 03:14:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL MOPS MASS MARR PHUM CE |
| 03COLOMBO1106 |
OFFICIAL INFORMAL NUMBER 95 (06-24-03) [...] (C) Charge Don Camp called on Foreign Secretary Nihal Rodrigo today (June 24). The Foreign Secretary thanked the US for its continued support re the peace process and for D's strong remarks at the recent Tokyo donors conference. He said the GSL had the same sentiments as the US re resuming [...] |
2003-06-24 10:53:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | AMGT CE MV LTTE |
| 03COLOMBO1107 |
In wake of brazen killing, Tigers indicate [...] (C) SUMMARY: After a meeting in London with the Norwegian facilitators, the Tamil Tigers -- in hedged fashion -- have indicated that they may be willing to restart the peace talks. This news comes in the wake of the brazen killing of a police official on June 23, which was almost certainly [...] |
2003-06-24 11:00:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PTER PINS PHUM PREF CE NO LTTE |
| 03COLOMBO1111 |
Sri Lanka: Background on federalism proposals [...] (U) Despite the serious problems that the peace process has faced of late (see Reftels), there is still much talk of federalist-related solutions to the conflict between the GSL and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). At this point, the current positions of the government and the LT [...] |
2003-06-25 09:21:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV PTER PINR PHUM PREF CE KWMM LTTE |
| 03COLOMBO1112 |
58th session of UN General Assembly: Mission [...] No summary [...] |
2003-06-25 09:23:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL PHUM CE MV UN |
| 03COLOMBO1114 |
COLOMBO EAC MEETING June 25, 2003 [...] (SBU) On June 25, 2003 Colombo Emergency Action Committee (EAC) met to consider our local security posture during upcoming July 4 events. Charge' chaired the EAC. 2. (C) The EAC agreed that Colombo is not at a high state of risk. Most local attention continues to be directed t [...] |
2003-06-25 10:01:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | ASEC PTER CASC CE |
| 03COLOMBO1115 |
ICC: Entry into force of non-surrender of [...] (SBU) Per Ref A, Mission was asked to review whether Sri Lanka's and the Maldives' International Criminal Court (ICC) non-surrender of nationals agreements with the U.S. have entered into force. The situation is the following: -- Sri Lanka: The Sri Lankan MFA has confirmed that the ICC [...] |
2003-06-25 10:22:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL KTIA PGOV MOPS CE MV KICC |
| 03COLOMBO1116 |
Sri Lankan MFA views on Indo-Pakistani [...] (C) During separate June 24 meetings with Charge focused on other subjects, Foreign Secretary Nihal Rodrigo and MFA Additional Secretary for SAARC Sarala Fernando touched on current Indo-Pakistani relations within SAARC. (Note: Rodrigo is the former head of the SAARC Secretariat in Kathmand [...] |
2003-06-25 10:23:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PTER CE IN PK |
| 03COLOMBO1121 |
OFFICIAL INFORMAL NUMBER 96 (06-26-03) [...] (U) Today we received an advance copy of a letter(faxed to desk) from Fathulla Jameel, Minister of Foreign Affairs, to Secretary Powell, seeking US support for the deferment of the Maldives' graduation from LDC status at the July ECOSOC meeting. Previously, we supported the Maldives maintain [...] |
2003-06-26 11:02:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | AMGT CE MV |
| 03COLOMBO113 |
Japan's Akashi reviews visit to Sri Lanka; [...] (C/NF) SUMMARY: In a January 17 meeting with the Ambassador, Japanese Special Envoy Akashi reviewed his visit to Sri Lanka, noting that President Kumaratunga had decided not to meet him. He said the donors' conference in Tokyo was set for June 9-10, and he invited Deputy Secretary Armitage [...] |
2003-01-21 11:33:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN | PREL PGOV PTER CE JA NO IN LTTE |
| 03COLOMBO1143 |
Sri Lanka: Peace process poised to enter new [...] (C) SUMMARY: With the prime minister back from a successful visit to the United Kingdom, Sri Lanka's peace process is on the verge of entering a new phase. The Tigers are hinting at a return to talks, while the government is preparing an interim administration proposal. The Liberation Tiger [...] |
2003-07-01 10:38:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PTER PINS NO JA CE LTTE |
| 03COLOMBO1146 |
ENSURING SRI LANKA UNDERSTANDS OUR FTA STANDARDS [...] Charge met with Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs Ravi Karunanayake on July 1, during a call on the Minister by US Reps Jerry Weller and Scott Garrett, both in Sri Lanka on a private visit. Charge used the meeting to encourage the Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) to study the texts of the [...] |
2003-07-01 10:54:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | ETRD CE USTR ECONOMICS |
| 03COLOMBO1160 |
US REPS FOCUS ON TRADE DURING PRIVATE [...] Summary: US Representatives Jerry Weller and Scott Garrett were in Sri Lanka from June 29 to July 3 on a private visit sponsored by a local business chamber. The US Reps, both members of the Hill's Sri Lanka Caucus, focused primarily on trade during meetings with a wide range of Sri Lankan [...] |
2003-07-03 11:03:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | ETRD PREL CE USTR ECONOMICS |
| 03COLOMBO1161 |
FTA'S DOMINATE SRI LANKA'S TRADE POLICY [...] Summary: The Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) is in the process of developing a coherent trade policy, focused on increasing market access for Sri Lankan goods through free trade agreements. Two US Representatives who recently were in Sri Lanka on a private visit sponsored by a local business [...] |
2003-07-03 11:03:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | ECON EINV ETRD CE ECONOMICS |
| 03COLOMBO1179 |
Mission recommends alternate organization for [...] This is an action request. Please see Para 6. 2. SUMMARY: The judicial reform project to increase the capacity of courts in Sri Lanka's war-torn north and east, as well as administer legal aid to those affected communities, has been only partially successful. The portion of the grant r [...] |
2003-07-07 11:05:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL PHUM PGOV EAID CE LTTE |
| 03COLOMBO1190 |
President's party weighs in on Tigers, GSL, [...] (C) SUMMARY: In the wake of the June Tokyo donors conference, Sri Lankan President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga, and her People's Alliance (PA) party, have been relatively quiet in their attacks on Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and his government's ruling United National Party (U [...] |
2003-07-08 11:17:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PTER CE |
| 03COLOMBO1191 |
ICC: Non-surrender accord with GSL entered into force [...] No summary [...] |
2003-07-08 11:30:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL PGOV MOPS KTIA CE |
| 03COLOMBO120 |
Forcible recruitment of children by the LTTE [...] (C) SUMMARY: Forcible recruitment of children by the Tamil Tigers remains a serious problem, especially in eastern Sri Lanka. The extent of the practice remains unclear, however, with contacts divided as to whether or not it is a worsening problem. The UN and the Sri Lanka Monitoring Missi [...] |
2003-01-22 11:09:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV PTER CE LTTE |
| 03COLOMBO1214 |
Mission requests status of Iraqi Mission in [...] This is an Action Request. Please see Para 6. 2. (C) SUMMARY: During a July 9 meeting with Charge, MFA Acting Foreign Secretary (and former DCM at the Sri Lankan Mission in Washington) JDA Wijewardena expressed concern that the Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA) in Baghdad was planni [...] |
2003-07-11 06:05:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV ETRD EINV CE IZ IN |
| 03COLOMBO122 |
ANONYMOUS THREAT LETTER [...] (SBU) Colombo British High Commission (BHC) counterpart contacted RSO yesterday to report receipt of an anonymous threat letter addressed to Americans and British in Sri Lanka. Presumably, letters were sent to both the BHC and the Embassy, but we have not yet received our letter. The BHC has [...] |
2003-01-23 05:45:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PTER ASEC CE |
| 03COLOMBO1222 |
Charge's Jaffna visit reveals changing [...] (C) SUMMARY: Charge and poloff visited Jaffna, in northern Sri Lanka, July 6-8. Demining, high security zones, and LTTE taxation are all high in the minds of local residents. Business activity is up, funded by remittances from abroad and international NGOs. GSL has funded infrastructure r [...] |
2003-07-14 10:22:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PTER PGOV PINS PHUM CE LTTE |
| 03COLOMBO1233 |
Colombo Plan: Drug Advisory Program funding [...] No summary [...] |
2003-07-15 09:38:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | SNAR AFIN AMGT KFSC CE |
| 03COLOMBO1238 |
Iraq: Dipnote announces imminent suspension [...] (U) This is an Action Request -- Please see Para three. 2. (U) Post received a circular diplomatic note on July 15 from the Iraqi Embassy to Sri Lanka stating that it was suspending operations "until further notice" on August 1. The dipnote states that this action is being taken "upon t [...] |
2003-07-15 11:00:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV CE IZ |
| 03COLOMBO1244 |
Action request concerning Maldivian national [...] (U) This is an Action Request -- Please see Para Four. 2. (C) Mission has received information that a Maldivian national who was convicted of anti-Maldivian government (GoRM) activities last year is in Sri Lanka. This individual, Ibrahim Luthfee, was convicted along with two other Maldi [...] |
2003-07-16 07:35:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PTER PGOV PREF MV CE |
| 03COLOMBO1248 |
SRI LANKA: GROUP OF LIKE-MINDED COUNTRIES [...] (C) In meeting with Charge today, Minister Milinda Moragoda provided latest GSL thinking about its proposal for a new grouping of countries with a less hidebound approach to international affairs and trade policy than the NAM and G-77. He said the PM has assigned a small group of senior fore [...] |
2003-07-16 11:30:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL CE ECONOMICS |
| 03COLOMBO125 |
Nomination for Political FSN training course [...] In response to Reftel, Mission nominates Ms. Padmini Raajadurrai to attend the April 7 to 18 training course for Political FSNs at NFATC. 2. Information on the nominee is keyed to the order of the queries in Reftel: Name -- Padmini Raajadurrai Grade -- FSN-10 Length of Service -- 4 ye [...] |
2003-01-23 08:29:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL AFSI AFSN PGOV CE |
| 03COLOMBO1252 |
IRAQI EMBASSY IN COLOMBO [...] (C) Charge and newly-arrived DCM met Foreign Secretary Nihal Rodrigo july 17. Rodrigo quickly focused on SIPDIS issue MFA had raised before (reftels) of status of Iraqi Embassy in Colombo. He had heard from Sri Lankan Ambassador in Baghdad that Iraqi Ambassador in Colombo was part of the [...] |
2003-07-17 08:36:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL CE EUN |
| 03COLOMBO1253 |
Political Islam in Sri Lanka and the Maldives [...] (C) In response to Reftel action request, country descriptions of political Islam as a factor in Sri Lanka and the Maldives are contained in Paras 2-7. --------- SRI LANKA --------- 2. (C) OVERVIEW: Political Islam is not an important factor in Sri Lanka at this time. Sri Lanka is [...] |
2003-07-17 09:42:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | KISL PGOV PTER PREL SOCI MV CE |
| 03COLOMBO1256 |
NEW PROPOSAL GOES TO LTTE [...] (C) SUMMARY: On July 17, the Norwegians conveyed to the LTTE the new GSL proposal to try to lure the LTTE back to the negotiating table. We may not know for several weeks whether it will be successful, but the 19-month old ceasefire does not seem at risk. President Kumaratunga,s own po [...] |
2003-07-17 10:51:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | CE PGOV PREL LTTE |
| 03COLOMBO126 |
SUSPICIOUS WHITE POWDER AT AMEMBASSY COLOMBO [...] (SBU) During the late afternoon hours on January 21, our Protocol FSN employee opened a locally-delivered letter at her desk. Upon looking into the envelope, the employee noticed an unidentified white powder substance. The employee contacted RSO. Upon arrival, RSO turned off the office's ai [...] |
2003-01-23 09:24:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ASEC AMED PTER CE |
| 03COLOMBO1261 |
FOREIGN GOVERNMENT'S EXPRESSIONS OF [...] No summary [...] |
2003-07-18 06:13:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | BTIO CE ECONOMICS |
| 03COLOMBO1262 |
Tigers still refusing request from monitors to [...] (C) SUMMARY: The Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) has not yet been able to convince the Tamil Tigers to vacate a base the group has established in the east. The Tigers say the base is within their zone and not in a GSL-demarcated area. In other peace process developments, another milita [...] |
2003-07-15 02:48:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PTER PHUM PINS CE NO LTTE |
| 03COLOMBO1273 |
Media Play: "Mystery American" attends Sri [...] On Sunday, 7/14, readers of the SUNDAY TIMES (independent English weekender), one of Sri Lanka's mass circulation newspapers, woke up to front-page, above-the- fold headlines: "Mystery American at government intelligence meetings." The gist of the allegation: an AmCit had participated in me [...] |
2003-07-22 07:25:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | KPAO OPRC KMDR OIIP CE |
| 03COLOMBO1284 |
In meeting, radical JVP party leader flays [...] (C) SUMMARY: In a July 23 meeting, Tilvin Silva, leader of the radical JVP party, asserted that the GSL's recent proposal on forming an interim structure in the north/east would give the Tigers too much power. He also claimed that the Norwegian facilitators were biased toward the Tigers. T [...] |
2003-07-23 11:04:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PINS PINR CE NO |
| 03COLOMBO129 |
Amendment to April 17, 2001 LOA on Narcotic [...] No summary [...] |
2003-01-23 10:53:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | SNAR KCRM CE |
| 03COLOMBO1290 |
Peace Process Update: Discussion of latest GSL [...] (C) This update of Sri Lanka's peace process reviews the following: >> Norwegian envoy discusses government's latest proposal re north/east with Tamil Tigers >> Tigers ramp up agitation campaign in the north/east >> Defying international monitors, Tigers refuse to vacate military camp [...] |
2003-07-22 05:32:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PTER PINS PHUM CE NO LTTE |
| 03COLOMBO1294 |
58th UNGA: Sri Lankan government attendance [...] (U) This message is Sensitive but Unclassified -- Please handle accordingly. 2. (SBU) Per the format requested in Reftel, Mission forwards the Sri Lankan government's plans for official attendance at the 58th United Nations General Assembly in September 2003. Mission will forward furthe [...] |
2003-07-25 05:04:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL OTRA KSEP CE MV UNGA UN |
| 03COLOMBO1295 |
State Department-sponsored team completes [...] (U) This message is Sensitive but Unclassified -- Please handle accordingly. 2. (SBU) SUMMARY: A State Department-sponsored Quick Reaction Demining Force (QRDF) is preparing to leave Sri Lanka after completing its program in war-torn Jaffna. U.S. involvement in sustained humanitarian d [...] |
2003-07-25 05:04:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL EAID PREF CE LTTE |
| 03COLOMBO13 |
FOREIGN GOVERNMENT INVITATION FOR APPLICATIONS [...] 542/01/T0006 2. 010303 3. TLMANLOWE 4. 542 5. N 6A. CONTACT 6B. DIRECTOR GENERAL 6C. TELECOMMUNICATIONS REGULATORY COMMISSION OF SRI LANKA 276 ELVITIGALA MAWATHA, COLOMBO 8, SRI LANKA 7. PHONE: 94-1-689345 8. FAX: 94-1-689341 E-MAIL: dgtsl@slt.lk 9. 2 [...] |
2003-01-03 05:59:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | BTIO CE ECONOMICS |
| 03COLOMBO1304 |
IRF report: Draft 2003 Sri Lanka submission [...] (U) This message is Sensitive but Unclassified -- Please handle accordingly. 2. (SBU) Per the request in Ref A, Mission submits the draft 2003 International Religious Freedom report for Sri Lanka. As also requested in Ref A, a Word document with tracked changes based on the 2002 report h [...] |
2003-07-28 10:42:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PHUM KIRF CE |
| 03COLOMBO1309 |
Human rights update: Court convicts five for [...] (C) This update of the human rights situation in Sri Lanka reviews the following: -- Police officers and Sinhalese civilians sentenced in connection with killings of Tamils in 2000 -- Alleged ringleader of killings of Muslims on election day 2001 gets bail -- Tamils detained in Colombo [...] |
2003-07-28 11:30:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV PINS CE |
| 03COLOMBO132 |
Amid bickering, President approves PM's [...] (C) President Kumaratunga has approved Prime Minister Wickremesinghe's selection of seven new ministers of non-cabinet rank and one new deputy minister (see list contained in Para 5). The January 21 notice of approval came weeks after the PM's nomination of the eight. The nub of the dispute [...] |
2003-01-23 11:13:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PINR CE |
| 03COLOMBO1323 |
MEDIA PLAY: "Mystery American" attends Sri Lankan [...] As reported in reftel, from 7/14 through 7/22 Sri Lankan newspapers had a field day reporting that an AmCit -- a "mysterious American" -- had participated in meetings of the GSL's intelligence community. Several dailies carried straightforward coverage of the allegation. Others treated the s [...] |
2003-07-29 10:15:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | KPAO OPRC KMDR OIIP CE |
| 03COLOMBO1328 |
Colombo Plan: Amendment signed for [...] No summary [...] |
2003-07-30 10:20:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | SNAR PREL AMGT AFIN CE |
| 03COLOMBO1330 |
Tigers say report on plan to vacate base is [...] (C) SUMMARY: The Tigers have denied a press report that they plan to vacate a new forward base in the east. The monitors, who have ruled the base violates the ceasefire accord, say they no indication that the group is vacating the site; GoN facilitators are looking into the matter. Nonethel [...] |
2003-07-30 02:45:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PTER PINS CE NO LTTE |
| 03COLOMBO1332 |
ASSISTANCE FOR IRAQ [...] No summary [...] |
2003-07-30 11:30:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | EAID ECON CE MV |
| 03COLOMBO1335 |
UNGA: Mission conveys First (Disarmament) [...] No summary [...] |
2003-07-31 11:11:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | PARM PREL MNUC CE MV UNGA |
| 03COLOMBO1339 |
As Tigers continue their review, government's [...] (C) The Tigers continue to study the GSL's proposal for establishing an interim structure in the north/east. In the south, however, the proposal has garnered a mixed reaction. The president continues to review the proposal, for example, while the radical JVP party has harshly criticized it. [...] |
2003-07-31 11:21:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN | PGOV PTER PINS MOPS CE NO LTTE |
| 03COLOMBO1343 |
GSL interdicts human smuggling attempts, [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: In recent weeks, the GSL has interdicted several large-scale human smuggling attempts. Those netted in the raids (over 800 people) have overwhemingly been third country nationals, mostly from India and Pakistan. This is a departure from an earlier trend involving mainly loca [...] |
2003-08-01 06:25:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREF PHUM PTER CVIS KFRD CE PK |
| 03COLOMBO1344 |
In discussion with Charge', Norwegian [...] (C) The Charge' met August 1 with Norwegian Ambassador Hans Brattskar to discuss the latest news regarding Sri Lanka's peace process. Concerning a recent camp put in place by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in the east, Brattskar said there is no sign of movement on the issue. [...] |
2003-08-01 06:33:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PTER PINS MOPS CE NO LTTE |
| 03COLOMBO1358 |
Tiger official, in high profile trip to the [...] (C) SUMMARY: S.P. Thamilchelvam, political chief of the Tamil Tigers, has reiterated that the group has no plans to vacate an unauthorized base it has set up in Trincomalee and, indeed, there has been no change in the situation on the ground. Thamilchelvam, who wrapped up a long visit to t [...] |
2003-08-04 11:41:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PTER PINR CE NO LTTE |
| 03COLOMBO1365 |
FOREIGN GOVERNMENT'S EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST [...] No summary [...] |
2003-08-05 11:11:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | BTIO CE ECONOMICS |
| 03COLOMBO1386 |
SRI LANKAN PARLIAMENT PASSES NEW IPR LAW [...] Summary: The Sri Lankan Parliament approved an Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) law on July 25, 2003. It will come into effect when the Speaker of the Parliament signs the bill, expected in August. The new IPR law is WTO TRIPS compliant. It provides for improved coverage, and contains pr [...] |
2003-08-08 05:39:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | ECON ETRD KIPR CE WTO USTR ECONOMICS |
| 03COLOMBO1387 |
Key Minister expresses optimism that talks [...] (C) SUMMARY: G.L. Peiris, a key minister, has announced that the peace talks could start up again by September. In related news, the U.S. press statement speaking out in support of resuming talks has received widespread publicity and reaction from contacts is rolling in. Concerning another [...] |
2003-08-08 05:40:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PTER KPAO CE NO LTTE |
| 03COLOMBO1389 |
INVESTMENT CLIMATE STATEMENT 2003 FOR SRI LANKA [...] No summary [...] |
2003-08-11 07:10:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | CE ECONOMICS EFIN EINV ELAB ETRD KTDB OPIC PGOV |
| 03COLOMBO1399 |
Norwegian facilitator set to arrive to work on [...] (C) SUMMARY: Norwegian Special Envoy Erik Solheim is slated to arrive in Sri Lanka on August 12. One key purpose of his visit is to try to convince the Tigers to vacate an unauthorized camp they have set up in the east. In other peace process news, the Tigers are getting ready for a semina [...] |
2003-08-11 11:05:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PTER PINS PREF CE NO FR LTTE |
| 03COLOMBO14 |
Fourth round of GSL-LTTE talks set to begin in [...] (C) SUMMARY: The fourth round of talks between the GSL and the Tamil Tigers is set to take place in Thailand, January 6-9. Topics on the agenda include the security zones in Jaffna, which the Tigers want reduced in size. There is still some confusion as to the exact nature of Muslim repres [...] |
2003-01-03 06:11:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PTER MOPS CE NO TH |
| 03COLOMBO140 |
Next round of talks in Europe, as status of [...] (C) SUMMARY: Norway has announced that the next round of GSL-LTTE talks will take place in Europe, February 7-8, not Thailand. The exact venue has not yet been formally set, but Berlin looks a strong bet. The switch was necessitated by the health condition of LTTE negotiator Balasingham, w [...] |
2003-01-24 05:52:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PTER PINR CE NO LTTE |
| 03COLOMBO1405 |
Trafficking in Persons -- Sri Lanka: [...] Per notification in Reftel, Mission is pleased to have received approval for the two anti-trafficking projects and is looking forward to implementing them. In response to the request re Project A, Mission would ask the Department of Justice to conduct an initial training session for personnel [...] |
2003-08-12 09:59:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | PHUM PREL KWMN KCRM SMIG CE |
| 03COLOMBO1406 |
Linkup of president's party and radical JVP on [...] (C) SUMMARY: The proposed linkup between President Kumaratunga's party and the radical JVP, which once seemed all but sealed, is now on hold. The president has apparently decided that now is not the right time for the alliance. The JVP, with some good reviews under its belt for its activi [...] |
2003-08-12 10:15:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PTER PINS PINR CE |
| 03COLOMBO1408 |
MEDIA PLAY: U.S. "NOTES WITH CONCERN" LTTE CAMP, [...] On 8/7 Colombo issued a press release reiterating the 8/6 Washington File article, "U.S. Looks Forward to Resumption of Sri Lankan Peace Talks ... State's Reeker says U.S. concerned about rebel activity." The statement said that the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) is "undermining conf [...] |
2003-08-12 11:00:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | KPAO OPRC KMDR OIIP CE LTTE |
| 03COLOMBO1419 |
SFRC Staffer Blank's visit to Sri Lanka [...] (C) During his recent visit, SFRC staffer Dr. Jonah Blank traveled throughout Sri Lanka, with stops in Colombo, Galle, Jaffna, and Trincomalee. In meetings with Blank, GSL officials expressed general optimism about the peace process. Contacts in the south, however, expressed concern about T [...] |
2003-08-13 10:26:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PTER PREF CE LTTE |
| 03COLOMBO1425 |
No breakthroughs in meeting with Tigers, but [...] (C) SUMMARY: In an August 13 meeting with the Charge', Norwegian Special Envoy Solheim and Norwegian Ambassador Brattskar said the atmospherics of their meeting with the Tigers earlier that day had been positive. They said they had discussed the Tigers' upcoming meeting in Paris. Re conte [...] |
2003-08-14 11:12:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PTER PINS CE NO JA LTTE |
| 03COLOMBO1430 |
FY-2004 Humanitarian Demining Plan for [...] In response to Ref A, Mission's Humanitarian Demining Plan follows. Begin text: -------------------------------- SECTION ONE -- EXECUTIVE SUMMARY -------------------------------- A. BACKGROUND: Twenty years of civil war in Sri Lanka have left a severe mine and unexploded ordnance [...] |
2003-08-15 06:05:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL EAID MOPS PREF KHDP CE LTTE |
| 03COLOMBO1435 |
Mission conveys talking points re Iraqi [...] No summary [...] |
2003-08-18 10:05:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL IZ CE MV |
| 03COLOMBO1436 |
SRI LANKA CHILD LABOR INFORMATION FOR [...] Following is information on Child Labor in Sri Lanka for GSP Trade and Development Act. 2. Responses are keyed to Reftel. (a) Whether the country has adequate laws and regulations proscribing the worst forms of child labor: Sri Lanka has shown its commitment to protecting children fr [...] |
2003-08-18 10:06:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | ELAB EIND ETRD PHUM SOCI CE USAID |
| 03COLOMBO1444 |
Sri Lanka's Like-Minded Countries Initiative [...] (C) SUMMARY: Per Reftel, Charge' met with Economic Reforms Minister Milinda Moragoda on August 18 to deliver Reftel points. In response, Moragoda stressed the need for the like-minded countries group to be outside of the auspices of the UN, and identified several key potential members. Mora [...] |
2003-08-19 07:34:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PINS CE ECONOMICS |
| 03COLOMBO1453 |
No movement regarding Tiger camp, as GSL [...] (C) SUMMARY: There has been no movement regarding the unauthorized Tiger camp in the east. As the Norwegian facilitators continue to work on the issue, key ministers are giving us differing views on the possibility that the GSL may use force to try to resolve matters. In other peace track [...] |
2003-08-20 10:19:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PINS PTER PHUM CE NO FR LTTE |
| 03COLOMBO1466 |
Sri Lanka's hill country: Strong support for [...] (C) SUMMARY: During an August 18-19 visit to Sri Lanka's central highlands, interlocutors expressed strong support for the peace process. The local political situation in the region was badly fractured, however, due to personality clashes and differences over a dam project. Contacts also n [...] |
2003-08-21 10:42:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PTER PINR SOCI CE KWMM ECONOMICS |
| 03COLOMBO147 |
Sri Lanka: Human rights cases continue to [...] (SBU) Summary: This update reviews the progress of four high profile human rights related court cases, including: -- Kandy election day killings - continuation of a case against a high-profile political family and security forces for killing 10 supporters of a Muslim party; -- Krishanthi [...] |
2003-01-27 11:18:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | PHUM PGOV CE LTTE |
| 03COLOMBO1471 |
GSL reviewing proposed anti-conversion bill as [...] (C) SUMMARY: In a recent development on the religious freedom front, a draft bill prohibiting the conversion of Hindus is being reviewed by the GSL. In addition, the Sri Lankan Supreme Court has re-affirmed Buddhism's "foremost" place in society and ruled that the propagation of other faith [...] |
2003-08-22 05:59:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM SOCI CE |
| 03COLOMBO1478 |
Sri Lanka Country Commercial Guide, FY 2004 [...] Below is the Executive Summary of the Sri Lanka Country Commercial Guide, FY 2004. Per reftel, Post has sent the entire text of the Guide to Washington agencies, and will be uploading the guide to CS intranet soon. BEGIN TEXT. Country Commercial Guide Sri Lanka Fiscal Year 2004 [...] |
2003-08-25 09:31:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | EINV EFIN ELAB ETRD KTDB PGOV BEXP CE OPIC ECONOMICS |
| 03COLOMBO1482 |
Peace Process update: In Paris, Tigers say [...] (C) This update of Sri Lanka's peace process reviews the following: >> On margins of ongoing meeting in Paris, Tiger official says group aims to restart talks >> President Kumaratunga demands that GSL take steps against unauthorized Tiger camp in east >> Tensions in east between Muslim [...] |
2003-08-25 11:24:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PTER PHUM PREF CE FR NO LTTE |
| 03COLOMBO1486 |
MISSING 727 [...] (S/NF) Regarding the missing Boeing 727 discussed in reftel, on Aug 18 the Sri Lankan Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) reported negative results on locating aircraft N844AA (Serial No. 20985). 2. (S/NF) However, CAA did locate the following Serendib Express 727 in Sri Lanka: Boeing 727 MSN [...] |
2003-08-26 07:42:00 | Embassy Colombo | SECRET//NOFORN | ASEC CE EAIR PTER ECONOMICS |
| 03COLOMBO1487 |
58th UNGA: Maldivian government attendance [...] No summary [...] |
2003-08-26 08:48:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL OTRA KSEP CE MV UNGA UN |
| 03COLOMBO1488 |
U.S.-sponsored humanitarian demining training [...] (U) This message is Sensitive but Unclassified -- Please handle accordingly. 2. (U) SUMMARY: A major State Department-sponsored humanitarian demining training program for the Sri Lankan (SLA) Army has kicked off at a base in the south. The project, which has already received upbeat press [...] |
2003-08-26 10:24:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL PGOV EAID KHDP CE LTTE |
| 03COLOMBO1490 |
OFFICIAL INFORMAL NUMBER 123 (08/26/03) [...] (C) FYI. Just wanted to flag the following peace track items: -- Paris Meeting: Beyond that reviewed in Colombo 1482, we have no new news to report re the LTTE's Paris meeting. The Norwegian Embassy here told us that Special Envoy Erik Solheim was slated to join the LTTE meeting today or [...] |
2003-08-26 10:55:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | AMGT CE MV LTTE |
| 03COLOMBO1496 |
President Kumaratunga and supporters express [...] (C) SUMMARY: President Kumaratunga and her supporters have recently expressed concerns that the Tamil Tigers are targeting her for attack. The police have found little merit in the claims, which seem to involve more than a dollop of politics. That said, the situation has to be monitored; [...] |
2003-08-27 11:19:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN | PGOV PTER PINS ASEC CE LTTE |
| 03COLOMBO1504 |
Norwegian envoy meets with Tigers in Paris; EU [...] (C) SUMMARY: In recent peace process developments: Norwegian Envoy Erik Solheim has been involved in meetings with the Tigers in Paris. There are reports that the Tigers will next visit Switzerland for further discussions. In the meantime, the EU chiefs of mission in Colombo issued a press [...] |
2003-08-28 10:45:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PTER PINS CE XG |
| 03COLOMBO1510 |
Like-Minded Nations: Moragoda Briefed [...] (C) The Charge' shared the substance of para three reftel with Minister Milinda Moragoda on August 29. Moragoda expressed his appreciation and said he was aware of Ambassador Subasinghe's conversations on the Like-Minded Countries initiative with the Department. Moragoda said that, although h [...] |
2003-08-29 05:53:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV CE ECONOMICS |
| 03COLOMBO1512 |
Counternarcotics Update: Latest heroin [...] (U) This message is Sensitive but Unclassified -- Please handle accordingly. 2. (SBU) This update of the counternarcotics situation in Sri Lanka reviews the following: >> Latest heroin seizures >> Police report a new trend in drug smuggling >> USG assistance for Sri Lanka's counter [...] |
2003-08-29 06:08:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV SNAR PREL CE |
| 03COLOMBO1516 |
BTIOS T/0005 AND T/0011 AMENDMENTS - COAL [...] No summary [...] |
2003-09-02 09:38:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | BTIO CE ECONOMICS |
| 03COLOMBO1517 |
MEDIA PLAY: SRI LANKAN MEDIA ACCUSE U.S. of [...] In a 9/1 editorial, "Self-inflicted wounds," the DAILY MIRROR (independent English daily), launched one of the most vigorous criticisms of U.S. policy seen in Sri Lanka's mainline press since the occupation of Iraq. "Self- inflicted wounds" accuses the U.S. of searching for "a new bogeyman" [...] |
2003-09-02 09:38:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | KPAO OPRC KMDR OIIP CE |
| 03COLOMBO1518 |
EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST FOR EXPLOITATION OF [...] No summary [...] |
2003-09-02 09:39:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | BTIO CE ECONOMICS |
| 03COLOMBO1522 |
Tiger political chief Thamilchelvam's steady [...] (C) SUMMARY: S.P. Thamilchelvam, political chief of the Tamil Tigers, has taken an increasingly high profile role as chief Tiger spokesman on peace track issues. In the meantime, Anton Balasingham, the group's long-time spokesman and negotiator, has not been heard from in weeks. In explai [...] |
2003-09-02 10:12:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN | PGOV PTER PINR PINS CE LTTE |
| 03COLOMBO1529 |
Proposed weapons deal involving Israeli [...] (C) SUMMARY: A proposed weapons deal has sparked public accusations that Sri Lanka's Defense Ministry favors an Israeli bid because it has worked out kickbacks with the company. The Defense Ministry denies the charge. At this point, the proposed deal is extremely tangled, as a potential U. [...] |
2003-09-03 10:14:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV MASS PINS ECON CE IS |
| 03COLOMBO1533 |
Japanese propose that donors meet September 12 [...] (C) SUMMARY: In a September 3 meeting with Ambassador Lunstead, Japanese Ambassador Otsuka said the GoJ wanted to convene a "follow-up meeting of the Tokyo conference" for donors on September 12 during Special Envoy Akashi's visit to Sri Lanka. The GSL, international organizations, and the [...] |
2003-09-04 10:51:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PTER EAID CE JA NO LTTE |
| 03COLOMBO1539 |
GSL SUPPORTS KEEPING GI TALKS IN TRIPS COUNCIL [...] No summary [...] |
2003-09-05 05:37:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | ECON KIPR ETRD PREL CE WTO ECONOMICS |
| 03COLOMBO154 |
Scenesetter for SA/INS Director Good's [...] (C) SUMMARY: We warmly welcome your upcoming visit. It comes at an exciting time, with many of the positive trends we discussed with you during your visit last fall gaining increased traction. A ceasefire has been in place since December 2001, and the government and the Tamil Tigers continue [...] |
2003-01-28 10:18:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PTER ECON CE LTTE |
| 03COLOMBO1542 |
ICOC: Mission conveys request to join in [...] No summary [...] |
2003-09-05 05:47:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL MNUC KSCA ETTC TSPA CE MV |
| 03COLOMBO1543 |
PSI: Mission conveys statement of [...] No summary [...] |
2003-09-05 05:47:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL KNNP MNUC PARM CE MV |
| 03COLOMBO1545 |
Terrorism Finance: Amid Indo-Pakistani [...] (C) SUMMARY: South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) legal experts met August 27-29 in Colombo to discuss regional implementation of UN provisions related to terrorism financing. Rohan Perera, the Sri Lankan MFA's chief legal adviser, told us that progress was made on a dra [...] |
2003-09-01 02:52:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PTER PREL CE XD EFIN PGOV UN |
| 03COLOMBO1546 |
Peace Process: Indian sticks vs. Norwegian [...] (C) The Ambassador paid introductory calls on Indian High Commissioner Nirumpam Sen and Norwegian Ambassador Hans Brattskar on September 4. The two were a study in contrasts. Sen, not surprisingly, evinced a hardline towards the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). The LTTE needs to see [...] |
2003-09-05 06:30:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PTER PINR CE IN NO LTTE |
| 03COLOMBO1548 |
IMI - Investment Opportunities In Sri Lanka [...] The National Chamber of Commerce of Sri Lanka will present "Intrad 2003", an Exhibition and Investor Forum on November 28 - 30, 2003 in Colombo, Sri Lanka. The theme is "Regaining Sri Lanka - Invest in Our Infrastructure". 2. "Intrad 2003" will feature 10 key sectors identified for inve [...] |
2003-09-06 07:25:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | BEXP BTIO CE ECONOMICS |
| 03COLOMBO155 |
FOREIGN GOVERNMENT INVITATION FOR APPLICATIONS [...] No summary [...] |
2003-01-28 10:19:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | BTIO CE ECONOMICS |
| 03COLOMBO1551 |
MEDIA PLAY: SRI LANKAN COLUMNIST SAYS U.S., [...] No summary [...] |
2003-09-08 05:35:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | KPAO OPRC KMDR OIIP CE |
| 03COLOMBO1554 |
Sri Lanka/Maldives: Mission views on possible [...] (C) In response to Reftel, Mission has the following comments regarding possible Sri Lankan and Maldivian reaction to the proposed UN Security Council Resolution on Iraq. 2. (C/NF) SRI LANKA: Although it is generally pro-U.S. and has not been hostile in any sense toward Coalition operat [...] |
2003-09-08 10:27:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN | PREL MARR MOPS PGOV CE MV IZ UN |
| 03COLOMBO1556 |
58th UNGA: Maldivian government attendance [...] No summary [...] |
2003-09-08 10:49:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL OTRA KSEP CE MV UNGA UN |
| 03COLOMBO156 |
FOREIGN GOVERNMENT TENDER TO BUILD AND [...] No summary [...] |
2003-01-28 10:19:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | BTIO MV CE ECONOMICS |
| 03COLOMBO1565 |
Latest plans for Tokyo conference follow-up [...] (C) SUMMARY: Ambassador Lunstead recently participated in planning sessions for the Tokyo follow- up meeting to be held in Colombo on September 12. The format and agenda of the upcoming meeting were discussed, as were the modalities and the substance of "press guidelines" that would be used [...] |
2003-09-09 09:43:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PTER EAID CE JA NO LTTE |
| 03COLOMBO1569 |
OFFICIAL INFORMAL NUMBER 131 (09/09/03) [...] (C) FYI. We have the following updates on the peace process: -- Norwegian Ambassador in the east: Norwegian Ambassador Hans Brattskar is in Batticaloa District in the east for a familiarization tour, according to Norwegian Embassy contacts. Brattskar met with eastern Tiger military leade [...] |
2003-09-09 10:41:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | AMGT CE MV LTTE |
| 03COLOMBO1583 |
British shadow foreign secretary's meeting [...] (C) In a September 5 meeting with the Ambassador, British High Commissioner Stephen Evans provided a readout of a recent meeting between Michael Ancram, the shadow foreign secretary, and Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) representatives. Evans said Ancram, joined by Lord Ashcroft, a fo [...] |
2003-09-10 10:48:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PTER PGOV CE UK LTTE |
| 03COLOMBO1586 |
In good news for peace process, President puts [...] (C) SUMMARY: President Kumaratunga has firmly signaled that a possible pact between her party and the radical JVP is on hold for now. In explaining her decision, the president made clear that the two sides could not agree on peace process issues. According to observers, however, other fact [...] |
2003-09-11 07:09:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PINS PINR CE |
| 03COLOMBO1587 |
Tamil Tiger leader Prabhakaran makes rare [...] (C) SUMMARY: Tamil Tiger leader V. Prabakharan gave a brief speech at the opening of an office for the LTTE "police force" in the north-central Vanni region on September 7. While the speech was somewhat confrontational in tone, he did not comment directly on the peace process. The Septembe [...] |
2003-09-07 22:51:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PTER PGOV PINS PINR CE LTTE |
| 03COLOMBO1588 |
Mission conveys WSIS/freedom of the press [...] No summary [...] |
2003-09-11 07:09:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | PHUM KPAO PREL CE MV |
| 03COLOMBO1589 |
Mission conveys September 11 Message to Sri [...] No summary [...] |
2003-09-11 08:08:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | OPDC PREL CE MV |
| 03COLOMBO1592 |
DEMARCHE ON POSSIBLE AL-QAIDA AVIATION THREAT TO [...] No summary [...] |
2003-09-11 11:06:00 | Embassy Colombo | SECRET | ASEC CE PTER |
| 03COLOMBO1601 |
LANDMINES AND TIGERS AND "BEARS" OH MY! ECONOMIC INTEGRATION [...] No summary [...] |
2003-09-15 08:14:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | ECON EAID PTER PGOV CE LTTE ECONOMICS |
| 03COLOMBO1602 |
The Ambassador reviews the peace process, aid [...] (C) SUMMARY. In a September 14 introductory meeting, the Ambassador and Prime Minister Wickremesinghe agreed that last week's donor roundtable on the occasion of Japanese envoy Akashi's visit had usefully demonstrated that the donors were holding firm to the Tokyo linkage between progress at [...] |
2003-09-15 08:14:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PTER EAID CE US UN LTTE |
| 03COLOMBO1603 |
Introductory meeting with Japanese envoy ahead [...] (C) SUMMARY: Ambassador Lunstead had an introductory meeting with Japanese special envoy Yashushi Akashi on September 11. Akashi shared his views on the current situation, and touched on issues to be raised during the September 12 Tokyo follow-up meeting. END SUMMARY. 2. (C) Ambassado [...] |
2003-09-15 08:15:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PTER PGOV PINS PHUM CE LTTE |
| 03COLOMBO1606 |
Donors reaffirm support for peace process at [...] (C) SUMMARY: The Ambassador participated in the follow-up meeting to the Tokyo conference held on September 12 in Colombo. Japanese Special Envoy Akashi chaired the meeting. In their remarks, donors and international agency heads reiterated their support for assistance to Sri Lanka, but un [...] |
2003-09-15 11:19:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV EAID PTER CE NO JA UN LTTE |
| 03COLOMBO1613 |
INL: Amendment to LOA signed with Police [...] No summary [...] |
2003-09-16 09:33:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL SNAR KCRM CE |
| 03COLOMBO1615 |
Cohabitation dustup over security of key port [...] (C) SUMMARY: President Kumaratunga has sent a letter to the prime minister harshly complaining that the GSL is not taking Tamil Tiger military positioning around Trincomalee harbor seriously enough. The PM has not yet sent a response to the widely publicized letter, but the GSL has already [...] |
2003-09-14 02:59:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PTER MOPS PINS CE LTTE |
| 03COLOMBO1617 |
Colombo Plan: Drug Advisory Program proposed [...] The Colombo Plan's Drug Advisory Program (DAP) submitted to Mission a budget proposal of USD 250,000 for fiscal year 2003. DAP's proposed budget includes funding for the following projects: A. Training for South Asian Law Enforcement Officers on Counter-narcotics, USD 110,000 B. Reg [...] |
2003-09-17 09:31:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | SNAR PREL AFIN AMGT CE |
| 03COLOMBO1619 |
Tiger attacks in the east spark deep Muslim [...] (C) SUMMARY: Attacks by the Tigers in the east have intensified Muslim anxiety about the direction of the peace process. Muslim leader Rauf Hakeem has pressed the GSL to take a harder line toward the Tigers. While Hakeem continues to back the government, some in his party have indicated a [...] |
2003-09-17 10:46:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PTER PINS PHUM KISL CE LTTE |
| 03COLOMBO1622 |
Urgent Demarche on UN action regarding [...] (U) This message is Sensitive but Unclassified -- Please handle accordingly. 2. (SBU) Per Reftel, Mission has conveyed the urgent demarche regarding UN action on the Middle East to the Sri Lankan and Maldivian governments. Neither government has responded to the U.S. points as of yet. [...] |
2003-09-18 09:42:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL KPAL UNGA CE MV XF |
| 03COLOMBO1630 |
COLOMBO EAC MEETING DATED 9/18/03 [...] (SBU) AmEmbassy Colombo EAC met on September 18 to discuss the upcoming Security Environmental Profile Questionnaire (SEPQ) due September 19. EAC members in attendance were the AMB, DCM, RSO, ARSO, POL, PD, AID, CLO, ECON and IBB. 2. (C) The EAC reviewed post's current threat ratings on the [...] |
2003-09-19 05:52:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | ASEC CE PTER |
| 03COLOMBO1631 |
Sri Lanka: Untangling the confusion over the [...] (C) SUMMARY: In this message, Mission provides a brief overview of the status of the possible FMS procurement of Bushmaster cannons for the GSL. Suggested next steps for Washington to review with visiting Minister Moragoda and Ambassador Subasinghe are discussed. Mission would appreciate an [...] |
2003-09-19 05:53:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV MASS PARM CE IS |
| 03COLOMBO1632 |
2004-05 SRI LANKA FULBRIGHT JUNIOR SCHOLAR PROGRAM [...] THE US-SLFC RECEIVED A RECORD TOTAL OF 597 APPLICATIONS IN RESPONSE TO ITS PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE SUBJECT AWARDS PROGRAM. AFTER A PRELIMINARY INTERVIEW OF ALL ELIGIBLE CANDIDATES BY THE COMMISSION'S COMMITTEE ON STUDY AND TRAINING, A SHORT LIST OF 20 CANDIDATES WAS PRESENTED TO THE US-SL [...] |
2003-09-19 05:56:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | OEXC CE |
| 03COLOMBO1635 |
In meeting with the Ambassador, Norwegian team [...] (C) SUMMARY: The Ambassador met late September 18 with a visiting Norwegian facilitation team led by Deputy Foreign Minister Vidar Helgesen. The GoN team, which had just held meetings with the Tigers, expressed confidence that the group would submit its counter- proposals on the GSL's nort [...] |
2003-09-19 06:29:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PTER PINS PHUM CE NO LTTE |
| 03COLOMBO1641 |
EL FELLOW CAROL CREHAN [...] Post is pleased to report that Ms. Crehan has arrived in Sri Lank assignment with the Bandaranaike Center for International Studies. 2. Post has two requests to make on the enhancement funds and the st - Enhancement funds: Post requests that enhanced funds unused from h 2003 grant be ma [...] |
2003-09-22 07:06:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED | KPAO ABUD AMGT CE |
| 03COLOMBO1644 |
PEACE CORPS VISIT TO SRI LANKA [...] (SBU) I was delighted when we met in July that you were enthusiastic about a possible Peace Corps return to Sri Lanka. After arriving here and getting a sense of the on- the-ground situation, I was even more excited about the possibilities for Peace Corps. This country has an historic opp [...] |
2003-09-22 11:03:00 | Embassy Colombo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL CE |
| 03COLOMBO1666 |
PSI: Sri Lanka continues to review "Statement [...] (C) Per Ref A, Mission followed up on September 25 with the Sri Lankan Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding its reaction to the Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI) "Statement of Interdiction Principles" document. Rohan Perera, the MFA's Legal Adviser, told us that the GSL continues to r [...] |
2003-09-25 10:06:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN | PREL PGOV PTER MNUC PARM CE MV |
| 03COLOMBO1673 |
"When do we sign an FTA?" GSL perspectives, [...] (U) Classified by Ambassador Jeffrey J. Lunstead for reasons 1.5 B and D. 2. (C) Summary: Given the high profile in Sri Lanka of this issue and local expectations for the upcoming TIFA round, Post believes it is time to take concrete steps to move towards an FTA. Specific recommendation [...] |
2003-09-26 05:13:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | ETRD EAID ECON EFIN KIPR ELAB PREL CE ECONOMICS |
| 03COLOMBO1684 |
Ambassador Lunstead presents credentials to [...] (C) The Ambassador, accompanied by the Deputy Chief of Mission, called on President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga on the evening of September 26 at her official residence to present his credentials. In a very brief ceremony (according to Sri Lankan practice, no formal remarks were made [...] |
2003-09-29 07:38:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PTER EINV US CE LTTE |
| 03COLOMBO1686 |
FTA IMPLICATIONS OF SRI LANKAN INVESTMENT CLIMATE [...] (U) Classified by Ambassador Jeffrey J. Lunstead for reasons 1.5 B and D. 2. (C) Summary: The investment climate in Sri Lanka is improving and the GSL is committed to economic reforms and attracting more capital as the island continues its efforts to restore peace and prosperity. The Ind [...] |
2003-09-29 09:40:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | ETRD EAID ECON EFIN KIPR ELAB PREL CE ECONOMICS |
| 03COLOMBO1687 |
OFFICIAL INFORMAL NUMBER 142 (09/29/03) [...] (C) FYI, we are sending a front channel based on our conversation today with Jim Robertson regarding the GSL analysis of the Chile and Singapore FTAs. It appears the GSL may believe they are further along than we previously thought. According to Jim, Ambassador Subasinghe is meeting at 1630 [...] |
2003-09-29 10:29:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | AMGT CE MV |
| 03COLOMBO1688 |
Biographic sketches of up-and-coming Sri [...] (C) Para two contains brief biographic sketches of ten up-and-coming Sri Lankan politicians. Four of the sketches are of governing United National Party (UNP) politicians, three are of opposition People's Alliance (PA) politicians, and one each from the radical Janantha Vimukthi Peramuna (JV [...] |
2003-09-29 10:47:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | PINR PGOV PREL CE |
| 03COLOMBO1689 |
GSL READY TO NEGOTIATE FTA BASED ON SINGAPORE AND [...] (U) Classified by DCM James F. Entwistle for reasons 1.5 B and D. 2. (C) Summary: In a meeting with GSL Advisor Jim Robertson, Econoffs learned that the GSL intends to provide USTR a draft negotiating document today (Monday, September 29). Reportedly, the GSL is prepared to meet most of [...] |
2003-09-30 01:02:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | ETRD EAID |