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Abidjan Abu Dhabi Abuja Accra Adana Addis Ababa Alexandria Algiers American Institute Taiwan, Taipei Amman Amsterdam Ankara Antananarivo Apia Ashgabat Asmara Astana Asuncion Athens Auckland Baghdad Baku Bamako Bandar Seri Begawan Bangkok Bangui Banjul Barcelona Beijing Beirut Belfast Belgrade Belmopan Berlin Bern Bishkek Bogota Brasilia Bratislava Brazzaville Bridgetown Brussels Bucharest Budapest Buenos Aires Bujumbura Cairo Calgary Canberra Cape Town Caracas Casablanca Chengdu Chennai Chiang Mai Chisinau Ciudad Juarez Colombo Conakry Copenhagen Cotonou Curacao Dakar Damascus Dar Es Salaam Department of State Dhahran Dhaka Dili DIR FSINFATC Djibouti Doha Dubai Dublin Durban Dushanbe Dusseldorf Embasy Bonn Florence Frankfurt Freetown Fukuoka Gaborone Georgetown Grenada Guadalajara Guangzhou Guatemala Guayaquil Halifax Hamburg Hamilton Hanoi Harare Helsinki Hermosillo Ho Chi Minh City Hong Kong Hyderabad Iran RPO Dubai Islamabad Istanbul Izmir Jakarta Jeddah Jerusalem Johannesburg Kabul Kaduna Kampala Karachi Kathmandu Khartoum Kigali Kingston Kinshasa Kolkata Kolonia Koror Krakow Kuala Lumpur Kuwait Kyiv La Paz Lagos Lahore Leipzig Libreville Lilongwe Lima Lisbon Ljubljana Lome London Luanda Lusaka Luxembourg Madrid Majuro Malabo Managua Manama Manila Maputo Marseille Maseru Matamoros Mbabane Melbourne Merida Mexico Milan Minsk Mission Geneva Mission UNESCO Mission USNATO Mission USOSCE Mogadishu Monrovia Monterrey Montevideo Montreal Moscow Mumbai Munich Muscat Nagoya Naha Nairobi Naples Nassau Ndjamena New Delhi Niamey Nicosia Nogales Nouakchott Nuevo Laredo Osaka Kobe Oslo Ottawa Ouagadougou Panama Paramaribo Paris Perth Peshawar Phnom Penh Podgorica Ponta Delgada Port Au Prince Port Louis Port Moresby Port Of Spain Prague Praia Pretoria Pristina Quebec Quito Rabat Rangoon Recife REO Basrah REO Hillah REO Kirkuk REO Mosul Reykjavik Riga Rio De Janeiro Riyadh Rome San Jose San Salvador Sanaa Santiago Santo Domingo Sao Paulo Sapporo Sarajevo Secretary of State Seoul Shanghai Shenyang Singapore Skopje Sofia St Petersburg Stockholm Strasbourg Surabaya Suva Sydney Tallinn Tashkent Tbilisi Tegucigalpa Tehran Tel Aviv The Hague Thessaloniki Tijuana Tirana Tokyo Toronto Tripoli Tunis Ulaanbaatar UN Rome UNVIE US Delegation FEST TWO US Delegation, Secretary US Interests Section Havana US Mission CD Geneva US Mission Geneva US Office Almaty US OFFICE FSC CHARLESTON USEU Brussels USMISSION USTR GENEVA USUN New York Valletta Vancouver Vatican Vienna Vientiane Vilnius Vladivostok Warsaw Wellington Windhoek Yaounde Yekaterinburg Yerevan Zagreb
By classification:
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By year:
2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 1991 1990 1989 1988 1987 1986 1985 1979 1978 1975 1973 1972 1966

More on tag:
ABLD BUILDING AND GROUNDS
[close]

Effective from March 1973 (Revised January 1983)

The acquisition, management, and operation of U.S.-owned or-leased facilities and sites both domestic and foreign. (Replaces RCHB file categories: BG, ES)

Specific Subject Terms often used with this TAGS:

* Acquisition
* AIEP
* Allotment
* Antenna
* Antiques
* Appraisals
* Architecture
* Asbestos
* Audit
* Bid Results
* Breathing Device
* Building
* Building Design
* Building Management
* Carpet
* Chancellery
* Construction Management
* Construction Security
* Consulate
* Contract Amendment Contract Award Contract Renewal Contract Termination Contractor
* Core Area
* DCR
* Deed
* Descent Device
* Electrical System
* Elevator
* Embassy
* EMR
* Energy Conservation
* EURMAC
* Fire Alarm
* Fire Detection System
* Fire Prevention
* Fire Safety
* Furnishings
* Generator
* Geotechnical
* Gift
* Hazardous Material
* Housing
* HVAC
* Improvement
* Inventory
* Lease
* Legation
* Maintenance
* Mechanical System
* NOB
* Parking
* PCC
* Post Opening
* Property Exchange
* Property Sales
* Public Access Control
* Real Property
* Reciprocity
* REMS
* Renovation
* Safety & Health Designee
* Safety Program
* Security Enhancement
* Seismology
* SHEMC
* Shielded Enclosure
* Site
* Space Management
* Survey
* WASHMAC
* Water Analysis
[close]

More on tag:
AEMR EMERGENCY PLANNING AND EVACUATION
[close]

Effective from March 1973 (Revised January 1983)

Measures and actions implemented to protect U.S. personnel, citizens, property and information; especially related to crisis situations. (Replaces RCHB file category: EP)

Specific Subject Terms often used with this TAGS:

* Citizen Protection
* Contingency Plan EAP
* Emergency
* Evacuation
* Property
* Protection
* Records Destruction
* Rescue
* Safehaven
[close]

More on tag:
AFIN FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT
[close]

Effective from March 1973 (Revised April 2000)

The fiscal operations of the Department, Foreign Service posts, and other Federal agencies. (Replaces RCHB file categories: ACC, BUD, FMGT)

Specific Subject Terms often used with this TAGS:

* Accounting
* Allowance
* Annuity Check
* Antideficiency
* Appropriation
* Audit
* Authentication Bank
* Account Bonding
* CAPPS
* Cash
* Cash Management
* Cashier
* Central Claim
* Commercial Claim
* Compensation
* Debt Collection
* Deficit
* Disallowances
* Disbursement
* Employee Claim
* ESF
* Exchange Rate
* Financial Management System
* Fiscal
* Fiscal Irregularities
* Foreign Currency
* FSCADP
* Fund Allotment
* Funding
* GBL
* General Ledger
* GTR
* Home Leave
* ICASS
* Leave
* Liquidation
* Local Currency
* Nonreceipt
* Over Obligation
* Pay Advance
* Pay Record
* Payment
* Payroll
* Payroll Deduction
* PCS
* Per Diem
* Personal Property
* Personal Travel
* Post MGT
* Premium Pay
* Prompt Payment
* Reimbursement
* Relocation
* Reprogramming
* Retirement
* Security Enhancement
* Taxes
* TDY
* Time & Attendance
* Transportation Request
* Travel Advance
* Travelers Checks
* Treasury Check
* Vendor
* Vouchers
* Vulnerability Assessment
* Wages
* Working Capital Fund
[close]

More on tag:
AMGT MANAGEMENT OPERATIONS
[close]

Effective from June 1974 (Revised January 1983)

The management and organization of the Department and posts abroad and other U.S. agencies. (Replaces RCHB file category: ORG)

Specific Subject Terms often used with this TAGS:

* Administration
* Audit
* Authorities
* Background Information
* Bureau Organization
* Commissary
* Congressional Report
* Delegation of Authority
* Embassy Closing
* Embassy Opening
* Employee Association
* FCS
* FTE
* Geneva Group
* GORI
* Information System
* Inspection Report
* Inspection Team
* Internal Control
* JAO
* Management Initiative
* Management Issues
* Mission Closure
* Mission Opening
* Occupational Safety
* Office Closure
* Office Establishment
* Office Procedures
* Organization
* Overseas Post
* PCS
* Post Closing
* Post MGT
* Post Opening
* Post Operating Plan
* Reciprocity
* Recreation
* Reorganization
* Scheduling
* Staffing
* Support Services
* Survey
* Task Force
* Workload
[close]

More on tag:
AORC INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS AND CONFERENCES
[close]

Effective from January 1983

The structure and management of international or regional organizations and conferences. (Replaces RCHB file category: POL and Organization Name)

Specific Subject Terms often used with this TAGS:

* Administration
* Application
* Budget
* Candidate
* Chairman
* Charter
* Congressional Reports
* Constitution
* Donor
* Election Results
* Financial Contribution
* Geneva Group
* Host Government
* Information System
* Infrastructure
* Inspection Report
* Inspection Team
* International Organization
* International Organization Official
* Meeting Agenda
* Meeting Delegation
* Meeting Observer
* Meeting Venue
* Membership
* NGO
* Nomination
* Nonparticipation
* Office Closure
* Office Establishment
* Participation
* PERMREP
* Referendum
* Reform
* Regional Organization
* Regional Organization Official Reorganization
* Resignation from Office Seating
* Secession Secretary General Specialized Agency
* Sponsorship
* Staffing
* Vacancy Announcement
* Veto
* VOLAG
* Volunteers
* Voting
* Wages
[close]

More on tag:
APER PERSONNEL
[close]

Effective from March 1973 (Revised January 1983)

The administration and support of the Department's Civil and Foreign

Service personnel. (Replaces RCHB file category: PER)

Specific Subject Terms often used with this TAGS:

* Adoption
* Affirmative
* Action
* Ambassador
* Appeal
* Award
* Backpay
* Benefit Plan
* Bilateral Work Agreements
* Blood Donor
* Boarding School Career Development Career Mobility
* CFC
* Civil Service
* Civil Service Reform Act
* Class Action Suit
* CLO Program
* Community Liaison Office
* Coordinators
* Compensation
* Complaint
* Complement
* Consultation
* Continuing Education
* Contract Employee
* Conversion
* CSR
* Death
* Demotion
* Dependent
* Dependent Education
* Dependent Employment
* Discipline
* Divorce
* Emergency
* Evacuation
* Employee Association
* Employee Benefit
* Employee Relations
* Employee Service
* Employee Status
* Employee Training
* Employment
* Equal Employment Opportunity
* Family Life
* Family Separation
* Family Support Services
* Fellowship
* FERS
* Foreign Born Spouses
* Foreign Service
* Foreign Service Act
* FSPS
* FTE
* Functional Training
* Grade Retention
* Grievance
* Health
* Injury
* Insurance
* International School
* Interns
* Interview
* Job Title
* Leave
* Library
* Merit Pay
* Merit Promotion
* Military Furlough
* Military Reserve
* Nomination
* Nonsensitive Critical Position
* Open Assignments
* Orientation
* Overcomplement
* Pay Record
* Performance Evaluation
* Personal Property
* Personal Travel
* Personnel
* Personnel Action
* Personnel Appointment
* Personnel Assignment
* Personnel Classification
* Personnel Conduct
* Personnel Promotion
* Personnel Reassignment
* Personnel Resignation
* Personnel Separation
* Photographer
* PIT
* Position Classification
* Position Description
* Premium Pay
* Presidential Executive Exchange Program
* Private School
* Probation
* Promotion Panel
* PSC
* Public School
* Recall
* Recruitment
* Reentry
* Relocation
* Remains Disposition
* Reprogramming
* Retired Annuitant
* Retirement
* RIF
* Sabbatical
* Savings Bond
* School Admissions
* SEF
* Selection Board
* Selection Out
* Senior Foreign Service
* SES
* Severance Pay
* Sexual Harassment
* Skill Codes
* Spouse
* Staffing
* Staffing Pattern
* Survey
* Tandem Couple
* TDY
* Tenure Board
* Termination
* Time & Attendance
* Upward Mobility
* U.S. Family Member
* Vacancy Announcement
* Wages
* Work Requirements
* Workload
* Workmen Compensation
* Workweek
* Youth Programs
[close]

More on tag:
ASEC SECURITY
[close]

Effective from March 1973 (Revised January 1983)

The development, coordination, or administration of security policies and programs. (Replaces RCHB file category: SY)

Specific Subject Terms often used with this TAGS:

* AIASA
* Airport Access Procedures
* Antifraud
* Antiterrorism Measures
* Armored Vehicle
* Assault
* Bugging
* Building
* Contract Guard Program
* Counterintelligence
* Debriefing
* Debugging
* Demolition
* Detection Equipment
* Dismantling
* Electronic Security Device
* Emergency Response Team
* Explosives
* Fraud
* Host Country Guards
* Host Country Police
* Identification Systems
* Information Security
* Local Guard Program
* Maps
* Mission Takeover
* Monitoring
* MSG
* Name Check
* NSU
* Personnel Protection
* Physical Security
* Police Force
* Police Investigation
* Property Protection
* Protective Security
* Public Access Control
* Regional Security
* Riot Control
* RSO
* Scheduled Reporting
* Security Assessment
* Security Clearance
* Security Crisis
* Security Enhancement
* Security Survey
* Security Violation
* Special Support Program
* Suitability
* Technical Security
* Telephone
* Tempest
* Terrorism
* Threat
* Threat Assessment
* Unit Security Procedures
* Warning System
[close]

More on tag:
BEXP TRADE EXPANSION AND PROMOTION
[close]

Effective from March 1973 (Revised January 1983)

Efforts to promote trade and other commercial activities, including specific proposals and inquiries to establish trade relations. (Replaces RCHB file category: TP)

Specific Subject Terms often used with this TAGS:

* Best Prospect
* Bid
* Business Firm
* Businessmen
* CMP
* Commercial Action
* Commercial Association
* Consultation
* Cooperatives
* Country Commercial
* Exhibit
* Exposition
* Foreign Agent
* Foreign Market
* Target Industry
* Targeting
* Trade Fair
* Trade Promotion
* Trade Visit
* WITS
[close]

More on tag:
BTIO TRADE AND INVESTMENT
[close]

OPPORTUNITIES

Effective from March 1973 (Revised January 1983)

Administrative and operational reporting on opportunities for U.S. businesses. (Replaces RCHB file categories: FN, TP)

Specific Subject Terms often used with this TAGS:

* Agribusiness
* Bid
* Business Firm
* FGT
* Foreign Markets
* GPC Implementation
* Joint Venture
* Patent
* PTO
[close]

More on tag:
CASC ASSISTANCE TO CITIZENS
[close]

Effective from May 1977 (Revised January 1983)

Consular services provided by the United States to citizens of the United States or any other country. (Replaces RCHB file categories: CON, PS)

Specific Subject Terms often used with this TAGS:

* Adoption
* Aircraft Detention
* Aircraft Registry
* Alien
* AMCIT
* Arrest Assault
* Attorney List
* Authorities
* Automation
* Child Custody
* Children Compensation
* Complaint
* Consular Assistance
* Consular Package
* Cult
* Custody
* Death Report
* Deportation
* Detention
* Direct Relay
* Drivers License
* Emergency Evacuation
* Estate
* Family
* FIMED
* Fraud Identification
* Lawyer
* Legal
* Medical Care
* Missing Person
* Murder Offenses
* Prisoner
* Prisoner Release
* Prisoner Transfer
* Prisoner Welfare
* Property
* Property Protection
* Release
* Remains Disposition
* Repatriation
* Seamen
* Ship Detention
* Ship Registry
* Spouse
* Third Country Representation
* Travel Advisory
* Trial
* Trust Account
* Trust Account Refund
* Welfare & Whereabouts
[close]

More on tag:
CJAN JUDICIAL ASSISTANCE AND NOTARIAL SERVICES
[close]

Effective from May 1983

Matters pertaining to Notarial Services and International Judicial Assistance, including the service of judicial and extra-judicial documents and obtaining evidence. (Replaces RCHB file categories: LEG, PS)

Specific Subject Terms often used with this TAGS:

* Acknowledgment
* Affidavit
* Attorney List
* Authentication
* Automation
* Deed
* Deposition
* Documentation
* Evidence
* Extradition
* Fraud
* FSIA
* Judicial Assistance
* Letters Rogatory
* Notarial
* Oath
* Official Travel
* Prisoner Transfer
* Process Serving
* Subpoena
* Testimony
* Tort Claim
* Witness
[close]

More on tag:
CMGT CONSULAR ADMINSTRATION AND MANAGEMENT
[close]

Effective from August 1983

The administrative and operational management of Consular Affairs activities. (Replaces RCHB file categories: ACC, BUD, CON, FMGT,ORG, PER)

Specific Subject Terms often used with this TAGS:

* Antifraud
* Automation
* CAS
* Consular Agent
* Consular Agreement
* Consular Conference
* Consular Equipment
* Consular Package
* Consular Service
* Consular Supplies
* Consular Treaty
* CSS
* ECR
* Fee
* Fraud
* ICARS
* IVACS
* Legislation
* MRP
* NIVCAPS
* Office Procedures
* Personnel
* PFM
* PIT
* Publication
* Space Management
* Supplies
* Support Services
* TDIS
* Third Country Representation
* Word Processor
[close]

More on tag:
CVIS VISAS
[close]

Effective from May 1973 (Revised January 1993)

Operational, procedural, and administrative functions of visa operations. (Replaces RCHB file category: V)

Specific Subject Terms often used with this TAGS:

* AA 1 Adoption
* Advisory Opinion AIDS
* Alien
* Alien Previously Deported
* Alien Smuggler
* Allocation
* Application
* Appointment
* Arrival Notice
* Athlete Automation
* Bearer Insert
* BUSVIS
* Centralized Visa Processing
* Chargeability
* CHINEX
* CLASS
* Clearance
* CONGRINT
* Consular Package
* Crew List
* Crewman
* Crime
* Data
* Defector
* Denial
* Departure Notice
* Dependent
* Deportation
* Derivatives
* Diversity Immigrant
* DNC
* Documentation
* DV 1DVACS
* Employment Based Preference
* Employment Creation
* Entertainer
* Entitlement
* Exchange Visitor
* Exclusion
* Extraordinary Ability
* Family Preference
* Fiance
* Fiancee
* Files
* Foreign Policy Exclusion
* Forms
* Fraud
* Health Related Grounds
* ICARS
* Immediate Relative
* Immigrant
* Intercompany Transferee
* International Child Abduction
* Interview
* Issuance
* IVACS
* Labor Certification
* LB 1
* Legislation
* Medical Examination
* Moral Turpitude
* MRV
* Name Check
* Narcotics Traffic
* News Media Representative
* NIV
* NIVCAPS
* Nonimmigrant
* Numerical Control
* NVC
* Operations
* Other Worker
* Out of District Applicant
* Parole
* Permanent Resident
* Polygamist
* Portsmouth Consular Center
* Priority Date
* Private Bill
* Procedures
* Public Charge
* Reciprocity
* Refugee
* Refusal
* Religious Worker
* Renewal
* Revocation
* SAO
* Skilled Worker
* SPLEX
* Student
* Supplies Temporary Worker
* Terrorist
* 30 60 Rule
* TIVPC
* Totalitarian Party Membership
* Transfer
* Transit
* Travel Agents
* Treaty Investor
* Treaty Trader
* TTYREP
* Validity Visa
* Visa Clearance
* Visa Photograph
* Visitor for Business
* VLOB
* Waiver
* Waiver of Ineligibility
* Walk Ins
* Workload
[close]

More on tag:
EAGR AGRICULTURE AND FORESTRY
[close]

Effective from March 1973 (Revised January 1983)

Cultivating the soil and forest, raising livestock, and producing crops. (Replaces RCHB file category: AGR)

Specific Subject Terms often used with this TAGS:

* Agricultural Development
* Agricultural Production
* Agricultural Program
* Agricultural Worker
* Agriculture
* Animal Disease
* Cocoa
* Coffee
* Corn
* Cotton
* Crop Destruction
* Crops
* Dairy Products
* Desalinization
* Disease Control
* Drought
* Erosion
* Famine
* Farm Equipment
* Farming
* Fertilizer
* Food Shortages
* Forestry
* Fruit
* Fungicide
* Grain
* Harvest
* Herbicide
* Husbandry
* Insect
* Irrigation
* Jute
* Land Conservation
* Land Management
* Land Reform
* Livestock
* Natural Fiber
* Nuts
* Oilseeds
* Pest Control
* Pesticide
* Plant Disease
* Poultry
* Preservation
* Quarantine
* Rainfall
* Rice
* Rubber
* Seeds
* Snowfall
* Soil
* Soybean
* Stockpile
* Subsidy
* Sugar
* Timber
* Tobacco
* Tropical Forest
* Vegetable
* Water Analysis
* Weather
* Wheat
[close]

More on tag:
EAID FOREIGN ECONOMIC ASSISTANCE
[close]

Effective from March 1973 (Revised January 1983)

Foreign economic and technical assistance provided by governments, international organizations, institutions, or private individuals. (Replaces RCHB file category: AID)

Specific Subject Terms often used with this TAGS:

* Agricultural Agreement
* Agricultural Development
* Agricultural Program Airlift
* Bank
* Congressional Presentation
* Construction Equipment
* Cooperatives
* Credit
* Debt
* Development Loan
* Development Program
* Disaster Relief
* Donor
* Economic Adviser
* Economic Assistance
* Economic Development
* Economic Support Fund
* Farm Equipment
* Financial Contribution
* Food
* Foreign Assistance Agreement
* Funding
* Grant
* Industrial Development
* Industrialized Nation
* Laboratory Equipment
* LDC
* LLDC
* Loan
* Medical Care
* Medical Equipment
* North South Dialogue
* Paris Club
* PL 480
* PL 480 Title I
* PL 480 Title II
* PL 480 Title III
* Relief Effort
* Self Help
* Technical Assistance
* Water Analysis
[close]

More on tag:
EAIR CIVIL AVIATION
[close]

Effective from June 1974 (Revised January 1983)

Commercial and private aircraft and air operations, domestic as well as international. (Replaces RCHB file categories: AV, TR)

Specific Subject Terms often used with this TAGS:

* Air Access
* Air Cargo
* Air Fare
* Air Safety
* Air Traffic
* Air Transportation
* Aircraft
* Aircraft Accident
* Aircraft Detention
* Aircraft Registry
* Airline
* Airport
* Airport Fee
* Airport Security
* Airspace
* Antiterrorism Measures
* Aviation Agreement
* Cargo Handling
* Charter Flight
* CIVAIR
* Commercial Aircraft
* Emergency Landing
* Flight Clearance
* Flight Manual
* Hazardous Cargo
* Helicopter
* Hijacking
* Insurance
* Landing Rights
* Maintenance
* Navigational Aid
* Passenger Manifest
* Pilot Training
* Private Aircraft
* Refueling
* Rescue
* Route
* Salvage
* Schedule
* Transportation Development
* Transportation Industry
[close]

More on tag:
ECON ECONOMIC CONDITIONS
[close]

Effective from March 1973 (Revised January 1983)

The status of a nation's economy. (Replaces RCHB file category: E)

Specific Subject Terms often used with this TAGS:

* Agricultural Development
* Antiinflationary Program
* Black Market
* Capital Investment
* Cost of Living
* Depression
* Economic Agreement
* Economic Assessment
* Economic Conditions
* Economic Crisis
* Economic Development
* Economic Forecast
* Economic Growth
* Economic Indicators
* Economic Program
* Economic Recovery
* Economic Reform
* Economic Report
* Economic Stability
* Economic Trend
* EEC 1992
* Employment
* Financial Profits
* GDP
* GNP
* Industrial Development
* Industrial Growth
* Industrial Reform
* Inflation
* Interest Rate
* National Debt
* NIEO
* Price Index
* Recession
* Stock Market
* Tax Law
* Unemployment
[close]

More on tag:
ECPS COMMUNICATIONS AND POSTAL SYSTEMS
[close]

Effective from March 1983

The efforts of governments, the private sector, or international organizations to manage, regulate, develop, apply, or monitor the methods and means of telecommunication, international communication policy, and the informational aspects of communication. (Replaces RCHB file categories: INF, MP, PO, PPB, PR, RAD, SP, TEL, TV)

Specific Subject Terms often used with this TAGS:

* Broadcasting
* Cable TV
* Censorship
* Clandestine Broadcast
* Direct Broadcasting Satellite
* Fiber Optics
* Frequency Allocation
* Frequency Interference
* Frequency Spectrum
* Geostationary Satellite Orbit
* High Frequency
* lnformatics Information Access
* Information Center
* Information Flow
* Information Media
* Jamming
* Light Communication
* Networking
* NWICO
* Orbit
* Postal System
* Prior Consent
* Radio
* Satellite
* Telecommunication
* Telecommunication Agreement
* Telegraph
* Telephone
* Television
* Transborder Data Flow
* Transmitters
* Undersea Cable
[close]

More on tag:
EFIN FINANCIAL AND MONETARY AFFAIRS
[close]

Effective from March 1973 (Revised January 1983)

Domestic and international financial affairs of governments and private institutions. (Replaces RCHB file category: FN)

Specific Subject Terms often used with this TAGS:

* Accounting
* Audit
* Bank
* Bank Account
* Bankruptcy
* Blocked Assets
* BOP
* Budget
* Buffer Stock
* Capital Flow
* CFF
* Commodities Exchange
* Credit
* Currency Shortage
* Debt
* Debt Equity Swap
* Debt Relief
* Debt Repayment
* Debt Repudiation
* Debt Rescheduling
* Deficit
* Devaluation
* Donor
* Drawing Rights
* Economic Growth
* Economic Recovery
* Economic Trend
* EFF
* EMS
* Exchange Rate
* Financial Agreement
* Financial Contribution
* Financial Control
* Financial Crisis
* Financial Market
* Financial Profits
* Financial Program
* Financial Reform
* Financial Reserve
* Financial Stability
* Foreign Currency
* Foreign Currency Control
* Foreign Currency Exchange
* Foreign Market
* Gold
* Grant
* IMF Standbys
* Income Tax
* Inflation
* Interest Rate
* Loan Default
* Local Currency
* London Club
* National Income
* Overpayment
* Paris Club
* Payment
* Revaluation
* Sales Tax
* SDR
* Securities
* Securities Exchange
* Stock Shares
* Tax Haven
* Tax Law
* Taxation Treaties
* Treasury
[close]

More on tag:
EFIS COMMERCIAL FISHING AND FISH PROCESSING
[close]

Effective from March 1973 (Revised January 1983)

The breeding and catching of fish and other marine life for commercial purposes. (Replaces RCHB file categories: INCO, POL)

Specific Subject Terms often used with this TAGS:

* Aquaculture
* Catch
* Quota Cod
* Dispute Settlement
* Exclusive Economic
* Zone Fish
* Fisheries
* Aid Fishery
* Fishing Agreement
* Fishing Concession
* Fishing Dispute
* Fishing Ground
* Fishing Limit
* Fishing Rights
* Fishing Vessel
* Fishing Vessel
* Detention Halibut
* Herring Joint
* Venture
* Quota Salmon
* Shellfish
* Shrimp
* TEDS
* Tuna
* Whaling Industry
[close]

More on tag:
EIND INDUSTRY AND MANUFACTURING
[close]

Effective from March 1973 (Revised January 1983)

The commercial production of goods and services, including the processing of raw materials into manufactured goods. (Replaces RCHB file category: TEL, INCO)

Specific Subject Terms often used with this TAGS:

* Aerospace Industry
* Alloy
* Aluminum
* Antitrust
* Automotive Industry
* Bankruptcy
* Business Firm
* Capital Investment
* Chemical Industry
* Clothing Industry
* Commercial Association
* Communications Industry
* Complaint
* Construction Industry
* Consumer Goods
* Cooperatives
* Copyright Agreement
* Copyright Claim
* Corruption
* Cotton
* Dairy Industry
* Data Processing Industry
* Defense Industry
* Development Program
* Drug Industry
* Dyeing Industry
* Economic Growth
* Electronic Industry
* Espionage
* Factory
* Fertilizer Industry
* Finishing Industry
* Fishing Industry
* Food Contamination
* Food Industry
* Foreign Agent
* Fraud
* Garment Industry
* Garment Production
* Garment Workers
* Industrial Accident
* Industrial Development
* Industrial Growth
* Industrial Production
* Industrial Reform
* Industrial Waste Disposal
* Insurance
* Linen
* Litigation
* Lumber Industry
* Machine Tool Industry
* Manmade Fiber
* Manufactured Product
* Merger
* Metal Industry
* Monopoly
* Nationalization
* Paper Industry
* Parastatal
* Patent
* Petroleum Industry
* Piracy
* Plastic Industry
* Power Looms
* Private Sector
* Privatization
* Processing
* Product Safety
* Product Standards
* Product Testing
* Production
* Production Control
* Public Sector
* Railroad Industry
* Ramie
* Raw Materials
* Recall
* Registration
* Rubber Industry
* Sabotage
* Salvage
* Service Industry
* Shipbuilding Industry
* Silk
* Spinning Machinery
* Steel Industry
* Stockpile
* Subsidiary
* Subsidy
* Textile Industry
* Textile Production
* Tobacco Industry
* Tourism
* Trademark
* Vegetable Fiber
* Weaving Industry
* Wood Products Industry
* Wool
* Yarns
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More on tag:
EINT ECONOMIC AND COMMERCIAL INTERNET
[close]

Effective from October 1997

Economic and commercial programs, policies, and issues relating to the Internet.

Specific Subject Terms often used with this TAGS:

* Agreement
* Censorship
* Competition
* Connectivity
* Content
* Copyright
* Data
* Democracy
* Economic Conditions
* Domain Names
* Electronic Commerce
* Encryption
* Free Flow of Information
* Information Availability
* Interconnectivity
* Internet
* Meeting
* Monopoly
* Piracy
* Policy
* Pornography
* Privacy
* Private Sector
* Reporting
* Trademark
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More on tag:
EINV FOREIGN INVESTMENTS
[close]

Effective from June 1974 (Revised January 1983)

Foreign investments made by governments or private enterprises for commercial gain. (Replaces RCHB file categories: FN, INCO)

Specific Subject Terms often used with this TAGS:

* Bank
* Bid
* BIT
* Business Firm
* Business Loss
* Business Merger
* Capital Flow
* Capital Investment
* Compensation
* Credit
* Credit Guarantee
* Disinvestment
* Economic Growth
* Foreign Investment
* Fraud
* Garment Investment
* Insurance Risk
* Investment Climate
* Investment Control
* Investment Disputes
* Investment Guarantee
* Investment Incentive
* Investment Law
* Investment Opportunity
* Joint Venture
* Loan
* Multinational Corporation
* Nationalization
* Parastatal
* Private Investment
* Private Sector
* Privatization
* Public Sector
* Subsidiary
* Textile Investment
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More on tag:
ELAB LABOR SECTOR AFFAIRS
[close]

Effective from March 1973 (Revised May 1995)

The labor sector, labor actors, and national labor policies and their effect on domestic and international systems and relations. (Replaces RCHB file category: LAB)

Specific Subject Terms often used with this TAGS:

* Arbitration
* Benefits
* Bonded Labor
* Child Labor
* Collective Bargaining
* Compulsory Labor
* Dock Workers
* Employee Ownership
* Employee Rights
* Employer Organization
* Employment
* Equal Pay for Equal Work
* Forced Labor
* Foreign Worker
* GSP (Worker Rights)
* Illegal Worker
* International Labor Secretariat
* Job Creation
* Job Discrimination
* Job Security
* Job Training
* Labor Agreement
* Labor Code
* Labor Competition
* Labor Confederation
* Labor Cooperative
* Labor Costs
* Labor Courts
* Labor Disputes
* Labor Federation
* Labor Law
* Labor Leader
* Labor Market
* Labor Migration
* Labor Movement
* Labor Organization
* Labor Relations
* Labor Rights
* Labor Sector
* Labor Settlement
* Labor Standards
* Labor Union
* Layoffs
* Lockout
* Manpower
* Mediation
* NAFTA Labor Cooperation
* Occupational Health
* Occupational Safety
* Pension
* Prison Labor
* Privatization
* Right of Association
* Right to Organize Slave Labor
* Social Clause (WTO)
* Social Net
* Social Security
* Strike
* Trade
* Union
* Underemployment
* Unemployment
* Unemployment Insurance
* Vocational Training
* Wages
* Work Force
* Work Permit
* Worker Rights Workers
* Working Conditions
[close]

More on tag:
ELTN LAND TRANSPORTATION
[close]

Effective from June 1974 (Revised January 1983)

All aspects of land transportation. (Replaces RCHB file categories: IT, TR)

Specific Subject Terms often used with this TAGS:

* Antiterrorism Measures
* Automobile
* Bridge
* Bus
* Cargo Handling
* Detention
* Fee
* Hazardous Cargo
* Highway
* Highway Access
* Hijacking
* Insurance
* Land Transportation
* Maintenance
* Overland Cargo
* Public Transportation
* Railroad
* Railroad Accident
* Railway Access
* Rescue
* Schedule
* Traffic Accident
* Traffic Safety
* Transportation Development
* Transportation Industry
* Truck
* Tunnel
[close]

More on tag:
EMIN MINERALS AND METALS
[close]

Effective from March 1973 (Revised January 1983)

The exploration, discovery, and extraction of minerals and metals. (Replaces RCHB file category: INCO)

Specific Subject Terms often used with this TAGS:

* Bauxite
* Bid
* Chromite
* Coal
* Cobalt
* Copper
* Drilling
* Excavation
* Exclusive Economic Zone
* Exploration
* Factory
* Gems
* Gold
* Iron
* Magnesium
* Manganese
* Metal
* Mine
* Mineral
* Mineral Reserve
* Mining
* Mining Accident
* Mining Concession
* Nickel
* Offshore Mining
* Ore
* Quarry
* Silver
* Tin
* Tungsten
* Uranium
* Uranium Enrichment
* Zinc

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More on tag:
ENRG ENERGY AND POWER
[close]

Effective from March 1973 (Revised January 1983)

Government and private commercial activities in acquiring and providing energy services from all types of sources. For petroleum and natural gas, see EPET. (Replaces RCHB file categories: AE, FSE)

Specific Subject Terms often used with this TAGS:

* Coal
* Dam
* Decontamination
* Electric Energy
* Electric Power Plant
* Energy Conservation
* Energy Consumption
* Energy Reserve
* Energy Shortage
* Factory
* Fissionable Material
* Fuel
* Fuel Shortage
* Generator
* Geothermal Energy
* Hazardous Waste Disposal
* Hydroelectric Energy
* Hydroelectric Power Plant
* Nuclear Accident
* Nuclear Capability
* Nuclear Contamination
* Nuclear Energy
* Nuclear Fuel Reprocessing
* Nuclear Power Plant
* Nuclear Reactor
* Nuclear Safeguard
* Power Line
* Public Utility
* PUNE
* Radiation
* Radioactive Material
* Radioactive Material Transfer
* Radioactive Waste Disposal
* Reexport
* Solar Energy
* Spent Fuel
* Stockpile
* Technology Transfer
* Thermal Energy
* Thermal Power Plant
* Transformer
* Uranium Enrichment
* Wind Energy
[close]

More on tag:
EPET PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS
[close]

Effective from July 1980 (Revised January 1983)

Government and private sector activities in the exploration and extraction of petroleum and natural gas. (Replaces RCHB file categories: FSE, PET)

Specific Subject Terms often used with this TAGS:

* Bid
* Drilling
* Exploitation
* Exploration
* LPG
* Natural Gas
* Natural Gas Pipeline
* Natural Gas Production
* Natural Gas Reserve
* Offshore Drilling
* Offshore Drilling Platform
* Offshore Oil
* Oil Field
* Petroleum
* Petroleum Concession
* Petroleum Pipeline
* Petroleum Production
* Petroleum Reserve
* Petroleum Shortage
* Refinery
[close]

More on tag:
ETRD FOREIGN TRADE
[close]

Effective from March 1973 (Revised January 1983)

Exchange of goods between nations. (Replaces RCHB file category: FT)

Specific Subject Terms often used with this TAGS:

* Alcoholic Beverage
* Aluminum
* Animal Hides
* Antidumping
* Antitrust
* Apparel Trade
* Arms
* Arms Traffic
* Barter
* BOP
* Boycott
* Buffer Stock
* Chemical
* Clothing
* Cocoa
* Coffee
* Commercial Aircraft
* Commodity
* Commodity Market
* Communications Equipment
* Computer
* Construction Equipment
* Cooperatives
* Corruption
* Cotton
* Countertrade
* Countervailing Duty
* Cross Border Trade
* Customs Agreement
* Customs Clearance
* Customs Court
* Customs Fine
* Customs Inspection
* Customs Official
* Customs Regulation
* Customs Seizure
* Dairy Products
* Debt
* Development Program
* Dispute Settlement
* Diversion
* Duty Free Entry
* East West Trade
* Economic Cooperation
* EEC 1992
* EEP
* Electronic Equipment
* Exhibit
* Export
* Fair Trade
* Farm Equipment
* FCN
* Fertilizer
* Fish
* Food
* Food Contamination
* Food Inspection
* Footwear
* Foreign Market
* Free Trade Zone
* Garment Exports
* Garment Imports
* Government Procurement
* GSP
* Harmonized System
* Helicopter
* Import
* Industrialized Nation
* Intellectual Property
* Intellectual Property Rights
* Intervention
* Laboratory Equipment
* LDC
* Leather
* License
* Linen
* Litigation
* Lumber
* Machine Tool
* Manmade Fiber
* Market Access
* Meat
* Meat Inspection
* Medical Equipment
* Merger
* Metal
* MFN
* MIC
* Monopoly
* Multifiber Arrangement
* NAFTA
* Natural Fiber
* Newly Industrialized Countries
* Nonalcoholic Beverage
* Nontariff Barriers
* North South Dialogue
* Oils
* Oilseeds
* Perishable Commodities
* Petroleum Products
* Pharmaceuticals
* Plastics
* Poultry
* Private Sector
* Product Standards
* Public Sector
* Quota
* Railroad Equipment
* Ramie
* Reexport
* Rice
* Rubber
* Sanction
* Shellfish
* Silk
* Smuggling
* Soybean
* Steel
* Stockpile
* Subsidy
* Sugar
* Synthetic Fiber
* Synthetic Rubber
* Tariff
* Tariff Barriers
* Tariff Relief
* Television
* Textile Exports
* Textile Imports
* Textiles
* Tin
* Tobacco
* Trade Agreement
* Trade Balance
* Trade Complaint
* Trade Control
* Trade Concession
* Trade Discrimination
* Trade Dumping
* Trade Fair
* Trade Law
* Trade Liberalization
* Trade Opportunity
* Trade Promotion
* Trade Protectionism
* Trade Relations
* Trade Visit
* Tuna
* VAT
* Vegetable
* Vegetable Fiber
* Vegetable Oil
* Wheat
* Wine
* Wood Products
* Wool
* Yarns
[close]

More on tag:
ETTC TRADE AND TECHNOLOGY CONTROLS
[close]

Effective from April 1984

Government efforts to control the transfer of goods (i.e., equipment),services, or technologies. This includes foreign policy trade controls, strategic (National Security) trade controls, munitions controls, general West to East technology transfer issues, and efforts to circumvent U.S. or COCOM controls. (Replaces RCHB file categories: FT, STR)

Specific Subject Terms often used with this TAGS:

* Arms Traffic
* Blocked Assets
* Boycott
* COCOM Case
* COCOM List Review
* Computer
* Data Bases
* Data Processing Equipment
* Digital Switching
* Diversion
* EAA
* East West Trade
* Economic Warfare
* Electronic Equipment
* Embargo
* End Use Check
* End User
* Enforcement
* Espionage
* Exception List
* EXCON
* Export
* Export Control
* GSOIA
* GSOMIA
* High Technology Equipment
* IEEPA
* Illegal Trade
* Import Control
* ITAR
* Laboratory Equipment
* License
* Manufacturing Agreement
* Military Applications
* Military Critical Technologies
* Military Equipment
* Military Services
* Munitions Control
* NDPC
* Nonmarket Economy
* Origin Certificate
* Reexport
* Research & Development
* Sanction
* Security Survey
* Semiconductors
* SNEC
* Software
* Stockpile
* Strategic Material
* Strategic Trade Control
* Superconductor
* TCDC
* Technical Assistance Agreement
* Technology Acquisition Efforts
* Technology Gap
* Technology Transfer
* Transaction Check
* Turnkey Plant
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More on tag:
EWWT WATERBORNE TRANSPORTATION
[close]

Effective from March 1973 (Revised January 1983)

Movement of commercial and private vessels over high seas and inland waterways. (Replaces RCHB file categories: OS, TR)

Specific Subject Terms often used with this TAGS:

* Antiterrorism
* Measures Canal
* Cargo Handling
* Coast Guard
* Containerization
* Dock Workers
* Fee
* Hazardous Cargo
* Insurance
* Load Line
* Maintenance
* Marine Cargo
* Marine Safety
* Marine Transportation
* Maritime Agreement
* Maritime Flag
* Maritime Law
* Merchant Ship
* Minesweeping
* Navigational Aid
* Passenger Ship
* Patrol Boat
* Piracy
* Port
* Port Access
* Port Congestion
* Private Ship
* Refueling
* Registration
* Rescue
* River
* Route
* Salvage
* Schedule Ship Accident
* Ship Clearance
* Ship Detention
* Ship Harassment
* Ship Movement
* Ship Registry
* Shipyard
* SOLAS
* Strait
* Tonnage Measurement
* Transportation Development
* Transportation Industry
[close]

More on tag:
KACT: Strategic Arms Control (ACS) Treaties
[close]

Effective from August 2000 (Revised August 2004)

Use for all documents relating to specific, interrelated strategic (nuclear) arms control treaties and their implementation:

* ABM (i.e., anti-ballistic missile) treaty and its implementation body the SCC (Standing Consultative Commission);
* INF (i.e., Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces) Treaty and its implementation body, the SVC (Special Verification Commission);
* START (i.e., Strategic Reductions Treaty) and its implementation body, the JCIC (Joint Compliance and Inspection Commission); and the Strategic Offensive Reductions Treaty (SORT) or the Moscow Treaty and its implementing body, the BIC (Bilateral Implementation Commission).

Also use appropriate Subject TAGS. (Action: NP/EX)
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More on tag:
KAWC: Atrocities and War Crimes
[close]

Effective from July 2001

Use for all documents relating to atrocities, massacres, and war crimes, including allegations, reports, investigations, and prosecutions of genocide, crimes against humanity, grave breaches of the Geneva Conventions, and violations of the laws or customs for war. Also use appropriate Subject TAGS. (Action: Appropriate Bureau, Info: S/WCI)
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More on tag:
KCFE: Conventional Armed Forces in Europe
[close]

Effective from August 1989

Use on all documents between U.S. Vienna and the Department pertaining to CFE negotiations; documents pertaining to conventional forces in Europe including both Eastern and Western forces, their structure, posture, changes, etc.; documents pertaining to allied and Warsaw Pact conventional arms control positions, plans and related internal political situations, documents referring to the High Level Task Force (HLTF) or its subgroups; and all documents discussing congressional delegation visits to Europe that will address conventional arms control issues. (Action: EUR/RPM)
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More on tag:
KCIP: Critical Infrastructure Protection
[close]

Effective from August 2001

Use for all documents reporting on critical infrastructure protection (CIP) issues, which are defined as vulnerabilities and threats, both physical and cyber, to systems and assets (particularly interconnected information systems and networks) so vital to a nation that their incapacity or destruction would have a debilitating impact on national security, national economic security, and/or national public health and safety. Use for reporting of CIP issues both as they affect host country and as they impact the United States. Also use appropriate Subject TAGS. (Action: Appropriate Bureau)

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More on tag:
KCOM: Chief of Mission
[close]

Effective from March 2004

Use for all documents addressed for action to the chief of a U.S. mission in a foreign location (e.g., ambassadors, chargés d’affaires, consuls general, or principal officers). Use KCOM in conjunction with generic PASS instructions to chiefs of mission in Department telegrams. Also use the appropriate Subject TAGS. (Action: Appropriate Bureau)
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More on tag:
KCOR: Corruption and Anti-Corruption
[close]

Effective from August 2001

Use for all documents relating to corruption and anti-corruption, dishonesty, and unethical behavior among public officials representing local, provincial, and national governments. This would include linkages with justice, economic, social and political entities. Also use appropriate Subject TAGS. (Action: Appropriate Bureau)

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More on tag:
KCRM: Criminal Activity
[close]

Effective from April 1994 (Revised April 2000)

Use on all documents relating to criminal organizations and activities, the threat they pose to U.S. interests and/or friendly governments, and host country and U.S. Government programs to combat them. This includes international criminal organizations; money laundering and other financial crimes; illicit trafficking including alien smuggling and gun running; international stolen property theft and fencing rings; international frauds and commercial crimes; UN crime meetings and anti-crime programs; and interaction with international and regional organizations on these issues. U.S. assistance covers training of host country judicial and law enforcement agencies. Use this K TAGS with the Subject TAGS SOCI. Distinguish the use of this TAGS from AID-funded administration of justice programs in Latin America (KJUS),anti-narcotics issues and programs (SNAR),and anti-terrorism issues and programs (PTER). (Action: INL/ENT)
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More on tag:
KDEM: Democratization
[close]

Effective from May 1991

Use on all documents dealing with democratization in Eastern Europe, Latin America, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. Encouraging democratization constitutes an essential component of U.S. policy. The U.S. Government is devoting significant resources to monitor and promote regional trends away from autocratic rule and toward political pluralism. Programs designed to encourage democratization are diverse, and often are cross-discipline in nature, requiring the involvement of several U.S. Government agencies. Also use the appropriate Subject and Geo-Political TAGS. (Action: Appropriate Bureau)
[close]

More on tag:
KDRG: Detainee Repatriation from Guantanamo Bay
[close]

Effective from December 2007

Use for all documents addressing issues connected to the repatriation and transfer of detainees in U.S. Government custody at the military detention facility at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba to their countries of origin or to third countries. Also use appropriate Subject and Country TAGS. (Action: S/WCI)
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More on tag:
KFRD: Fraud Prevention Programs
[close]

Effective from August 1986

Use on all reporting that refers to efforts and activities pertaining to the prevention of fraud and deceptive practices in the issuance of visas, passports, the issuance of Federal benefits to U.S. citizens and others, and to active measures developed by the Department to oversee their legality and for reporting upon the results of antifraud and prevention measures in consular matters. Also use appropriate Subject TAGS. (Action: CA/FPP)
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More on tag:
KGHG: Global Climate Change
[close]

Effective from May 2007

Use for all documents addressing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and global climate change (also referred to as global warming). This includes, but is not limited to, the economic, energy, environmental, geographic, health, scientific, social, and political linkages of global climate change. Also use appropriate Subject and Country TAGS. (Action: OES/EGC)
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More on tag:
KGIC: Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism
[close]

Effective from September 2006

Use for all documents relating to the Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism. The Global Initiative works toward the prevention, detection, and response to acts of nuclear terrorism. Also use appropriate Subject Tags. (Action: ISM/WMDT)
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More on tag:
KHIV: Emerging Infectious Diseases and HIV/AIDS Program
[close]

Effective from June 2000

Use for all documents relating to actual and prospective activities by the U.S. Government, alone or in conjunction with or through other entities, to combat HIV/AIDS and other infectious diseases. Also use Appropriate Subject TAGS. (Action: S/GAC)
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More on tag:
KHLS: Homeland Security
[close]

Effective from August 2006

Use for all documents relating to all aspects of homeland security issues, including acts of terrorism directed at the U.S. homeland, its citizens, or interests; planning and support for such acts of terrorism; capabilities of terrorist groups; activities of institutions, groups, or individuals that support such terrorism; acts of terrorism that transcend national boundaries due to the support network or nationality of the perpetrator, victim, or facility or conventional, biological, radiological, or nuclear (CBRN) terrorism; terrorist travel; actions of the host government, institutions, or individuals related to support for or opposition to U.S. Government homeland security or counter-terrorism initiatives; actions of the host government or multilateral organizations related to the establishment of host country or regional security, bureaucratic, physical, or cyber infrastructure; homeland security implications and effects of border protection, immigration, and customs policies; transportation (e.g., seaports, civil air) security; host government travel document control and standards; emergency, preparedness, and response; biodefense, science and technology development related to the above areas; reactions of host government, media, etc., to homeland security-related programs and activities in the United States, or of the U.S. Government. Also use appropriate Subject and Country TAGS. (Action: S/CT, CA, OES, A/OEM)

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More on tag:
KIPR: Intellectual Property Rights
[close]

Effective from December 1988 (Revised April 2000)

Use on all documents relating to intellectual property rights which include patents, trademarks, copyrights, semiconductor designs (mask works),industrial designs, trade secrets, appellations of origin and other forms of protection to reward and encourage innovation and creativity. Also use appropriate Subject TAGS. (Action: EEB/TPP/MTA/IPC)
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More on tag:
KIRF: International Religious Freedom
[close]

Effective from January 1999

Use on all documents relating to all issues of religious freedom and persecution, including civil unrest where religion is a precipitating factor; changes to or enforcement of laws affecting freedom of religion; religious aspects of movements, parties or persons seeking governmental change; governmental repression of religious minorities, movements or leaders; religion playing a role in reconciling conflicts; and changes in religious demographics that may produce societal changes. Also use appropriate Subject TAGS. (Action: DRL/IRF)
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More on tag:
KISL: Islamic Issues
[close]

Effective from November 1988 (Revised April 2000)

Use on documents treating government involvement in recognition of or approaches to Islam; political and economic activities undertaken by private Islamic organizations or prominent individuals; and fundamentalism. Also use appropriate Subject and Country TAGS.

(Action: NEA/PPR, AF/RA, EAP/RA)
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More on tag:
KJUS: Administration of Justice
[close]

Effective from May 1986 (Revised April 2000)

Use on all documents dealing with the administration of justice in host countries, particularly as it relates to U.S. objectives of promoting democracy and just economic and social development. This includes judicial reforms, political reporting on personalities and institutions involved in the administration of justice, judicial infrastructure development, criminal investigation capabilities, penal systems, legal training, and assistance and exchange programs in this field. Also use appropriate Subject TAGS. (Action: WHA/PPC)
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More on tag:
KMCA: Millennium Challenge Account
[close]

Effective from August 2004

Use for documents relating to all aspects of the Millennium Challenge Account, a U.S. new foreign assistance account, or the Millennium Challenge Corporation, the independent government corporation recently established to manage and oversee this assistance. Also use appropriate Subject TAGS. (Action: MCC/IT)
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More on tag:
KMDR: Media Reaction Reporting
[close]

Effective From October 1999

Use on all documents dealing with setting post ―Watching Briefs and on all post reporting concerning editorial content and media reaction. Also use appropriate Subject TAGS. (Action: INR/R)
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More on tag:
KNNP: Nuclear Non-Proliferation
[close]

Effective from April 1984

Use on all documents on U.S. policy for preventing the spread of nuclear weapons to other countries, the transfer of nuclear material, equipment of technology, agreements for cooperation on the peaceful uses of nuclear energy, matters concerning multilateral discussions on the uses of nuclear energy including the activities of the International Atomic Energy Agency, and activities in other countries related to the acquisition of nuclear explosives. Also use appropriate Subject TAGS. (Action: Appropriate Bureau)
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More on tag:
KOLY: Olympic Games Reporting
[close]

Effective from February 1984

Use on all documents relating to issues, reports, or activities concerned with Olympic games. Also use appropriate Subject, Country, and Organization TAGS. Note: KOLY will be used in the above prescribed manner for all subsequent winter and summer Olympic games. Also use appropriate Subject TAGS. (Action: Appropriate Bureau)
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More on tag:
KPAL: Palestinian Affairs
[close]

Effective from August 1983 (Revised April 2000)

Use on all documents relating to issues, reports, or activities concerned with the Palestinian people, as a group or in part, or the area known as Palestine. Also use appropriate Subject, Country, and Organization TAGS. (Action: NEA/PA)
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More on tag:
KPAO: Public Affairs Office
[close]

Effective from May 2000

Use on all documents intended for Public Affairs sections abroad, and should be used by field Public Affairs sections abroad on all documents coming into the Department which relate to Public Diplomacy Programs. Also use appropriate Subject TAGS. (Action: ECA/EX/PR)
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More on tag:
KPIN: Political Internationals
[close]

Effective from November 1984

Use on all documents relating to the activities and policies of the four major Political Internationals: Socialist International, Christian Democratic International, Liberal International, and the International Democratic Union. This includes reporting on the attitudes of member parties towards the Internationals, the interaction between member parties of the Internationals, and the activities of the Internationals themselves. In addition, this TAGS should be used on all documents relating to the policies of the German (FRG) political foundations: Friederich Ebert, Konrad Adenauer, Hanns Seidel, and Friederich Naumann. Also use appropriate Subject TAGS. (Action: P)
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More on tag:
KPKO: United Nations Peacekeeping Operations
[close]

Effective from August 1996

Use on all documents relating to existing or potential United Nations peacekeeping activities, including proposals for and negotiations with other countries on peacekeeping activities, military support, sanctions monitoring, elections and humanitarian activities, as well as interaction with international and regional organizations on peacekeeping. Also use appropriate Subject TAGS. (Action: IO)
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More on tag:
KPWR: Power Support Program
[close]

Effective from March 1993

Use on all documents dealing with the Department’s electrical power support requirements. The program provides consolidated funding for generators, central uninterruptible power supply (UPS) systems, and PCB transformer abatement projects. Also use appropriate Subject TAGS. (Action: OBO/PE/DE)
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More on tag:
KRAD: Radioactive Contamination of the Environment
[close]

Effective from May 1997 (Revised April 2000)

Use on all documents dealing with radioactive contamination of the environment from whatever source—military or civilian use, transportation, storage, or disposal of nuclear material Appropriate Subject Terms to use with this TAGS would include nuclear contamination, radiation, radioactive material and International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) emergency notification. In connection with accidental or deliberate contamination, appropriate Terms to use with this TAGS include radioactive material transfer, radioactive waste disposal, radioactive waste management, industrial/medical radiography, medical isotope, and transfer of fissile material. Also use appropriate Subject TAGS. (Action: OES/OA)

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More on tag:
KSCA: Science Counselors and Attachés
[close]

Effective from February 1983

Use on all documents drafted by or sent to Science Counselors and Science Attachés. Also use appropriate Subject TAGS. (Action: OES). Note: KSCA replaces the Organization SCSA.
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More on tag:
KSPR: Strategic, Performance and Resource Planning
[close]

Effective from October 1997

Use on all documents dealing with the strategic planning process for all foreign affairs agencies or agencies with operations and programs abroad as well as the Department’s own strategic planning activities. This includes all resource allocation processes when associated with the Mission Performance Plan (MPP),namely: budget formulation, the Financial Plan (FINPLAN),and the field budget plan. Technical and operational messages that are purely budget-focused should only use ABUD. Use KSPR on messages regarding personnel planning in connection with the annual MPP exercises, and subjects relating to the Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA) of 1993. Operational personnel requests (e.g., new positions, classification actions, conversions of positions from FSN to PIT, etc.) should still only use APER. Suggested terms to use with KSPR are program planning, Mission Performance Plan (MPP),Resource Allocations and Budget Integration Tool (RABIT) and Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA). Also use appropriate Subject TAGS. (Action: M/P)
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More on tag:
KSUM: Summit Meetings
[close]

Effective from January 1983 (Revised November 1987)

Use on all documents concerning Summit Meetings. This includes substantive and administrative arrangements for meetings, records of meetings and reports on actions by participants as a result of meetings, including preparatory meetings. Also use appropriate Subject TAGS. (Action: Appropriate Bureau)
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More on tag:
KTFN: Terrorism Finance Traffic
[close]

Effective from July 2004

Use for documents relating to all aspects of terrorism financing; sanctions; designations of individuals under Executive Orders (E.O.) dealing with terrorism finance such as E.O. 13224; related UN resolutions; denial of funds to terrorists; and other related aspects of terrorism financing. Also use appropriate Subject TAGS. (Action: EEB/ESC)
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More on tag:
KTIA: Treaties and International Agreements
[close]

Effective from June 1984

Use on all documents concerning treaties, including conventions, protocols, or other International Agreements, such as exchange of notes, exchange of letters and memoranda of understanding, as well as requirements of the Case Act (11 FAM 724; 1 U.S.C. 112B). Also use appropriate Subject TAGS. (Action: L/T)
[close]

More on tag:
KTIP: Trafficking in Persons
[close]

Effective from September 2008

Use for all cables related to the topics of trafficking in persons, human trafficking, slavery, involuntary servitude, forced labor, labor migration, illegal migration, commercial sexual exploitation, prostitution, sex tourism, forced marriage, child labor, debt bondage, peonage, and child soldiering. Also use appropriate Subject and Country TAGS. (Action: G/TIP)
[close]

More on tag:
KUNR: UN Reform
[close]

Effective from November 1995

Use on all documents dealing with all efforts to reform and restructure the United Nations. Some of the reforms are: the UN budget and/or ceiling, security council expansion, managerial improvements, and strengthening the role of the UN. Also use appropriate Subject TAGS. (Action: IO)
[close]

More on tag:
KWBG: West Bank and Gaza
[close]

Effective from December 1993 (Revised April 2000)

Use on all documents dealing with the implementation of the Israeli-PLO Declaration of Principles, including Palestinian interim self-rule, economic development and development assistance to the Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza. Also, use for Israeli-PLO negotiations on implementing the agreement and political developments in the West Bank and Gaza including elections for a Palestinian Council. Also use the appropriate Subject TAGS. (Action: NEA/IPA)
[close]

More on tag:
KWMN: Women Issues
[close]

Effective from June 1995

Use on all documents relating to the Fourth World Conference on Women and any future World Conferences on Women. Also use this TAGS on issues concerning women’s human rights, women’s political participation, women-in-development, and any discussions of women in the United Nations or any other international organizations. Also use appropriate Subject TAGS. (Action: G/CS, IO, and DRL)
[close]

More on tag:
MARR MILITARY AND DEFENSE ARRANGEMENTS
[close]

Effective from March 1973 (Revised January 1983)

Efforts to establish and maintain collective security or other international military cooperation. (Replaces RCHB file category: DEF)

Specific Subject Terms often used with this TAGS:

* Air Defense
* Air Forces
* Alliance
* Armed Forces
* Artillery
* CFE
* Collective Security
* DECA
* DMZ
* Emergency Evacuation
* Ground Forces
* Home Porting
* Host Government
* Intelligence Assessment
* Landing Rights
* Lease
* Military Advisor
* Military Agreement
* Military Base
* Military Cooperation
* Military Exercise
* Military Personnel
* Military Plan
* Military Visit
* Minesweeping
* Monitoring
* National Security
* Naval Forces
* Overflight Clearance
* Peace Plan
* Peacekeeping Forces
* Refueling
* Security Assessment
* Ship Clearance
* Ship Movement
* SOFA
* Tracking Station
* Troop Contribution
* Troop Deployment
* Troop Reduction
* Troop Withdrawal
* Truce Observer
* Weapons Deployment
[close]

More on tag:
MASS MILITARY ASSISTANCE AND SALES
[close]

Effective from March 1973 (Revised January 1983)

The Govemment to Govemment transfer, sale, or loan of military equipment, advisers, or services. (Replaces RCHB file categories DEF, FT)

Specific Subject Terms often used with this TAGS:

* Airlift
* Arms
* Artillery
* AWACS
* Bomber Aircraft
* CAT
* Congressional Presentation
* Credit
* Debt
* Debt Repayment
* Diversion
* Donor
* Economic Support Fund
* Fighter Aircraft
* FMS
* Guidance System
* Helicopter
* IMET
* Loan
* Maintenance
* MAP
* Military Adviser
* Military Agreement
* Military Aircraft
* Military Assistance
* Military Procurement
* Military Training
* Military Vehicle
* Missile
* Reexport
* Salvage
* Spare Parts
* Surplus Weapons Disposal
* Technical Assistance
* Technology Transfer
[close]

More on tag:
MCAP MILITARY CAPABILITIES
[close]

Effective from March 1973 to June 1974 (Revised January 1983)

The nonnuclear offensive and defensive ability of the military establishment of a nation or international organization. (Replaces RCHB file category: DEF)

Specific Subject Terms often used with this TAGS:

* Advanced Weaponry
* Air Defense
* Air Forces
* Armed Forces
* Arms
* Artillery
* AWACS
* Biological Warfare
* Biological Weapon
* Biological Weapon Control
* Bomber Aircraft
* Burden sharing
* Cargo Aircraft
* Chemical Warfare
* Chemical Weapon
* Chemical Weapon
* Control Civil Defense
* Coast Guard
* Conscription
* Contingency Plan
* Conventional Weapon
* Conventional Weapon
* Control Court Martial
* Defense Industry
* Demobilization
* Fighter Aircraft
* Ground Forces
* Guidance System
* Helicopter
* Infrastructure
* Intelligence Assessment
* Landing Rights
* Logistics
* Military Aircraft
* Military Balance
* Military Budget
* Military Buildup
* Military Capability
* Military Communication
* Military Equipment
* Military Exercise
* Military Leader
* Military Personnel
* Military Plan
* Military Reserve
* Missile
* Mobilization
* National Guard
* Naval Forces
* Naval Ship
* Ordnance
* Radar
* RDF
* Security Assessment
* Strategic Plan
* Submarine
* Troop Deployment
* Troop Level
* Troop Reduction
* Troop Withdrawal
* Warhead
* Warning System
* Weapons Deployment
[close]

More on tag:
MNUC MILITARY NUCLEAR APPLICATIONS
[close]

Effective from June 1974 (Revised January 1983)

The development and use of nuclear technology for military purposes. (Replaces RCHB file categories: AE, DEF)

Specific Subject Terms often used with this TAGS:

* Advanced Weaponry
* Antinuclear
* Arms
* Artillery
* Counterforce
* Decontamination
* Delivery Vehicle
* Fissionable Material
* Guidance System
* INF
* LRTNF
* Military Capability
* Missile
* Missile Site
* Monitoring
* Nuclear Contamination
* Nuclear Powered Ship
* Nuclear Safeguard
* Nuclear Test
* Nuclear Weapon
* Nuclear Weapon Control
* Nuclear Winter
* Plutonium
* Radiation
* Radioactive Material
* Radioactive Material Transfer
* Radioactive Waste Disposal
* Radioactive Waste Management
* Spent Fuel
* Strategic Plan
* Troop Deployment
* Troop Withdrawal
* Warhead
[close]

More on tag:
MOPS MILITARY OPERATIONS
[close]

Effective from March 1973 (Revised January 1983)

Declared or undeclared war involving two or more nations. (Replaces RCHB file categories: DEF, POL)

Specific Subject Terms often used with this TAGS:

* Advanced Weaponry
* Aggression
* Air Alert
* Air Forces
* Amnesty
* Armed Forces
* Artillery
* Assault
* Atrocity
* Biological Warfare
* Biological Weapon
* Biological Weapon Control
* Blockade
* Bombing
* Casualty
* Ceasefire
* Chemical Warfare
* Chemical Weapon
* Chemical Weapon Control
* Combat
* Concentration Camp
* CONTRA
* Conventional Weapon
* Conventional Weapon Control
* DMZ
* Emergency Evacuation
* Escalation
* Explosives
* Ground Forces
* Guerrilla
* Intelligence Assessment
* Intervention
* Invasion
* KIA
* Landing Rights
* Martial Law
* Massacre
* MIA
* Military Balance
* Military Buildup
* Military Plan
* Minesweeping
* Naval Forces
* No Fly Zone
* Nuclear Weapon
* Nuclear Weapon Control
* Occupied Area
* Peace Plan
* POW
* Repatriation
* Reprisal
* Rescue
* Sabotage
* Ship Movement
* Surrender
* Threat
* Troop Deployment
* Troop Level
* Troop Reduction
* Troop Withdrawal
* War
[close]

More on tag:
ODIP U.S. DIPLOMATIC REPRESENTATION
[close]

Effective from January 1983

Official representational and ceremonial activities of U.S. diplomats and U.S. Government officials; includes all aspects of privileges and immunities. Use for ceremonial activities hosted by U.S. officials. (Replaces RCHB file categories: PER, POL)

Specific Subject Terms often used with this TAGS:

* Accreditation
* Agrement
* Ambassador
* Ambassador Designate
* Anniversary
* Assault
* Attache
* Ceremonial Representation
* Credentials Presentation
* Diplomat
* Diplomatic Consular List
* Diplomatic Privileges
* Drivers License
* Funeral
* Gift
* Guest List
* Honorary Consul
* Invitation
* Personnel Conduct
* Real Property
* Social Reception
* Tax Exemption
[close]

More on tag:
OEXC EDUCATIONAL AND CULTURAL
[close]

EXCHANGE OPERATIONS

Effective from March 1973 (Revised April 2000)

The administration and operation of educational and cultural exchange programs. (Replaces RCHB file category: EDX)

Specific Subject Terms often used with this TAGS:

* American Studies
* Artist
* Athlete
* Business for Russia Program
* Citizen Exchanges
* College and University Affiliation Program
* Community
* Connections
* Creative Arts Exchanges
* Cultural Exchange
* Cultural Heritage
* Cultural Property
* Cultural Specialists (Aculspecs)
* Educational Exchange
* EFL Fellows
* ETF Fellows
* Exchange Program
* Designation Festival Fund
* Film Programs
* FLEX Program
* Foreign Leader Program
* Fulbright Alumni Association
* Fulbright American Studies Institutes
* Fulbright Commissions
* Fulbright Junior Staff Development Program (JSD)
* Fulbright Scholar in Residence Program
* Fulbright Scholar Program
* Fulbright Student Program
* Fulbright Teachers Exchange Grant
* Humphrey Program
* International Visitor Program
* J Visa Program
* J William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board
* Jazz Ambassadors
* Nomination
* Performing Arts Calendar
* Ron Brown Fellowship Program
* Scientist
* Student
* Student Advising
* Study of the US
* Teacher
* The Film Service
* U.S. Artists Abroad
* Voluntary Visitor Program
* Youth Exchanges
[close]

More on tag:
OFDP FOREIGN DIPLOMATS AND FOREIGN MISSIONS
[close]

Effective from January 1983

Administrative, representational, and ceremonial matters related to non-U.S. diplomatic personnel and foreign missions; includes all aspects of privileges and immunities. Use for ceremonial activities hosted by non-U.S. diplomats. (Replaces RCHB file category: POL)

Specific Subject Terms often used with this TAGS:

* Accreditation
* Ambassador
* Ambassador Designate
* Assault
* Attache
* Building Design
* Ceremonial Representation
* Consul
* Consulate
* Credentials Presentation
* Diplomat
* Diplomatic Consular List
* Diplomatic Privileges
* Drivers License
* Embassy
* Envoy
* Funeral
* Gift
* Guest List
* Honorary Consul
* Invitation
* NOB
* Office Closure
* Office Establishment
* Personnel Appointment
* Personnel Conduct
* Personnel Resignation
* Personnel Separation
* Post Closing
* Post Opening
* Real Property
* Recall
* Social Reception
* Staffing
* Tax Exemption
* Third Country Counterparts
[close]

More on tag:
OIIP INTERNATIONAL INFORMATION PROGRAMS
[close]

Effective from October 1999

Administrative and operational aspects of international information programs, products, and services that increase international support for U.S. policies and understanding of U.S. society.

Specific Subject Terms often used with this TAGS:

* Advance Documents Service
* Article Alert
* Book Donations
* Book Fairs
* Book Reprints
* Book Translations
* Books and Documents List
* Computer
* Cooperative Agreements
* Copyright
* Design Services
* DVC
* Electronic Journal
* Grant
* Graphic Design
* I-Bucks
* IRC
* IRO
* Listserv
* Paper Shows
* PDQ
* Photo Coverage
* Photo Rights
* Photo Requests
* Public Diplomacy
* Publication
* Reference Requests
* Speaker
* Technology Partnerships
* Teleconference
* Translation Requests
* Washington File
* Websites
[close]

More on tag:
OPDC DIPLOMATIC CORRESPONDENCE
[close]

Effective from January 1983

Correspondence and ceremonial messages between prominent leaders and principal officers. (Replaces RCHB file category: POL)

Specific Subject Terms often used with this TAGS:

* Acknowledgment
* Anniversary
* Appreciation Message
* Commemorative Message
* Condolence Message
* Congratulatory Message
* Invitation
[close]

More on tag:
OPRC PUBLIC RELATIONS AND CORRESPONDENCE
[close]

Effective from January 1983

Correspondence to and from the public commenting on U.S. policy and foreign incidents, requesting information and speaking engagements, and any other public relations activities. This TAGS includes routine constituent's correspondence such as employment opportunities, requests for photographs, autographs, etc. Also includes press summaries and press conferences, public opinion polls, and the administrative arrangements for press conferences. (Replaces RCHB file category: PR)

Specific Subject Terms often used with this TAGS:

* Accreditation
* Authentication
* Autograph
* Constituents Mail
* Employment
* Interview
* Invitation
* Journalist
* Photo Request
* Photograph
* Poll
* Press Relations
* Public Diplomacy
* Public Information Publication
* Speaker
* Translation
[close]

More on tag:
OREP U.S. CONGRESSIONAL TRAVEL
[close]

Effective from March 1973 (Revised January 1983)

Administrative and operational aspects of travel by Congressmen, congressional staffers, and delegations. (Replaces RCHB file category: LEG)

Specific Subject Terms often used with this TAGS:

* Accommodation
* Arrival Notice
* Arrival Speech
* CODEL
* Departure Notice
* Departure Speech
* Itinerary
* Passenger Manifest
* Protective Security
* Staffdel
* Support Services
* Travel Advisory
[close]

More on tag:
OSCI SCIENCE GRANTS
[close]

Effective from March 1973 (Revised January 1983)

The administration of grants and disbursal of funds of U.S. Government sponsored research programs. (Replaces RCHB file category: SCI)

Specific Subject Terms often used with this TAGS:

* Foreign Currency
* Grant
* Science Grant
* Scientific Exchange
* Scientist
[close]

More on tag:
OTRA TRAVEL
[close]

Effective from March 1973 (Revised January 1983)

Routine and operational aspects of travel and visits by other than prominent individuals and Congressmen. (Replaces RCHB file category: POL, TP, TRV)

Specific Subject Terms often used with this TAGS:

* Accommodation
* Arrival Notice
* Arrival Speech
* Businessmen
* Departure Notice
* Departure Speech
* Dependent
* Itinerary
* Journalist
* Official Travel
* Scientific Visit
* Support Services
* Trade Visit
* Travel Advisory
* Travel Locator Messages
* Travel Orders
* Travel Report
[close]

More on tag:
OVIP VISITS AND TRAVEL OF PROMINENT INDIVIDUALS AND LEADERS
[close]

Effective from March 1973 (Revised January 1983)

The administrative and operational aspects of visits or travel of U.S. and foreign leaders and prominent individuals. Use for assistant secretary level and above or foreign equivalent. (Replaces RCHB file category: POL)

Specific Subject Terms often used with this TAGS:

* Accommodation
* Arrival Notice
* Arrival Speech
* Departure Notice
* Departure Speech
* Envoy
* Hotel
* Itinerary
* Passenger Manifest
* Protection Technical Services
* Protective Security
* Secretarys Detail
* Support Services
* Trade Visit
* Travel Advisory
[close]

More on tag:
PARM ARMS CONTROLS AND DISARMAMENT
[close]

Effective from March 1973 (Revised January 1983)

Efforts by governments to control the acquisition, development, and production of nuclear, biological, chemical, and other advanced weaponry. Also includes the control of efforts by countries to develop nuclear capabilities. (Replaces RCHB file categories: DEF, FT, POL, STR)

Specific Subject Terms often used with this TAGS:

* ABM Treaty
* Advance Notification
* Advanced Weaponry
* Aerial Inspection
* Antinuclear
* Arms
* Arms Buildup
* Arms Control
* Arms Control Agreement
* Arms Control Impact Statement
* Arms Talks
* Arms Traffic
* Associated Measures
* Biological Warfare Convention
* Biological Weapon
* Biological Weapon Control
* CDE
* Chemical Weapon
* Chemical Weapon Control
* CNEA
* Compliance
* Confidence Building Measures
* Constraints
* Consultation
* Conventional Weapon
* Conventional Weapon Control
* Conventional Weapon Freeze
* Cooperative Measures
* Counterforce
* Counting Rule
* CST
* CTB
* Deterrence
* Disarmament
* Diversion
* East West Relations
* Electronic Weapons Systems
* Emerging Technologies
* ENMOD
* Entry Exit Points
* Fissionable Material
* Hazardous Waste Disposal
* Hotline
* Implementation
* INF
* IOZP
* Laser Fusion
* Launchers
* Limited Test Ban Treaty
* LRTNF
* Military Budget Reduction
* Military Expenditures
* Missile
* Monitoring
* Moratorium
* Napalm
* National Guidelines Area
* No First Use
* Nonproliferation
* Nonuse of Force
* NPT
* NRR
* NTEM
* NTM
* Nuclear Agreements
* Nuclear Capability
* Nuclear Enrichment Process
* Nuclear Equipment
* Nuclear Free Zone
* Nuclear Material
* Nuclear Proliferation
* Nuclear Reactor
* Nuclear Technical Assistance
* Nuclear Technology
* Nuclear Weapon
* Nuclear Weapon Control
* Nuclear Weapon Free Zone
* Nuclear Weapon Freeze
* Particle Beam
* Peace Movement
* Plutonium
* Political Concession
* Radioactive Material
* Radioactive Material Transfer
* Radioactive Waste Disposal
* SCC
* SDI
* Simulations
* SNEC
* Spent Fuel
* START
* Stockpile
* Strategic Policy
* Technology Transfer
* Telemetry
* Tlatelolco Treaty
* Troop Level
* TTBT
* Unconventional Weapon
* Verification
* Warhead
* Weapon Destruction
* Weapon Systems Deactivation
* Weapons Deployment
[close]

More on tag:
PBTS NATIONAL BOUNDARIES, TERRITORIES, AND SOVEREIGNTY
[close]

Effective from January 1983

A territory over which dominion is exercised. (Replaces RCHB file category: POL)

Specific Subject Terms often used with this TAGS:

* Air Alert
* Airspace
* Annexation
* Arbitration
* Archipelago
* Border Control
* Border Crossing
* Border Dispute
* Border Incident
* Boundary
* Boundary Claim
* Boundary Determination
* Canal
* Cession
* Coast Guard
* Continental Shelf
* Court Decision
* Dependency
* Dispute Settlement
* Island
* Island Claim
* Land Settlement
* Landlocked Country
* Maritime Boundary
* Mediation
* Occupied Area
* Overflight
* Piracy
* Port
* Port Access
* Province
* River
* Seabed
* Ship Detention
* Sovereignty
* Strait
* Survey
* Territorial Claim
* Territorial Reversion
* Territorial Sea Limit
* Territorial Unification
* Territorial Waters
* Trust Territory
* Water Boundary Agreement
* Water Boundary Claim
* West Bank
[close]

More on tag:
PGOV INTERNAL GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS
[close]

Effective from March 1973 (Revised June 1983)

The form, structure, and organization of local, provincial, and national governments. (Replaces RCHB file category: POL)

Specific Subject Terms often used with this TAGS:

* Absentee Ballot
* Administration of Justice
* Alliance
* Antigovernment
* Arbitration
* Berlin Access
* Berlin Wall
* Cabinet
* Cabinet Meeting
* Campaign
* Candidacy Support
* Candidate
* Charter
* Church State Relations
* Coalition Government
* Colonialism
* Communism
* Confederation
* Constitution
* Constitutional Law
* Corruption
* Court
* Court Decision
* Death
* Democracy
* Dictatorship
* Election
* Election Forecast
* Election Irregularities
* Election Law
* Election Observer
* Election Reform
* Election Results
* Extremist
* Federation
* First Lady
* Glasnost
* Government Agency
* Government Budget
* Government Media Relations
* Government Official
* Government Reform
* Governor
* Impeachment
* Inauguration
* Influence
* Infrastructure
* Interim Government
* Judicial Reform
* Judiciary
* Junta
* King
* Legislation
* Legislator
* Legislature
* Martial Law
* Mayor
* Minister
* Minority
* Municipal
* Nationalism
* Opposition
* Opposition Party
* Party Faction
* Party Leader
* Party Line
* Party Meeting
* Party Stability
* Party Strength
* Party Unity
* Patronage
* Perestroyka
* Political Adviser
* Political Concession
* Political Cooperation
* Political Crisis
* Political Leader
* Political Military Relations
* Political Party
* Political Trend
* Poll
* President
* Prime Minister
* Progovernment
* Province
* Queen
* Reconciliation
* Referendum
* Reorganization
* Resignation from Office
* Reunification
* Royal Family
* Ruling Party
* Self Government
* Socialism
* Special Interest Group
* State of the Union Message
* Succession
* Tenure of Office
* Totalitarian
* Trial
* Trust
* Territory
* Veto
* Vice President
* Voting
* Voting Rights
[close]

More on tag:
PHSA HIGH SEAS AFFAIRS
[close]

Effective from January 1983

Activities on the high seas, outside a country's national jurisdiction. (Replaces RCHB file category: POL)

Specific Subject Terms often used with this TAGS:

* Continental Shelf
* Dispute Settlement
* Exclusive
* Economic Zone
* Fishing Limit
* Fishing Rights
* Freedom of Navigation
* Hazardous Cargo
* Innocent Passage
* International Waters
* LOS
* Marine Mammal
* Marine Safety
* Marine Transportation
* Maritime Agreement
* Merchant Ship
* Minesweeping
* Natural Resources
* Ocean Dumping
* Piracy
* Seabed
* Seabed Mining
* Ship Accident
* Ship Detention
* Ship Movement
* Strait
* Territorial Sea Limit
* Territorial Waters
* Transit Passage
[close]

More on tag:
PHUM HUMAN RIGHTS
[close]

Effective from January 1985

The violation of rights attributable to human beings. (Replaces RCHB file categories: POL, SOC)

Specific Subject Terms often used with this TAGS:

* Abuse
* Amnesty
* Antisemitic
* Apartheid
* Asylum
* Asylum Request
* Capital Punishment
* Childrens Rights
* Civil Rights
* Concentration Camp
* Court Decision
* Death Squad
* Deportation
* Detainee
* Detection Equipment
* Detention Development Rights
* Discrimination
* Economic Rights
* Emigration
* Emigration Control
* Ethnic Group
* EVD
* Execution
* Exile
* Family
* Forced Labor
* Harassment
* Human Rights
* Humane
* Imprisonment
* Indigenous Peoples
* Individual Rights
* Internal Exile
* Internee
* Mass Migration
* Massacre
* Minority
* Minority Rights
* Missing Person
* Mistreatment
* Murder
* Persecution
* Police Equipment
* Political Disappearance
* Political Prisoner
* Political Repression
* Political Rights
* Poverty
* Prisoner
* Prisoner Release
* Prisoner Welfare
* Proselytize
* Psychiatric Abuse
* Religion
* Religious Group
* Returnees
* Rights of Peoples
* Security Forces
* Sponsorship
* Torture
* Walk In Procedures
* Women
* Womens Rights
[close]

More on tag:
PINR INTELLIGENCE
[close]

Effective from March 1973 (Revised January 1983)

The gathering and reporting of intelligence information, including biographic and background data. (Replaces RCHB file categories: INT, POL)

Specific Subject Terms often used with this TAGS:

* Aerial Reconnaissance
* Biographic Information
* Contacts
* Counterintelligence
* Covert Operations
* Disinformation
* Espionage
* Film
* Humint Collection Plan
* Information Security
* Intelligence Assessment
* Intelligence Collection
* Intelligence Services
* Maps
* Monitoring
* Olive Harvest
* PLPPR
* Remote Sensing
* Satellite
* Ship Movement
* Surveillance Aircraft
* Tracking Station
[close]

More on tag:
PINS NATIONAL SECURITY
[close]

Effective from March 1973 (Revised January 1983)

A regime's stability, control, or efforts to maintain itself in power, as well as activities and efforts to disrupt or overthrow the established regime by other than normal political activity. (Replaces RCHB file category: POL)

Specific Subject Terms often used with this TAGS:

* Amnesty
* Armed Forces
* Arms
* Assassination
* Assault
* Atrocity
* Censorship
* Church State Relations
* Civil War
* Clandestine Broadcast
* Community Relations
* Concentration Camp
* Contingency Plan
* CONTRA
* Counterinsurgency
* Coup
* Court Decision
* Court Martial
* Death Squad
* Defector
* Demobilization
* Detention
* Dissident
* Emigration
* Emigration Control
* Escalation
* Ethnic Group
* Execution
* Exile
* Exiled Government
* Exit Permit
* Expulsion
* Extremist
* General Strike
* Guerrilla
* Harassment
* Hostility
* Hunger Strike
* Impeachment
* Infiltration
* Insurgency
* Intelligence Assessment
* Internal Control
* Intervention
* Land Reform
* Law Enforcement
* Liberation Front
* Martial Law
* Massacre
* Mercenary
* Minority
* Missing Person
* National Security
* Occupied Area
* Persona Non Grata
* Plot
* Police Force
* Police Investigation
* Political Assessment
* Political Crisis
* Political Military Relations
* Political Prisoner
* Political Settlement
* Political Stability
* Political Trend
* Prisoner Release
* Propaganda
* Property Protection
* Religious Group
* Repression
* Reprisal
* Riot
* Riot Control
* Sabotage
* Seizure
* Surrender
* Threat
* Travel Document
* Travel Restriction
* Treason
* Troop Deployment
* Troop Withdrawal
* Violence
[close]

More on tag:
PREF REFUGEES
[close]

Effective from January 1985 (Revised March 1995)

People who move across borders because of danger to life or fear of persecution. (Replaces RCHB file category: REF)

Specific Subject Terms often used with this TAGS:

* Admissions
* Allocation
* Asylum Policy
* Early Warning
* Emergency Response
* ESLCO
* Family Reunification
* Humanitarian Assistance
* Internally Displaced Persons
* Letter of Introduction
* ODP
* Prevention
* Refugee Camp
* Refugee Protection
* Refugee Relief
* Refugee Resettlement
* Refugee Settlement
* Refugee Status
* Repatriation
* Safe Country of Origin and Transit
* Safe Haven
* Sponsorship
* Temporary Protection
* VOLAG
* Volunteers
[close]

More on tag:
PREL EXTERNAL POLITICAL RELATIONS
[close]

Effective from January 1983

The political relations between countries, international or regional organizations both bilateral and multilateral, that assess intentions, objectives, plans, or possible courses of interaction. (Replaces RCHB file category: CSM, POL)

Specific Subject Terms often used with this TAGS:

* Alliance
* Ambassador
* Amity
* Antiamerican
* Anticommunism
* Antisoviet
* Bilateral Cooperation
* CBI
* Cold War
* Commitment
* Condemnation
* Consular Service
* Demarche
* Detente
* Deterrence
* Diplomatic Protest
* East West Relations
* Embassy Closing
* Embassy Opening
* Expulsion
* Extradition Treaty
* Foreign Commitment
* Foreign Relations
* Front Line States
* Government Reaction
* Hegemony
* Industrialized Nation
* Influence
* International Organization
* Intervention
* LDC
* Lobbying
* NAM
* National Security
* Neutrality
* No Fly Zone
* Nonaggression
* Nonaligned Nations
* Nonparticipation
* North South Dialogue
* Open Skies Treaty
* Opposition
* Participation
* Peace
* Peace Plan
* Persona Non Grata
* Political Concession
* Political Cooperation
* Political Initiative
* Political Settlement
* Political Trend
* Prisoner Exchange
* Prisoner Transfer
* Proamerican
* Procommunism
* Prosoviet
* Prowest
* Public Relations
* Reciprocity
* Recognition
* Reconciliation
* Regional Organization
* Relations Establishment
* Relations Interruption
* Reprisal
* Sanction
* Secession
* Signatory
* Sister City
* Third Country Representation
* Third World
* Threat
* War Claims
* West Bank
[close]

More on tag:
PROP PROPAGANDA AND PSYCHOLOGICAL OPERATIONS
[close]

Effective from June 1974 (Revised January 1983)

The spreading of ideology, information, or rumor for the purpose of supporting or defaming nations, institutions, causes, peoples, or persons. (Replaces RCHB file categories: CSM, CUL, INF, MP, POL, PPB, RAD, TV)

Specific Subject Terms often used with this TAGS:

* Active Measures
* Antiamerican
* Anticommunism
* Antinuclear
* Antisoviet
* Brain Drain
* Brainwashing
* Broadcasting
* Campaign
* Censorship
* Clandestine Broadcast
* Disinformation
* Frequency Interference
* Harassment
* Influence
* Jamming
* Lobbying
* Proamerican
* Procommunism
* Propaganda
* Prosoviet
* Prowest
* Public Disclosure
* Public Information
* Public Relations
* Publication
* Repression
* Slander
[close]

More on tag:
PTER TERRORISTS AND TERRORISM
[close]

Effective from March 1981 (Revised January 1983)

All aspects of terrorism which transcend national boundaries due to the nationality of the perpetrator, victim, place, or the incident. (Replaces RCHB file category: POL)

Specific Subject Terms often used with this TAGS:

* Acts of Terrorists
* Antiterrorism Measures
* Antiterrorist Forces
* Assassination
* Assault
* Bomb Threat
* Bombing
* Casualty
* Hijacking
* Hostage
* Hostility
* Infiltration
* Kidnapping
* Kidnapping Threat
* Mission Takeover
* Piracy
* Plot
* Proterrorism
* Rescue
* Sabotage
* Small Arms
* Surrender
* Terrorism
* Terrorist Activities
* Threat
* Threat Assessment
* Violence
[close]

More on tag:
SCUL CULTURAL AFFAIRS
[close]

Effective from March 1973 (Revised April 2000)

Any part or totality of a nation's behavior patterns, arts, beliefs, institutions, or sociology. (Replaces RCHB file categories: CUL, EDU, MP, PPB, SOC)

Specific Subject Terms often used with this TAGS:

* American Studies
* Anthropology
* Archaeology
* Artifact
* Artist
* Athlete
* Business for Russia Program
* Citizen Exchanges
* College and University Affiliation Program
* Commemorative Celebration
* Community Connections
* Creative Arts Exchanges
* Cultural Exchange
* Cultural Heritage
* Cultural Presentation
* Cultural Property
* Cultural Specialists (Aculspecs)
* Education
* Educational Exchange
* EFL Fellows
* ETF Fellows
* Ethnic Group
* Excavation
* Exchange Program Designation
* Exhibit
* Festival Fund
* Film Programs
* Fine Arts
* FLEX Program
* Fulbright Alumni Association
* Fulbright American Studies Institutes
* Fulbright Commissions
* Fulbright Junior Staff Development Program (JSD)
* Fulbright Scholar Program
* Fulbright Scholar in Residence Program
* Fulbright Student Program
* Fulbright Teachers Exchange
* History
* Holiday
* Humphrey Program
* Intellectual Property
* Intellectual Property Rights
* International Visitor Program
* J Visa Program
* J William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board
* Jazz Ambassadors
* Language
* Library
* Magazine
* Memorial
* Missionary
* Museum
* National Flag
* Newspaper
* Olympics
* Performing Arts Calendar
* Piracy
* Place of Worship
* Pope
* Publication
* Religion
* Religious Group
* Religious Leader
* Ron Brown Fellowship Program
* School
* Social Custom
* Social Reform
* Sports
* Student
* Student Advising
* Study of the US
* Teacher
* The Film Service
* University
* US Artists Abroad
* Voluntary Visitor Program
* Women
* Youth
* Youth Exchanges
[close]

More on tag:
SENV ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS
[close]

Effective from March 1973 (Revised January 1983)

The preservation, deterioration, and conservation of natural and animal resources, the air, water, land, and space environments. (Replaces RCHB file categories: AGR, CUL, E, HLTH, INCO, OS, SOC)

Specific Subject Terms often used with this TAGS:

* Acid Rain
* Air Pollution
* Animal Conservation
* Animal Hides
* Atmosphere
* Biodiversity
* CITES
* Crop
* Destruction
* Dam
* Desertification
* Drought
* Earthquake
* Ecology
* Endangered Species
* Environment
* Erosion
* Exploitation
* Famine
* Fire
* Fish
* Flood
* Flora
* Forestry
* Fungicide
* Habitat
* Hazardous Waste Disposal
* Herbicide
* Industrial Waste Disposal
* Insect
* Land Conservation
* Marine
* Mammal
* Migratory Animals
* Monsoon
* National Park
* Natural Disaster
* Natural Resources
* Noise Pollution
* Nuclear Contamination
* Nuclear Winter
* Ocean Dumping
* Oil Spill
* Ozone
* Pest Control
* Pesticide
* Pollution Control
* Preservation
* Rainfall
* Seabed
* Sewage
* Sewage System
* Sludge
* Snowfall
* Soil
* Soil Pollution
* Species Protection
* Storm
* Tidal Wave
* Transboundary Pollution
* Tropical Forest
* Volcanic Eruption
* Waste
* Waste Disposal
* Water
* Water Analysis
* Water Conservation
* Water Pollution
* Water Supply System
* Weather
* Whales
* Wildlife
* Yellow Rain
* Zoo
[close]

More on tag:
SMIG MIGRATION
[close]

Effective from March 1995

The legal or illegal movement of people across borders, border control, and the treatment of aliens by receiving states. (Replaces RCHB file category: REF)

Specific Subject Terms often used with this TAGS:

* Alien Interdiction
* Border Control
* Cross Border Migration
* Economic Migration
* Emigration
* Environmental Migration
* Family Reunification
* Illegal Migration
* Immigration
* Labor Migration
* Migration
* Migration and Development Policy
* Nationality and Citizenship
* Readmission Agreements
* Remittances
[close]

More on tag:
SNAR NARCOTICS
[close]

Effective from March 1973 (Revised January 2008)

The illegal production, distribution, and use of narcotic drugs. (Replaces RCHB file categories: INCO, SOC)

Specific Subject Terms often used with this TAGS:

* Aircraft Registry
* Cocaine
* Crop Destruction
* Crop Substitution
* Crops
* Customs Agreement
* Customs Inspection
* Customs Regulation
* Customs Seizure
* Demand Reduction
* Detection
* Equipment
* Eradication
* Exhibit
* Foreigners
* Hashish
* Herbicide
* Heroin
* Illicit
* Immigration
* Interdiction
* Law Enforcement
* Legal
* Marijuana
* Money Laundering
* Morphine
* Narcotics
* Narcotics Abuse
* Narcotics Control
* Narcotics Detection
* Narcotics Seizure
* Narcotics Traffic
* Opium
* Patrol Boat
* Psychotropic Drugs
* Seizure
* Ship Registry
* Smuggling
[close]

More on tag:
SOCI SOCIAL CONDITIONS
[close]

Effective from March 1973 (Revised January 1983)

The conditions and factors that affect the social welfare of a community. (Replaces RCHB file category: HLTH, SOC)

Specific Subject Terms often used with this TAGS:

* Abortion
* Administration of Justice
* Adoption
* AIDS
* Birth Rate
* Black Market
* Census
* Child
* Custody
* Children
* Civil Disobedience
* Community Relations
* Concentration Camp
* Consumer Protection
* Crime
* Crime Control
* Cult
* Demography
* Disease
* Disease Control
* Divorce
* Educational Reform
* Elderly
* Epidemic
* Family
* Family Planning
* Food
* Fugitive
* Genocide
* Glasnost
* Health
* Housing
* Housing Shortage
* Humanitarian Assistance
* Hunger Strike
* Illegal Alien
* Immigrant
* Immigration Control
* Infant
* Infrastructure
* Inoculation
* Insurance
* Law Enforcement
* Life Expectancy
* Marriage
* Medical Care
* Medical Facility
* Mental Health
* Minority
* Modernization
* Mortality Rate
* Murder
* Penal System
* Police Force
* Police Investigation
* Population
* Population Growth
* Pornography
* Prison
* Prisoner
* Prisoner Release
* Prisoner Transfer
* Prisoner Welfare
* Prostitution
* Public Safety
* Public Transportation
* Public Welfare
* Quarantine
* Recall
* Reform
* Rehabilitation
* Riot
* Riot Control
* Rural Area
* Sanitation
* Sewage
* Sewage System
* Sex Ratio
* Sexual Crime
* Sexual Harassment
* Social Development
* Social Reform
* Social Security
* Social Service
* Social Trend
* Special Interest Group
* Standard of Living
* Sterilization
* Theft
* Urban Area
* Violence
* Volunteers
* Water Supply System
[close]

More on tag:
TBIO BIOLOGICAL AND MEDICAL SCIENCE
[close]

Effective from March 1973 (Revised January 1983)

The anatomy, physiology, chemistry, and psychology that affect living organisms and the mechanisms of their expression. (Replaces RCHB file categories: HLTH, SCI)

Specific Subject Terms often used with this TAGS:

* AIDS
* Animals
* Biology
* Biotechnology
* Chemistry
* Disease
* Disease Control
* Eradication
* Food
* Genetic Engineering
* Hormones
* Intellectual Property
* Intellectual Property Rights
* Laboratory Equipment
* Medical Science
* Nuclear Contamination
* Parapsychology
* Pest Control
* Pharmaceuticals
* Quarantine
* Research & Development
* S & T Agreement
* S & T Cooperation
* S & T Development
* STRIDE Technology
* Technology
* Transfer
* Vaccine
* Zoology
[close]

More on tag:
TPHY PHYSICAL SCIENCES
[close]

Effective from March 1973 (Revised January 1983)

Research and development in any of the physical sciences. (Replaces RCHB file category: SCI)

Specific Subject Terms often used with this TAGS:

* Atmosphere
* Chemistry
* Geodesy
* Geology
* Hydrology
* Intellectual Property
* Intellectual Property Rights
* Laboratory Equipment
* Maps
* Materials Science
* Meteorology
* Metrology
* Microwave
* Minerology
* Ocean Drilling
* Oceanography
* Physics
* Research & Development
* Research Vessel
* S & T Agreement
* S & T Cooperation
* S & T Development
* Satellite
* Scientific Cooperation
* Scientific Visit
* Seismology
* STRIDE
* Survey
* Technology
* Technology Transfer
* Volcanology
* Weather
* Weather Station
[close]

More on tag:
TRGY ENERGY TECHNOLOGY
[close]

Effective from July 1980 (Revised January 1983)

Research and development of energy sources. (Replaces RCHB file categories: AE, DEF, FSE, PET, SCI)

Specific Subject Terms often used with this TAGS:

* Electric Energy
* Energy Conservation
* Exploration
* Fissionable Material
* Fuel
* Geothermal Energy
* Hazardous Waste Disposal
* Hydroelectric Energy
* Intellectual Property
* Intellectual Property Rights
* Laboratory Equipment
* Magnetic
* Nuclear Accident
* Nuclear Contamination
* Nuclear Energy
* Nuclear Reactor
* Nuclear Safeguard
* Nuclear Test
* Petroleum
* PUNE
* Radiation
* Radioactive Material
* Radioactive Material Transfer
* Radioactive Waste Disposal
* Research & Development
* S & T Agreement
* S & T Cooperation
* S & T Development
* Solar Energy
* Spent Fuel
* SSC
* STRIDE
* Synthetic Fuel
* Technology
* Technology Transfer
* Thermal Energy
* Transmitters
* Wind Energy
[close]

More on tag:
TSPA SPACE ACTIVITIES
[close]

Effective from March 1973 (Revised January 1983)

Research and development leading to and resulting in the exploration and utilization of outer space. (Replaces RCHB file categories: DEF, SP, TEL)

Specific Subject Terms often used with this TAGS:

* Astronaut
* Astronomy
* Communications Satellite
* Direct Broadcasting Satellite
* ELV
* Exploration
* Geostationary Satellite Orbit
* High Technology Equipment
* Intellectual Property
* Intellectual Property Rights
* Landing Rights
* Navigational Aid
* Orbit
* Outer Space
* Outer Space Commercialization
* Peaceful Use of Outer Space
* Reentry
* Research & Development
* S & T Agreement
* S & T Cooperation
* S & T Development
* Salvage
* Satellite
* Scientific Cooperation
* Space Agreement
* Space Fragment
* Space Law
* Space Liability
* Space Program
* Space Station
* Spacecraft
* Spacecraft Recovery
* Spaceflight
* STRIDE
* Technology
* Technology Transfer
* Telecommunication
* Tracking Station
* UFO
[close]
By tags:
AA AADP AALC ABER ABLD [+] ABLDG ABLG ABMC ABT ABUD AC ACABQ ACAO ACCOUNT ACDA ACEC ACKM ACOA ACOTA ACS ACTION ADANA ADB ADCO ADCP ADEL ADEP ADIP ADM ADMIRAL ADPM ADRC AE AEC AECL AEGR AEIR AEM AEMED AEMR [+] AER AESC AF AFARI AFDB AFDIN AFFAIRS AFGHANISTAN AFIN [+] AFL AFLU AFOR AFR AFSA AFSI AFSN AFU AFZAL AG AGAO AGENDA AGENGA AGIT AGMT AGOA AGR AGS AGUIRRE AI AIAG AID AIDAC AIDS AIEA AIHRC AIN AINF AINFCY AINR AINT AISG AIT AJ AK AL ALAB ALBE ALEXANDER ALI ALJAZEERA ALL ALNEA ALOW ALOWAR AM AMAT AMB AMCHAMS AMCT AME AMED AMEDI AMEMR AMER AMERICAS AMEX AMG AMGE AMGMT AMGT [+] AMIA AMLB AMPR AMT AMTC AMTG AN ANARCHISTS ANC AND ANET ANTITERRORISM AO AOCR AODE AOIC AOMS AOPR AORC [+] AORD AOREC AORG AORL AOWC AP APCS APDC APEC APECO APER [+] APR APRC APRM AQ AR ARAB ARABBL ARABL ARABLEAGUE ARAS ARC ARCH ARENA AREP ARF ARG ARM ARMITAGE ARMS AROC ARR ARRMZY ARSO AS ASA ASAC ASC ASCC ASCE ASCEC ASCH ASE ASEAN ASEC [+] ASECARP ASECE ASECM ASECSI ASECVE ASED ASEDC ASEG ASEK ASES ASEX ASFC ASIC ASIG ASIR ASJA ASO ASOC ASPA ASR ASSEMBLY ASSK ASUP AT ATFN ATPDEA ATRA ATRD ATRN AU AU-1 AUC AUNR AUSGR AUSTRALIAGROUP AV AVERY AVIAN AVIANFLU AVIATION AW AX AY AZ AZE B. BA BAGHDAD BAIO BAKOYANNIS BALKANS BAPOL BARACK BASHAR BATA BB BBG BBSR BC BCW BCXP BD BE BEAN BEN BERARDUCCI BESP BEXB BEXP [+] BEXPC BEXPPLM BEXT BF BFIF BFIN BFIO BG BGD BGMT BH BHUM BI BIC BIH BILAT BIMSTEC BINR BIO BIOS BIOTECH BIOTECHNOLOGY BIT BITO BK BL BLR BLUE BLUNT BM BMENA BMGT BMOT BN BNUC BO BOIKO BOL BOND BOQ BORDER BOSNIA BOU BOUCHAIB KAKA BOUTERSE BP BPIS BPTS BR BRIAN BRPA BRUSSELS BS BSSR BT BTA BTC BTIO [+] BTIU BTRA BTT BU BUD BULGARIA BURMA BUSH BV BW BWC BX BXEP BY BZ CA CAC CACM CACS CAFTA CAIO CAJC CAMBODIA CAN CAPC CARC CARE CARIB CARICOM CARSON CAS CASA CASC [+] CASCC CASCR CASE CASTILLO CAVO CB CBC CBD CBE CBG CBIS CBM CBSA CBTH CBW CCSR CCY CD CDB CDC CDCC CDCE CDG CDI CE CEA CEC CEDAW CEN CENTCOM CENTRIC CEUDA CF CFE CFED CFG CFIS CFSP CG CGEN CGOPRC CH CHAD CHALLENGE CHAO CHELIDZE CHENEY CHERTOFF CHG CHIEF CHN CHR CHRISTIAN CHRISTOF CHRISTOPHER CI CIA CIAT CIC CICTE CIDA CIO CIP CIS CITEL CITES CITIBANK CITT CIVAIR CIVS CJ CJAN [+] CJUS CK CKGR CKOR CL CLEARANCE CLINTON CLMT CLO CLOK CM CMAE CMFT CMGT [+] CMP CMT CN CNAR CNARC CNC CNO CO CODEL COE COL COLIN COLLECTIVE COLOMBO COM COMESA COMMERCE CON CONAWAY CONDOLEEZZA CONDOLEEZZA RICE CONEAZ CONG CONGO CONGRINT CONS CONSULAR CONTROL CONTROLS CORRUPTION COSI COUNTER COUNTER TERRORISM COUNTERTERRORISM COUNTRY COUNTRYCLEARANCE CP CPA CPAS CPC CPCTC CPPT CPUOS CQ CR CRIM CRIME CRIMES CRM CROATIA CROS CRS CRUZ CS CSCE CSEP CSIS CSW CT CTBT CTER CTERR CTM CTR CTRYCLR CU CUCO CUIS CUL CV CVIA CVIC CVIS [+] CVISU CVPR CVR CW CWC CWCM CWG CX CY CYP CYPRUSARMS CZ DA DAC DAFR DAN DANFUNG DANIEL DAO DARFR DARFUR DAVID DAVID LEE HOWES DAVID WELCH DAVID WILLIAM RAY DB DC DCDG DCG DCHA DCI DCM DCOM DCRM DE DEA DEAX DEFENSE DEFENSEREFORM DELTAVIOLENCE DEM DEMARCHE DEMOCRATIC DENNIS DEOC DEPT DEPT FOR DS COMMAND CENTER DESI DHA DHLAKAMA DHLS DHRF DHS DHSX DIEZ DIPLOMACY DISENGAGEMENT DJ DK DKEM DMIN DMINE DO DOC DOD DOE DOJ DOMC DOMESTIC DOMESTICPOLITICS DONALD RUMSFELD DOT DPAO DPKO DPM DPOL DPRK DR DRC DRIP DRL DS DSR DSS DTFN DTRA DTRO DU DVC DY EAC EAD EADI EADM EAG EAGER EAGR [+] EAI EAIC EAID [+] EAIDB EAIDCIN EAIDEGZ EAIDMG EAIDNI EAIF EAIG EAIO EAIR [+] EAIS EAIT EAOD EAP EAPC EAR EARI EASS EATO EAUD EAVI EB EBEXP EBRD EBUD EC ECA ECCP ECCT ECE ECIN ECIP ECLAC ECN ECOIN ECOM ECON [+] ECONCS ECONEGE ECONOMIC ECONOMICS ECONOMY ECONOMY AND FINANCE ECOR ECOS ECOSOC ECOWAS ECPC ECPN ECPO ECPS [+] ECPSN ECRM ECTRD ECUN ED EDA EDEV EDRC EDU EDUC EE EEB EEC EENG EENV EEOC EET EETC EFI EFIC EFIM EFIN [+] EFIS [+] EFLU EFN EFND EFNI EFQ EFTA EG EGAD EGAR EGEN EGHG EGOV EGOVSY EH EI EIAD EIAID EIAR EIB EICN EID EIDE EIDN EIFN EIN EIND [+] EINDIR EINF EING EINN EINO EINR EINT [+] EINV [+] EINZ EIPR EIQ EISL EISNLN EITC EITI EIVN EK EL ELA ELAB [+] ELAD ELAINE ELAM ELAN ELAP ELB ELBA ELBR ELEC ELECTIONS ELF ELIN ELN ELND ELNT ELTD ELTM ELTN [+] ELTRN EMAIL EMED EMI EMIN [+] EMN EMS EMW EN END ENDURING ENEG ENER ENERG ENERGY ENFR ENG ENGR ENGRD ENGRG ENGY ENIV ENLT ENNP ENR ENRC ENRG [+] ENRL ENTG ENV ENVI ENVIRONMENT ENVR ENVT EON EOXC EP EPA EPAT EPCS EPE EPEC EPECO EPET [+] EPIN EPIT EPPD EPRT EPSC EPTE EPTED EPWR EQ EQRD ER ERA ERD EREL ERGR ERICKSON ERIN ERTD ES ESA ESCAP ESCI ESDP ESENV ESF ESLCO ESOC ESOCI ESPS ESS ESSO ESTH ESTN ESTRADA ET ETA ETAD ETC ETCC ETD ETDR ETEL ETER ETEX ETFN ETIC ETIO ETLN ETMIN ETR ETRA ETRAD ETRB ETRC ETRD [+] ETRDECD ETRG ETRK ETRN ETRO ETRP ETT ETTC [+] ETTD ETTF ETTN ETTR ETTRD ETTW ETZ EU EUC EUCOM EUE EUEAID EUFOR EUM EUMEM EUN EUR EUREM EURM EURN EV EVENTS EVN EWRG EWT EWTR EWWT [+] EX EXBS EXEC EXIM EXO EXPORT EXTERNAL EZ FA FAA FAC FAGR FAO FARC FARM FAS FATAH FBI FCC FCS FCSC FCSCEG FCUL FDA FDIC FEDULOV FEMA FERNANDO FGM FI FIN FINANCE FINE FINR FINREF FINV FIR FISO FJ FK FKFLO FKLU FLU FM FMC FMGT FMLN FMS FO FOI FOOKS FOR FORCE FORCES FOREIGN FORWHA FP FPC FR FRA FRANCIS FRANCISCO RODENAS RUIZ FRB FREDOM FREEDOM FRELIMO FRIED FRN FRU FSC FSI FT FTA FTAA FWS GA GAERC GAMES GAO GARCIA GASPAR GATT GAZA GAZPROM GB GBSLE GC GCC GCCC GE GEF GEORGE GERARD GESKE GF GG GH GI GIPNC GIWI GJ GKGIC GL GLOBAL GM GN GO GOG GOI GON GOVPOI GPGOV GPI GPOI GPOV GR GRQ GS GT GTIP GTMO GTREFTEL GU GUAM GUANTANAMO GUIDANCE GUILLERMO GUTIERREZ GV GWI GY GZ GZIS HA HARRIET HARRY HAWZ HCOPIL HDP HE HEAVEN HEBRON HELGERSON HERCEGOVINA HG HHS HI HIGHLIGHTS HIJAZI HILARY HILLARY HILLEN HIPC HIV HIZ HK HKSX HL HLSX HN HNCHR HO HOA HOSTAGES HPKO HR HRC HRCS HRICTY HRIGHTS HRKSTC HSI HSTC HSWG HT HTCG HTSC HU HUD HUM HUMAN HUMANITARIAN HUMANR HUMANRIGHTS HUMOR HUMRIT HUNRC HURI HURRICANE HYDE HYLAND HYMPSK HZ IA IACHR IACI IACO IACW IADB IAEA IAES IAHRC IAIE IAII IASA IATTC IAZ IBB IBD IBET IBPCA IBRB IBRD IC ICAC ICAO ICC ICCAT ICCROM ICES ICJ ICRC ICRS ICSCA ICTR ICTY ID IDA IDB IDLI IDLO IDP IDR IE IEA IEAB IEF IF IFAD IFC IFIN IFM IFO IFR IFRC IG IGAD IGF IHO IICA IINS IIP IK IL ILAB ILC ILEA ILO IMC IMET IMF IMMIGRATION IMO IMSO IMTS IN INAUGURATION INCB IND INDO INF INFLUENZA INL INMARSAT INNP INPFC INR INRA INRB INRD INRO INRPAZ INS INSC INT INTEL INTELLECTUAL INTELSAT INTERNAL INTERPOL INV INVI IO IOC IOM IP IPET IPGRI IPK IPPC IPR IPROP IQ IQNV IR IRAN IRAQ IRAQI IRAQI FREEDOM IRC IRCE IRDB IRE IRL IRLE IRM IRMO IRNB IRPE IRS IS ISA ISAAC ISAF ISCA ISCON ISLAMISTS ISLE ISN ISNV ISO ISPA ISPL ISRAEL ISRAEL RELATIONS ISRAELI ISRAELI PALESTINIAN AFFAIRS ISSUES ISTC IT ITA ITALIAN ITALY ITECIP ITEIND ITELTN ITER ITF ITIA ITRA ITRD ITU IUCN IV IVIANNA IWC IWI IX IZ IZAORC JA JAM JAMES JAPAN JAT JAWAD JCIC JE JEFFERY JEFFREY JHR JI JIMENEZ JIMENEZ CHILDREN JK JKUS JM JN JO JOHNNIE JOSE NEY MILA ESPINOSA JOSE RAMOS HORTA JOSEPH BIDEN JP JS JSRP JUAN JUS JY KA KACP KACT [+] KACW KADM KAID KALM KALR KANSOU KAPO KARIM WADE KATRINA KAUST KAWC [+] KAWK KAWL KAWS KAWX KAYLA KBCT KBDS KBEM KBIO KBNC KBTC KBTR KBTS KBWG KCCP KCEM KCERS KCFC KCFE [+] KCGC KCHG KCIP [+] KCIS KCM KCMA KCMR KCOG KCOM [+] KCOR [+] KCPS KCRCM KCRI KCRIM KCRM [+] KCRN KCRO KCROM KCROR KCRP KCRS KCRT KCSA KCSI KCSY KCUL KCUM KCVM KCWI KDCM KDDEM KDDG KDE KDEM [+] KDEN KDET KDEV KDGOV KDGR KDHS KDM KDMR KDP KDRG [+] KDRL KDTB KDUM KE KEAI KEBG KECF KEDEM KEDM KEDU KEIM KEM KEMPI KEMR KEMS KEN KENV KERF KERG KESO KESP KESS KEVIN KFAM KFCE KFE KFEM KFGM KFIN KFIU KFLD KFLO KFLU KFOR KFPC KFRD [+] KFRP KFSC KFTFN KFTN KG KGCC KGCN KGHA KGHG [+] KGIC [+] KGICKS KGIT KGIV KGKG KGLB KGOR KGOV KH KHDP KHGH KHIB KHIV [+] KHJUS KHLS [+] KHMN KHOURY KHPD KHSA KHSL KHUM KI KIBL KICA KICC KICCPUR KICR KICT KID KIDE KIF KIFR KIIC KIIP KIL KILS KIMMITT KIMT KIND KINF KINL KINP KINR KINT KIPR [+] KIPT KIRC KIRF [+] KIRL KIRP KIS KISC KISK KISL [+] KISM KISR KITA KIVP KIVR KJAN KJRE KJU KJUS [+] KJUST KJWC KK KKIV KKNP KKOR KKPO KLAB KLAP KLBO KLEG KLFLO KLFU KLHS KLIG KLIP KLPM KLSO KLTN KM KMAC KMAR KMCA [+] KMCC KMCR KMDR [+] KMEPI KMFO KMGT KMIG KMNP KMOC KMPF KMPI KMPIO KMPL KMPP KMPT KMRD KMRS KMSG KMVP KMWN KN KNAO KNAP KNAR KNDP KNEI KNEP KNET KNMP KNN KNNA KNNB KNNC KNNF KNNO KNNP [+] KNNR KNOP KNP KNPP KNPPIS KNPR KNPT KNRG KNRV KNSD KNUC KNUP KO KOC KOCI KOCM KOEM KOGL KOLY [+] KOM KOMC KOMCCO KOMCSG KOMH KOMO KOMS KOR KOSOVO KOUYATE KPA KPAD KPAI KPAK KPAL [+] KPALAOIS KPAM KPAO [+] KPAS KPBT KPDD KPEM KPEO KPER KPET KPIN [+] KPIR KPKO [+] KPKP KPLS KPMI KPMO KPO KPOA KPOKO KPOL KPOP KPOV KPOW KPPAO KPPD KPRD KPRM KPRO KPROG KPRP KPRV KPSC KPTD KPTS KPWG KPWR [+] KQ KQM KQRDQ KR KRAD [+] KRAL KRCIM KRCM KRCS KRD KRDP KREC KREF KREL KRF KRFD KRFR KRG KRGY KRIC KRIF KRIM KRKO KRM KRMS KRV KRVC KS KSA KSAC KSAF KSCA [+] KSCI KSCS KSCT KSEAO KSEC KSEI KSEO KSEP KSI KSIA KSKN KSLG KSMT KSOC KSOCI KSPA KSPR [+] KSRE KSTC KSTCC KSTCPL KSTH KSTS KSTT KSUM [+] KSUP KT KTAO KTBD KTBT KTCRE KTDB KTDD KTDM KTER KTEX KTFIN KTFM KTFN [+] KTFR KTFS KTIA [+] KTIP [+] KTLA KTNBT KTNF KTPN KTRD KTRF KTSC KTSD KTTB KTTC KTTP KU KUAE KUIR KUM KUNA KUNC KUNH KUNP KUNR [+] KUS KUWAIT KV KVBL KVIP KVIR KVIS KVPR KVRC KVRP KW KWAC KWAK KWAWC KWBC KWBG [+] KWBW KWCI KWCR KWGB KWHG KWIC KWIM KWIR KWKN KWM KWMJN KWMM KWMN [+] KWN KWNM KWNN KWOMN KWPA KWPB KWPG KWPR KWRC KWRF KWRG KWUN KWWT KWWW KX KY KZ LA LAB LABOR LANSANA LANTERN LARREA LARS LAS LAURA LAVIN LAW LB LBAR LBY LE LEAGUE LEB LEBIK LEGAT LEGATT LEIS LEON LEVINE LEW LG LGAT LH LI LIB LICC LIMA LINE LK LMS LN LO LOG LORAN LOTT LOVE LR LS LT LTG LTTE LU LV LVPR LY LZ MA MAAR MACEDONIA MACP MANUEL MAP MAPP MAPS MAR MARAD MARIE MARINO MARITIME MARK MARQUEZ MARR [+] MARS MARTIN MARV MAS MASC MASS [+] MATT MB MBM MC MCA MCAP [+] MCAPARR MCAPN MCAPP MCAPS MCAT MCC MCCONNELL MCCP MCRM MCTRE MD MDA MDC MDO ME MEA MED MEDIA MEP MEPI MEPN MEPP MERCOSUR MESUR MEX MF MFA MFO MG MGL MGMT MGOV MGT MGTA MH MHUC MI MIAH MIC MICHAEL MICHEL MIGUEL VARGAS MALDONADO MIK MIL MILI MILITANTS MILITARY MILLENNIUM MINURSO MINUSTAH MITCHELL MJ MK ML MLS MMAR MMED MN MNLF MNNC MNNUC MNU MNUC [+] MNUCH MNUCWA MNUM MNUN MNUR MNUS MNVC MO MOHAMAD MOHAMMAD MOLINA MONTENEGRO MONUC MONY MOOPS MOP MOPP MOPPS MOPS [+] MORG MOROCCO MORS MOS MOTO MOTT MP MPOL MPOS MPP MPS 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OPDP OPEC OPET OPIC OPID OPOC OPPC OPRC [+] OPREC OPREP OPS OPSC OPVIP ORA ORC ORCA ORECD ORED OREG OREP [+] ORGANIZED ORP ORTA ORUE OSAC OSCE OSCI [+] OSD OSEC OSHA OSIC OSTA OSTRA OTA OTAR OTP OTR OTRA [+] OTRABL OTRAO OTRAZ OTRC OTRD OUALI OVIP [+] OVP OXEC OXEM OZ PA PAARM PAC PACE PAGE PAGR PAHO PAIGH PAK PAL PALESTINIAN PAMQ PAN PANAM PAO PAR PARALYMPIC PARCA PAREL PARK PARLIAMENT PARM [+] PARMS PARN PARP PARR PARTIES PARTM PARTY PAS PASS PATTY PAUM PB PBGT PBIO PBK PBOV PBPTS PBS PBT PBTS [+] PCI PCON PCOR PCRM PCUL PD PDA PDD PDEM PDIP PDOV PDRG PE PEACE PEACEKEEPINGFORCES PEDRO PEL PELOSI PEMEX PENA PENV PEPFAR PEPR PER PEREZ PERL PERM PERSONS PET PETER PETERS PETR PETRAEUS PETROL PF PFIN PFLP PFOR PFOV PG PGGOC PGIC PGIV PGKV PGO PGOC PGOF PGOG PGON PGOR PGOT PGOV [+] PGOVE PGOVQL PGPV PGREL PGREV PGV PH PHALANAGE PHARM PHAS PHEM PHIM PHM PHSA [+] PHU PHUH PHUM [+] PHUMHUPPS PHUN PHUS PHYTRP PI PIA PICES PIF PIN PINB PIND PINER PINF PING PINL PINO PINR [+] PINS [+] PINT PINV PIR PIRF PIRN PJUS PK PKAO PKBL PKFK PKISL PKK PKMN PKNP PKO PKPA PKPAL PKPO PKPRP PKST PL PLAB PLAN PLEC PLN PLO PLUM PM PMAR PMAT PMDL PMIG PMIL PMIN PMR PMUC PN PNAT PNET PNG PNIR PNNL PNR PNRG PNS PNUC PNUK PNUM PO PODC POG POGV POINS POL POLG POLI POLICY POLINT POLITICAL POLITICS POLM POLMIL POLS POLUN POREL PORG POSTS POTUS POUS POV POWELL PP PPA PPAO PPD PPEF PPEL PPKO PPOL PQL PQM PRC PRE PREC PRED PREF [+] PREG PREJ PREK PREL [+] PRELEVU PRELM PRELPLS PRELTBIOBA PREM PREO PREP PRER PRES PRESIDENT PRESL PREV PREZ PRF PRFE PRFL PRGO PRGOV PRIL PRL PRLE PRM PRO PROB PROCESS PROG PROL PROLIFERATION PROP [+] PROPERTY PROTECTION PROTESTS PROV PROVE PRT PRTER PRWL PS PSA PSCE PSEC PSEPC PSHA PSI PSNR PSO PSOC PSOCI PSOE PT PTBS PTE PTEL PTEP PTER [+] PTGOV PTIA PTR PTRD PU PUAS PUBLIC PUNE PUNR PUOS PV PVIP PVOV PVPR PVTS PWBG PWMN PY QA QADRI QEL QI QIZ QM QT QU QUAN QUOC RA RAED RAID RAS RATIFICATION RBI RCA RCMP RE REA REACTION REALTIONS RECIN REF REFORM REFPAN REFUGEE REFUGEES 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984 rows / 984 results
IdentifierSubjectDateOfficeClassificationTags
02COLOMBO1551SRI 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 02:15:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPREL PGOV PTER PHUM PARM ECON ETRD CE LTTE
02COLOMBO1695 Additional information on VIP attendance at
[...] No summary [...]
2002-09-12 11:48:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIEDPREL OTRA ASEC CE UNGA
02COLOMBO1993SRI LANKA: DRAFT SUBMISSION FOR 2002 ANNUAL HUMAN RIGHTS REPORT
[...] No summary [...]
2002-10-24 14:00:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYCE ELAB KSEP PHUM PREL
02COLOMBO2003SRI 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 10:22:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PHUM PINR PINS EAID ELAB CE LTTE
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 10:53:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALAMGT CE MV LTTE
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 11:02:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALAMGT 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 11:33:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIAL//NOFORNPREL 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 10:38:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPREL PTER PINS NO JA 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 11:17:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPREL PGOV PTER CE
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 10:26:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPREL PGOV PTER PREF CE LTTE
03COLOMBO17252003 HUMAN RIGHTS REPORT FOR SRI LANKA
[...] No summary [...]
2003-10-03 06:06:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYCE ELAB KSEP PGOV PHUM PREL
03COLOMBO1808 In meeting with Ambassador, Opposition Leader
[...] (C) SUMMARY: On October 16, Ambassador Lunstead met with Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapakse. During the discussion, Rajapakse highlighted public support for peace, but he noted that the GSL's peace efforts were at a crucial stage and it had to handle the matter with the utmost care. Regar [...]
2003-10-17 06:14:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPREL PGOV PINR CE
03COLOMBO1926 Sri Lanka Update: MPs reportedly rally to
[...] (C) SUMMARY: In reaction to the President's dramatic actions of November 4-5, MPs from the governing coalition and Tamil parties have reportedly rallied in support of the Prime Minister. There are still indications, however, that the President may be trying to tempt possible defectors. Aft [...]
2003-11-06 12:26:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PINS PTER ASEC KPAO ECON CASC CE NO LTTE
03COLOMBO1988 Biographical sketches of key advisers to
[...] (C) Para three contains brief biographical sketches of key advisers to Sri Lankan President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga. The advisers are divided into three general (and sometimes cross-cutting) "circles": -- (I) Family members, including senior People's Alliance/Sri Lanka Freedom Pa [...]
2003-11-18 11:52:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PINR CE
03COLOMBO322 Prime Minister address on status of peace
[...] (C) Summary: Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe used the February 22 one year anniversary of the formal ceasefire to comment on the status of the peace process and his vision of what is to come. Most observers viewed his speech with appreciation. The only detractors were those who were to [...]
2003-02-25 10:52:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPREL PTER PGOV PHUM CE LTTE
03COLOMBO983 MEDIA PLAY: (June 8) Tokyo Conference; Colombo
[...] Summary. On the eve of the Tokyo Conference, a frenetic Sri Lankan media was consumed with talk of an interim administration for the north and east and the fate of donor money sans LTTE participation. Tamil newspapers were engrossed with Tokyo-related issues large and small - but especially [...]
2003-06-09 05:25:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIEDKPAO OPRC KMDR OIIP CE LTTE
04COLOMBO1262 NORWEGIAN DEPUTY FM DESCRIBES LONG UPHILL ROAD
[...] (C) SUMMARY: Helgesen found President Kumaratunga flexible on peace talks agenda issue, but Karuna situation is preventing progress on getting back to talks. LTTE is seeking a military solution to the Karuna issue. Helgesen sees task as safeguarding the Cease Fire Agreement while Karuna issue [...]
2004-07-29 10:27:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPREL PGOV PTER CE NO LTTE
04COLOMBO1280IN MEETINGS, PDAS CAMP HEARS POLITICALLY
[...] (C) SUMMARY: During July 30-31 meetings, PDAS Donald Camp expressed the USG's concern for religious freedom in Sri Lanka to government officials and political interlocutors. Prime Minister Rajapakse stated that the government was pursuing its own anti-conversion bill to thwart the anti-conve [...]
2004-08-03 07:03:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPREL PHUM KIRF CE
04COLOMBO1309 In meetings with PDAS Camp, interlocutors show
[...] (C) SUMMARY: During a July 29-30 visit to Sri Lanka, State Department PDAS for South Asia Donald Camp met with interlocutors throughout the government and political arena. The government reiterated its commitment to talks and was clearly thinking about how to get back to the table. Comment [...]
2004-08-09 08:22:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPREL PGOV PTER CE LTTE
04COLOMBO1392MALDIVES: ATMOSPHERE CALM BUT TENSE AMID FEARS
[...] (C) Summary: The atmosphere in the Republic of Maldives remained calm but tense in the week following the August 12-13 demonstrations against the government in Male', the capital. Night-time curfews (from about 11:00 p.m. to 4:30 a.m.) remain in effect, but schools and businesses are open, [...]
2004-08-20 09:25:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PHUM PREL MV
04COLOMBO1427MALDIVES: OFFICIAL BLAME OF FUNDAMENTALISTS FOR
[...] (U) This is an Action Request -- please see Para Thirteen. 2. (C) SUMMARY: The Maldivian government continues to allege that fundamentalists are behind the August 12-13 demonstrations. In an August 26 address before Parliament, President Gayoom reiterated his commitment to reform and ex [...]
2004-08-26 12:06:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PHUM MV
04COLOMBO1432SRI LANKA: GOVERNMENT TALKS TOUGH ABOUT RECENT
[...] (U) The week of August 20-27 saw a continuation of the violence between the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and its opponents cited in Ref B. On August 20 two senior-ranking Tigers were shot and killed by unidentified assailants as they left a meeting in Batticaloa. The proximity o [...]
2004-08-27 06:58:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPTER PGOV ASEC CE LTTE
04COLOMBO1526SRI LANKA: AMBASSADOR DISCUSSES PEACE PROCESS
[...] (C) In separate meetings with Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse and Peace Secretariat head Jayantha Dhanapala on September 15, the Ambassador discussed prospects for resumed negotiations between the Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). While Rajapakse [...]
2004-09-15 12:58:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PTER PREL CE LTTE
04COLOMBO155 In readout, Japanese Ambassador sees visit by
[...] (C) SUMMARY: On January 26, Japanese Ambassador Suda provided Ambassador Lunstead and the other local co-chairs of the Tokyo process with a readout of Special Envoy Akashi's recent visit to Sri Lanka. In Akashi's meeting with the LTTE, the group requested that more be done to funnel aid to [...]
2004-01-27 11:11:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPREL PGOV PTER EAID CE NO JA EU LTTE
04COLOMBO1563SRI LANKA: GOVERNMENT LOSING MOMENTUM, CEDING
[...] (C) President Chandrika Kumaratunga's five-month-old government has so far proven unable to regain the momemtum lost in the peace process since the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) walked out of negotiations with her predecessor's government in April 2003. Without encouraging signs of [...]
2004-09-20 11:26:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PTER PHUM ASEC CE LTTE
04COLOMBO1794SRI LANKA: POLITICAL MANEUVERS DIVERT PROGRESS
[...] (C) A flurry of recent activity on the domestic political front suggests that President Chandrika Kumaratunga may be planning to ensure her hold on power past her term limit by attempting to abolish the executive presidency and succeeding to the post of prime minister. Achieving this aim in [...]
2004-11-01 11:48:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV CE
04COLOMBO266 Campaign Snapshot: PM lashes out at President
[...] (C) In this message, Mission reviews the following items revolving around Sri Lanka's April 2 parliamentary election campaign: -- PM Wickremesinghe blames President Kumaratunga for cohabitation tensions in nationally televised address; -- Actively engaging in the campaign, Tamil Tigers p [...]
2004-02-18 03:03:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PINS PINR PHUM CE LTTE
04COLOMBO422 Campaign Snapshot: Despite LTTE rift, Tamil
[...] (C) In this message, Mission reviews the following items related to Sri Lanka's April 2 parliamentary election campaign: -- Despite LTTE split, pro-Tiger party carries on campaign; -- Extremist Buddhist monks launch effort; -- Incidents of campaign-related violence on low side, so far [...]
2004-03-09 11:00:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PINS PINR PTER PHUM CE
04COLOMBO465Campaign Snapshot: Major parties issue dueling
[...] (C) In this message, Mission reviews the following items related to Sri Lanka's April 2 parliamentary election campaign: -- President Kumaratunga defends record in nationally televised address; -- United National Party (UNP) releases strongly pro- peace process manifesto; -- President [...]
2004-03-15 03:29:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PINS PINR PTER PHUM CE KWMM
04COLOMBO587 Sri Lanka: Results of Sri Lanka's April 2
[...] (C) SUMMARY: Final results from Sri Lanka's April 2 parliamentary election came out late April 4 and President Kumaratunga's political grouping, the "UPFA," emerged with the largest number of seats in Parliament. The UPFA did not attain a majority, however. The President may swear in an "in [...]
2004-04-05 12:12:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PTER PINR ECON CE
04COLOMBO601 Sri Lanka: President swears in new PM,
[...] (C) SUMMARY: On April 6, President Kumaratunga swore in Mahinda Rajapakse, a senior leader in her SLFP party, as Sri Lanka's next prime minister. A new cabinet may be sworn in the next day or so. In the meantime, the President's UPFA grouping (SLFP plus JVP) continues to look for partners [...]
2004-04-06 12:27:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PTER PINR CE
04COLOMBO606 OFFICIAL INFORMAL NUMBER 054 (04/07/04)
[...] (C) The Ambassador will call on new Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse at 9 am Thurday morning. We assume that the POTUS-Prime Minister congratulatory letter referred to in the D memo you e-mailed us is in the works? Let us know if you need language from us. Depending on how long the meeting [...]
2004-04-07 12:20:00Embassy ColomboSECRET//NOFORNAMGT CE MV LTTE
04COLOMBO611 In meeting with Ambassador, new PM expresses
[...] (C) Ambassador Lunstead made a congratulatory call on new Sri Lankan Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse on April 8. During their 45-minute long discussion, Rajapakse underscored his support for the peace process. In a theme he kept returning to, he also expressed deep concerns about the high d [...]
2004-04-08 12:31:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPREL PGOV PINR ECON MASS CE LTTE
04COLOMBO618 Sri Lanka: Foreign Minister-designate
[...] (U) This cable contains an action request -- see para 7. 2. (C) SUMMARY: New Foreign Minister Kadirgamar would like to visit Washington in May. He appreciated the US's neutrality during the election. On the Peace Process, the new government "has no grip yet." India has been standing [...]
2004-04-08 12:54:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPREL PGOV PINR CE IN CHR
04COLOMBO637 Sri Lanka: President swears in new Cabinet
[...] (C) SUMMARY: President Kumaratunga swore in Sri Lanka's new Cabinet on April 10. As expected, the President kept control of the defense and internal security portfolios, while key SLFP advisers received most of the other top portfolios. The radical JVP, a key SLFP ally in the recent campai [...]
2004-04-14 12:28:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PINS PINR CE
04COLOMBO644 In meeting, Norwegian Ambassador reviews
[...] (C) SUMMARY: Norway expects a formal request from the GSL to continue its role as peace facilitator. Norwegians think the new Sri Lankan Government needs to realize it cannot make unilateral decisions on the course of the peace process. No "Peace Team" in place yet. END SUMMARY. 2. (C [...]
2004-04-15 10:24:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPREL PGOV PINR CE NO LTTE
04COLOMBO647 Sri Lanka: Biographic data on new Cabinet
[...] (C) As reported Reftel, Sri Lanka's new cabinet was sworn in on April 10. (FYI. President Kumaratunga retained control of the defense and internal security portfolios -- see Reftels. Due to a dispute with President Kumaratunga, the radical Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna, "JVP," has not yet assu [...]
2004-04-15 12:23:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PINR PREL ECON CE
04COLOMBO694 In big defeat for new government, Sri Lankan
[...] (C) SUMMARY: The Sri Lankan Parliament has elected W.J.M. Lokubandara, an MP for the Opposition UNP, as its next Speaker. The vote, which took place late April 22, was a close one, 110-109, with six abstentions. Parliament reconvenes on May 18. While the Speaker job is largely symbolic, th [...]
2004-04-23 06:28:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PINS PINR CE
04COLOMBO809 Peace process, economic issues highlighted
[...] (C) SUMMARY: Assistant Secretary for South Asian Affairs Christina B. Rocca visited Sri Lanka, May 13-16. Highlights of the visit included meetings with President Kumaratunga, Prime Minister Rajapakse, Opposition Leader (and former PM) Wickremesinghe, business leaders, and Tamil politicians. [...]
2004-05-18 10:22:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL ECON CE NO LTTE ECONOMICS
05COLOMBO1019SRI LANKA: JVP THREATENS SHOWDOWN, PRESIDENT
[...] (C) With coalition partner Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) still threatening to withdraw from the government if President Chandrika Kumaratunga signs the "joint mechanism" on tsunami aid with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE),Kumaratunga is seeking support for the controversial agr [...]
2005-06-07 13:05:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPTER PGOV PREL IN CE LTTE
05COLOMBO1033SRI LANKA: JVP DIGGING IN HEELS OVER JOINT
[...] (C) In a June 8 conversation with poloffs, Somawansa Amarasinghe, Leader of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP),confirmed his party's determination to quit the United People's Front Alliance (UPFA) if President Chandrika Kumaratunga proceeds with plans to sign a so-called "joint mechanism" o [...]
2005-06-09 11:35:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PTER CE LTTE
05COLOMBO1056FACTIONS STILL MONK(EY)ING AROUND WITH JOINT
[...] (U) On June 13 the President launched a campaign to garner public support for the proposed joint mechanism (JM) to distribute tsunami aid (Reftel A). The President has asked all the Members of Parliament in her coalition to raise awareness about the JM in their constituencies. She has reques [...]
2005-06-15 01:49:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PTER CE LTTE
05COLOMBO1065SRI LANKA: PRESIDENT REVIEWS OPTIONS AS DEADLINE
[...] (U) As of COB June 15, Government coalition partner Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) was sticking to its ultimatum to President Chandrika Kumaratunga to abandon plans to sign a "joint mechanism" on tsunami aid with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) by midnight June 16 or face the dis [...]
2005-06-15 13:06:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PTER CE LTTE
05COLOMBO1079SRI LANKA: OPPOSITION PREDICTS PARLIAMENTARY
[...] (C) In a June 17 meeting, Karu Jayasuriya, Deputy Leader of the opposition United National Party (UNP),told poloff that while none of the major parties wants polls right now, he "would not be surprised" if President Chandrika Kumaratunga called parliamentary elections in "three or four month [...]
2005-06-17 05:57:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PTER CE
05COLOMBO1116JOINT MECHANISM SIGNED BY GSL, PARLIAMENT
[...] (C) According to sources in the Presidential Secretariat, M.S. Jayasinghe, the Secretary of the Ministry of Relief, Rehabilitation, and Reconciliation (RRR),signed the Post-Tsunami Operational Management Structure (P-TOMS),also known as the Joint Mechanism (JM) for tsunami aid distribution, [...]
2005-06-24 07:21:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PTER EAID CE LTTE
05COLOMBO1255SRI LANKA: SUPREME COURT ORDERS TEMPORARY STAY ON
[...] (SBU) In response to petitions filed by members of the Marxist Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) party, a three-member panel of the Supreme Court (SC) granted a temporary stay order for four key sections of the Post-Tsunami Operational Management Structure (P-TOMS) on July 15 (Reftel). Despit [...]
2005-07-18 11:15:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIAL//NOFORNPGOV PHUM PTER CE LTTE
05COLOMBO1318SRI LANKA: CONTROVERSY OVER END DATE OF
[...] (U) Summary. Controversy abounds in Sri Lanka about the date President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga's term of office ends. While the Constitution allows a single person to hold two six-year terms as president, the document is vague regarding the rules if the incumbent calls for early e [...]
2005-07-29 03:48:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV CE
05COLOMBO1354SRI LANKA: PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION QUESTION HEATS UP
[...] (U) Summary. On August 1, President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga's Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) announced current Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse as its presidential candidate and named Anura Bandaranaike (the President's brother),now the Minister for Tourism and Investment Promoti [...]
2005-08-03 11:30:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV CE
05COLOMBO1440SRI LANKA: HELGESEN BRIEFS CO-CHAIRS ON NORWEGIAN
[...] (C) Summary. The Norwegian facilitators have shared with the co-chairs a constructive plan for putting the burden on the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) for the next steps in the peace process while also heading off rash actions by the government (GSL). The Norwegians will give LTTE [...]
2005-08-16 12:06:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPREL PTER NO CE LTTE
05COLOMBO1485ALL IN THE FAMILY: SRI LANKAN PRESIDENT APPOINTS
[...] (C) On August 22 President Chandrika Kumaratunga appointed Anura Bandaranaike, her younger brother and Minister of Tourism, Foreign Minister. The move is viewed largely as a consolation prize for Bandaranaike after he failed to gain his party's--and his sister's--approval as the next preside [...]
2005-08-23 12:34:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPINR PREL PGOV CE
05COLOMBO1503SRI LANKAN SUPREME COURT DECIDES PRESIDENTIAL
[...] (U) On August 26 a five-judge bench of the Supreme Court ruled that presidential elections must take place between October 28 and November 22, 2005. The decision, rendered in response to a petition filed by the opposition Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU) party, ends months of speculation whether po [...]
2005-08-26 07:06:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYPGOV CE
05COLOMBO1508SRI LANKAN PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION: JVP PONDERS
[...] (C) Following the August 26 Supreme Court decision that presidential elections must be held by November 22 (Reftel),the nationalist Marxist Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) is facing a fierce internal debate about whether to support Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) candidate and current Prime M [...]
2005-08-29 13:41:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV CE
05COLOMBO1540NOW MORE THAN EVER: SLFP OFFICIAL INDICATES PARTY
[...] (C) Still unsure of either the election date or whether it can count on support from its former coalition partner, the Sinhalese nationalist Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP),President Chandrika Kumaratunga's Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) will kick off its hurried presidential campaign with a [...]
2005-09-01 13:01:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV CE
05COLOMBO1565TFUS01: SRI LANKAN PRIME MINISTER SENDS
[...] On September 7 Embassy received a letter of condolence on Hurricane Katrina from Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse to President Bush. The text of the letter follows below. 2. Begin text: 2 September 2005 His Excellency George W. Bush President of the United States of America Excelle [...]
2005-09-07 09:27:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIEDOPDC PREL CE
05COLOMBO1604SRI LANKA: TIME FOR CO-CHAIRS TO STAND UP AGAINST
[...] (C) The co-chairs will meet in New York at a time when the prospects for tangible progress on the Sri Lanka peace process are underwhelming, especially in the wake of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam's (LTTE) refusal to accept the latest proposal by the Norwegian facilitators for a cease [...]
2005-09-12 10:27:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPTER PGOV PHUM PREL CE LTTE
05COLOMBO1605PM RAJAPAKSE ASSURES AMBASSADOR ELECTORAL PACT
[...] (C) Summary. PM Rajapakse describes his pact with the JVP, which reads as an utter renunciation of the peace process and economic reform, as "just words" and assures the Ambassador of his commitment to peace and his ability to use and control the JVP. We will continue to make the point tha [...]
2005-09-12 11:01:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV ECON KIRF CE
05COLOMBO1639SRI LANKA: FIRST BATTLE OF PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN:
[...] (C) Summary: Incumbent President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga's angry public reaction to Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) presidential candidate and current Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse's electoral pacts with the Sinhalese nationalist Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) and Jathika Hela [...]
2005-09-16 06:22:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV CE
05COLOMBO1648SRI LANKAN PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS SCHEDULED FOR
[...] (U) On September 19 Election Commissioner Dayananda Dissanayake announced that presidential elections will be held on November 17. Nominations are to be filed on October 7. So far, only the two largest parties, the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) of incumbent President Chandrika Bandaranaik [...]
2005-09-19 11:32:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYPGOV CE
05COLOMBO1672SRI LANKA: SLFP ALLIANCE WITH JVP MAY POLARIZE
[...] (SBU) Summary: As the presidential race picks up speed, both the ruling Sri Lanka Freedom Party's (SLFP's) candidate Mahinda Rajapakse and the opposition United National Party's (UNP's) candidate Ranil Wickremesinghe are trying to garner support from smaller political parties. Rajapakse has c [...]
2005-09-21 12:12:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV CE
05COLOMBO1730SRI LANKA FREEDOM PARTY INTERNAL BATTLE LINES
[...] (SBU) With the September 27 return of President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga from abroad, the internal battle lines within the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) are hardening, with the first major confrontation--the contents of the party manifesto--likely to occur during the Central Commi [...]
2005-09-30 06:54:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV CE
05COLOMBO1739SRI LANKAN DAILY REPORTS GOVERNMENT TO DROP
[...] (U) The headlines of the October 3 edition of the English language Daily Mirror, quoting an unnamed "top US State Department official," reported the Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) had agreed to hold off on anti-conversion legislation because of US pressure. According to the article, written by [...]
2005-10-03 10:10:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPHUM PREL PGOV KPAO CE
05COLOMBO1757SRI LANKA: MINORITY HEAVYWEIGHTS COME OUT FOR
[...] (U) At separate press conferences on October 5 Ceylon Workers Congress (CWC) head Arumugam Thondaman and Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) leader Rauff Hakeem announced their parties' support for United National Party (UNP) presidential candidate Ranil Wickremesinghe. The CWC accompanied its [...]
2005-10-05 11:50:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV CE
05COLOMBO1779SRI LANKA FREEDOM PARTY PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN:
[...] (C) With his electoral pacts with the Marxist/nationalist Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) and Buddhist nationalist Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU),Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) presidential candidate Mahinda Rajapakse appears to be trying to steer his party away from the political center favored [...]
2005-10-11 06:40:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV CE
05COLOMBO1809SRI LANKA'S ELECTION: ECONOMIC ISSUES KEY FOR
[...] (SBU) Summary: In late September, Poloff and Pol FSN visited south and central Sri Lanka to meet politicians and civil society leaders and discuss the November 17 Presidential election. Most interlocutors agreed that for Ratnapura, Badulla, and Moneragela districts, employment, welfare, and a [...]
2005-10-17 02:00:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYPGOV ECON CE
05COLOMBO1812 CONTINUED IMPROVEMENT IN SRI LANKA?S GROWTH,
[...] (U) Summary: Since the last economic update (reftel),the Central Bank of Sri Lanka has released second quarter GDP data which shows a 6 percent annualized growth rate in the second quarter. The growth rate for the first half of 2005 is estimated at 5.1 percent. Exports have also been a s [...]
2005-10-17 10:54:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYECON EFIN CE
05COLOMBO1831SRI LANKAN ELECTION SURVEY REVEALS GREATER VOTER
[...] (C) Summary: Results of recent polls indicate that a cross-section of Sri Lankans have greater confidence in the opposition United National Party's (UNP) ability to control the cost of living and negotiate a peace agreement with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE),the two most import [...]
2005-10-20 11:56:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV CE
05COLOMBO1832SRI LANKA: PRO-LTTE MP INDICATES CONCERN AT
[...] (SBU) On October 19 poloff met in Colombo with Pathmini Sithamparanathan, Tamil National Alliance (TNA) MP from Jaffna, and her husband, Professor K. Shivakumaran, who teaches drama at Jaffna University. The couple told poloff they were in the capital to meet with a number of "Sinhalese frie [...]
2005-10-20 12:00:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PTER PHUM CE
05COLOMBO1853SRI LANKA: PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES DIVERGE ON
[...] (C) The two main candidates in Sri Lanka's November 17 presidential election offer radically different approaches to the peace process and the economy. Prime Minister and Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) candidate Mahinda Rajapakse is stepping back from a previous Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) [...]
2005-10-26 11:47:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV CE LTTE
05COLOMBO1858AMBASSADOR'S CALL ON PRESIDENT KUMARATUNGA: THE
[...] (C) I met with President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga one-on-one late in the evening of October 26. As Kumaratunga appeared from a Cabinet meeting, I commented that she looked tired from the campaign. "Not tired," she said, "frustrated." She then launched into criticism of Prime Minis [...]
2005-10-27 09:35:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL CE
05COLOMBO1859SRI LANKA: CO-CHAIRS PREVIEW POSSIBLE ROLE
[...] (C) On October 25 the Ambassador convened a meeting of Heads of Mission of the co-chairs of the 2003 Tokyo Conference on Reconstruction and Development of Sri Lanka to reassess the co-chairs' role in the wake of developments over the past two years. Pointing out that many of their original o [...]
2005-10-27 10:19:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPTER PGOV PREL CE
05COLOMBO1862PUTTALAM DISTRICT GEARS UP FOR CLOSE ELECTION
[...] (SBU) SUMMARY: During a recent poloff visit to Puttalam district on Sri Lanka's west coast, government officials described a calm, if rather apathetic, polity and a well-practiced electoral mechanism. Catholics in the area are expected to support United National Party (UNP) opposition candid [...]
2005-10-27 11:21:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIAL//NOFORNPGOV CE
05COLOMBO1866SRI LANKA'S DIVERSE CENTRAL PROVINCE
[...] (C) Summary: On Poloff's October 23-26 trip to Sri Lanka's Central Province, interlocutors in the three districts of Nuwara Eliya, Kandy and Matale indicated that United National Party (UNP) candidate Ranil Wickremesinghe was slightly ahead of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party's (SLFP) Mahinda Ra [...]
2005-10-28 08:15:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV CE
05COLOMBO1867PRESIDENTIAL PLATFORMS HIGHLIGHT STARK ECONOMIC
[...] (C) Summary: The Sri Lanka presidential candidates have released their election "manifestos" (platforms). Both have clearly learned the lessons of the April 2004 parliamentary elections, in which the rural vote proved decisive, and have included significant benefit increases for the rural sect [...]
2005-10-28 08:15:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALEAGR ECON ETRD PGOV PREL CE
05COLOMBO1868FOREIGN MINISTER STICKS UP FOR HIS SISTER, SLAMS
[...] (C) Summary. Sri Lankan Foreign Minister (and brother of President Kumaratunga) Anura Bandaranaike told the Ambassador he is contemptuous of SLFP Presidential candidate Mahinda Rajapakse's alliance with the Marxist JVP, will not campaign very hard on Rajapakse's behalf and is not at all sur [...]
2005-10-31 04:06:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL KIRF CE MV
05COLOMBO1883PRE-ELECTION PERSPECTIVES FROM KURUNEGALA,
[...] (U) Summary. Poloff and Pol FSN met on October 25-27 with community members in Kurunegala district in North Western province, Polonnaruwa district in North Central province, and Trincomalee district in Eastern province to discuss the political climate in the weeks before the November 17 pre [...]
2005-11-01 09:37:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PHUM PTER CE
05COLOMBO1891SRI LANKA FREEDOM PARTY COUNTING ON MUSLIM VOTE
[...] (C) Campaign strategists for Prime Minister and Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) presidential candidate Mahinda Rajapakse told poloff in an October 27 meeting they were confident that votes from supporters of the Sinhalese extremist Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU) and the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (S [...]
2005-11-01 12:06:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV CE
05COLOMBO1912FOREIGN MINISTER ANURA BANDARANAIKE ON "WHEN RANIL
[...] (C) When I met Foreign Minister Anura Bandaranaike on October 28 (reftel),he said that he wanted to get together before the Presidential election for a one-on-one chat, "without all these people (pointing to the notetakers) around." On November 7 we had that meeting over lunch at his offici [...]
2005-11-07 09:37:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPTER PGOV PHUM PREL CE
05COLOMBO1919CULTURALLY SENSITIVE RICE SECTOR A KEY CAMPAIGN ISSUE
[...] Summary. Rice is Sri Lanka's most important agricultural crop in terms of area cultivated, production and rural employment (approximately 1.8 million farmer families depend on rice for their livelihood). Rice production contributes 4 percent of the country's GDP and around 850,000 hectares are [...]
2005-11-08 02:10:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIEDECON EAGR CE ECONOMICS
05COLOMBO1929SRI LANKA: IMPLICATIONS OF PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION
[...] (C) -- The distinct approaches to the peace process adopted by the two main candidates in the run-up to Sri Lanka's November 17 presidential election pose different challenges for members of the international community, including the U.S., who hope to promote a permanent resolution of the eth [...]
2005-11-09 11:06:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PTER PREL CE LTTE
05COLOMBO1935PROPOSED SRI LANKA 2006 BUDGET DEAD ON ARRIVAL
[...] (SBU) Summary: Finance Minister Sarath Amunugama (Amunugama) presented a 2006 budget proposal of the current Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) to a less-than-packed Parliament on November 8, just 10 days before presidential elections. The main opposition United National Party (UNP) and its alli [...]
2005-11-10 10:15:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYECON ETRD EFIN CE ECONOMICS
05COLOMBO1940AS ELECTION APPROACHES, AMPARA RESIDENTS ASK:
[...] (U) Summary: The district government in the Muslim-majority East coast district of Ampara appears to have logistics for the November 17 presidential election in order. Community members feel that Tamils in the district are not taking the election seriously enough. Tamils are unconvinced t [...]
2005-11-14 11:11:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PHUM CE LTTE
05COLOMBO1943LTTE DISCOURAGES TAMILS FROM VOTING, BLOW TO
[...] (U) SUMMARY: Ending weeks of speculation about the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) stance in the November 17 presidential election, the LTTE met late on November 10 with their Tamil National Alliance (TNA) proxies in Kilinochchi and announced that the Tamil people would "not benefit f [...]
2005-11-14 12:42:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PTER CE LTTE
05COLOMBO1951SRI LANKA: SUGGESTED U.S. STATEMENT ON THE
[...] (SBU) This message conveys Embassy's suggestions for a statement by the Department Spokesman after the November 17 presidential election. Two versions are provided: one for suggested use in the event of a generally free and fair election and another for suggested use in the event of an elect [...]
2005-11-15 11:58:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYPREL PGOV PHUM KPAO CE
05COLOMBO1965SRI LANKA: BOTH SIDES CONFIDENT, CALCULATING WIN
[...] (C) One day before the presidential election campaign insiders for both major candidates remained confident of claiming a decisive, if narrow, victory. Strategists for Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) candidate Mahinda Rajapakse seem sure that their contender will clinch a significant slice of [...]
2005-11-16 11:30:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PTER CE
05COLOMBO1969CHANDRIKA BIDS FAREWELL
[...] (C) Outgoing Sri Lankan President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga (CBK) hosted a dinner for the diplomatic corps on November 16, the evening before the election which would determine her successor. About 100 guests--the entire diplomatic corps, including multilateral and UN agency heads, [...]
2005-11-17 08:56:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL CE LTTE
05COLOMBO1971SRI LANKA: POLLING PEACEFUL; TIGER INTIMIDATION
[...] (SBU) As of mid-day on November 17, voting in the presidential election was proceeding peacefully in the central and southern parts of the country. Virtually no voters had crossed from territory controlled by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in the north and east to cast their ba [...]
2005-11-17 11:02:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYPGOV PTER CE
05COLOMBO1974US INTERESTS AFTER THE SRI LANKAN PRESIDENTIAL
[...] (C) How is the apparent victory of Mahinda Rajapakse likely to affect US interests in Sri Lanka? We define our overriding interests here quite simply: Peace and Prosperity. Peace because a successful peace process will mean the end of terrorism by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) [...]
2005-11-18 07:44:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPREL PGOV ECON EAID PTER US CE LTTE
05COLOMBO1975SRI LANKA: PM RAJAPAKSE WINS PRESIDENCY IN CLOSE
[...] On November 18, Election Commissioner Dayananada Dissanayake announced that Prime Minister and Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) candidate Mahinda Rajapakse won Sri Lanka's November 17 presidential election with a mere 50.3 percent of the total vote. The deciding factor in the election was a Tam [...]
2005-11-18 09:18:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PTER PHUM CE LTTE
05COLOMBO1979SRI LANKA: PRESIDENT RAJAPAKSE SOUNDS MODERATE
[...] (C) On November 19 Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse took the oath of office as the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka's fifth Executive President. Following the swearing-in ceremony, Rajapakse addressed the nation listing his objectives of averting war, supporting the Cease Fire Agre [...]
2005-11-21 11:08:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PHUM PTER KIRF CE
05COLOMBO1981SRI LANKA: BIOGRAPHIC INFORMATION ON PRESIDENT
[...] (SBU) Percy Mahendra (aka "Mahinda") Rajapakse was sworn in as Sri Lanka's fifth President on November 18, 2005--his 60th birthday. Like his predecessor and rival Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga, Rajapakse has the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) in his blood, with his father, D.A. Rajapakse [...]
2005-11-21 11:59:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPINR PGOV CE
05COLOMBO1982HAWKISH RATNASIRI WICKREMANAYAKE APPOINTED PRIME
[...] (C) Summary. New Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickremanayake, a Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) hard-liner and long-time loyalist of former President Chandrika Kumaratunga, is a controversial politician unlikely to foster the broad consensus new President Mahinda Rajapakse, with his narrow margi [...]
2005-11-21 12:09:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PINR CE
05COLOMBO1988SRI LANKA: OPPOSITION LEADER'S VIEWS ON LOST
[...] Summary: On November 22, the Ambassador met with Ranil Wickremesinghe, leader of the opposition United National Party (UNP) and unsuccessful candidate in the November 17 presidential election by a margin of under 200,000 votes. Wickremesinghe expressed surprise that the Liberation Tigers of T [...]
2005-11-22 11:29:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PTER CE LTTE
05COLOMBO1992 AVIAN AND PANDEMIC INFLUENZA INFORMATION - SRI
[...] (U) THIS IS THE SECOND CABLE REPORTING ON PREPARATIONS UNDERWAY TO PREVENT A HIGHLY PATHENOGENIC AVIAN INFLUENZA (HPAI) IN SRI LANKA (REF A) AND RESPONDS TO REF B QUESTIONS REGARDING SRI LANKA'S EFFORTS TO CONTROL AVIAN FLU AND ITS CAPABILITY TO RESPOND TO AN INFLUENZA PANDEMIC. PREPAREDNES [...]
2005-11-23 10:13:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYTBIO ECON PREL SOCI EAGR CASC CE KSTH WHO
05COLOMBO1994BIOGRAPHIC INFORMATION ON NEW FOREIGN MINISTER
[...] (U) On November 23 President Mahinda Rajapakse appointed a 25-member Cabinet that retained many Ministers in the posts they held during former President Chandrika Kumaratunga's administration (septel). Among the few changes made, however, was the appointment of Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) [...]
2005-11-23 10:43:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPINR PGOV PREL CE
05COLOMBO1995ECONOMIC ADVISOR SUGGESTS RAJAPAKSE WILL HOLD FINANCE
[...] (C) Summary: During a November 22 meeting with Econchief, Senior Advisor to President Rajapakse, Nivaad Cabral (a long-time Embassy contact) said that the President will retain the Finance Ministry portfolio and that the new budget would be presented sometime next week. The budget will largel [...]
2005-11-23 10:45:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALECON ETRD EAID CE
05COLOMBO1998PRESIDENT RAJAPAKSE APPOINTS SLIMMER CABINET
[...] (C) Summary. President Mahinda Rajapakse appointed his cabinet on November 23, delayed reportedly because of several days of debate about who should control which portfolios. With 25 ministers, the new cabinet is slimmer than in the previous administration, with one notable deletion being s [...]
2005-11-23 11:44:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PINR CE
05COLOMBO2003CONFIDENT PRESIDENT VOWS TO MOVE FORWARD ON PEACE
[...] (C) Summary. President Rajapakse told the Ambassador he is committed to maintaining historically close ties with the United States and welcomes co-chair involvement in the peace process. There is a role for an "independent and balanced" Norway although they should not head the SLMM in Rajap [...]
2005-11-28 06:02:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPREL PGOV ECON KIRF EAID CE LTTE
05COLOMBO2007NEW PRIME MINISTER SEES HOPE FOR PEACE
[...] (C) Summary. New Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickremanayake reacted with optimism to LTTE leader Prabhakaran's November 27 Heroes' Day speech, said that a return to war is not an option and expressed appreciation for U.S. military assistance. He said the anti-conversion bill will not come back [...]
2005-11-28 08:47:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPREL PGOV KIRF MASS EAID CE LTTE
05COLOMBO2008SRI LANKA: TIGER LEADER'S ANNUAL MESSAGE GIVES
[...] (C) Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) leader Velupillai Prabhakaran's annual Heroes' Day speech on November 27, while less belligerent than many had feared, put the new government of President Mahinda Rajapaksa on notice that it must "come forward soon with a reasonable political framew [...]
2005-11-28 11:26:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPTER PGOV CE LTTE
05COLOMBO2014 Special Media Reaction: LTTE Leader Vellupillai
[...] (SBU) Summary: Following LTTE leader V. Prabhakaran's annual Heroes' Day speech on November 27(reftel),Sri Lankan television and newspapers on November 28 and 29 focused on the future of the peace process with a renewed sense of hope and pragmatism. In response to the election of President [...]
2005-11-29 11:07:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYPHUM KPAO PTER EAID OIIP PREL CE LTTE
05COLOMBO2017SRI LANKA: PRESIDENT'S PUBLIC STATEMENTS OFFER
[...] (C) In public statements made since his November 17 election, President Mahinda Rajapaksa has offered few concrete details into how he plans to realize his oft-stated goal of achieving a political resolution to the conflict with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). In particular, how [...]
2005-11-29 11:42:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PTER CE LTTE
05COLOMBO2042NEW FOREIGN MINISTER EAGER TO MAINTAIN CLOSE U.S.
[...] (C) Summary. New Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera said the GSL has proposed CFA talks to the LTTE via the Norwegian facilitators and would be flexible on the location of those talks. The landmine killings of soldiers in Jaffna make such talks especially urgent. The FM outlin [...]
2005-12-06 10:04:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPREL PTER CE LTTE
05COLOMBO2056 Special Media Reaction: Department's Statement on
[...] (U) Summary: Sri Lankan Media commented widely on the statement issued Monday, December 5, by Deputy Spokesman Adam Ereli condemning persistent violations of the cease- fire agreement (CFA),in particular the December 4 LTTE landmine attacks in Jaffna. The English-language and Sinhala media c [...]
2005-12-07 11:17:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIEDPHUM KPAO PTER EAID OIIP PREL CE LTTE
05COLOMBO2059SRI LANKA: UN RAPPORTEUR, AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL
[...] (C) Overlapping visits by Amnesty International (AI) Secretary General Irene Khan and UN Special Rapporteur on SIPDIS Extrajudicial, Summary and Arbitrary Killings Philip Alston during the first week of December focused on continuing political assassinations and the danger they pose to the [...]
2005-12-07 12:13:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPHUM PTER PGOV CE LTTE
05COLOMBO2069 Sri Lankan Initial Sovereign Rating Sub-
[...] (SBU) Summary: Sri Lanka received its first sovereign rating on December 8. Fitch Ratings assigned Sri Lanka a ?BB minus? rating (sub-investment grade) noting that all the long term rating outlooks were stable. Standard and Poor's rating was slightly lower at 'B plus.' The sub- investment [...]
2005-12-09 04:28:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYECON EFIN CE ECONOMICS
05COLOMBO2076PEACE PROCESS: AKASHI VISITS, OFFERS TO HOST
[...] (C) SUMMARY: Japanese Special Envoy Akashi found President Rajapakse eager to take up ceasefire implementation talks and willing to use a venue outside of Sri Lanka. Akashi offered Japan for the first round. Rajapakse was upset at reported comments of Norwegian Envoy Eric Solheim that Norway w [...]
2005-12-12 08:47:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPREL PTER PGOV CE LTTE
05COLOMBO2088SRI LANKA: SCENESETTER FOR DECEMBER 19 CO-CHAIRS
[...] (C) In the run-up to their December 19 meeting in Brussels, the co-chairs are faced with rapidly degenerating security in the north and east; an inexperienced new Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) administration that won on a hardline platform; a Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) that has p [...]
2005-12-13 04:23:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPTER PGOV PREL CE LTTE
05COLOMBO2096CO-CHAIRS SHOULD FOCUS ON PRIVATE MESSAGES TO
[...] (C) SUMMARY: Co-Chairs Chiefs of Mission (COM's) and visiting EC DDG Jouanjean agreed Dec 19 Co-Chairs meeting in Brussels should focus on role of Co-Chairs in changed peace process environment in Sri Lanka. All agreed Co-Chairs should develop messages to be passed privately to both GSL and [...]
2005-12-14 09:27:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPREL PTER PGOV CE LTTE
05COLOMBO2099NEW SRI LANKAN RECONSTRUCTION AND DEVELOPMENT
[...] (SBU) Summary: Ambassador met with the newly formed Sri Lankan Reconstruction and Development Agency's newly appointed Chairman, Tiran Alles, and COO, Saliya Wickramasuriya, on December 5. While neither offered significant insight into the operations of this new entity, which will absorb the [...]
2005-12-15 05:16:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYEAID ECON CE ECONOMICS
05COLOMBO2108TIGERS' TNA PROXIES BLAME GOVERNMENT AND
[...] (C) SUMMARY: In a December 15 meeting with pro-Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) Tamil National Alliance (TNA) parliamentarians, the Ambassador stressed U.S. and international concern at the escalation of violence following the November 17 election. The TNA MPs were quick to deny LTTE i [...]
2005-12-16 07:07:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PTER CE LTTE
05COLOMBO2116PRESIDENT PROMISES SIGNIFICANT WELFARE AND
[...] (SBU) Summary: Sri Lanka?s newly elected President presented the revised 2006 budget to Parliament on November 8. In keeping with the President?s election manifesto, the budget contained a series of ?pro-poor? welfare measures and a significant salary hike to government servants. The budg [...]
2005-12-19 10:42:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYECON EFIN CE ECONOMICS
05COLOMBO2118SRI LANKA: SEVEN CIVILIANS INJURED IN VIOLENT
[...] (U) SUMMARY: Seven civilians were injured when Sri Lanka Army (SLA) soldiers fired on a violent protest led by students affiliated with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in the northern district of Jaffna on December 19. In Colombo on December 17-18 security forces arrested and rel [...]
2005-12-19 12:05:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYPGOV PTER CE LTTE
05COLOMBO2119 Sri Lanka requests assistance to enforce
[...] (U) This is an action cable. See action request in para 7 below. 2. (U) SUMMARY: A Computer Crimes bill will soon become law in Sri Lanka, and submission of an electronic transactions bill is anticipated for early 2006. Sri Lanka would appreciate USG technical assistance in developing [...]
2005-12-20 02:15:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYECON ECPS EFIN EINT ETRD PTER KCRM CE
05COLOMBO2141OPPOSITION POST-MORTEM OF ELECTORAL DEFEAT: SOME
[...] (C) In the wake of the United National Party's (UNP) defeat at the November 17 presidential polls, some members of Sri Lanka's oldest political party are questioning once again whether Ranil Wickremesinghe, who led the party to defeat in 13 of the last 14 electoral contests, should continue a [...]
2005-12-21 11:56:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV CE
05COLOMBO2145MIXED RECORD CONFRONTS SRI LANKA, MALDIVES AND
[...] (SBU) Summary: As we approach the one year anniversary of the December 26, 2004 tsunami, Sri Lanka has avoided the mass outbreak of disease and unrest that some feared early on, established a network of transitional shelters, begun to build permanent housing, elected a new President, establis [...]
2005-12-22 10:08:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYEAID ECON PGOV CE MV ECONOMICS
05COLOMBO2149SRI LANKA: STEADY ATTACKS PRESSURE GOVERNMENT
[...] (SBU) The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) continues to goad the Sri Lankan Army (SLA) and Sri Lankan Navy (SLN) in the north, launching nine small-scale attacks against military targets since December 20. The back-to-back attacks seem designed to increase pressure on the new governm [...]
2005-12-22 12:36:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PTER PHUM CE LTTE
05COLOMBO2158GOVERNMENT ASKS CO-CHAIRS FOR ACTION AS VIOLENCE
[...] (C) SUMMARY: Co-Chair Chiefs of Missions (COM's) met with Prime Minister and Foreign Minister on December 23 to de-brief on Brussels meeting. In light of renewed Tiger attacks, GSL asked Co-Chair COM's to travel to Kilinocchi to deliver hard message to Tigers. COM's (minus US Ambassador) de [...]
2005-12-27 11:03:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPTER PREL CE NO LTTE
05COLOMBO2166 Special Media Reaction: Editorial Reaction to
[...] (U) Summary: The statement by the Tokyo Donors Conference Co-chairs after their December 19 meeting in Brussels sparked a considerable amount of editorial comment in the English and Sinhala press in the week following its December 21 release in Colombo. Editorialists analyzed the statement am [...]
2005-12-28 11:19:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIEDPHUM KPAO PTER EAID OIIP PREL CE LTTE
05COLOMBO2179SCENESETTER FOR SECRETARY'S JANUARY 5 MEETING WITH
[...] (C) Since the November 17 election of Mahinda Rajapaksa as President, violence has escalated rapidly, imperiling the increasingly fragile three-year-old Ceasefire Agreement between the Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). On his first visit to Washin [...]
2005-12-30 06:30:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPREL PGOV PTER CE
05COLOMBO532AMBASSADOR DISCUSSES POST-TSUNAMI RECONSTRUCTION
[...] (U) Ambassador called on Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse March 14 to discuss problems in post-tsunami reconstruction. (n.b., Rajapakse has no formal role to play in reconstruction process, since the Prime Minister's functions are severely limited under the Sri Lankan Constitution. Rajapaks [...]
2005-03-14 11:28:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALEAID PGOV PREL
05COLOMBO542SRI LANKA AND MALDIVES TSUNAMI RELIEF AND
[...] (SBU) Summary: While challenges remain, there has been some positive momentum in the transition from relief to rebuilding this week. The Ambassador met with the Prime Minister on March 14 and will meet the President on March 17 to discuss GSL policies and initiatives on tsunami relief and rec [...]
2005-03-16 10:54:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYEAID ECON PREL CE MV
05COLOMBO559SRI LANKA: SHIFTING FOCUS FROM POST-CRISIS TO
[...] (C) Several recent events indicate that the domestic political scene may be gearing down from the post-tsunami crisis mode of the last three months--in which more blatant displays of self-interest and short-sightedness had to be held in check--back to politics as usual. Examples include dela [...]
2005-03-18 06:26:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL CE LTTE
05COLOMBO678VISIT OF MCC CEO APPLEGARTH TO SRI LANKA INCREASES
[...] (SBU) Summary: During a March 29-31 visit to Sri Lanka, Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) CEO Paul Applegarth discussed Sri Lanka's potential compact proposal with President Kumaratunga, Prime Minister Rajapakse, Finance Minister Amunagama, Central Bank Governor Mendis, Opposition Lea [...]
2005-04-06 11:04:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIAL//NOFORNKMCA EAID ECON PREL CE
05COLOMBO741NORWEGIAN FACILITATOR SOLHEIM THINKS JOINT RELIEF
[...] (C) Summary. Solheim is optimistic that a joint GSL/LTTE/Muslim mechanism for tsunami relief in the north and east will be signed soon but quite emphatic that, absent the mechanism, there will be no progress on peace for a long time. How the mechanism, if signed, would play out on the gro [...]
2005-04-20 11:22:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPREL PTER EAID PGOV CE NO LTTE
05COLOMBO787SRI LANKA: A/S ROCCA RAISES ANTI-CONVERSION
[...] (C) In a series of separate discussions on April 20 with political leaders, government officials and human rights activists, Assistant Secretary for South Asian Affairs Christina Rocca and the Ambassador highlighted U.S. concerns over proposed anti-conversion legislation (reftel). A/S Rocca [...]
2005-04-27 04:51:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPHUM KIRF PREL CE
05COLOMBO788SRI LANKA: A/S ROCCA'S DISCUSSIONS ON THE PEACE
[...] (C) In meetings with Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) and political leaders on April 20, Assistant Secretary for South Asian Affairs Christina Rocca and the Ambassador urged greater flexibility from both the GSL and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in approaching the peace process. T [...]
2005-04-27 06:40:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPTER PGOV PREL CE LTTE
05COLOMBO789SRI LANKA: A/S ROCCA DISCUSSES TSUNAMI
[...] (C) In an April 19 visit to the eastern district of Ampara and in discussions with government and political leaders in Colombo on April 20, Assistant Secretary for South Asian Affairs Christina Rocca reviewed the progress of post-tsunami reconstruction efforts and prospects for a proposed "jo [...]
2005-04-27 06:45:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV EAID PTER CE LTTE
05COLOMBO813TSUNAMI AID AND STATUARY: CHINESE PREMIER'S VISIT
[...] (SBU) Chinese premier Wen Jiabao's April 8-9 visit here yielded some modest tsunami aid and debt relief, mutually reinforcing public condemnations of the "evil" of separatism, and a new bust of Chou Enlai for a Chinese-built conference center in Colombo. For the Sri Lankans, who face a hefty [...]
2005-04-29 08:33:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYPREL PGOV EAID CH CE
05COLOMBO843SRI LANKA: POLITICAL PARTIES RALLY THEIR BASES IN
[...] (SBU) Summary: This year's May Day--a traditional forum for parties to hold pep rallies to tout their accomplishments, outline future moves, and lambaste opponents--passed without incident this past weekend. The various rallies in Colombo sponsored by the Sri Lankan Freedom Party (SLFP),the [...]
2005-05-05 11:55:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYPGOV PHUM PINR CE LTTE
05COLOMBO888SRI LANKA: PROPOSED JOINT MECHANISM NOW POLITICAL
[...] (C) Hopes that the Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) would sign a joint mechanism on tsunami aid before the May 16-17 Development Forum are fading. The proposal has become a political hot potato for President Chandrika Kumaratunga, with her opponen [...]
2005-05-13 11:21:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PTER EAID CE LTTE
05NEWDELHI8892INDIA CAUTIOUSLY WELCOMES NEW SRI LANKAN PRESIDENT
[...] (C) Summary: The GOI called Mahinda Rajapakse's victory in the November 17 Sri Lankan Elections a ""wake-up call for India"" and plans to use the new President's upcoming visit to New Delhi to stress the importance of maintaining the Cease-Fire Agreement while continuing India's already close rela [...]
2005-11-23 12:54:00Embassy New DelhiCONFIDENTIALPREL PGOV PTER MASS CE IN
05OTTAWA3580QUAD MEETING ON SRI LANKA IN OTTAWA
[...] (C) Summary: A Quad meeting was held in Ottawa November 29 on Sri Lanka on the margins of scheduled meetings on Bangladesh and Pakistan. The participants expressed concern over the downward spiral in the peace process and slackening international attention to Sri Lanka. The participants agr [...]
2005-12-02 22:54:00Embassy OttawaCONFIDENTIALAS CA KDEM PGOV PREL PTER SL UK
06BEIJING4361PRC/NEPAL: TANG JIAXUAN RESCHEDULES TRIP TO NEPAL,
[...] (C) State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan has rescheduled his trip to Nepal and will go March 16-18 (as reported Ref A),though the trip has yet to be officially announced by the PRC. MFA Asian Department Division Director for India, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Bhutan Huang Xilian told Poloffs March 8 that Ta [...]
2006-03-08 05:17:00Embassy BeijingCONFIDENTIALPREL PGOV NP CE CH
06BEIJING4958MARCH 16 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: U.S.-CHINA TRADE
[...] Key points made at the March 16 MFA press briefing are as follows: - China hopes U.S.-China economic and trade frictions can be resolved through consultation but will no longer adopt administrative measures to control exchange rate fluctuation. - China does not view the United States as [...]
2006-03-16 11:57:00Embassy BeijingUNCLASSIFIEDPREL ECON PHUM PARM CH JP IR KN
06CHENNAI1746REFUGEE INFLOW INCREASES AS FIGHTING ESCALATES IN
[...] (SBU) SUMMARY: The number of Sri Lankan refugees reaching Tamil Nadu shores continues to accelerate. From a total of 304 refugee arrivals in January the number has grown to 1,892, taking the total number of arrivals in 2006 to 5,799. Escalated fighting on the island and the welcome signal ext [...]
2006-08-04 11:35:00Consulate ChennaiUNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYPGOV PINR PREF IN
06CHENNAI1813REFUGEE INFLOW INCREASES AS FIGHTING ESCALATES IN SRI LANKA
[...] (SBU) SUMMARY: The number of Sri Lankan refugees reaching Tamil Nadu shores continues to accelerate. From a total of 304 refugee arrivals in January the number has grown to 1,892, taking the total number of arrivals in 2006 to 5,799. Escalated fighting on the island and the welcome signal exte [...]
2006-08-18 11:23:00Consulate ChennaiUNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYPGOV PINR PREF IN
06CHENNAI2555MILITARY ATTACKS IN SRI LANKA: TAMIL NADU URGES CENTER TO
[...] (SBU) SUMMARY: Pro-Eelam Tamil rhetoric has again gone into high pitch in Tamil Nadu following the recent Sri Lankan army attacks in Tamil areas (ref a) and in anticipation of the upcoming India visit of Sri Lankan President Rajapakshe. Chief Minister Karunanidhi cited the recent attacks on Ta [...]
2006-11-13 10:03:00Consulate ChennaiUNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYPGOV IN CE
06CHENNAI2575SRI LANKA PRESIDENT'S INDIA VISIT CAUSES MILD TURBULENCE IN
[...] (SBU) SUMMARY. Protest demonstrations, quiet in-camera consultations with the Center, and passive indifference -- Sri Lanka President Mahinda Rajapaksa's visit to India has drawn three types of responses from Tamil Nadu's political parties. Tamil Nadu's smaller pro-LTTE parties such as the MD [...]
2006-11-27 11:04:00Consulate ChennaiUNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYPGOV PTER IN CE
06COLOMBO1FOREIGN MINISTER TO STRESS DEMOCRACY, NEED TO
[...] (C) Summary. Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera plans to brief Secretary Rice on Sri Lanka's efforts to maintain its long democratic tradition as it grapples with a bloody, brutal terrorist challenge and to ask for a strong effort to ensure the LTTE is not raising funds in the U.S. He des [...]
2006-01-03 05:13:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PTER PINS KIRF CE LTTE
06COLOMBO1006SRI LANKA: MONITORS HOPE TO PROCEED AS USUAL
[...] (C) Summary: The Ambassador met with Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) chief Ulf Henricsson on June 14 to discuss the status of the monitors following the aborted meeting between the Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) and Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) scheduled for June 8-9. (Reftel) He [...]
2006-06-14 11:01:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPREL PTER PHUM CE
06COLOMBO1022SRI LANKA: AIR STRIKES CONTINUE ON LTTE MILITARY
[...] (C) Summary: Following a devastating presumed Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) claymore mine attack on a civilian bus on June 15 and limited Sri Lanka military retaliation on Tiger sea and air targets the same day, air raids continued the morning of June 16. Monitors and authorities f [...]
2006-06-16 08:36:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPREL PTER PHUM PGOV CE
06COLOMBO1030SRI LANKA: CEASEFIRE CONTINUES TO FRAY AFTER TIGER
[...] (C) Summary: The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and Sri Lankan Military continued to engage each other militarily June 16 - 18. According to the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM),the Sea Tigers launched a largely unsuccessful attack on a Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) base at Pesalai, Mann [...]
2006-06-19 12:22:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPTER PHUM PGOV MOPS CE
06COLOMBO1032IMPENDING CHANGE IN GOVERNOR HOLDS PROSPECT FOR
[...] (C) Summary: The unexpected resignation of Central Bank Governor Sunil Mendis, and the still unofficial announcement that he will be replaced by Senior Presidential Economic Advisor Nivard Cabraal, marks an opportunity for a weakened Central Bank to reassert its independence from Treasury Secr [...]
2006-06-20 09:07:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALECON EFIN PGOV CE
06COLOMBO1040INDIAN HIGH COMMISSIONER SHARES OUR CONCERNS ON
[...] (C) Ambassador called on Indian High Commissioner Nirupama Rao June 20 to discuss situation in Sri Lanka, possibility of a US-India joint demarche (ref a),and US proposals for international contact groups on LTTE financing and weapons procurement. Rao had just returned from a two-week vacation in [...]
2006-06-21 09:15:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPREL PGOV IN CE
06COLOMBO1041SRI LANKA: GROWING EVIDENCE THAT NAVAL PERSONNEL
[...] (C) Summary: On June 17, during a military engagement between the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) security forces (reftel) in Pesalai, on the Mannar peninsula in northwest Sri Lanka, at least thirty civilians were injured, one fatally, while taking sh [...]
2006-06-21 11:25:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPHUM PTER MOPS CE
06COLOMBO1047NORWEGIANS RUNNING OUT OF STEAM, EU MONITORS TO
[...] (C) SUMMARY: Tigers insist monitors from EU-members states must leave, give 30-day window for transition. Future of the monitoring mission now extremely problematic, Norwegians will discuss it with other Nordics on June 28. Tigers upset about their treatment at Colombo airport while returning from [...]
2006-06-23 05:26:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PTER PHUM CE NO
06COLOMBO1048SRI LANKA: OPPOSITION LEADER ASSESSES THE CONFLICT
[...] (C) Summary. In a June 22 meeting with the Ambassador, Ranil Wickremesinghe, leader of the opposition United National Party (UNP),criticized the president's alliance with the Marxist Sinhalese chauvinist Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP). Wickremesinghe felt the president's Sri Lanka Freedom [...]
2006-06-23 05:28:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV CE
06COLOMBO1051SRI LANKA: LOCAL NGOS INDICT LTTE, KARUNA, AND
[...] (C) Summary. Poloff spoke with representatives from several of Sri Lanka's primary NGOs and think tanks June 21-22 to get their views on the military engagement between the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and the Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) since a June 15 presumably-LTTE bus bombing [...]
2006-06-26 11:52:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPTER PHUM MOPS CE
06COLOMBO1053SRI LANKA: TIGER SUICIDE BOMBERS ASSASSINATE SRI
[...] (C) Summary: At 7:45 AM on June 26, two presumed-Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) motorcycle-mounted suicide bombers killed Deputy Chief of Staff of the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) Major General Parami Kulathunga and three soldiers in Pannapitiya, a suburb approximately 15 km from Colombo. Ku [...]
2006-06-26 12:16:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PTER PHUM MOPS CE
06COLOMBO1103AMBASSADOR USES FAREWELL CALL ON PRESIDENT
[...] (C) Summary. During the Ambassador's July 4 farewell call, President Rajapaksa evinced confidence that his all-party effort will produce a viable document on the future of the country and made clear that he has no plans to ditch his radical political ally, the JVP. He listened carefully to [...]
2006-07-05 08:49:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPREL PTER PHUM CE
06COLOMBO1107SRI LANKA: PRESIDENT MAKES PEACE AND HUMAN RIGHTS
[...] (C) Summary. In a TV interview July 4, President Mahinda Rajapaksa called for the resumption of peace talks with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in the wake of several Tiger attacks on security forces (Ref B). On July 3, a presumed Tiger explosion at a police checkpoint near Anurad [...]
2006-07-05 10:19:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE
06COLOMBO111 Special Media Reaction: Further Reaction to
[...] (SBU) Summary: The Sri Lankan media over the holiday weekend continued to analyze the Ambassador's January 10 speech to the American Chamber of Commerce in which he expressed grave concern over LTTE violence and predicted the Tigers would face a stronger Sri Lankan military if they chose to ab [...]
2006-01-17 11:44:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIEDPHUM KPAO PTER EAID OIIP PREL CE LTTE
06COLOMBO1127INDIAN FOREIGN SECRETARY GIVES BLUNT MESSAGE OF
[...] (C) Summary. Indian Foreign Secretary Saran delivered a "tough love" message of support, remarkably similar to our own, to the Sri Lankan government during his visit here July 3-4. The Indians are increasingly concerned about "disarray" in the military establishment and believe President R [...]
2006-07-09 08:46:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPREL PGOV IN CE
06COLOMBO1140SRI LANKA: ARMY'S U.S.-FUNDED HUMANITARIAN
[...] (SBU) Summary. The Sri Lanka Army's (SLA) U.S.-sponsored humanitarian demining program, begun after the Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) and Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) signed a Ceasefire Agreement (CFA) in February 2002, has lately hit snags which bring into question the program's [...]
2006-07-12 10:42:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIEDPREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE
06COLOMBO1149SRI LANKA: NEW HUMAN RIGHTS MINISTRY PUSHES
[...] (C) Summary. On July 12, the newly-formed Ministry of Human Rights and Disaster Management headed by Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe hosted a briefing at which senior members of the armed forces and police updated the diplomatic corps on human rights training and the status of investigations of [...]
2006-07-13 09:29:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPHUM PREL PTER MOPS CE
06COLOMBO1156SRI LANKA: ALL-PARTY TALKS ON ETHNIC ISSUE RESUME
[...] (C) Summary: On July 11, President Rajapaksa addressed both an All-Party Conference (APC),called to develop a solution to the ethnic conflict, and an Experts' Panel, drawn to provide constitutional and legal advice to the APC. The main opposition United National Party (UNP) did not attend t [...]
2006-07-14 05:08:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PTER PHUM CE
06COLOMBO1160NEW TAX ON FOREIGN BROADCASTING COULD CRIPPLE POPULAR
[...] (U) Summary: The Sri Lankan government (GSL) has imposed a hefty tax exclusively on foreign commercials, television programs, and movies distributed via television. Private TV stations say they will go out of business as a result. The two most prominent foreign media involve Hindi and Engli [...]
2006-07-14 06:46:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYECON ECPS ETRD EFIN SCUL CE
06COLOMBO123AMBASSADOR BRIEFS INDIANHIGH COMMISSIONER ON
[...] (C) Ambassador hosted a one-on-on lunch for Indian High Commissioner Alok Prasad n December 22, hours after Prasad presented his credentials to President Rajapakse. The Ambassado told Prasad that he and his Embassy colleagues looked forward to working very closely with Prasad and his mission [...]
2006-12-22 10:05:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPREL PTE MARR CE IN
06COLOMBO1235SRI LANKA: AIR FORCE ATTACKS IN THE EAST WHILE
[...] (C) Summary. On the evening of July 26, the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) bombed Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) controlled areas of the eastern district of Trincomalee in an allegedly humanitarian effort to open a water supply to Tamil and Muslim civilians that the LTTE had blocked. The [...]
2006-07-27 11:32:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPREL PTER PHUM MOPS PREF CE
06COLOMBO1246SRI LANKA: FINNISH AND DANISH MONITORS PREPARE
[...] (C) Summary. The government mounted a significant ground operation July 31 after Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) strikes on Liberation Tiger of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) targets continued through the weekend, with air-strikes killing eight lower-level Tiger leaders in the eastern Batticaloa and Trincomal [...]
2006-07-31 12:04:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE
06COLOMBO1266SRI LANKA: VIOLENCE IN THE EAST INTENSIFIES
[...] (C) Summary: The initial battle for control of an irrigation canal in the eastern Batticaloa District (reftels) gave rise to further military engagement August 1-2. Beginning the night of August 1, the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) attacked 4 military camps in Muttur and surroundin [...]
2006-08-02 12:08:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PTER CE
06COLOMBO1286SRI LANKA: HUMANITARIAN CRISIS GROWS AS EASTERN
[...] (C) Summary. Recent violence following the LTTE's July 26 blocking of a critical water sluice near northeastern Trincomalee and subsequent ground and air military action spread into the central province August 7 when a seperate LTTE claymore mine attack killed a senior police superintendent in [...]
2006-08-07 13:28:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPREL PTER PHUM PREF MOPS CE
06COLOMBO1292SRI LANKA: NORWEGIANS BRIEF CO-CHAIRS ON NORTHEAST
[...] (C) Summary. Norwegian Special Envoy Jon Hanssen-Bauer, Norwegian Ambassador Hans Brattskar, and Swedish Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) head Ulf Henricsson briefed Chiefs of Mission and Charges from the Co-chairs and Nordic monitor countries August 8 following their August 5-7 trips to th [...]
2006-08-08 13:48:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPREL PTER PHUM PREF MOPS CE
06COLOMBO1301SRI LANKA: FOREIGN MINISTER ASSURES NO RETURN TO
[...] (C) Summary: Charge' delivered reftel demarche to Foreign Minister Samaraweera and Foreign Secretary Palihakkara August 10. Samaraweera said current military action would "not become a full-scale war." He said the government remained "committed to a negotiated settlement," but needed help g [...]
2006-08-10 13:17:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PHUM PTER CE
06COLOMBO131U/S BURNS DISCUSSES PEACE PROCESS, IRAN AND UN
[...] (C) Summary. Jayantha Dhanapala told U/S Burns that the security situation in Sri Lanka "looks bad," but that President Rajapaksa remains patient and is committed to a non-military solution. He agreed with Burns that Iranian behavior in the IAEA is unacceptable but cautioned that Sri Lanka [...]
2006-01-23 05:44:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPREL PHUM IAEA CE IR
06COLOMBO1324SRI LANKA: CLAYMORE EXPLOSION HITS PAKISTANI HIGH
[...] (C) Summary: Two LTTE claymore mines planted in a three-wheeler exploded on a Security Task Force (STF) escort vehicle following the Pakistani High Commissioner's car on August 14 at approximately 1:20 PM. The blast occurred within 500 meters of the US embassy and killed seven, including four [...]
2006-08-14 13:37:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPREL PTER PHUM CE
06COLOMBO134SRI LANKA: UNDER SECRETARY BURNS' MEETING WITH
[...] (C) In a January 23 meeting with President Mahinda Rajapaksa, Under Secretary Burns, accompanied by the Ambassador, stressed U.S. support for Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) efforts toward a peaceful resolution to the conflict and urged Rajapaksa to ensure that Sri Lankan security forces would [...]
2006-01-23 15:15:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPREL PGOV PTER KUNR IR CE
06COLOMBO135UNDERSECRETARY BURNS DISCUSSES PEACE PROCESS AND
[...] (C) SUMMARY: On January 23, Undersecretary Burns met with Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera. The Foreign Minister told U/S Burns that Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) remains committed to negotiation and a peaceful solution despite continued provocation by the Liberation Tigers of T [...]
2006-01-23 15:36:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PTER PREL IR CE
06COLOMBO136SRI LANKAN OPPOSITION LEADER GIVES FRANK
[...] (C) SUMMARY: On January 23 Under Secretary Burns and Ambassador Lunstead met with United National Party (UNP) leader and former Prime Minister and presidential contender Ranil Wickremesinghe. Wickremesinghe thanked U/S Burns for showing support for Sri Lanka and the peace process. The veteran [...]
2006-01-23 15:59:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PTER CE
06COLOMBO1363SRI LANKA: LOCAL CO-CHAIR REPRESENTATIVES ASK
[...] (C) Summary: Colombo representatives of the Tokyo Donors Co-Chairs Conference (US, EU, Norway, and Japan) met with Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa and several members of his cabinet August 21 to reiterate the message from the August 11 Co-Chairs statement calling for an immediate cessati [...]
2006-08-21 12:22:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PTER PHUM CE
06COLOMBO1366PRESSING GSL FOR CESSATION OF FIGHTING
[...] (C) Summary: SCA PDAS Steven Mann visited Colombo August 16-17 as ground fighting between the Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) security forces and Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) cadres continued in the north and east (ref A). In meetings with President Rajapaksa, Foreign Minister Samar [...]
2006-08-22 07:23:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPREL PGOV PTER PHUM PREF MOPS CE
06COLOMBO137U/S BURNS REVIEWS SRI LANKAN PEACE PROCESS WITH
[...] (C) Summary. Norwegian peace facilitator Solheim told U/S Burns that the Sri Lankan peace process is at a crossroads and that a "major step forward" is essential. Burns expressed U.S. support for the Norwegian facilitation effort and compared notes with Solheim on the efficacy and vision of [...]
2006-01-23 16:10:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPREL PINS CE NO
06COLOMBO140 Special Media Reaction: U/S Burns in Colombo
[...] (U) Summary: Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Nicholas Burns' visit to Sri Lanka January 22-24 elicited much high-profile attention from the Sri Lankan print and broadcast media on January 23 and 24. State-run media and mainstream independent media lauded the visit with the most [...]
2006-01-24 09:55:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIEDPHUM KPAO PTER EAID OIIP PREL CE
06COLOMBO1456SRI LANKA: GOVERNMENT HAS CONTROL OF SAMPUR; LULL
[...] (U) Sri Lankan media here widely reported Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) statements that its security forces took control of Sampur, the eastern coastal area from which the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) had launched attacks on the town of Trincomalee, its harbor, and surrounding areas [...]
2006-09-06 13:57:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PTER PHUM MOPS CE
06COLOMBO1457SRI LANKA: GOVERNMENT HAS CONTROL OF SAMPUR; LULL
[...] (U) Sri Lankan media here widely reported Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) statements that its security forces took control of Sampur, the eastern coastal area from which the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) had launched attacks on the town of Trincomalee, its harbor, and surrounding areas [...]
2006-09-06 13:57:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PTER PHUM MOPS CE
06COLOMBO1461BRITISH AND SRI LANKAN LEADERS DISCUSS POSSIBLE
[...] (C) British High Commissioner in Colombo Dominick Chilcott briefed Co-Chair representatives September 6 on President Rajapaksa's August 31 meeting with Prime Minister Blair near London. The origin of the meeting, Chilcott explained, was a mutual recognition that the UK's experience in peacema [...]
2006-09-06 14:52:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PTER PHUM CE
06COLOMBO1465SRI LANKA: GOVERNMENT AND LOCAL CO-CHAIR
[...] (C) Summary: Foreign Minister Samaraweera, Foreign Secretary Palihakkara, and Peace Secretariat Head Kohona SIPDIS met with local Co-Chair representatives at the Foreign Ministry September 7 to exchange views in the lead-up to the September 12 Co-Chair meeting in Brussels. Government of Sr [...]
2006-09-07 11:30:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PTER PHUM MOPS CE
06COLOMBO1474AMBASSADOR PRESENTS CREDENTIALS TO SRI LANKAN
[...] (C) Following Ambassador Blake's presentation of credentials on September 9, he met with President Rajapaksa to review bilateral relations and discuss the way forward to negotiations between the Government of Sri Lanka (GOSL) and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). The Ambassador r [...]
2006-09-09 11:47:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPREL PTER PGOV CE
06COLOMBO148SRI LANKA: LTTE AND GOVERNMENT AGREE OF VENUE FOR
[...] (U) Summary: On January 25, the Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) agreed to hold talks on implementation of the Cease-Fire Agreement (CFA) in Geneva, Switzerland in February, according to various sources. No specific dates or modalities have been r [...]
2006-01-25 11:35:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYPGOV PTER CE
06COLOMBO1508SRI LANKA: GOVERNMENT STATES READINESS FOR PEACE
[...] (C) Summary: In response to the Co-Chairs' statement following their September 12 meeting in Brussels that peace talks should take place in Oslo next month, the Government of Sri Lanka (GOSL) expressed readiness to engage in negotiations but strongly criticized an alleged lack of prior consul [...]
2006-09-13 13:46:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPREL PTER PHUM PREF MOPS CE
06COLOMBO1517SRI LANKA: GOSL APPRECIATES US SUPPORT FOR PEACE
[...] (C) Summary: Ambassador Blake made separate calls on September 14 to Defense Secretary Gothabaya Rajapaksa and Foreign Secretary Palihakkara to brief them on the September 12 Co-chairs' meeting, encourage Government of Sri Lanka (GOSL) attendance at peace negotiations, and discuss cooperation [...]
2006-09-14 11:27:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPREL PTER PHUM PREF MOPS CE
06COLOMBO152SOLHEIM ON CEASEFIRE TALKS
[...] (C) SUMMARY: Norwegian facilitator Solheim told co-chairs chiefs of mission late January 25 that LTTE chief Prabhakaran had agreed to cease-fire talks in Geneva almost before Solheim opened his mouth in Kilinochchi. The Tigers told him that by agreeing to Geneva they wanted to help Norway and [...]
2006-01-26 05:08:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPREL PTER PGOV CE
06COLOMBO1533CO-CHAIR AMBASSADORS DISCUSS NEXT STEPS WITH LTTE
[...] (C) Co-Chair Ambassadors met at Norwegian Ambassador Brattskar's residence on September 18 to hear Norwegian plans for engaging the LTTE and to discuss the development and delivery of private messages coming out of the Co-Chair meeting in Brussels. Brattskar opened by reporting that the GSL [...]
2006-09-18 12:15:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPREL PTER PGOV CE
06COLOMBO1538SRI LANKA: CROSS PARTY TALKS MAY YIELD COOPERATION
[...] (SBU) Summary: On September 15 the governing Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) held the first in a series of talks with the opposition United National Party (UNP) to build consensus on a range of issues, including the peace process as a cornerstone for potential cooperation. After the initial d [...]
2006-09-19 11:48:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PTER PHUM CE
06COLOMBO1543ABDUCTIONS AND DISAPPEARANCES ON THE RISE
[...] (C) Summary. Independent human rights watchers indicate that the number of abductions and disappearances has surged over the last three months in both the North and East and in Colombo, with an increase in extortion kidnappings in particular. No American citizens have been victims that we ar [...]
2006-09-21 02:26:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PTER PREL PHUM CE
06COLOMBO1549SRI LANKA: PRESIDENT RAJAPAKSA ASSEMBLING
[...] (C) During his late August trip to London, President Rajapaksa contacted Amnesty International to seek advice on setting terms of reference for an independent, international body to examine allegations of human rights abuses in Sri Lanka. This move came in the midst of significant internation [...]
2006-09-21 12:06:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PHUM CE
06COLOMBO1571SRI LANKA: AMBASSADOR DISCUSSES TRADE AND INVESTMENT WITH
[...] (SBU) Summary and comment: Ambassador Blake informed Minister of Investment Promotion and Enterprise Development Rohitha Bogollagama of developing plans for a U.S. trade mission to Sri Lanka in early December, possibly followed soon after by a round of Trade and Investment Framework Agreement [...]
2006-09-26 03:35:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYECON EINV ETRD CE
06COLOMBO1578CO-CHAIRS AMBASSADORS MEETING: READOUT OF
[...] (C) Summary: Norwegian Amb Brattskar told Co-Chair Ambassadors in Colombo on September 26 that LTTE leader Tamilselvan had conveyed Prabakharan's decision that the LTTE is prepared to return to peace talks in Oslo in October. However, the LTTE also threatened that if the GSL is not ready to [...]
2006-09-26 12:21:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPREL PTER PGOV CE
06COLOMBO1580SRI LANKA'S HUMAN RIGHTS CHALLENGES AND IDEAS
[...] (C) Summary: Several recent high profile human rights abuse cases in Sri Lanka cases have raised international concerns and underlined the current absence of strong indigenous Sri Lankan institutions to investigate these abuses and pressure the Sri Lankan judicial system to ensure credible pro [...]
2006-09-26 16:00:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PHUM CE
06COLOMBO1581HUMAN RIGHTS MINISTER SAYS THE RIGHT THINGS,
[...] (C) Summary. Ambassador Blake met for an introductory call with Minister for Disaster Management and Human Rights Mahinda Samarasinghe on September 25 to urge the GSL to be more proactive in dealing with allegations of human rights abuses. Samarasinghe responded that he too is concerned about [...]
2006-09-26 16:01:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPHUM PGOV CE
06COLOMBO1601SRI LANKA: MUSLIM LEADER HAKEEM SEEKS SEPARATE
[...] (C) Summary. The Ambassador called upon moderate Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) leader Rauf Hakeem on September 28. Formed in 1981 and registered as a political party in 1989, the SLMC is the largest party representing the Muslim electorate in Sri Lanka. A key opposition leader, Hakeem t [...]
2006-09-29 09:16:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPREL PTER PHUM PREF MOPS CE
06COLOMBO1602SRI LANKA: CENTRAL BANK GOVERNOR DESCRIBES ECONOMY'S
[...] (SBU) Summary and comment: Central Bank Governor Nivard Cabraal told Ambassador Blake during their introductory meeting that Sri Lanka's economy was healthy and its business climate good. Cabraal was making a personal effort to tell multilateral development banks, credit rating agencies, and [...]
2006-10-02 11:39:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYECON EINV ETRD PREL CE
06COLOMBO1605SRI LANKA: LTTE-PROXY PARTY EMPHASIZES
[...] (C) Summary. The Ambassador met with Tamil National Alliance (TNA) members of parliament Gajendakumar Ponnombalam, Suresh Premachandran, and Pathmini Sithamparanathan on September 29. The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE)-proxy members of parliament emphasized their concern for the "de [...]
2006-10-02 14:05:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPREL PTER PHUM PREF MOPS CE
06COLOMBO1610SRI LANKA: MARINE EXPEDITIONARY UNIT EXERCISE TO
[...] (C) A Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) Exercise is scheduled to take place in Sri Lanka October 22 to November 2. Embassy has requested that it include a significant human rights training component. We believe the exercise represents a valuable exercise opportunity for our forces and a chanc [...]
2006-10-03 08:18:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALMOPS PTER PHUM CE
06COLOMBO1616RESPECTED SRI LANKAN NGOS INSIST INTERNATIONAL
[...] (SBU) On September 29, the Center for Policy Alternatives (CPA),a respected Colombo-based think-tank, provided the Embassy a copy of a statement it sent to delegates at the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva. The statement was signed by twenty-five reputable local NGOs, including the Internati [...]
2006-10-03 11:59:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PHUM CE
06COLOMBO1620NORWAY'S ENVOY "MODERATELY OPTIMISTIC" ABOUT
[...] SUMMARY: (C) Norwegian mediator Hanssen-Bauer briefed Co-Chair Ambassadors on October 2 on his meetings with Sri Lankan government officials. He said that the GSL had denied media reports of preconditions for possible talks with the LTTE. The GSL would prefer November 10 or October 28 for t [...]
2006-10-03 13:02:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPREL PGOV PHUM PTER CE
06COLOMBO1622SRI LANKA: PRESIDENTIAL ADVISOR BASIL RAJAPAKSA
[...] (C) Summary: The Ambassador met Presidential Advisor Basil Rajapaksa, younger brother to President Mahinda Rajapaksa, on October 4. After the Ambassador reviewed US priorities and initiatives in Sri Lanka, Rajapaksa spoke frankly about human rights issues, requesting that the United States a [...]
2006-10-04 11:53:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPREL PTER PHUM PREF MOPS CE
06COLOMBO1626SRI LANKA: SOME EXPATRIATE NGO EMPLOYEES ASKED TO
[...] (C) Summary: Since 2005, NGO representatives have reported numerous obstacles to carrying out relief activities. On October 4, several newspapers ran a story on the latest impediment to NGOs: the GSL notified international staff of six international non-governmental organizations (INGOs) the [...]
2006-10-04 14:37:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PHUM CE
06COLOMBO1627LTTE TELL NORWEGIANS THEY ARE PREPARED FOR TALKS
[...] (C) Summary: Norwegian Special Envoy Hanssen-Bauer briefed Co-Chairs Ambassadors on October 4 that during his October 3 meetings with Thamilselvan, the LTTE had agreed to talks without conditions in Oslo or Switzerland in October. However the LTTE is concerned the GSL may be tempted to press [...]
2006-10-04 15:18:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPREL PTER PGOV CE
06COLOMBO1650SRI LANKA: RESETTLEMENT MINISTER VOWS NO REPEAT OF
[...] (C) Ambassador Blake met with Minister of Resettlement A. Rishad Bathihudeen October 4 to discuss Sri Lanka's critical internally displaced persons (IDP) problem. The Resettlement Ministry is responsible for 300,000 pre-ceasefire conflict displaced persons and an additional 180,000-240,000 sin [...]
2006-10-06 09:55:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPREL PTER PHUM PREF MOPS CE
06COLOMBO1651PRESIDENT RAJAPAKSE AFFIRMS TO CO-CHAIRS SRI
[...] (C) In a meeting with Co-Chair Ambassadors on October 9, Sri Lankan President Rajapakse confirmed the Government of Sri Lanka is ready to attend peace talks with the LTTE on October 28, does not plan a military offensive, but will defend itself. Norwegian Ambassador Brattskar told the Presi [...]
2006-10-09 09:45:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPREL PHUM CE
06COLOMBO1670SRI LANKA: TIGERS TELL NORWAY A MAJOR GSL
[...] (C) Summary: Norwegian Ambassador Hans Brattskar briefed Charge October 11 on his October 10 meeting with Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) political wing leader S.P. Tamilselvan in Kilinochchi. Tamilselvan confirmed the LTTE would attend talks with the Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) in [...]
2006-10-11 12:48:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPREL PTER PHUM PREF MOPS CE
06COLOMBO1705SRI LANKA SITREP: LTTE TRUCK BOMB KILLS OVER 60
[...] (U) A Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) truck bomb exploded outside of the north-central town of Habarana on October 16, targeting a Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) convoy transporting over 150 sailors from Trincomalee. Radio news reported as many as 67 died and 150 sailors were injured when the b [...]
2006-10-16 13:01:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIEDPREL PTER PHUM PREF MOPS CE
06COLOMBO172SRI LANKA: LTTE-AFFILIATED CHARITY WORKERS
[...] (C) The lull in violence since the Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) and Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) agreed on January 25 to meet in Geneva in February for talks to strengthen the Ceasefire Agreement (CFA) was marred January 30 by the reported abductions of five Tamil Rehabilitation O [...]
2006-01-31 12:35:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPTER PHUM PGOV CE
06COLOMBO1745LTTE DELEGATION TO GENEVA: NAMES AND TRAVEL
[...] (S) Norwegian Special Envoy Jon Hanssen-Bauer passed A/S Richard Boucher a copy of a Norwegian non-paper outlining the travel arrangements proposed for the LTTE delegation's travel to Geneva. Following their humiliating experience at the Colombo airport in June, the LTTE group has asked for [...]
2006-10-23 12:04:00Embassy ColomboSECRETPGOV PREL PTER CE
06COLOMBO1747SRI LANKA: A/S BOUCHER ADVOCATES ACCESS FOR
[...] (C) Summary: In his October 19-20 meetings with Government of Sri Lanka authorities, Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia Richard Boucher addressed the issues of access and safety for humanitarian organizations, and the Government's seeming public ambivalence towards them. W [...]
2006-10-24 02:51:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPREL PTER PHUM PREF MOPS CE
06COLOMBO1752SRI LANKA: A/S BOUCHER PRESSES GOVERNMENT TO MAKE
[...] (C) SUMMARY: In a two-day visit to Sri Lanka, Assistant Secretary for South and Central Asian Affairs Richard Boucher SIPDIS pressed Sri Lankan government and opposition officials to put meaningful proposals on the table for future rounds of peace talks with the Tamil Tigers. Boucher assur [...]
2006-10-24 05:27:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PTER MARR CE
06COLOMBO1755SRI LANKA: MAJOR PARTIES AGREE TO COOPERATE ON WAY
[...] (C) SUMMARY: The ruling Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) and the main opposition United National Party (UNP) signed a Memorandum of Understanding on October 23 setting out a Common Minimum Program to resolve the conflict in the north and east and to address other national issues. Most significa [...]
2006-10-24 10:53:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPREL PTER PHUM PREF MOPS CE
06COLOMBO1763SRI LANKA: POLITICAL GROUPS, DIPLOMATS AGREE
[...] (C) SUMMARY: President Rajapaksa told visiting Assistant Secretary Richard Boucher that the government should consult SIPDIS residents of Sri Lanka's Eastern Province as to whether they want to see their multi-ethnic region merged with the Tamil-dominated north. Rajapaksa envisioned a multi [...]
2006-10-25 11:24:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PHUM CE
06COLOMBO1765SRI LANKA: UN RAPPORTEUR CALLS FOR INTERNATIONAL
[...] (C) Summary: Calls are mounting for an international commission to investigate human rights abuses in Sri Lanka. The U.S.-based Human Rights Watch, the European Commission, and Amnesty International have recently expressed support for a call by Philip Alston, UN Special Rapporteur on Extrajudi [...]
2006-10-25 11:44:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPREL PTER PHUM PREF MOPS CE
06COLOMBO1793HUMAN RIGHTS MINISTER URGES INTERNATIONAL SUPPORT
[...] (C) Summary: Disaster and Human Rights Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe hosted a meeting October 30 for Ambassadors and Heads of Mission from contributing countries to the International Independent Group of Eminent Persons (IIGEP) that will monitor the work of the Presidential Commission of Inqu [...]
2006-10-30 14:06:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPREL PTER PHUM PREF MOPS CE
06COLOMBO180SRI LANKA TO SUPPORT IAEA REFERRAL OF IRAN TO UNSC
[...] (C) President Mahinda Rajapaksa called the Ambassador early February 2 to tell him that the cabinet had decided the night before to support the U.S. position on Iran and the IAEA by voting in the February 2 IAEA Board of Governors meeting to refer the issue to the United Nations Security Coun [...]
2006-02-02 09:32:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPREL AORC IAEA KNNP CE IR
06COLOMBO1821SRI LANKA: INFORMATION FOR MCC NOVEMBER 8 MEETING
[...] (SBU) Summary: Post recommends that Sri Lanka continue to be considered MCC-eligible. MCC projects would increase overall prosperity and support our main objective of helping Sri Lanka attain a lasting peace. Violence between Government of Sri Lanka forces and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil [...]
2006-11-03 06:34:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYEAID MCC KMCA CE
06COLOMBO1837 SRI LANKA - 2007 NATIONAL TRADE ESTIMATE REPORT
[...] The following report has been submitted per reftel instructions in Microsoft Word format to the US Trade Representative. With the exception of format changes for dissemination and readability via cable, the language remains the same: SRI LANKA: TRADE SUMMARY ------------------------- 2 [...]
2006-11-06 13:46:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYECON ELAB EIND ETRD PHUM SOCI EAID CE
06COLOMBO1838THOUGHTS ON THE AGENDA FOR NOVEMBER 20-21 SRI
[...] (C) Summary: As the Department prepares to host the November 20-21 Co-Chair meeting in Washington, Mission hereby offers some thoughts on the structure and substance of those discussions. The talks come on the heels of the unsuccessful meetings between the Government of Sri Lanka and the LT [...]
2006-11-06 13:50:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPREL PTER PGOV CE
06COLOMBO1849SRI LANKA: GOVERNMENT NAMES COMMISSION OF INQUIRY
[...] (SBU) Summary: On November 6 Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa approved the appointment of a Commission of Inquiry to investigate human rights violations committed since August 2005, headed by outgoing Supreme Court Justice Nissanka Udalagama. The Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) announced t [...]
2006-11-07 12:45:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPREL PTER PHUM PREF MOPS CE
06COLOMBO1863MEETING WITH PRESIDENTIAL SECRETARY: AMBASSADOR
[...] (C) Ambassador met alone with Presidential Secretary (defacto National Security Advisor) Lalith Weeratunga on November 7 to register concern that the Sri Lankan military's recent military actions had become increasingly difficult to justify as "defensive." The U.S. wanted to continue to supp [...]
2006-11-08 13:12:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPREL MOPS CE
06COLOMBO187SRI LANKAN PRESIDENT PLEDGES INVESTIGATION INTO
[...] (C) SUMMARY: On February 2 President Mahinda Rajapaksa telephoned the Ambassador to assure him of Government concern at the reported abductions of Tamil Rehabilitation Organization (TRO) staff (Reftels) but reiterated that efforts to investigate were being hampered by lack of access to purp [...]
2006-02-02 11:51:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPTER PHUM PGOV CE
06COLOMBO1874SRI LANKA: PRO-LTTE PARTY SAYS "INDIAN MODEL" FOR
[...] (S) SUMMARY: A Member of Parliament from Jaffna for the Tamil National Alliance (TNA),a pro-Tamil Tiger party, told us on November 8 that the Indian constitution was worth studying, but that the "Indian model" of federalism would not work in Sri Lanka. He thought the Indian government was i [...]
2006-11-09 07:09:00Embassy ColomboSECRETPREL PTER PHUM PREF MOPS CE
06COLOMBO1887SRI LANKA: KARUNA PARAMILITARY IMPLICATED IN WAVE
[...] (C) Summary: The Batticaloa-based Karuna group, which split from the northern Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) leadership in March 2004, has renamed itself the Tamil Makkal Vidutalai Pulikkal (TMVP),or Tamil People's Liberation Tigers. The TMVP claims to be a democratic organization [...]
2006-11-09 12:46:00Embassy ColomboSECRETPREL PTER PHUM PREF MOPS CE
06COLOMBO1889DEFENSE SECRETARY EXPRESSES CONCERN ABOUT POSSIBLE
[...] (C) In a November 10 meeting with Defense Secretary Rajapakse, Ambassador expressed concern about growing indications the Sri Lankan military was taking disproportionate military action against the LTTE that jeopardized prospects for a return to peace negotiations. Peace Secretariat Director K [...]
2006-11-10 15:02:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPREL MOPS PTER CE
06COLOMBO1892BILATERAL DONORS AND INGOS PRESS GOVERNMENT ON
[...] (SBU) Summary. Meetings of the Bilateral Donors Group (BDG) and the Consultative Committee Meeting on Humanitarian Assistance (CCMHA) this past week focused on NGO access and the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Sri Lanka's North and East. While BDG members, the UN, the ICRC, and the [...]
2006-11-13 06:06:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYEAID PHUM PTER MOPS PREL ASEC CE
06COLOMBO1895UN SPECIAL ADVISOR ROCK EXPRESSES DEEP CONCERN
[...] (C) Summary: In a November 13 briefing for Co-Chair and other selected Ambassadors, UN Special Advisor for Children Affected by Armed Conflict Allan Rock expressed his deep concern about forced abductions of children by the LTTE and the breakaway Karuna faction. Rock received many eyewitness [...]
2006-11-13 12:38:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPHUM PREL PGOV UN CE
06COLOMBO1896SRI LANKA: TAMIL MP ASSASSINATED IN COLOMBO;
[...] (C) SUMMARY: The assassination of a Tamil Member of Parliament in broad daylight in Colombo on November 10 provoked widespread outrage and condemnation. President Rajapaksa issued a forthright statement in which he mourned the death of Nadaraja Raviraj, whom he called a friend, and ordered a [...]
2006-11-13 13:15:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPREL PTER PHUM PREF MOPS CE
06COLOMBO1909SRI LANKA: SENATE FOREIGN RELATIONS STAFF
[...] (SBU) Keith Luse, Professional Staff Assistant to Senate Foreign Relations Committee Senator Richard Lugar (R-IN),visited Colombo November 9-10 to assess country team coordination on military issues and explore the security environment through meetings with prominent Sri Lankans. In meetings [...]
2006-11-14 12:52:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE
06COLOMBO1920FOREIGN MINISTER SAYS GSL PREPARED TO RETURN TO
[...] (C) SUMMARY: Foreign Minister Samaraweera confirmed to Ambassador Blake that the Sri Lankan government was "absolutely" committed to resuming peace talks without negotiations. He appeared troubled by signs that international support for the government was flagging because of reports of serio [...]
2006-11-15 15:02:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPREL PTER PHUM PREF MOPS CE
06COLOMBO1930SRI LANKAN OPPOSITION LEADER: DEVELOPING PEACE
[...] (C) SUMMARY: Opposition leader Wickremesinghe told Ambassador on November 16 that he was gravely concerned about the deterioration in the human rights environment in the country following the assassination of Tamil MP Raviraj. He said the government had a "siege mentality" about charges fro [...]
2006-11-16 11:36:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPREL PTER PHUM PREF MOPS CE
06COLOMBO1946SRI LANKA: GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCES TRIAL OPENING OF
[...] (U) The Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) announced November 20 it would open for a "trial run" the Muhamalai check-point on the A9 highway linking the Jaffna peninsula to the south of the island through the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) controlled Vanni. The A9 highway has remained clos [...]
2006-11-20 13:09:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPREL PTER PHUM PREF MOPS CE
06COLOMBO1947SRI LANKA: MILITARY ENGAGEMENTS ON FIVE FRONTS
[...] (C) Summary: Military engagements between Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) security forces and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) continued in the north and east on November 18-19, including a sea battle off the coast of Mannar, firing at the Jaffna Forward Defense Line, and LTTE attack [...]
2006-11-20 13:12:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPREL PTER PHUM PREF MOPS CE
06COLOMBO1951SCENE SETTER FOR SRI LANKA ARMY COMMANDER
[...] (C) Summary: General Sarath Fonseka, Commander of the Sri Lankan Army, will conduct a self-invited visit to Washington November 28-29 to meet with Department of State and Pentagon officials. Fonseka, the target of an April 2006 Tiger suicide-bombing attempt on his life, has pursued a hard-lin [...]
2006-11-21 05:07:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPREL PTER PHUM PREF MOPS CE
06COLOMBO196SRI LANKA: SPRING LOCAL GOVERNMENT ELECTIONS MAY
[...] (C) Summary: The Elections Commissioner has called for candidate nominations to Local Governments (LGs) to be submitted between February 9-16, with elections to fall four to six weeks afterward. A local NGO and the opposition United National Party (UNP) have filed court cases requesting a r [...]
2006-02-06 11:48:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV CE
06COLOMBO1968SRI LANKA: HUMAN RIGHTS MINISTER LOBBIES AGAINST
[...] (C) Summary: Disaster Management and Human Rights Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe called a meeting for diplomatic representatives November 22 to highlight the Government of Sri Lanka's human rights initiatives. Samarasinghe's apparent objective was to head off an EU-sponsored human rights reso [...]
2006-11-24 06:45:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPREL PTER PHUM PREF MOPS CE
06COLOMBO1972SRI LANKA OPPOSITION LEADER AGREES ON NEED FOR
[...] (C) Ambassador and Pol Chief met opposition leader Ranil Wickremesinghe on November 24 to brief him on the result of the November 20-21 Co-Chairs meeting in Washington. Ambassador Blake told Wickremesinghe that the Co-Chairs had concluded the Memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Wickreme [...]
2006-11-24 12:35:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPREL PTER PHUM PREF MOPS CE
06COLOMBO1973SRI LANKA MONITORING MISSION CONFIRMS CEASEFIRE
[...] (C) Summary: Pol Chief met November 24 with Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) policy advisor (and occasional acting spokesperson) Helen Olafsdottir and Spokesperson Thorfinnur Omarsson to discuss recent cease-fire violation, the human rights situation, and the mission's current functioning [...]
2006-11-24 15:10:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPREL PTER PHUM PREF MOPS CE
06COLOMBO1977SRI LANKA: PRESIDENT RAJAPAKSA'S REPORT CARD, ONE YEAR ON
[...] (SBU) SUMMARY: President Mahinda Rajapaksa came to office in November 2005 after a campaign highlighting his strong Sinhalese nationalism. He made electoral pacts with the Marxist, Sinhalese chauvinist Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) and the hard-line Buddhist monk-based Jathika Hela Urumaya [...]
2006-11-28 08:06:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYPREL PGOV PHUM PTER CE
06COLOMBO1978SRI LANKA: PRESIDENT RAJAPAKSA'S REPORT CARD, ONE YEAR ON
[...] (SBU) SUMMARY: President Mahinda Rajapaksa came to office in November 2005 after a campaign highlighting his strong Sinhalese nationalism. He made electoral pacts with the Marxist, Sinhalese chauvinist Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) and the hard-line Buddhist monk-based Jathika Hela Urumaya [...]
2006-11-28 08:06:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYPREL PGOV PHUM PTER CE
06COLOMBO1982SRI LANKA: PRESIDENT RAJAPAKSA'S REPORT CARD, ONE YEAR ON
[...] (SBU) SUMMARY: President Mahinda Rajapaksa came to office in November 2005 after a campaign highlighting his strong Sinhalese nationalism. He made electoral pacts with the Marxist, Sinhalese chauvinist Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) and the hard-line Buddhist monk-based Jathika Hela Urumaya [...]
2006-11-28 08:12:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYPREL PGOV PHUM PTER CE
06COLOMBO1985SRI LANKA: TIGER LEADER'S HEROES DAY SPEECH JUST
[...] (C) SUMMARY: In his annual "Great Heroes' Day" speech, Tamil Tiger chief Prabhakaran castigated successive Sri Lankan governments for failing to keep promises to present a viable plan to settle Sri Lanka's decades-old ethnic conflict. He declared the 2002 Cease-Fire Agreement "defunct," but s [...]
2006-11-28 08:37:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPREL PTER PHUM PREF MOPS CE
06COLOMBO1995SRI LANKA: LTTE LEADER'S HEROES' DAY SPEECH
[...] (SBU) SUMMARY: Following Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) leader Prabhakaran,s annual November 27 Heroes' Day address (ref),media reports quoted Sri Lankan President Rajapaksa as discounting LTTE threats of resumed violence and calling on Prabhakaran to engage directly with him in talks [...]
2006-11-29 11:40:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPREL PTER PHUM CE
06COLOMBO2010SRI LANKA: ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT ON DEFENSE
[...] (SBU) Unknown assailants, but most likely the LTTE ("Tamil Tigers"),attacked the motorcade of Defense Secretary Gothabaya Rajapaksa (the brother of President Mahinda Rajapaksa) with explosives on December 1. The method of delivery was apparently a vehicle-borne "claymore" mine. According to [...]
2006-12-01 08:34:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPTER PGOV MOPS PREL CE
06COLOMBO2013SRI LANKA: DEPUTY USTR URGES PRESIDENT TO IMPROVE
[...] (C) SUMMARY: Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa, in a meeting on November 30, asked Deputy U.S. Trade Representative Karan Bhatia to help facilitate completion of a Millennium Challenge Compact for his country. Rajapaksa made it clear that Sri Lanka was prepared to drop controversial irr [...]
2006-12-01 10:25:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALECON EFIN EINV EAID PGOV PREL PTER PHUM CE
06COLOMBO2015GOVERNMENT TO REVIEW ALL CONTACTS WITH LTTE
[...] (C) Summary and Action Request: In the aftermath of the failed assassination attempt of Defense Secretary Rajapakse (ref a),the Government of Sri Lanka announced on December 3 that the Cabinet will decide on December 6 whether to revive the ban on contacts with the LTTE, which would effectiv [...]
2006-12-04 12:21:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPREL PTER PGOV CE
06COLOMBO2021SRI LANKA KEEPS PEACE PROCESS ALIVE; REINSTATES
[...] (C) SUMMARY: The Sri Lankan Cabinet reached a consensus not to react to the assassination attempt on Defense Secretary Gothabaya Rajapaksa (ref a) by proscribing the SIPDIS LTTE. Instead, the President will issue an order reinstating provisions of the Prevention of Terrorism Act. However, [...]
2006-12-06 14:28:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE
06COLOMBO2030SRI LANKA: MINISTER GIVES ASSURANCES ON HUMAN
[...] (C) SUMMARY: In a December 6 meeting, the Minister for Disaster Management and Human Rights gave Ambassador his readout of Cabinet deliberations over the promulgation of new powers for security forces in the fight against LTTE terrorism. He assured us, however, that the new regulations adeq [...]
2006-12-07 12:48:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPHUM PGOV PREL PTER CE
06COLOMBO2033SRI LANKAN PRESIDENT DEFENDS EMERGENCY MEASURES TO
[...] (SBU) In a December 7 address to the nation on the new emergency measures (in Sinhala, translation e-mailed to SCA/INS),President Mahinda Rajapaksa offered brief thanks to the members of international community that have rejected the LTTE's call for "Eelam," or a separate state. He singled o [...]
2006-12-08 09:55:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYPGOV PTER PHUM PREL CE
06COLOMBO2046SRI LANKA: ALL PARTY REPRESENTATIVE COMMITTEE
[...] (SBU) Summary: President Rajapaksa appointed a Panel of Experts (PoE),all lawyers, to draft constitutional recommendations for a "maximum devolution" proposal that can form the basis for talks with the LTTE. Some supporters of the governing Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) and some Tamil lega [...]
2006-12-11 13:43:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPREL PHUM PTER CE
06COLOMBO2051SRI LANKA: AMBASSADOR TELLS FOREIGN MINISTER
[...] (C) SUMMARY: Ambassador told Foreign Minister Samaraweera on December 11 that the Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) is allowing the "Tamil Tigers" (LTTE) to exploit the serious humanitarian and human rights situation in Jaffna by alienating the local population from the government. While some of [...]
2006-12-12 13:05:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE
06COLOMBO2063Sri Lanka FY 2007 Budget
[...] (SBU) Summary: President Mahinda Rajapakse, who is also the Finance Minister, presented the Government of Sri Lanka's (GSL's) FY 07 budget to Parliament on November 16. The budget envisages large increases in both expenditure and revenue. Military expenditure will increase by 28 percent to [...]
2006-12-13 12:20:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYECON EFIN CE
06COLOMBO2066DONORS PRESS GSL TO FOCUS ON HUMAN RIGHTS AND
[...] Chiefs of Mission of the EU, Norway, Australia, Canada, Germany (on behalf of the Finnish EU Presidency),and Switzerland and the DCM met on December 12 to develop a joint response to the GSL's call to host a development forum in late January. The forum would provide bilateral and multilater [...]
2006-12-14 09:25:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYCE EAID ECON PHUM SOCI
06COLOMBO2067SRI LANKA TO PROCEED WITH GLOBAL PEACE OPERATIONS
[...] (SBU) Following up on ref B, Defense Attache passed information to Defense Secretary Gothabaya Rajapaksa during a previously scheduled meeting on November 3. DATT later received a call back from Defense Ministry expressing interest and asking for more information. Pol Chief received a reque [...]
2006-12-14 09:54:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYKPKO MARR PREL MASS KSEP CE
06COLOMBO2070 5TH ROUND OF TIFA TALKS HIGHLIGHT ON OBSTACLES TO US
[...] (SBU) Summary. The Office of the US Trade Representative and the Sri Lankan Ministry of Trade, Commerce, Consumer Affairs and Marketing Development held the Fifth Joint Council Meeting under the bilateral US-Sri Lanka Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) in Colombo on December 1. [...]
2006-12-14 11:01:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYECON ELAB EIND ETRD EAID CE
06COLOMBO2077SRI LANKA: TAMIL PARTY URGES MORE TALKS BUT SAYS
[...] (C) SUMMARY: In a meeting on December 14 with Ambassador and PolCouns, Members of Parliament from the Tamil National Alliance (TNA, which shares the political goals of the "Tamil Tigers"),criticized the report of an Experts' Committee on possible future power-sharing arrangements, but felt th [...]
2006-12-15 10:40:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE
06COLOMBO2078AMBASSADOR DISCUSSES JAFFNA, HUMAN RIGHTS, AND THE
[...] (C) Summary: Ambassador met on December 15 with Basil Rajapakse, the brother and chief political advisor of President Rajapakse, to urge that the President address the deteriorating human rights situation and problems in Jaffna, and that the President urge as rapid consideration as possible [...]
2006-12-15 10:40:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPREL PTER PGOV CE
06COLOMBO2086 SRI LANKA: HUGE PUSH TO DEVELOP THE PRESIDENT'S HOME
[...] Summary. Since President Rajapaksa's election, there has been renewed interest in pursuing several infrastructure projects in Hambantota District, his home district and one of the poorest and least developed areas in Sri Lanka. Proposed projects include an international airport, an industria [...]
2006-12-18 03:39:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYECON ELAB EIND ETRD EAID CE
06COLOMBO2087PRESIDENT RAJAPAKSE REQUESTS DS ADVICE ON HIS
[...] (C) Defense Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapakse, brother of President Mahinda Rajapakse, contacted me to ask if the United States could advise the President and his security detail how they might improve all aspects of his security. The Secretary said the President had been impressed with the secur [...]
2006-12-18 04:12:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALASEC PTER CE
06COLOMBO2094SRI LANKA: PRESIDENT FACES CHALLENGES IN BUILDING
[...] (SBU) SUMMARY: On December 10, former Sri Lankan president Kumaratunga told a group of supporters she will return to politics, possibly making a bid to regain leadership of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP),currently headed by President Mahinda Rajapaksa. On Dec 12, the Marxist, Sinhalese n [...]
2006-12-18 12:13:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PTER CE
06COLOMBO2095SRI LANKA: EASTERN UNIVERSITY VICE-CHANCELLOR
[...] (C) Summary. Eastern University (Batticaloa) Vice-Chancellor S. Ravindranath disappeared from an area of heightened security in Colombo midday on December 15. Civil monitors and human rights activists allege that the LTTE-breakaway Karuna faction (TMVP),in collusion with state security forc [...]
2006-12-18 12:26:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE
06COLOMBO2096ECONOMIC LEADERS MUST FOCUS ON DEFENSE; IMF
[...] (SBU) Summary: Corruption within the Government of Sri Lanka (GSL),shifting of budgetary allocations for defense expenditures, Sri Lanka,s true potential for economic growth, and the planned closure of the International Monetary Fund,s (IMF,s) Resident Office in Sri Lanka, were topics on De [...]
2006-12-18 12:47:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYECON EFIN ETRD EAID CE
06COLOMBO2105 Agreement Ends Tea Plantation Strike For Most
[...] Summary: Sri Lankan tea trade unions have been striking for the last two weeks to demand an increase in wages. On December 19, most unions, representing 80-90 percent of the tea plantation workforce, entered into an agreement for a moderate increase in wages. Some unions, however, did not ca [...]
2006-12-20 12:22:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYECON ELAB EIND ETRD PHUM SOCI EAID CE
06COLOMBO2113SRI LANKA: AMBASSADOR AND OPPOSITION LEADER
[...] (C) Summary: On December 20, the Ambassador met with Ranil Wickremesinghe, leader of the major opposition United National Party (UNP),to discuss the prospects for a Sinhalese consensus on resolving Sri Lanka,s ethnic conflict. Wickremesinghe, who had met with President Rajapaksa earlier tha [...]
2006-12-21 12:49:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PTER CE
06COLOMBO2114 COLOMBO PORT TO EXPAND AS MUCH AS 300 PERCENT
[...] On December 18, 2006, President Mahinda Rajapaksa officially inaugurated the commencement of the Colombo Port Expansion Project (CPEP) at an opening ceremony attended by the U.S. Ambassador. Cited as the largest development project undertaken by Sri Lanka to date, the Government of Sri Lanka [...]
2006-12-22 03:29:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIEDECON EIND EINV ETRD EWWT EAID CE
06COLOMBO2119 CORRUPTION WORSENING IN SRI LANKA
[...] Summary: On December 9th 2006, the Sri Lanka Chapter of Transparency International organized the National Integrity Awards to commemorate United Nations International Anti Corruption Day. Justice Ameer Ismail, Chairman of the Sri Lanka Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corrup [...]
2006-12-22 06:39:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIEDECON PHUM SOCI EAID CE
06COLOMBO2123AMBASSADOR BRIEFS INDIAN HIGH COMMISSIONER ON
[...] (C) Ambassador hosted a one-on-one lunch for Indian High Commissioner Alok Prasad on December 22, hours after Prasad presented his credentials to President Rajapakse. The Ambassador told Prasad that he and his Embassy colleagues looked forward to working very closely with Prasad and his miss [...]
2006-12-22 10:05:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPREL PTER MARR CE IN
06COLOMBO213SRI LANKAN GOVERNMENT IN SERIOUS PREPARATIONS FOR
[...] (C) The Ambassador's discussion with Health Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva, the head of the Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) delegation to the February 22-23 ceasefire talks in Geneva, along with poloff's separate consultations with staff at the GSL Peace Secretariat, indicate that the new Gov [...]
2006-02-09 09:53:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PTER PREL CE
06COLOMBO2135SRI LANKA: OPPOSITION LEADER CONCERNED DE-MERGER
[...] (C) SUMMARY: Since October, the Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) has discussed de-merging the north and east, currently administered as a single province per the 1987 Indo-Lanka Accords. The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and its proxies have said a continued merger is an essential pre- [...]
2006-12-28 11:05:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE
06COLOMBO2139SRI LANKA: UPDATE ON JORDANIAN SHIP GROUNDED OFF
[...] (U) December 28-29 saw a barrage of media articles on the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) boarding a Jordanian vessel and forcing the crew to raise anchor, causing the ship to be grounded off the coast of Mullaitivu in the north (ref). Papers reported that the Sri Lanka Monitoring Miss [...]
2006-12-29 06:59:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIEDPGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE
06COLOMBO2142SRI LANKA: HUMAN RIGHTS GROUPS VOICE CONCERN
[...] (SBU) SUMMARY: Following up on Secretary Rice's December 14 initiative, Ambassador Blake hosted a roundtable discussion with human rights activists and civil society representatives on December 21. The Ambassador briefed the group on USG efforts and also solicited views on how best to stren [...]
2006-12-29 12:10:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYPHUM PGOV PTER PREL CE
06COLOMBO230SRI LANKA: GSL INSIDER PREDICTS PRE-GENEVA
[...] (C) In a February 10 meeting with poloff, presidential advisor and younger sibling Basil Rajapaksa discussed Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) thinking and expectations in the run-up to talks on the ceasefire with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) scheduled for February 22-23 in Geneva. [...]
2006-02-13 11:08:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PTER PHUM CE
06COLOMBO256SRI LANKA: PRE-TALKS PREPARATIONS, POSTURING
[...] (C) Ambassador's meetings with the three Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) Ministers who will participate in talks on the Ceasefire Agreement in Geneva February 22-23 indicate that the new Rajapaksa government is diligently preparing for its first face-to-face with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil [...]
2006-02-17 05:53:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PTER CE
06COLOMBO271SRI LANKA: BIOGRAPHIC INFORMATION ON INVESTMENT
[...] (C) Rohitha Bogollagama, Sri Lankan Minister for Investment Promotion and Industries, is a colorful, aisle-crossing politician and lawyer whose bipartisan experience--as well as his involvement in a few sensational local scandals--may make him uniquely qualified for the delicate job of pres [...]
2006-02-21 11:43:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPINR PGOV EINV CE
06COLOMBO306 Special Media Reaction: Conclusion of Ceasefire
[...] (U) Summary: The Sri Lankan media, in an avalanche of commentary on the just concluded ceasefire talks in Geneva, spun the outcome in different directions according to their traditional political tendencies. Comment in state-owned media chided the local independent media and international wire [...]
2006-02-27 11:31:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIEDPHUM KPAO PTER EAID OIIP PREL CE
06COLOMBO308SRI LANKA: MONDAY MORNING QUARTERBACKING ON
[...] (C) With the conclusion on February 23 of the first round of talks between the Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in three years, southern political parties are feverishly engaging in Monday morning quarterbacking to determine whether the GSL "won" or [...]
2006-02-27 13:18:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPTER PGOV CE
06COLOMBO321IMI - INVESTMENT CLIMATE STATEMENT, 2006 ? SRI LANKA
[...] No summary [...]
2006-02-28 10:56:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIEDECON EFIN EINV ELAB ETRD KTDB OPIC PGOV
06COLOMBO338NORWEGIAN AMBASSADOR HAPPY WITH GENEVA BUT SEES
[...] (C) Summary. Norwegian Ambassador Brattskar told Colombo co-chairs reps March 2 that the Geneva talks had exceeded his expectations. An initially tense atmosphere had relaxed over time and made it possible for agreement on a joint statement. Brattskar is fairly confident the next round wil [...]
2006-03-02 11:35:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PTER PHUM CE NO
06COLOMBO340SRI LANKAN GOVERNMENT DELEGATION MEMBERS'
[...] (C) In separate conversations March 2, Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) delegation members John Gooneratne and Nivard Cabraal told emboffs they were generally pleased with the outcome of the February 22-23 talks with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in Geneva. Both said they foresee [...]
2006-03-02 11:45:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PTER CE
06COLOMBO374 EU Election Observation Media Analysis
[...] No summary [...]
2006-03-08 10:32:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYPHUM KPAO EAID OIIP PREL CE
06COLOMBO377SRI LANKA: GSL MINISTERS DOWNPLAY COMPLEXITIES IN
[...] (C) In a March 7 meeting with Health Minister and chief Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) negotiator Nimal Siripala de Silva and a March 8 meeting with Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera, the Ambassador stressed that the GSL must be proactive in upholding its commitments under the joint statem [...]
2006-03-08 10:53:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPTER PGOV PHUM CE
06COLOMBO382SRI LANKA: JVP INSISTS CEASEFIRE AGREEMENT MUST
[...] (C) In a March 8 meeting, Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) General Secretary Tilvin Silva and JVP MP Vijitha Herath told poloff that their party generally supported Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) talks with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in Geneva February 22-23 but insisted that th [...]
2006-03-09 10:31:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PTER PINR CE
06COLOMBO4IS SRI LANKA GOING BACK TO WAR - AND WHAT CAN WE
[...] (C) SUMMARY: As the optimism and hope surrounding the four-year old ceasefire agreement (CFA) fade and a return to some sort of war becomes an increasing (but certainly not inevitable) possibility, the U.S. and the rest of the concerned international community need to consider how best to he [...]
2006-01-03 07:09:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPREL PGOV PINS EFIN CE LTTE
06COLOMBO400READY OR NOT, HERE THEY COME: (MOST) LOCAL
[...] (C) Local government elections, scheduled to take place in most areas on March 30, have been embroiled in controversy and legal challenges since the deadline for nominations passed on February 16. Although the pro-Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) Tamil National Alliance (TNA) has file [...]
2006-03-15 09:28:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV CE
06COLOMBO408SRI LANKA: DEFENSE SECRETARY CLAIMS NO GSL
[...] (C) In a March 15 meeting with Defense Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, the Ambassador stressed the importance of the Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) upholding its commitment to restrain any armed group other than Government security forces from operating in GSL-controlled territory (Reftels). Acc [...]
2006-03-16 09:41:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV MOPS PHUM CE
06COLOMBO428SRI LANKA: LTTE-BACKED STUDENTS BLOCK VICE
[...] (SBU) Vehement protests by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE)-affiliated Jaffna University Student Union (JUSU) have prevented Professor S. Ratnajeevan Hoole, who was appointed Vice Chancellor to the troubled university on March 9, from assuming his duties. President Mahinda Rajapak [...]
2006-03-20 11:41:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPHUM PTER PGOV SOCI CE
06COLOMBO431 SRI LANKA MAY HAVE OIL AND GAS FIELDS, BUT LACKS
[...] (U) Summary: Sri Lanka is preparing to call for expressions of interest from international companies for oil and gas exploration as studies conducted by an international company have revealed possible petroleum resources in the seabed off the northern and western coasts. While Sri Lanka app [...]
2006-03-21 03:42:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYEPET ENRG ETRD BEXP CE
06COLOMBO460SRI LANKA: PRESIDENTIAL CONFIDANT (AND SIBLING)
[...] (C) Basil Rajapaksa, confidant and advisor to his older brother President Mahinda Rajapaksa, told poloff on March 22 that in the second round of talks with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE),scheduled to be held in Geneva April 19-21, the Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) wants to move [...]
2006-03-23 10:35:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PTER PHUM CE
06COLOMBO470SRI LANKA: NEW ANTI-LTTE TAMIL PARTY: A CREDIBLE
[...] (C) Summary: A new Tamil umbrella political party hopes to pose an alternative to the pro-LTTE Tamil National Alliance (TNA) and to attract prominent non-LTTE Tamils, such as Tamil United Liberation Front (TULF) misfit V. Anandasangaree and People's Liberation Front of Tamil Eelam (PLOTE) chi [...]
2006-03-25 06:06:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PTER CE
06COLOMBO471COLOMBO CO-CHAIRS HUDDLE IN FACE OF POST-GENEVA
[...] (C) Summary. In the face of tepid performances by both the GSL and the LTTE in fulfilling their Geneva commitments, local co- chair representatives plan to beard each side in early April, after March 30 local government elections. That said, violence remains down which is quite encouraging [...]
2006-03-27 04:31:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PTER PHUM CE NO
06COLOMBO484 Slow but Steady Progress on Sri Lankan Tsunami
[...] (U) Summary: Despite a change in Government in late 2005, and resultant changes in ministries and personnel handling tsunami reconstruction, Sri Lanka continues to make steady, if not speedy, progress in rebuilding. The new Government has rolled back the problematic ?buffer zone,? thus movi [...]
2006-03-28 11:21:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYEAID ECON CE
06COLOMBO495SRI LANKA: JVP GIVING ALL IT'S GOT IN SOUTHERN
[...] (C) Poloff's March 26-27 visit to four southern districts suggested a sharp split in attitudes--if not in actual platforms--among the three largest parties in the run-up to March 30 local elections. The governing Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) is banking on traditional voter preferences for [...]
2006-03-29 10:41:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV CE
06COLOMBO528SRI LANKA: STRONG GOVERNMENT PERFORMANCE IN LOCAL
[...] (SBU) Local government (LG) elections were held March 30 in a total of 266 Municipal Councils (MCs),Urban Councils (UCs),and Pradeshiya Sabhas (PSs- village councils) in most areas of Sri Lanka except the north and the eastern district of Batticaloa. (Note: Polling in those areas is due Sep [...]
2006-04-03 12:07:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYPGOV CE
06COLOMBO534SRI LANKAN TAX ON FOREIGN PROGRAMMING COULD HARM
[...] (SBU) Summary: In a move to resuscitate the ailing local movie industry and protect the local TV production industry, Sri Lanka has announced plans to impose a tax on most foreign television series and movie broadcasts. While the tax was slated to go into effect April 1, no implementing reg [...]
2006-04-05 03:29:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYECON ETRD CE
06COLOMBO54 Special Media Reaction: Sri Lankan Foreign
[...] (U) Summary: Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera's first official visit to Washington D.C. January 5 - 8 elicited much attention from the government- owned and mainstream independent press. State-run and independent television news programs carried prominent footage of the Ministe [...]
2006-01-09 11:30:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIEDPHUM KPAO PTER EAID OIIP PREL CE
06COLOMBO543PRESIDENT AGREES CO-CHAIRS SHOULD DELIVER STRONG
[...] (C) SUMMARY: President Rajapaksa agreed that Co-Chair Chiefs of Mission (minus the US) should travel to Kilinocchi to deliver message to Tigers that they need to engage seriously in Geneva talks, give up violence, and broaden Geneva agenda beyond the ceasefire agreement (CFA). Co-Chairs will [...]
2006-04-05 11:16:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPREL PTER PGOV CE
06COLOMBO546SRI LANKA: JVP SOLDIERING ON AFTER DISAPPOINTING
[...] (C) In an April 3 meeting with poloff, Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) General Secretary Tilvin Silva downplayed his party's dismal showing in March 30 local elections (Ref B). "We knew the SLFP (the governing Sri Lanka Freedom Party) was going to win," he insisted; "we're pleased with our res [...]
2006-04-05 12:29:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PINR CE
06COLOMBO55SRI LANKA: ESCALATING VIOLENCE SHIFTS TO
[...] (C) SUMMARY: The week of January 2 was quiet in the Jaffna peninsula where several attacks by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in the last 30 days had claimed the lives of dozens of security forces (Ref B). However, the eastern district of Trincomalee became the new nexus of violence [...]
2006-01-09 11:39:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PTER PHUM CE LTTE
06COLOMBO553SRI LANKA: INDEPENDENT COMMISSIONS IN LIMBO
[...] (C) Summary: Political in-fighting, spearheaded by the Sinhalese nationalist Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP),is hindering formation of the Constitutional Council, the multi-partisan body empowered to nminate members to independent watchdog authoritis like the Human Rights Commission (HRC),P [...]
2006-04-06 11:11:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPHUM PREL CE
06COLOMBO557TIGERS NOT YET COMMITTED TO SECOND ROUND OF TALKS,
[...] (C) SUMMARY: The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam are not yet willing to commit to attending the second round of peace talks scheduled for April 19-20 in Geneva, according to Solheim and Hanssen-Bauer. While the Tigers want to stick to discussing the Ceasefire Agreement, the GSL wants to broa [...]
2006-04-07 06:04:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPREL PTER PGOV CE
06COLOMBO581SRI LANKA: SCENESETTER FOR CODEL ENZI
[...] (SBU) Senator Enzi, your delegation's April 14 visit to Sri Lanka offers a valuable opportunity to highlight our warm bilateral ties, re-emphasize our commitment to support the peace process and review progress on key elements of our humanitarian assistance program. Bilateral relations with [...]
2006-04-10 12:27:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYOREP PREL PGOV PTER EAID ECON CE
06COLOMBO591NORWEGIAN GOVERNMENT LETTER TO SRI LANKA AND LTTE
[...] (C) After Co-Chairs meeting April 12 (septel),Norwegian Ambassador Brattskar grabbed Ambassador privately to pass copy of letter which Norwegian International Development Minister Erik Solheim was sending to Sri Lankan President Rajapaksa. Brattskar said very similar letter would be sent to L [...]
2006-04-12 09:47:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPREL PTER PGOV CE
06COLOMBO592SRI LANKA: VIOLENCE, VERBIAGE THREATEN GENEVA TALKS
[...] (U) Summary: After a brief moratorium on violence following the late January announcement of the first round of Geneva talks (Ref A),the all-too-regrettable pattern of tit-for-tat bloodshed between the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and its armed rivals has resumed with a vengeance. [...]
2006-04-12 09:57:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PTER CE
06COLOMBO600GOVERNMENT ASKS CO-CHAIRS FOR STRONG RESPONSE AS
[...] (C) SUMMARY: Co-Chair ambassadors, minus the U.S., pushed the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) hard in an August 10 meeting to make clear its commitment to "Geneva II" but the Tigers are focused on the "transportation issue" in which the GSL has refused to chopper Eastern Tigers to the [...]
2006-04-12 11:55:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPREL PTER PGOV CE
06COLOMBO634SRI LANKA: NORWEGIAN FACILITATORS SEE SLIGHT HOPE
[...] (C) In an April 19 meeting with the Ambassador, Norwegian Special Envoy Jon Hanssen-Bauer and Norwegian Ambassador Hans Brattskar said they still held out some hope that talks in Geneva between the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and the Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) might take place A [...]
2006-04-19 11:47:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPTER PREL PGOV CE
06COLOMBO635PROPOSED ANTI-CONVERSION LEGISLATION UNLIKELY TO
[...] (U) After more than eighteen months in legislative limbo, the Buddhist monk-based Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU) anti-conversion bill showed faint signs of life when the Speaker of Parliament appointed Wijedasa Rajapakse, the Minister of State for Banks, to head the parliamentary select committee [...]
2006-04-19 12:01:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PHUM CE
06COLOMBO639SRI LANKA: CODEL ENZI CALLS ON PRESIDENT
[...] (SBU) Summary: In an April 14 visit to Sri Lanka, Senators Michael Enzi, Lamar Alexander and Johnny Isakson, their spouses, staff and Terrell Halaska, Assistant Secretary of the Office of Legislation and Congressional Affairs, Department of Education, observed US-funded humanitarian demining [...]
2006-04-20 09:15:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYPREL PGOV EAID OREP CE
06COLOMBO646SRI LANKA: FOREIGN MINISTER SAYS "NEGATIVE
[...] (C) Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera met with the Ambassador on April 20 to discuss latest developments on the peace process. Foreign Secretary H.M.G.S. Palihakkara and GSL Peace Secretariat head Palitha Kohona also participated in the meeting. The Foreign Minister said that he had "he [...]
2006-04-20 12:29:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPTER PGOV PREL PHUM CE
06COLOMBO654SRI LANKAN PEACE PROCESS: WHAT CAN WE AND OTHERS
[...] (C) Escalating violence by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) against both civilian and military targets, along with the Tigers' refusal to attend the second round of talks in Geneva, suggest that the LTTE may have decided that continuing the peace process, at least for now, does not [...]
2006-04-21 14:20:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPTER PGOV PHUM CE
06COLOMBO661SRI LANKA: CLAYMORES, CYANIDE, AND CIVILIANS:
[...] (C) The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) continued small-scale attacks against military and civilian targets in the north and east April 21-23, killing eleven members of the security forces and six Sinhalese villagers in separate incidents. For the second time in as many weeks, a Sinhal [...]
2006-04-24 12:38:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPREL PTER PHUM CE
06COLOMBO672SRI LANKA: SUSPECTED LTTE SUICIDE BOMBER ATTEMPTS
[...] (SBU) Summary: Army Commander Lt. General Sarath Fonseka was injured April 25 in an assassination attempt by a suspected Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) suicide bomber at Army Headquarters in Colombo. As many as eight people, many of them members of Fonseka's security detail, may h [...]
2006-04-25 11:23:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPTER PGOV ASEC CE
06COLOMBO683 Jaffna University Students Also Suffering From
[...] (SBU) Summary. More than most university students in Sri Lanka, the approximately 5,000 students currently studying at Jaffna University have felt the impact of the ongoing political tensions in missed classes, low funding, and deteriorating academic standards. This formerly prestigious uni [...]
2006-04-26 10:38:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIEDPGOV SCUL SOCI KPAO CE
06COLOMBO686SRI LANKAN MILITARY LAUNCHES "LIMITED" RETALIATORY
[...] (C) Following the attempted assassination of Army Commander Lt. General Sarath Fonseka in Colombo on April 25, Government security forces launched aerial and artillery strikes on Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) territory in the eastern district of Trincomalee late April 25 and the mor [...]
2006-04-26 13:06:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPTER PGOV PHUM MOPS CE
06COLOMBO697SRI LANKA: PRESIDENT CONFIRMS MILITARY OPERATIONS
[...] (C) In an April 27 meeting with President Mahinda Rajapaksa, Charge' condemned the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) April 25 attempt on the life of the Army Commander and underscored strong US support for Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) efforts to find a peaceful resolution to the confli [...]
2006-04-27 12:32:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPREL PGOV PTER PHUM CE
06COLOMBO713SRI LANKA: TIGER TRANSPORT STILL ON TABLE AS
[...] (C) Low-intensity conflict between Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) security forces and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) continued April 29-May 2, including an April 30 LTTE attack on camps run by the dissident Karuna faction on the Batticaloa-Polonnaruwa border. Despite the violenc [...]
2006-05-02 13:40:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPTER MOPS PGOV PHUM CE
06COLOMBO721INDIANS STILL HOPING GENEVA TALKS CAN RESUME UNDER
[...] (C) According to a local Indian diplomat, his government remains hopeful, despite the April 25 assassination attempt on Army Chief Lt. Gen. Sarath Fonseka, that the Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) can engage the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in a second round of talks. To get the talks back [...]
2006-05-03 12:18:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPREL PTER PGOV IN CE
06COLOMBO723GUNMEN ATTACK TAMIL NEWSPAPER ON EVE OF WORLD PRESS
[...] (SBU) SUMMARY: On the evening of May 2 unidentified gunmen entered the offices of the Tamil language newspaper Uthayan in the northern district of Jaffna and opened fire on the employees, killing two and wounding at least three. The Minister of Mass Media and Information condemned the attack [...]
2006-05-03 12:46:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIEDPHUM KPAO PGOV PTER CE
06COLOMBO731SRI LANKA: AMBASSADOR STRESSES NEED TO DEVELOP
[...] (C) In separate May 4 meetings with Foreign Secretary H.M.G.S. Palihakkara and opposition United National Party (UNP) Deputy Leader Karu Jayasuriya, the Ambassador emphasized U.S. support for the Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) and the need for the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) to giv [...]
2006-05-04 11:23:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PTER PHUM CE
06COLOMBO757AKASHI GETS HARD LINE FROM TIGERS
[...] (C) SUMMARY: Tigers implied to Akashi they will not go to Geneva until Government stops all violence against Tamils. They insisted President Rajapaksa has the power to do so, but Akashi told us that the President has admitted some doubts about his control. END SUMMARY 2. (C) Japanese S [...]
2006-05-10 10:56:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PTER PHUM CE
06COLOMBO790SCA PDAS CAMP PRESSES GSL ON POLITICAL PROPOSALS
[...] (C) In separate May 15 meetings with Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera and Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) Peace Secretariat head Palitha Kohona, Principal Deputy Assistant SIPDIS Secretary for South and Central Asian Affairs Donald Camp SIPDIS emphasized U.S. concern at the escalation [...]
2006-05-16 07:09:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PTER PREL PHUM CE
06COLOMBO792SRI LANKA: SCA PDAS CAMP URGES DEFENSE SECRETARY
[...] (C) In a May 15 meeting with Defense Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for South and Central Asian Affairs Donald Camp and Charge' underscored U.S. support for the Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) but stressed the need for the Government to investigate thoroughl [...]
2006-05-16 08:45:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPHUM PTER MOPS PREL PGOV CE
06COLOMBO809MAIN PARTIES TROT OUT THE OLD GUARD FOR COLOMBO
[...] (SBU) Local government elections for the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) and 21 other local government authorities will be held on May 20. Elections in these localities were postponed from March 30 because of assorted court challenges to electoral lists submitted by various parties (Reftel). [...]
2006-05-17 12:11:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYPGOV CE
06COLOMBO853SCENESETTER FOR A/S BOUCHER VISIT TO TOKYO AND SRI
[...] (C) Your visit to Tokyo and Sri Lanka comes during a tense period of increased violence and worrisome prospects for Sri Lanka's fragile ceasefire. Your visit gives us the opportunity to pursue two key goals - increased co-chair support to push the peace process forward, including seeking way [...]
2006-05-24 06:37:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALEAID ECON MARR OVIP PGOV PREL CE
06COLOMBO866SRI LANKA: FROM INSIDE THE CONFLICT ZONE AND FROM
[...] (C) In separate meetings on May 18 and May 23 a Tamil cleric from Jaffna and a Sinhalese Buddhist Cabinet Minister shared with poloff their assessments of the current situation and expectations for the future. Although their many differences in viewpoints, especially with respect to Governme [...]
2006-05-24 13:08:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPTER PHUM PGOV CE
06COLOMBO872TOKYO CO-CHAIRS PRE-MEETINGS
[...] (C) Summary: GSL representatives admit that at least some elements of armed forces may be cooperating with irregular armed groups. Government is trying to crack down on this, and is also trying to develop a proposal for a political settlement. EU will likely designate LTTE as terrorist group on May [...]
2006-05-25 11:53:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PTER PHUM CE NO
06COLOMBO88SRI LANKA: SCENESETTER FOR THE JANUARY 23-25
[...] (C) Your visit to Sri Lanka comes as small-scale but recurrent aggression by the insurgent Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) is exerting increasing pressure on a still-new and relatively untested Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) executive. President Mahinda Rajapaksa appears to lack a coh [...]
2006-01-12 11:20:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPREL PGOV PTER CE
06COLOMBO933A/S BOUCHER TALKS TOUGH ON TIGERS BUT PRESSES FOR
[...] (C) Summary: Following his participation in the May 30 meeting of the Sri Lankan Donor Co-Chairs (US, EU, Norway, and Japan) in Tokyo, Assistant Secretary for South and Central Asian Affairs Richard Boucher underscored the messages from the Tokyo Co-Chairs statement during a May 31 trip to Co [...]
2006-06-05 07:13:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPREL PGOV PTER PHUM CE
06COLOMBO941SRI LANKA: TAMIL TIGERS THREATEN WITHDRAWAL AFTER
[...] (C) On June 1, the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) agreed to go to Oslo for June 8-9 talks with a Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) delegation led by Peace Secretariat Secretary General Palitha Kohona to discuss the role of the Scandanavian-led Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) despite e [...]
2006-06-05 12:25:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPREL PTER PHUM CE
06COLOMBO970SRI LANKA: AMBASSADOR STRESSES HUMAN RIGHTS AS
[...] No summary [...]
2006-06-08 10:42:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPREL PTER PHUM CE
06COLOMBO971SRI LANKA CLOSE TO ENDORSING PSI
[...] (C) Foreign Secretary Palihakkara told Ambassador June 8 that the MFA had "made some headway" on obtaining GSL consensus on participation in the Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI). Palihakkara said that he had sent a letter to the Ministry of Defence and to the President's office stating [...]
2006-06-08 11:23:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPARM KNNP MNUC PREL CE
06COLOMBO989SRI LANKA: ASSESSING UNOHCHR FIELD PRESENCE
[...] (U) Summary: Poloff met with United Nations Office of the High Commissioner of Human Rights (OHCHR) Sri Lanka representative Rory Mungoven on June 9 to discuss the successes and constraints of the program and how the U.S. could buttress OHCHR's mandate in Sri Lanka. Mungoven noted moderately [...]
2006-06-12 11:21:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYPREL PTER PHUM CE
06COLOMBO990SRI LANKA: LTTE REFUSES TO MEET GOVERNMENT
[...] (C) Summary. The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) surprised most observers by derailing diplomatic efforts to salvage the peace process, refusing to hold talks on the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission June 8-9 in Oslo. Moreover, in the wake of the EU listing of the Tigers, the LTTE has said [...]
2006-06-12 11:24:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PTER PHUM PREL CE
06COLOMBO996SRI LANKA: DEMARCHE DELIVERED ON PROLIFERATION
[...] (C) Ambassador reminded Foreign Secretary Palihakkara June 13 that the US would like the Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) to attend the June 23 Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI) High-Level Political Meeting (HLPM) in Poland. Palihakkara stated that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had recomm [...]
2006-06-13 10:52:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPARM KNNP MNUC PREL KACT CE
06COLOMBO998SRI LANKA: FOREIGN SECRETARY DISCUSSES OSLO,
[...] (C) Summary: Ambassador met Sri Lankan Foreign Secretary Palihakkara and Peace Secretariat Chief and head of the Oslo delegation Kohona on June 13 in the wake of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam's (LTTE) refusal to enter talks with the Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) in Oslo on June 8-9 on t [...]
2006-06-13 11:36:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPREL PTER PHUM CE
06NEWDELHI2496MEA PROVIDES A/S BOUCHER WITH TOUR D'HORIZON OF
[...] (C) Summary: Over an April 7 lunch, MEA regional Joint Secretaries provided Assistant Secretary Richard Boucher with SIPDIS a review of India's relations with its neighbors in South and Central Asia. Boucher probed them specifically on Nepal, Pakistan (including Kashmir),Afghanistan, Cent [...]
2006-04-13 06:09:00Embassy New DelhiCONFIDENTIALPREL PTER ENRG ETRD PBTS MOPS ELTN EPET KDEM
06NEWDELHI27GOI DECLINES A MORE ACTIVE ROLE IN SRI LANKAN
[...] (C) Summary: Mahinda Rajapakse's December 27-30 trip to India stimulated the public debate about the Sri Lankan President's call for a more active Indian role in the peace process, but did not yield any major new Indian initiatives. The GOI told President Rajapakse, who encouraged greater Indian i [...]
2006-01-04 04:51:00Embassy New DelhiCONFIDENTIALPREL PGOV PTER MASS CE IN
06NEWDELHI5738SRI LANKA: NEW DELHI STILL BELIEVES POLITICAL
[...] (C) Summary. Despite assessing the current situation in Sri Lanka as a stalemate, India has no plans to change its policy of pushing for a political solution. New Delhi continues to tell the SLA that it should not see war as an option. Public opinion and refugee inflows into Tamil Nadu are seen as [...]
2006-08-18 13:00:00Embassy New DelhiCONFIDENTIALPREL PGOV PHUM CE IN
06NEWDELHI583GOI PROMISES MILITARY SUPPORT TO SRI LANKA AND
[...] (C) Summary: During U/S Burns' January 21 consultations on regional issues, the GOI relayed its concerns over the increasingly possible return to war in Sri Lanka and the conflict between the need for Iranian gas and the looming crisis over Tehran's nuclear program. Indian Foreign Secretary [...]
2006-01-27 08:41:00Embassy New DelhiCONFIDENTIALPREL MASS MOPS ENRG EPET IR CE IN
06NEWDELHI7095INDIA'S SRI LANKA POLICY DESCRIBED AS DECISIVE
[...] (C) SUMMARY: In a 27 September roundtable discussion on India-Sri Lanka relations, the consensus among prominent journalists and think-tankers was that the GOI should pursue a Track II dialogue with the Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) in three phases: achieve a sustainable cease-fire agreement [...]
2006-10-16 01:12:00Embassy New DelhiCONFIDENTIALPREL PGOV PTER IN CE
06NEWDELHI7759BOUCHER DISCUSSES NUCLEAR TALKS, BILATERAL
[...] (C) SUMMARY: Reflecting the rapid maturation and quickly broadening scope of US-India strategic coordination, visiting Assistant Secretary for South and Central Asian Affairs Richard Boucher and Ministry of External Affairs Joint Secretary (Americas) Dr. Subramanyam Jaishankar discussed the o [...]
2006-11-13 10:55:00Embassy New DelhiCONFIDENTIALPREL PGOV PTER PINR PBTS MOPS KDEM KISL PK IN
06NEWDELHI7767BOUCHER AND MENON TOUR D'HORIZON: PAKISTAN,
[...] (C) SUMMARY: Foreign Secretary Menon told Assistant Secretary for South and Central Asian Affairs Richard Boucher SIPDIS and Ambassador Mulford in a Nov. 10 meeting that countering Pakistani mistrust about India's role in Baluchistan will be difficult. India is concerned about the growin [...]
2006-11-14 04:19:00Embassy New DelhiCONFIDENTIALPREL PGOV PTER PINR PBTS MOPS KDEM KISL PK
06NEWDELHI8129INDIA'S MEA PROVIDES READOUT OF SRI LANKA'S
[...] (C) SUMMARY: The Ministry of External Affairs' Joint Secretary responsible for Sri Lanka, Mr. Mohan Kumar, SIPDIS provided Polcouns with a readout of Minister of External Affairs Pranab Mukherjee's meeting with Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa. Kumar said that Mukherjee hammered home [...]
2006-12-04 12:59:00Embassy New DelhiCONFIDENTIALPGOV PINR PREL PTER KTIA MOPS IN CE
06OSLO467"GRIM" PROSPECTS FOR SRI LANKA PEACE TALKS
[...] No summary [...]
2006-04-11 16:15:00Embassy OsloCONFIDENTIALPREL PTER PGOV CE NO
06OSLO551SRI LANKA CO-CHAIRS MEETING IN OSLO
[...] (C) Summary. Representatives of the Sri Lanka Co-Chairs ( Norway, Japan, the EU, and the U.S. ) met in Oslo on April 28 in an emergency session to discuss the deteriorating situation in Sri Lanka and plan for a follow-on meeting in Tokyo. Assistant Secretary for South and Central Asian Affa [...]
2006-05-03 09:26:00Embassy OsloCONFIDENTIALPTER PGOV PHUM CE NO
06OSLO613SRI LANKA CO-CHAIRS MEETING IN OSLO
[...] (C) Summary. Representatives of the Sri Lanka Co-Chairs (Norway, Japan, the EU, and the U.S.) met in Oslo on April 28 in an emergency session to discuss the deteriorating situation in Sri Lanka and plan for a follow-on meeting in Tokyo. Assistant Secretary for South and Central Asian Affair [...]
2006-05-11 13:42:00Embassy OsloCONFIDENTIALPTER PGOV PHUM CE NO
06OSLO72AMBASSADOR´S CALL ON DEVELOPMENT MINISTER SOLHEIM
[...] (C) Summary. The Ambassador made his introductory call on International Development Minister Erik Solheim January 19 and discussed Solheims upcoming trip to Sri Lanka, the state of play in Sudan, and the Ministers development priorities. Solheim stressed that he is eager to cooperate with the Unite [...]
2006-01-23 12:52:00Embassy OsloCONFIDENTIALPREL PGOV PINR CE SU NO
06OSLO958OSLO MEETING WITH SPECIAL ENVOY HANSSEN-BAUER
[...] (C) On August 2, 2006 we met with Jon Hanssen-Bauer, Special Envoy to Sri Lanka at the MFA and Sri Lanka Desk Officer Sondre Bjotveit. Noting Norwegian Development Minister Eric Solheim's public appeal earlier today for the Liberation Tigers of Tamil (LTTE) and the Government of Sri Lanka (G [...]
2006-08-03 06:58:00Embassy OsloCONFIDENTIALPTER PGOV PHUM CE NO
06PHNOMPENH1940CAMBODIA: UPDATE ON PETROLEUM SECTOR
[...] (U) Donor representatives met October 25 to review recent developments in efforts to help Cambodia learn to manage its oil revenue in a transparent manner that benefits the Cambodian people. A focus of the discussion was on public outreach to increase awareness of the revenue windfall that i [...]
2006-10-27 07:35:00Embassy Phnom PenhUNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYEPET ENRG ECON EINV CB
06TOKYO2987CO-CHAIRS APPEAL TO SRI LANKA TO PULL BACK FROM
[...] (C) Summary: U.S., Japanese, Norwegian and EU participants at the 30 May 2006 Tokyo Co-Chairs meeting concluded a joint statement presenting a strong Co-Chairs position on the failing Sri Lankan peace process. Participants agreed to cite Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) failure to prevent attacks by a [...]
2006-05-31 09:19:00Embassy TokyoCONFIDENTIALPGOV PTER PHUM CE NO JA
07BEIJING1015FEBRUARY 13 MFA PRESS BRIEFING
[...] Key points made at the February 13 MFA Press Conference were: -- News on the Six-Party Talks will be released later in the day after a "important meeting" has concluded. -- Journalists must abide by new Olympic regulations and local regulations when working in Tibet, along with the constr [...]
2007-02-13 11:10:00Embassy BeijingUNCLASSIFIEDPREL CH
07BRUSSELS1462A/S BOUCHER DISCUSSES SOUTH ASIA WITH THE EU
[...] (C) SUMMARY: On April 17, Assistant Secretary for South and Central Asian Affairs Richard Boucher led the U.S. South Asia delegation to the COASI (the EU's Asia-Oceania Working Party) Troika on South Asia, discussing Afghanistan, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, U.S.-EU-India relations, and the situati [...]
2007-05-02 12:49:00USEU BrusselsCONFIDENTIALPREL PGOV EUN AF PK IN CE NP BG
07CHENNAI198 LTTE SMUGGLING AND ONGOING FISHERIES DISPUTE RAISE
[...] (SBU) SUMMARY: The recent upswing in smuggling by Tamil Tigers has combined with an ongoing fisheries dispute to mobilize anti-Sri Lanka sentiment in Tamil Nadu. Possibly in an effort to tamp down on smuggling by the Tigers, the Sri Lankan Navy has allegedly fired on Indian fishing vessels re [...]
2007-03-15 11:24:00Consulate ChennaiUNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYPGOV PREL PTER EFIS IN CE
07COLOMBO100SRI LANKA: INTERNATIONAL NGOS FACE CLIMATE OF
[...] (C) Summary: Elements of the government appear to be orchestrating a campaign against international NGOs, particularly those working in LTTE-controlled areas. On January 11, a mob led by the nationalist Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU) party stormed the Colombo office of the Dutch NGO ZOA Refugee [...]
2007-01-17 12:51:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE
07COLOMBO1003EASTERN PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT OFFICIAL ASSASSINATED
[...] (U) On July 16, unidentified gunmen shot and killed Chief Secretary of the Eastern Provincial Council H.M. Herath Abeyweera in his office in Trincomalee. The gunmen fired several rounds at point blank range before fleeing the scene. It is unclear how the assailants were able to enter Abeyw [...]
2007-07-17 12:06:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE
07COLOMBO1016COLOMBO CELEBRATION MARKS VICTORY IN THE EAST
[...] (C) Summary. On July 19 the Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) held a ceremony in Colombo's Independence Square to celebrate the military victory in the East. The U.S., United Kingdom, and India sent their Defense Attaches to observe, while many countries opted not to attend at all. The Preside [...]
2007-07-19 12:17:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE
07COLOMBO1017SRI LANKA: GOVERNMENT PLANS TO RELEASE ACSA
[...] (C) SUMMARY: Opposition parties are trying to make political hay out of the GSL's execution of an Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement (ACSA) with the USG. At the time it was signed on March 5, 2007, by Defense Secretary Gothabaya Rajapaksa and Ambassador Blake, Embassy issued a short [...]
2007-07-19 12:18:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE
07COLOMBO1020MAIN OPPOSITION AND RULING PARTY SPLINTER GROUP
[...] (C) Summary. On July 19, the leading opposition United National Party and the recently-formed Sri Lanka Freedom Party/Mahajana (SLFP/M) wing (ref) signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU). The agreement stipulates that the two groups will jointly contest future elections. It outlines th [...]
2007-07-20 10:00:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE
07COLOMBO1023SRI LANKA: POLICE FORCES KILL TAMIL TIGER LEADER
[...] (SBU) Elite Sri Lankan police officers known as Special Task Forces (STF) killed six Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) cadres on Saturday, July 21, including the Ampara area leader known as Ravindran, recovering a cache of weapons and ammunition. The STF reported that its raid was in [...]
2007-07-23 13:24:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE
07COLOMBO1029SRI LANKA: GOVERNMENT MODERATES OPTIMISTIC ABOUT
[...] (C) SUMMARY: The representative of the President's party on the committee to develop a consensus devolution proposal told Charge on June 23 he was confident President Rajapaksa would accept the consensus on power-sharing with the regions and the country's minorities. Foreign Minister Bogollag [...]
2007-07-24 23:35:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE
07COLOMBO1048OPPOSITION RALLY DRAWS SIGNIFICANT CROWD AND
[...] (C) Summary: On July 26, the newly formed United National Party/Sri Lanka Freedom Party-Mahajana Wing alliance, now called the National Congress, held its first public rally at Colombo's Hyde Park with the theme "Country is ruined. Come forward." Rumors that the Government would try to preve [...]
2007-07-27 09:35:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE
07COLOMBO1050SRI LANKA: EMBASSY HELPS GLOBAL ENERGY REVIVE ITS OIL
[...] (SBU) SUMMARY: Embassy continues advocacy for U.S. firm Global Energy and Industrial Operations, Inc., which seeks to build and operate an $800 million oil refinery near Colombo. The project has been stalled since 2004, when Global Energy thought it had a deal upon signing a memorandum of und [...]
2007-07-30 06:35:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYEINV ENRG PREL CE
07COLOMBO1054SRI LANKA: SUPREME COURT ALLOWS CASE AGAINST
[...] (C) SUMMARY: The Supreme Court on July 27 allowed a case filed by the Sinhalese nationalist parties against the constitutionality of the CFA to proceed. The Court of Appeals had previously dismissed the suit. The line of questioning by Chief Justice Silva may give an indication that he inte [...]
2007-07-30 12:22:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE
07COLOMBO1057SRI LANKA: GOVERNMENT STILL WORKING ON PLANS FOR
[...] (SBU) SUMMARY: The government of Sri Lanka announced soon after consolidating military control over the East (ref A) that it would ask donors to fund development of the area. The president has designated his brother Basil as the point man for the Eastern development push. Basil told UN offic [...]
2007-07-31 10:22:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYEAID EINV PGOV PHUM CE
07COLOMBO1071SRI LANKA: PRESIDENT'S SOUTHERN POLITICAL BASE
[...] (C) SUMMARY: President Rajapaksa is losing support among his political base in southern coastal towns to former Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera, whose recent alliance with the United National Party (UNP) has re-energized the opposition. In an effort to sway public opinion in his favor, [...]
2007-08-01 11:34:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE
07COLOMBO1077SRI LANKA AND MALDIVES: 62ND UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
[...] (SBU) On July 26, A/DCM called on Sri Lankan Ministry of Foreign Affairs Additional Secretary for UN and Multilateral Affairs Sarala Fernando to request a list of high-level officials planning to attend the 62nd UN General Assembly (UNGA). Fernando replied that President Mahinda Rajapaksa and [...]
2007-08-02 08:42:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYPREL ITRA OVIP KSEP UNGA CE MV
07COLOMBO1078SRI LANKA: JAFFNA HUMAN RIGHTS OFFICE ENDS CONTACT
[...] (C) SUMMARY: Long-time Embassy interlocutors in Jaffna, including those who met with Assistant Secretary Boucher in May 2007, report that they continue to feel pressure from the government, particularly the Jaffna military commander. Contacts have told us that in addition to the GSL curtailin [...]
2007-08-03 06:53:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE
07COLOMBO1079SRI LANKA: DEFECTIONS REDUCE PRESIDENT'S
[...] (C) SUMMARY: On August 2, the Ceylon Workers Congress (CWC) Party leader, Minister of Youth Empowerment and Socio-Economic Development Arumugan Thondaman, and four out of five CWC Members of Parliament announced they would no longer vote with the President's coalition. The one CWC parliam [...]
2007-08-03 08:18:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE
07COLOMBO109SRI LANKA: DEVOLUTION PROPOSAL ON TRACK, BUT WILL
[...] (C) SUMMARY: Tissa Vitharana, Chair of the All-Party Representative Committee (APRC),has culled common elements from several devolution proposals and offered a compromise document for discussion within the committee. In a January 17 meeting with the Ambassador, Vitharana explained that he ba [...]
2007-01-19 06:05:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE
07COLOMBO1093SRI LANKA: EAST DEVELOPMENT -- TRINCOMALEE NOT READY TO
[...] (SBU) SUMMARY: Trincomalee, the eastern seaboard town boasting one of Asia's finest natural harbors, is underdeveloped and depressed as a result of over two decades of civil war in Sri Lanka. The government wants to translate its recent reassertion of control over the east into development, mu [...]
2007-08-08 11:44:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYEAID ECON EINV PTER CE
07COLOMBO1103SRI LANKA: PRESIDENT APPEARS READY TO ACCEPT
[...] (C) SUMMARY: The chair of the committee to work out a consensus devolution proposal reported that the President and all parties represented in the current government had agreed to support a compromise. This foresees the province, rather than the district, as the unit of devolution. This con [...]
2007-08-09 10:56:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE
07COLOMBO1106SRI LANKA: HUMANITARIAN ACCESS COMMITTEE REVIEWS
[...] (SBU) SUMMARY: UN Under Secretary General for Humanitarian Affairs John Holmes, currently visiting Sri Lanka, attended the 11th Consultative Committee on Humanitarian Assistance (CCHA) meeting chaired by Minister of Disaster Management and Human Rights Mahinda Samarasinghe on August 7. Charg [...]
2007-08-10 05:11:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYEAID PREF PHUM PGOV PREL CE
07COLOMBO1113SRI LANKA: DEFENSE SECRETARY OUTLINES PLAN FOR
[...] (C) Defense Secretary (and brother of the President) Gothabaya Rajapaksa told Charge and Pol Chief on August 9 of his plans to stabilize the security environment in Sri Lanka's East, where government forces recently routed the remaining regular Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) forces. [...]
2007-08-13 10:45:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE
07COLOMBO1123SRI LANKA: PRIME MINISTER LASHES OUT AT UN UNDER
[...] (C) SUMMARY: UN Under Secretary General for Humanitarian Affairs John Holmes visited Sri Lanka from August 6-9, the first high-level UN visit to Sri Lanka in almost a year. Holmes met with senior Government officials, attended the first year anniversary of the killing of 17 Action Against Hun [...]
2007-08-14 12:00:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE
07COLOMBO1127SRI LANKA: COMPROMISE ON DEVOLUTION SHOWS SIGNS OF
[...] SUMMARY: The deal the President put together on devolution (reftel) has come under fire from Sinhalese hardliners, delaying its approval for at least several days, perhaps much longer. The radical Sinhalese Buddhist monk-based party Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU) objected to the compromise, insi [...]
2007-08-15 12:31:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE
07COLOMBO113GOVERNMENT AGREES TO TEMPORARY CEASEFIRE IN
[...] (SBU) At the fourth Consultative Committee on Humanitarian Affairs chaired by Minister for Human Rights and Disaster Management Samarasinghe and Defense Secretary Rajapaksa on January 19, Samarasinghe briefed selected donors, UN agency representatives, Ambassador and AID Mission Director o [...]
2007-01-19 09:32:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYPREL PTER PGOV CE
07COLOMBO115SRI LANKA: MUSLIM PARTY LEADER ACCUSES GOVERNMENT
[...] (C) SUMMARY: Sri Lanka Muslim Congress leader Rauff Hakim complained to Ambassador on January 19 that the President's brother and senior political advisor Basil Rajapaksa had employed strong-arm tactics to induce members of his party to join the government. Hakim said, however, that he was s [...]
2007-01-19 10:51:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PTER PHUM CE
07COLOMBO1168SRI LANKA: NATIONALISTS THREATEN TO END SUPPORT
[...] (C) SUMMARY: The Sinhalese nationalist Janatha Vikmuthi Peramuna (JVP) has threatened to withdraw its support from outside for the government if the All-Party Representative Committee consensus in favor of meaningful devolution to the provinces is allowed to stand. The JVP insists on retainin [...]
2007-08-27 09:33:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE
07COLOMBO1170FOREIGN MINISTER AND AMBASSADOR DISCUSS DEVOLUTION
[...] Summary: In an August 27 meeting, Foreign Minister Bogollagama and Ambassador reviewed human rights, the status of the All Parties Representative Committee (APRC) deliberations, and a request by the Foreign Minister to meet the Secretary anytime between October 4 and 8 in Washington. The Amb [...]
2007-08-27 11:37:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPREL PHUM UNGA CE
07COLOMBO1171SRI LANKA: EMINENT PERSONS REASSURED AFTER MEETING
[...] (C) SUMMARY: The International Independent Group of Eminent Persons (IIGEP) held its third plenary meeting with the Commission of Inquiry (COI) August 17 - 20. The positive tone of the meeting reassured even skeptics within the IIGEP. U.S. Eminent Person Gene Dewey noted that the possibilit [...]
2007-08-27 12:00:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE
07COLOMBO1187SRI LANKA: DEFENSE CORRESPONDENT FEARS RETALIATION
[...] (SBU) SUMMARY: Defense Correspondent Iqbal Athas is preparing to temporarily leave Sri Lanka with his family following a barrage of threats and intimidation apparently orchestrated by the Government of Sri Lanka (GSL). On August 12, he wrote an article for the Sunday Times about the Ukraini [...]
2007-08-30 12:31:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIEDPGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE
07COLOMBO1207SRI LANKA: GOVERNMENT OFFENSIVE IN SOUTHERN MANNAR
[...] (C) SUMMARY: The Sri Lankan Army (SLA) began a military offensive on August 27 to clear Silavaturai and neighboring villages in southwestern Mannar district of Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) cadres. About four thousand civilians are reportedly displaced by the fighting. UN interlo [...]
2007-09-04 11:35:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE
07COLOMBO1218SRI LANKA: GOVERNMENT REVIVES SOVEREIGN BOND ISSUE PLANS;
[...] (SBU) Summary: The Government of Sri Lanka plans to issue the country's first international sovereign bond, in hopes of raising $500 million to fund infrastructure projects. However, the main opposition United National Party has announced that a future UNP government would not honor the bonds [...]
2007-09-05 12:48:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYECON EINV EFIN KMCA CE
07COLOMBO1225HUMAN RIGHTS IN SRI LANKA: SOME IMPROVEMENT BUT
[...] (C) SUMMARY: The period April-June 2007 showed a decline relative to the beginning of the year in Colombo and some other parts of Sri Lanka in certain categories of human rights abuses, such as abductions. However, the overall level of human rights violations compared to 2002-2005 remains e [...]
2007-09-06 11:21:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE
07COLOMBO1232SRI LANKAN PROGRESS ON ISSUES OF CONCERN TO U.S. -
[...] (C) As Washington prepares for a busy fall, post thought it would be useful to provide a brief snapshot of where we stand on the key issues in our agenda with Sri Lanka; the outlook for the fall; and what specific steps the U.S. can take to advance our interests here. A number of factors have [...]
2007-09-07 11:09:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPREL PHUM CE
07COLOMBO1233 SRI LANKA: GOVERNMENT TAKES CREDIT FOR INCREASED FLOW OF
[...] Summary: Two weeks after returning from a visit to the northern Jaffna Peninsula, the Commissioner General of Essential Services (CGES) on August 30 briefed the diplomatic community and United Nations agency heads in Colombo on steps the Government of Sri Lanka has taken to maintain a steady [...]
2007-09-10 02:23:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYEAID PGOV PHUM PREF CE
07COLOMBO1260SRI LANKA: CHRISTIANS FACE MOUNTING LEGAL HURDLES
[...] (C) SUMMARY: On September 10, Godfrey Yogarajah of the National Christian Evangelical Alliance of Sri Lanka (NCEASL) called on Ambassador to provide an update on the problems faced by Sri Lanka's Christian community. Yogarajah noted that Sri Lankan churches are experiencing a growing number [...]
2007-09-12 12:30:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE
07COLOMBO1261SRI LANKA: PRESIDENT SHARES HIS VIEWS ON THE
[...] SUMMARY: In an early September interview with Indian author and journalist Inderjit Badhwar (full text at www.tamilunitedfront.com/articles/rajapakse.h tml),President Mahinda Rajapaksa emphasized his desire for a political solution that addresses the aspirations of the Tamil people. He also [...]
2007-09-12 12:47:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIEDPGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE
07COLOMBO1266SRI LANKA: RESPONSE ON PRESIDENT'S HUMAN RIGHTS
[...] (SBU) SUMMARY: Ambassador, Embassy staff, and Washington-based officials have made a consistent, intensive effort over the past year to engage the Sri Lankan government on improving its human rights record, and to support and defend human rights advocates in the country. Sri Lanka has recen [...]
2007-09-13 03:56:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYPGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE
07COLOMBO1273SRI LANKA: OFFICIAL DELEGATION LIST FOR 62ND UNGA
[...] (SBU) Embassy Colombo has received by diplomatic note the following list (para 2) of the official delegation and media members who are scheduled to visit the USA accompanying H.E. the President of Sri Lanka for the 62nd United Nations General Assembly. 2. (SBU) (begin list) Composition [...]
2007-09-13 12:07:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIEDPREL ITRA OVIP UNGA CE
07COLOMBO1286ICAO ASSEMBLY: SRI LANKA SUPPORT FOR U.S. RE-ELECTION TO
[...] (U) Summary: The Sri Lanka Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Civil Aviation Authority support re-election of the United States to the Council of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). Sri Lanka plans to send a four-person delegation, including Minister of Ports and Aviation, C [...]
2007-09-17 11:25:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIEDEAIR PREL AORC ICAO CE
07COLOMBO13SRI LANKA: GOVERNMENT AIR STRIKES KILL 16
[...] (C) Summary: On January 2 Sri Lankan Air Force (SLAF) jets bombed a northwestern coastal area near Mannar. Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) website Tamilnet reported that 16 civilians died in the air strike. Government officials countered that the SLAF targeted and hit a known Sea Tig [...]
2007-01-04 12:29:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALMOPS PTER PHUM PREL PGOV CE
07COLOMBO130SRI LANKA: OPPOSITION LEADER SEEKS TO MEND PARTY
[...] (C) SUMMARY: Ambassador met opposition leader Wickremesinghe on January 22 to urge him to seek common ground with his UNP critics, including leading dissident Karu Jayasuriya. Our only interest was in supporting the peace process, Ambassador noted, but the current round of political wrangli [...]
2007-01-23 05:22:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PTER PHUM MOPS PREL CE
07COLOMBO1301SRI LANKA: PRESIDENT'S BROTHER BASIL TAKES A
[...] (U) The President's brother, Basil Rajapaksa, took a seat in parliament today, replacing Muslim MP Anver Ismail, who died recently, reportedly from alcohol-related illness. Speaker of Parliament Lokubandara swore in Basil, whose nomination had gone the previous day to the Election Commissione [...]
2007-09-19 12:26:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYPGOV PREL PHUM CE
07COLOMBO1305SRI LANKA: 6.2% GDP GROWTH IN FIRST HALF OF 2007 AMIDST
[...] (U) Summary and comment: Sri Lanka's GDP grew at an annual rate of 6.2% for the first half of 2007. The trade deficit narrowed as export growth significantly exceeded import growth. Growing remittances compensated for much of the trade deficit and boosted foreign exchange reserves to a level [...]
2007-09-20 10:36:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYECON EFIN ETRD KMCA CE
07COLOMBO1322SRI LANKA: PROGRESS ON DEVOLUTION PROPOSAL STALLED
[...] (C) SUMMARY: The All-Party Representative Committee (APRC) has made substantial progress on drafting its devolution proposal, but remains stuck on some final key issues. The President, under pressure from his Sinhalese base to stick to the "unitary state" concept, has decided to delay action [...]
2007-09-25 10:56:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE
07COLOMBO1349DISCUSSION WITH PRESIDENTIAL ADVISOR ON
[...] (SBU) Ambassador met on September 28 with Basil Rajapaksa, the President's brother, senior political advisor, and coordinator of the stabilization and reconstruction program in the east, to discuss the opportunities and risks in the east (reftels). Rajapaksa acknowledged the need to stop ill [...]
2007-10-01 11:18:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV EAID CE
07COLOMBO1369FORMER FOREIGN MINISTER ASSESSES STABILITY OF
[...] (C) Summary: In a lunch on October 3 with Ambassador, former Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera said that his breakaway faction from the ruling SLFP party and the opposition UNP have not yet been able to persuade the JVP to vote against the Government in November, mostly because the JVP st [...]
2007-10-04 08:37:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPREL PGOV PHUM CE
07COLOMBO1372MEETING WITH NATIONALIST JVP PARTY
[...] (C) Summary: Ambassador met for a spirited but cordial hour with JVP Parliamentary group leader Wimal Weerawansa, on October 1 at the JVP Party-Headquarters. Weerawansa expressed dissatisfaction with President Rajapaksa's failure to reduce inflation and corruption but said the JVP has not decid [...]
2007-10-04 12:15:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPREL PGOV PHUM CE
07COLOMBO1407ARBOUR PROVIDES INTERIM READOUT OF HER VISIT TO
[...] (C) Summary: At a working lunch on October 11 UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Louise Arbour expressed doubt that she will be able to negotiate during this trip an increase in the staff of the office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in Colombo with a broad mandate. She wants t [...]
2007-10-11 09:51:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPHUM PREL AORC CE
07COLOMBO1408SRI LANKA: RUMORS ABOUND ABOUT KARUNA'S
[...] (S/NF) SUMMARY: On October 8, the Hindustan Times reported that pro-government paramilitary Tamil Makkal Viduthalai Pulikal (TMVP) military commander Chandrakanthan, more commonly known as Pillaiyan, ousted the group's founder Karuna Amman from the party's Executive Committee over "financia [...]
2007-10-11 11:38:00Embassy ColomboSECRETPGOV PREL PHUM MOPS CE
07COLOMBO1428TAMIL LEADER REFLECTS ON THE CONFLICT, THE EAST
[...] No summary [...]
2007-10-17 08:59:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPREL PTER PGOV CE
07COLOMBO1439SRI LANKA: PRESIDENT PLANS VISIT TO IRAN TO
[...] (C) Summary: President Rajapaksa plans to make a state visit to Iran, probably in December. The focus of the visit will be on trade. Iran is Sri Lanka's sixth largest trading partner -- it provides half of Sri Lanka's crude oil imports and is the fourth largest buyer of Sri Lanka's tea. With [...]
2007-10-19 05:06:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALETRD ENRG PREL KNNP IR CE
07COLOMBO1459SRI LANKA: GOVERNMENT PROVIDES WEAK RESPONSE TO
[...] (C) Summary. Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama on October 23 provided Charge with an Aide Memoire response to U/S Burns' request for additional information on the GSL's progress on human rights indictments and convictions. The GSL document, although constructive rather than defensive in [...]
2007-10-24 15:01:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE
07COLOMBO147 MCC IN SRI LANKA: MAJORITY OF INDICATORS PROBABLY NOW
[...] (SBU) SUMMARY AND ACTION REQUEST: Almost three years ago when Sri Lanka qualified as a Millennium Challenge Account candidate country, many of Sri Lanka's MCC indicators were on a positive trend. Since then, the government has changed hands twice and each new government has proven less commi [...]
2007-01-24 12:31:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYECON ETRD PHUM SOCI EAID EAIR CE
07COLOMBO1479SRI LANKA: AIR BASE ATTACK RESULTS IN HEAVY
[...] SUMMARY: Reports of damage from the October 21 attack on the Anuradhapura air base (ref A) remain varied. The Sri Lankan Air Force (SLAF) reports 8 aircraft destroyed and 14 SLAF casualties, including two pilots. According to a U.S. defense contractor, approximately 75 percent of the SLAF's [...]
2007-10-30 10:18:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE
07COLOMBO148SRI LANKA: ATTITUDE SURVEY REVEALS SINHALESE VIEWS
[...] (SBU) SUMMARY: A Sri Lankan think tank, the Centre for Policy Alternatives, recently released a study intended to provide a measure of public confidence in the peace process and public opinion on resolving the conflict. This attitude survey provides valuable insight into the views of the maj [...]
2007-01-24 13:29:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE
07COLOMBO1488SRI LANKA: DEBUT SOVEREIGN BOND ISSUE RAISES $500 MILLION
[...] (SBU) Summary and comment: International investors, 40% of them American, purchased all $500 million of Sri Lanka's first-ever sovereign bond issue, despite domestic opposition efforts to block the sale. The government offered 8.25% coupon bonds with a five-year maturity, and received orders [...]
2007-11-01 08:53:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYEFIN EINV ECON KMCA CE
07COLOMBO1489SRI LANKA: MEDIA COME UNDER NEW FIRE; FIGHT BACK
[...] (SBU) SUMMARY: A series of recent government actions against media outlets or individual reporters has given rise to concern that the government may again be trying to muzzle or intimidate media critics. The Information Ministry has withdrawn the broadcasting license of a radio network on the [...]
2007-11-01 10:06:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYPGOV PHUM PINS KPAO KDEM CE
07COLOMBO1506SRI LANKA: DELIVERY OF FATF GUIDANCE REGARDING IRAN REF: A. SECSTATE 149648 B. COLOMBO 1439 C. COLOMBO 1307 Classified By: Charge d'Affaires James R. Moore for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
[...] No summary [...]
2007-11-02 08:51:00Embassy ColomboSECRETEFIN KNNP UNSC IAEA IR CE
07COLOMBO152SRI LANKA: PRESIDENT STRUGGLING IN ATTEMPT TO WOO
[...] (C) SUMMARY: President Rajapaksa has yet to announce his anticipated cabinet reshuffle, leading to confusion and speculation in the media and among our political contacts. The Rajapaksa team is struggling to eke out a bare majority of the parliamentary seats. Both the governing Sri Lanka Fre [...]
2007-01-25 05:53:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL CE
07COLOMBO1523SRI LANKA: TAMILCHELVAN'S DEATH - AFTERMATH AND
[...] (C) SUMMARY: LTTE Police Chief Nadesan has replaced the deceased Tamilchelvan as head of the LTTE political wing, but will continue to serve as head of the LTTE "police." A former Sri Lankan government peace negotiator noted that Nadesan has little experience in the negotiating field. A No [...]
2007-11-07 13:04:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PTER PHUM MOPS PREL PINR CE
07COLOMBO1527SRI LANKA: CO-CHAIRS SEE LITTLE PROSPECT OF A
[...] (C) SUMMARY: A meeting of Co-Chair Ambassadors in Colombo on November 5 concluded there will be little scope for promoting new peace talks in the next several months. Participants agreed to propose to capitals that the Co-Chairs principals meet during the first quarter of 2008 in Tokyo. Sever [...]
2007-11-08 11:43:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS PINR CE
07COLOMBO1528SRI LANKAN FOR MIN TO TRY TO DISSUADE PRESIDENT
[...] (C) SUMMARY: Tourism Minister Moragoda told Ambassador that he was traveling to Tehran in mid-November to advance the President's trip to Iran. Embassy has continued to underline our concerns about Iran's proliferation programs and sponsorship of terrorist activities known to the most senior [...]
2007-11-08 12:23:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS IR CE
07COLOMBO153SRI LANKA: TAMIL PARLIAMENTARIANS FEAR "ETHNIC
[...] (C) SUMMARY: Ambassador met with three Members of Parliament from the Tamil National Alliance (TNA),a party which shares the political goals of the LTTE, on January 24. The Tamil representatives said they feared an "ongoing campaign of ethnic cleansing" of Tamils from the east. Ambassador ex [...]
2007-01-25 10:52:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE
07COLOMBO1533SRI LANKA: AMBASSADOR PRESSES FOREIGN MINISTER ON
[...] (C) SUMMARY: Foreign Minister Bogollagama requested a meeting with Ambassador on November 7 to follow up on Under Secretary Burns's October meetings with President Rajapaksa SIPDIS in New York and the Foreign Minister in Washington (reftel). He and his staff expressed frustration at their l [...]
2007-11-09 09:29:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE
07COLOMBO1542MEETING WITH SRI LANKAN DEFENSE SECRETARY ON
[...] (C) Ambassador and EU Head of Mission Wilson met with Defense Secretary Rajapaksa on November 13 to present a list of incidents reported by NGOs operating in eastern Sri Lanka in the last year perpetrated by the paramilitary Karuna Group. Secretary Rajapaksa admitted such incidents were stil [...]
2007-11-14 13:09:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPREL EAID PHUM CE
07COLOMBO1551SRI LANKA: BUDGET VOTE A CLIFFHANGER AS JVP
[...] (C) SUMMARY: The leader of the principal Sinhalese nationalist party, the JVP, with 37 seats in Parliament, told a rally of supporters on November 13 that the party would not support the government on the crucial budget vote unless its conditions were met. He demanded that the President agree [...]
2007-11-15 12:20:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE
07COLOMBO1562SRI LANKA: GSL ARM-TWISTING SUCCEEDS IN GETTING
[...] (C) SUMMARY: The government came to its own rescue in a must-win budget vote, using every means at its disposal to ensure passage of its budget in the second reading. President Rajapaksa was once again able to outmaneuver opposition leader Ranil Wickremesinghe. In the process, Rajapaksa repo [...]
2007-11-19 12:12:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE
07COLOMBO1581SRI LANKA AND MALDIVES: UPDATED CONTACT INFORMATION
[...] Contact information for Embassy Sections. a. AMB: Robert O. Blake, Jr. Office: 94-11-249-8640 Cell: 94-77-347-6592 b. DCM: James Moore Office: 94-11-249-8640 Cell: 94-77-770-9571 c. POL: Michael DeTar Office: 94-11-249-876 [...]
2007-11-23 05:50:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIEDPGOV AMGT CE
07COLOMBO1582SRI LANKA: EMINENT PERSONS FRUSTRATED, DECIDE TO
[...] (C) SUMMARY: The members of the International Independent Panel of Eminent Persons assisting the Sri Lankan Presidential Commission of Inquiry into Human Rights Abuses feel their efforts have been stymied and concluded they can do little more to influence events in a positive way. A letter [...]
2007-11-23 11:42:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE
07COLOMBO1601LTTE CHIEF SAYS INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY
[...] (SBU) SUMMARY: In his annual "Heroes' Day" speech, LTTE supremo Prabhakaran reiterated his litany of charges against the majority Sinhalese community in Sri Lanka. However, Prabhakaran went further than he has before in condemning what he sees as the international community's passivity in the [...]
2007-11-28 13:38:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPREL PTER MOPS PGOV PHUM CE
07COLOMBO1616SRI LANKA: ARMY, POLICE ROUND UP TAMILS WHILE
[...] (C) SUMMARY: On November 30 - December 3, Sri Lankan security forces conducted random arrests and cordon and search operations, rounding up approximately 2500 Tamils in Colombo and suburbs and perhaps 3500 island-wide. Some of the detainees were released within hours, others were transported [...]
2007-12-04 13:51:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPREL PGOV PTER PHUM MOPS CE
07COLOMBO162SUPPORTING A BELEAGUERED TAMIL PRESS
[...] (C) Summary: Ambassador and PAO called on beleaguered Tamil dailies "Tinakkural" and Sudar Oli" to demonstrate support for a free press. Ambassador agreed to try to help solve specific problems with their Jaffna editions, in immediate danger of closing due to lack of newsprint and other suppli [...]
2007-01-26 09:10:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALKPAO PHUM CE
07COLOMBO1640CONVERSATION WITH PRESIDENT RAJAPAKSA ON THE WAY
[...] (S) Summary: In a series of short conversations with Ambassador on December 6 during a trip to his home town of Tangalle, President Rajapaksa expressed confidence his government would win the third and final budget vote on December 14, but was less clear on the way forward after that. Rajapa [...]
2007-12-07 11:32:00Embassy ColomboSECRETPREL PGOV CE
07COLOMBO1641ISRAELI AMBASSADOR DISCUSSES ISRAELI RELATIONS
[...] (C) In an introductory meeting on December 7, Israel's new Ambassador to Sri Lanka Mark Sofer (who is resident in New Delhi) told Ambassador that after presenting his credentials to President Rajapaksa and several days of consultations in Colombo he had noted considerable pessimism about the [...]
2007-12-07 11:32:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPREL PTER CE IR IS
07COLOMBO1652SRI LANKA'S RELATIONS WITH UN DETERIORATING
[...] (SBU) SUMMARY: The last month has seen a deterioration in the UN's already shaky relations with Sri Lanka. On November 12, JVP parliamentary floor leader Wimal Weerawansa made a speech to parliament in which he accused UNICEF of supporting the LTTE through contributions of money and vehicles. [...]
2007-12-12 10:53:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYPREL AORC PHUM MOPS CE
07COLOMBO1656SRI LANKA: GOVERNMENT STRUGGLES FOR SURVIVAL ON
[...] (C) SUMMARY: The third and final reading of the budget on December 14 is shaping up as a battle royal for the government's survival -- and the government is losing ground in the count. On December 12, Sri Lankan Muslim Congress leader Rauff Hakeem and three of his five Members of Parliament [...]
2007-12-12 12:04:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPREL PGOV PTER PHUM MOPS CE
07COLOMBO1661SRI LANKA: 2008 BUDGET WOULD BOOST DEFENSE AND TRANSFERS TO RAJAPAKSA CONSTITUENTS
[...] (SBU) Summary and comment: The Rajapaksa government could survive or fall depending on the outcome of a December 14 final vote on its 2008 budget. The proposed budget continues the president's emphasis on high taxes to fund big government and transfers to his primary constituents: civil servan [...]
2007-12-13 10:55:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYECON EFIN KMCA PGOV CE
07COLOMBO1677SRI LANKA: GOVERNMENT SCRAPES TOGETHER A FINAL
[...] SUMMARY: On December 14, the United People's Freedom Alliance passed its budget with a majority of 47 votes. The Government's victory was not assured until the JVP decided, in the final hours before the vote, to abstain. The decision to abstain, after voting against the budget in the first tw [...]
2007-12-18 11:04:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE
07COLOMBO1689GOVERNMENT ISSUES PUBLIC STATEMENT IN SUPPORT OF
[...] Summary: At the urging of the U.S., EU and UN in Sri Lanka, the Government of Sri Lanka issued a public statement on December 15 expressing its "support for, and confidence in, United Nations operations in Sri Lanka" and "the efforts of the international agencies in humanitarian assistance and [...]
2007-12-20 12:00:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIEDAORC PREL CE
07COLOMBO1698MINISTER PEIRIS PREVIEWS PRESIDENTIAL INITIATIVE
[...] (C) Summary: In a one-on-one meeting with the Ambassador on December 20, Trade Minister GL Peiris (who was one of the Government's former chief negotiators in the 2002-3 talks with the LTTE) previewed a new initiative the President has asked him to draft to begin to redress Tamil grievances. [...]
2007-12-21 08:42:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPREL PTER PGOV CE
07COLOMBO170SRI LANKA: CABINET RESHUFFLE NARROWS MAJORITY FOR
[...] (C) SUMMARY: President Mahinda Rajapaksa reshuffled his cabinet on January 28. Joining the government ranks were 18 "dissident" MPs from the opposition United National Party (UNP) and all 6 MPs from the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC). This gave the government, which previously had 98 seat [...]
2007-01-29 15:15:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS ETRD EINV CE
07COLOMBO1707SRI LANKA: IRAN REFINERY OFFER COMPLICATES PICTURE FOR US
[...] (SBU) Summary: Iran's recent promise to finance a $750 million expansion of Sri Lanka's sole oil refinery complicates the ambitions of U.S. firms Global Energy and ENGlobal to secure contracts for similar refinery investments. The head of the state-owned Ceylon Petroleum Corporation doubts Ira [...]
2007-12-31 08:33:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYEINV ENRG PREL CE IR
07COLOMBO1708SRI LANKA: GOVERNMENT UPS WAR RHETORIC, FIGHTING
[...] (C) Summary. In late December, Sri Lanka's Defense Secretary, Prime Minister, and Army Commander spoke out SIPDIS confidently on the GSL's prospects of defeating the LTTE militarily. Meanwhile, heavy fighting continued in several areas in the North. The GSL's statements and actions conf [...]
2007-12-31 08:45:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE
07COLOMBO175SRI LANKA: NEW FOREIGN MINISTER TO MAKE INDIA HIS
[...] (C) Summary. Indian High Commissioner Alok Prasad informed the Ambassador on January 30 that new Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama is traveling this evening to New Delhi for introductory calls on the Government of India (GOI). Prasad suggested the U.S. and India should combine efforts t [...]
2007-01-30 14:43:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE
07COLOMBO176SRI LANKA: HUMAN RIGHTS MINISTER VOWS NOT TO TAKE
[...] (C) Summary. Ambassador met with Minister of Disaster Relief and Human Rights Mahinda Samarasinghe January 30 to share with him a list of suggested actions the Government could take to address the human rights situation. The deeply frustrated Minister (strictly protect throughout) expressed [...]
2007-01-30 14:43:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE
07COLOMBO181SRI LANKA TO SIGN ACQUISITION AND CROSS SERVICING
[...] On December 7, 2006, Ambassador and Office of Defense Cooperation (ODC) Chief met with Sri Lankan Defense Secretary Gothabaya Rajapaksa to provide background information (see para 4) on a Acquisition and Cross Servicing Agreement (ACSA) and a the draft ACSA proposed for signature. See paragra [...]
2007-01-31 10:27:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIEDMARR PREL MOPS CE
07COLOMBO189SRI LANKA: NORWEGIAN AMBASSADOR SAYS TIGERS WILL
[...] (C) Summary: Ambassador met Norwegian Ambassador Hans Brattskar on January 31 to discuss the January 28-29 Sri Lanka Development Forum and the ramifications of the Government of Sri Lanka's (GSL) military victories in Vakarai and elsewhere in the east. The Ambassadors shared concerns over sp [...]
2007-01-31 12:24:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE
07COLOMBO20SRI LANKA: NEW HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION CHAIR - A
[...] (C) SUMMARY: President Rajapaksa has named former Sri Lankan Supreme Court justice Anandacoomaraswamy chair of the national Human Rights Commission (HRC),circumventing a constitutional requirement that an independent council appoint the heads of national commissions. Sri Lanka's human right [...]
2007-01-05 06:30:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PHUM PTER CE
07COLOMBO214SRI LANKA: DEFENSE SECRETARY RECKONS TIGER GROUND
[...] (C) Summary: Defense Secretary Gothabaya Rajapaksa offered his interpretation of the government security forces' January victory in Vakarai to Ambassador and DATT on February 5 and explained the government's current military strategy. Gothabaya noted that the security forces encountered pred [...]
2007-02-05 13:12:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE
07COLOMBO215SRI LANKA: MONK-BASED JHU INSISTS GSL SHOULD SEEK
[...] (SBU) SUMMARY: On February 2, Ambassador met with several members of the Buddhist monk-based Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU),including newly appointed environment minister Champika Ranawaka (reftel). JHU representatives said the government should crush the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) [...]
2007-02-05 13:15:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYPGOV PREL PHUM PTER CE
07COLOMBO229SRI LANKA: OPPOSITION LEADER SAYS PROGRESS ON
[...] (C) SUMMARY: The Ambassador met with Ranil Wickremesinghe, leader of the major opposition United National Party (UNP),on February 5, soon after 18 UNP parliamentarians joined the government to accept ministerial posts (ref). Wickremesinghe said he would not attempt to expel the "crossovers" f [...]
2007-02-06 11:48:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PHUM PTER CE
07COLOMBO23 NEW ECONOMIC COUNCIL APPOINTED BY PRESIDENT
[...] (U) SUMMARY: On December 26, 2006, President Mahinda Rajapaksa chaired the inaugural meeting of Sri Lanka's new Economic Council. The President appointed this council, comprised of the nation's top economic experts to advise the Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) on economic affairs, and to engage [...]
2007-01-08 05:51:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYECON EFIN ETRD CE
07COLOMBO230SRI LANKA: NEW MEGA-CABINET BOOSTS RAJAPAKSA
[...] (C) Summary. President Mahinda Rajapaksa's recent cabinet reshuffle has served to consolidate his and his brothers' control, particularly over the all-important defense portfolio. The new United National Party (UNP) ministers have settled for distinctly secondary ministries, while their de [...]
2007-02-06 12:43:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE
07COLOMBO231FOREIGN MINISTER OUTLINES INITIAL PRIORITIES AND
[...] (SBU) Sri Lanka's new Foreign Minister Rohita Bogollagama convoked diplomatic heads of mission on February 6 to outline his initial priorities and travel plans. Noting his prior experience as Minister of Industries, then Minister of Enterprise Development and Investment Promotion, Bogollagam [...]
2007-02-06 13:02:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYPREL PTER PGOV CE
07COLOMBO232FOREIGN MINISTER OUTLINES INITIAL PRIORITIES AND
[...] (SBU) Sri Lanka's new Foreign Minister Rohita Bogollagama convoked diplomatic heads of mission on February 6 to outline his initial priorities and travel plans. Noting his prior experience as Minister of Industries, then Minister of Enterprise Development and Investment Promotion, Bogollagama [...]
2007-02-07 02:46:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYPREL PTER PGOV CE
07COLOMBO249SRI LANKA: NEW FOREIGN MINISTER AFFIRMS COMMITMENT
[...] (C) SUMMARY: Ambassador paid his initial call on new Foreign Minister Bogollagama on February 8. Ambassador reviewed U.S. support for Sri Lanka in its fight against LTTE terrorism. He also underlined serious U.S. concerns about Sri Lanka's deteriorating human rights and humanitarian situati [...]
2007-02-09 09:06:00Embassy ColomboSECRETPGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE
07COLOMBO250SRI LANKA: GROWING COUT AND APPEAL OF NON-WESTERN
[...] (SBU) Summary and comment: Sri Lanka is increasingly looking to non-Western partners like China, India, Korea, Malaysia, and even Iran to fund major infrastructure projects. These donors are promising aid without conditions, while the World Bank, Asian Development Bank, European donors and t [...]
2007-02-09 09:42:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIEDEAID EINV PREL CE CH IN IR JA KS MY
07COLOMBO254SRI LANKA: NEW FOREIGN MINISTER AFFIRMS COMMITMENT
[...] (C) SUMMARY: Ambassador paid his initial call on new Foreign Minister Bogollagama on February 8. Ambassador reviewed U.S. support for Sri Lanka in its fight against LTTE terrorism. He also underlined serious U.S. concerns about Sri Lanka's deteriorating human rights and humanitarian situati [...]
2007-02-09 10:14:00Embassy ColomboSECRETPGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE
07COLOMBO255SRI LANKA: NEW FOREIGN MINISTER AFFIRMS COMMITMENT
[...] (C) SUMMARY: Ambassador paid his initial call on new Foreign Minister Bogollagama on February 8. Ambassador reviewed U.S. support for Sri Lanka in its fight against LTTE terrorism. He also underlined serious U.S. concerns about Sri Lanka's deteriorating human rights and humanitarian situati [...]
2007-02-09 10:14:00Embassy ColomboSECRETPGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE
07COLOMBO257SRI LANKA: AMBASSADOR URGES PRESIDENTIAL
[...] (C) Summary: In a candid, hour-long meeting with President Rajapaksa on February 9, Ambassador pressed the President to show personal leadership in taking concrete steps to improve his government's human rights performance. Rajapaksa weighed in against a proposal by members of Congress to app [...]
2007-02-12 11:16:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE
07COLOMBO263SRI LANKA: PRESIDENT SACKS THREE MINISTERS,
[...] (U) On February 9, President Rajapaksa dismissed Ministers Anura Bandaranaike (National Heritage portfolio) and Mangala Samaraweera (Ports and Aviation portfolio and Foreign Minister until the January 28 cabinet reshuffle),as well as non-cabinet Minister Sripathi Sooriarachchi (Ports portfoli [...]
2007-02-12 12:39:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV CE
07COLOMBO264SRI LANKA: GOVERNMENT ROUNDS UP ALLEGED SINHALESE
[...] (C) SUMMARY: On February 5, three Sinhalese members of the Railway Services Trade Union disappeared. Three days after the abduction, Defense Spokesman Rambukwella announced that the Army had arrested the three men on allegations that they had links to the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (L [...]
2007-02-12 13:12:00Embassy ColomboSECRETPGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE
07COLOMBO265SRI LANKA: MILITARY VICTORIES IN THE EAST PAVE WAY
[...] (C) Summary: The military victories of the Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) security forces against the Tamil Tigers (LTTE) in Vakarai, Sampur and elsewhere in the eastern province mark a significant change in the balance of power. The consensus, with which we agree, is that the capture of Vakara [...]
2007-02-12 13:20:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PTER PHUM ECON MOPS CE
07COLOMBO274MODERATE TAMILS SEARCH FOR ALTERNATIVES
[...] (C) Summary. Ambassador MET on February 9 with Ahilan Kadirgamar of the Sri Lanka Democracy Forum, a group of moderate Tamil expatriates. Kadirgamar, who is based in the U.S., was critical of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam's (LTTE) monopoly over Tamil politics and saw the breakaway [...]
2007-02-13 12:31:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE
07COLOMBO292SRI LANKA: TWO SACKED MINISTERS CRITICIZE
[...] (U) Recently dismissed ministers Mangala Samaraweera and Sripathy Suriyarachchi (reftel) strongly criticized President Mahinda Rajapaksa at press conference they held at the Parliament building on February 15. Ex-Foreign Minister Samaraweera said he would not accept any ministerial post under [...]
2007-02-15 12:16:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PHUM PTER CE
07COLOMBO302SRI LANKA: AFTER THE FALL OF VAKARAI, GOVERNMENT
[...] (C) Summary: An Embassy team that visited Vakarai on February 14 was the first group of foreign diplomats into the area since the Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) retook the strategic coastal town from the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) last month. Demining operations and infrastruct [...]
2007-02-20 13:39:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PTER PHUM MOPS EAID CA
07COLOMBO303 SRI LANKA: PRESS COVERAGE FOR SIGNING OF ACQUISITION AND
[...] (SBU) SUMMARY: With Department concurrence, Post plans to sign an Acquisition and Cross Servicing Agreement (ACSA) with the government of Sri Lanka on or about February 28, 2007. Because of the risk that the agreement could be misconstrued by local parties pursuing domestic political agendas, [...]
2007-02-20 13:55:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYKPAO PREL MOPS MASS CE
07COLOMBO304 SRI LANKA: PRESS COVERAGE FOR SIGNING OF ACQUISITION AND
[...] (SBU) SUMMARY: With Department concurrence, Post plans to sign an Acquisition and Cross Servicing Agreement (ACSA) with the government of Sri Lanka on or about February 28, 2007. Because of the risk that the agreement could be misconstrued by local parties pursuing domestic political agendas, [...]
2007-02-20 13:56:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYKPAO PREL MOPS MASS CE
07COLOMBO316SRI LANKA: 5-YEAR CEASEFIRE ANNIVERSARY INSPIRES
[...] (SBU) SUMMARY: February 22 marks the five-year anniversary of the Cease-fire Agreement (CFA),which has inspired renewed calls to abandon the peace process. A group of Buddhist monks from the National Bhikku Front, officially backed by the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP),mounted a hunger [...]
2007-02-22 11:57:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYPGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE
07COLOMBO324SRI LANKA: CABINET RESHUFFLE AND SACKING OF
[...] (C) Summary. The effects of the President Rajapaksa's strategy of luring crossovers and reshuffling the Cabinet are still rumbling through both of Sri Lanka's main political parties. Senior Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) Vice President D.M. Jayaratne held talks on February 21 in an attempt [...]
2007-02-23 12:28:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE
07COLOMBO326SRI LANKA: FORMIN PROMISES DEVOLUTION PROPOSAL;
[...] (C) SUMMARY: Ambassador called on Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama and Foreign Secretary Palitha Kohona on February 23 at their request. Bogollagama assured us that the All Party Representative Committee (APRC) devolution proposal would be ready soon, perhaps before Bogollagama's propo [...]
2007-02-26 12:18:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE
07COLOMBO337SRI LANKA:EX-FOREIGN MINISTER COMPLAINS OF
[...] (C) SUMMARY: Ambassador called on Ex-Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera at his residence on February 26, at Samaraweera's request. Samaraweera reported that following his petition to the Human Rights Commission on Friday regarding his personal security, a senior official from the Ministe [...]
2007-02-28 12:17:00Embassy ColomboSECRETPGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE
07COLOMBO338SRI LANKA: FORMER PRESIDENT KUMARATUNGA EXCORIATES
[...] (C) SUMMARY: Former President Chandrika Kumaratunga expressed strong disapproval of President Rajapaksa's approach to governance in a meeting with Ambassador on February 26. She feared that the current government was committed to trying to resolve the country's ethnic conflict through purel [...]
2007-03-01 02:52:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS ECON CE
07COLOMBO341CIVIL SOCIETY LEADERS IN BATTICALOA DECRY HUMAN
[...] (C) Summary: Ambassador participated in a visit to Batticaloa led by Minister for Disaster Management and Human Rights Samarasinghe. Although the visit was disrupted by a mortar attack as the delegation arrived in Batticaloa (reftel),the delegation met with civil society leaders. The Amba [...]
2007-03-01 08:18:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPHUM PREL PTER PGOV MOPS KHDP CE
07COLOMBO350SRI LANKA: SCENESETTER FOR SCA PDAS MANN'S VISIT
[...] (C) Your visit to Colombo comes at a critical time. There is a substantial risk of a return to fighting in the east and north in the next few weeks. Prospects are uncertain that the ruling Sri Lankan Freedom Party (SLFP) will present a viable devolution proposal to the All-Party Representati [...]
2007-03-01 12:42:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE
07COLOMBO368AMBASSADOR AND FOREIGN MINISTER DISCUSS FOREIGN
[...] (C) Ambassador called on Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Rohita Bogollagama on March 5th to brief him on the Acquisition and Cross Servicing Agreement that Ambassador signed earlier in the day with Defense Secretary RajapaksA(septel). Bogollagama expressed appreciation for the briefing. Neithe [...]
2007-03-05 12:35:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPREL OVIP CE
07COLOMBO386POLICE CHIEF DISCLOSES ARRESTS OF SECURITY FORCES
[...] (SBU) Police Inspector General Victor Perera told selected members of the press on Tuesday, March 6, that "a large number" of police officers and troops had been arrested on charges of abduction and extortion. In some instances, he said, ransoms had been paid abroad. He indicated that among [...]
2007-03-08 10:23:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPREL PTER PHUM CE
07COLOMBO388SRI LANKA: CRUNCH TIME COMING ON DEVOLUTION
[...] (C) SUMMARY: Two months after the release of the All-Party Representative Committee (APRC) Experts Panel "Majority Report," the President's party, the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP),has yet to put forward its own proposals on devolution. The President reportedly has told his party's ad-ho [...]
2007-03-08 11:08:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE
07COLOMBO394SRI LANKA: ALLEGATIONS OF IMPROPRIETY IN CONNECTION WITH
[...] (SBU) SUMMARY AND COMMENT: The Government of Sri Lanka plans to launch in March 2007 a state-run airline aimed at providing low-cost travel for migrant workers and tourists to the Middle East and India. The budget carrier, called Mihin Lanka, has elicited criticism from politicians, the press [...]
2007-03-09 10:26:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYECON EIND ETRD EAIR EINV KCOR CE
07COLOMBO413SRI LANKA: PDAS MANN PRESSES PRESIDENT ON
[...] (C) SUMMARY: President Rajapaksa told visiting PDAS for South and Central Asia Steven Mann that the Sri Lankan Freedom Party would present its proposals for devolution by March 14. He outlined a multi-tiered process for reconciling this with proposals of other parties, submitting the proposal [...]
2007-03-14 03:57:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE
07COLOMBO414SRI LANKA: PDAS MANN URGES FOREIGN SECRETARY TO
[...] (C) SUMMARY: PDAS Mann, accompanied by Ambassador Blake, met Foreign Secretary Palitha Kohona on March 10 to press the Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) to put forward a viable devolution proposal and to address human rights concerns. Kohona acknowledged the need to do more, but said constraints [...]
2007-03-14 03:57:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PHUM PTER CE
07COLOMBO416SRI LANKA: DEFENSE SECRETARY OUTLINES SIX-MONTH
[...] (C) SUMMARY: Defense Secretary Gothabaya Rajapaksa told visiting SCA PDAS Steven Mann that the government was certain that the LTTE was not interested in a political solution to Sri Lanka's ethnic conflict. Nevertheless, he said, the government would try to reach out to the Tamil populations, [...]
2007-03-14 05:42:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPTER PGOV MOPS PREL CE
07COLOMBO439MEETING WITH DEFENSE SECRETARY ON KARUNA PROBLEMS
[...] (C) Ambassador, EU Head of Mission Wilson and UNHCR Head Awad met on March 16 with Defense Secretary Gothabaya Rajapaksa and Minister of Disaster Management and Human Rights Mahinda Samarasinghe. Wilson shared with Rajapaksa a list developed by the EC Humanitarian Office of concrete example [...]
2007-03-16 12:29:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPREL PREF CE
07COLOMBO45SRI LANKA: MINISTER'S "THUGS" BEAT JOURNALIST AT
[...] (C) Summary: The BBC and several local independent news agencies reported that on January 9 a mob led by Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) Deputy Minister of Labor Mervyn Silva attacked participants at a peace rally in Colombo organized by the United People's Movement (UPM),an organization repr [...]
2007-01-10 12:29:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE
07COLOMBO451SRI LANKA: OUTSPOKEN FORMER MINISTER, NOW A
[...] (SBU) SUMMARY. Former Minister of Port Development, Sripathi Sooriyarachchi, was arrested Saturday by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) on charges of corruption for failing to return his government assigned vehicle after his dismissal as a minister. Sripathi alleges that he retur [...]
2007-03-20 02:23:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PTER MOPS CE
07COLOMBO46SRI LANKA: CABINET RESHUFFLE IMMINENT; PRESIDENT
[...] (C) SUMMARY: President Rajapaksa told media representatives on January 9 that he will reshuffle his cabinet. A source in the presidential secretariat told pol FSN Rajapaksa may offer ministerial posts to opposition United National Party (UNP) members while allowing them to retain their presen [...]
2007-01-10 12:34:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PHUM PTER CE
07COLOMBO460SRI LANKA: KARUNA GROUP EMBOLDENED IN THE EAST
[...] (C) SUMMARY: As ref A reported, Karuna, leader of a Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) breakaway faction in the East, is engaging in serious human rights violations and criminal activities, often under the protection of the Sri Lanka security forces. This cable provides additional det [...]
2007-03-20 12:48:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE
07COLOMBO464 SRI LANKA: DEFENSE SECRETARY CANDIDLY BRIEFS FOREIGN MEDIA
[...] (SBU) Summary: Sri Lankan Defense Secretary Gothabaya Rajapaksa held a closed door, off-the-record meeting with members of the Foreign Correspondents Association and some foreign diplomats. In response to pointed questions, Rajapaksa gave blunt answers, revealing a different side to that usual [...]
2007-03-21 04:16:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYPGOV PREL PHUM PTER EAID MOPS CE
07COLOMBO475SRI LANKA: SLOW STRANGULATION OF MEDIA FREEDOM
[...] (C) Summary: Since the inauguration of President Mahinda Rajapaksa in November 2005, Sri Lanka's vibrant media has been slowly smothered by attacks on journalists, publishers and broadcasters by the LTTE and armed paramilitary groups with alleged links to the government security forces. The [...]
2007-03-22 11:28:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PHUM PTER KPAO KDEM CE
07COLOMBO484SRI LANKA: FRESH FIGHTING IN NORTHWEST COASTAL
[...] (C) SUMMARY: On March 23, Government security forces attacked Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) mortar positions inside LTTE territory. The activity took place at approximately 10:00 am in an area east of Mannar on the northwest coast. The attacks penetrated about two kilometers int [...]
2007-03-23 11:35:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALMOPS PTER PHUM PGOV PREL CE
07COLOMBO502SRI LANKA: PRESIDENT'S STATE VISIT TO CHINA FOCUSES ON PORT
[...] (SBU) Summary and comment: Sri Lankan President Rajapaksa visited China February 26 - March 4 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Sri Lanka and China. For Sri Lanka, key deliverables from the visit were economic, in the form of a Chinese government commitment to [...]
2007-03-28 07:04:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYEAID ECON EINV ETRD PREL CE
07COLOMBO508UNSCR 1747: SRI LANKA'S TIES WITH IRAN
[...] (C) DCM and poloff delivered reftel demarche to MFA Additional Secretary for Multilateral Affairs T B Maduwegedera and Deputy Director of United Nations and Multilateral Affairs Division Satya Rodrigo on March 28. Maduwegedera and Rodrigo were familiar UNSCR 1747 and stated that the GSL inte [...]
2007-03-29 08:16:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALKNNP EFIN IAEA PARM MNUC TRGY AORC UNSC PREL
07COLOMBO509AMBASSADOR AND UN REACH AGREEMENT WITH GSL ON
[...] (SBU) Ambassador hosted a meeting on Thursday, March 29 with UN Resident Coordinator Frederick Lyons and Minister for Disaster Management and Human Rights Samarasinghe to brief Samarasinghe on donor concerns about the current structure of the Consultative Committee on Humanitarian Assistance ( [...]
2007-03-29 08:42:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYPREL PREF AORC CE
07COLOMBO511SRI LANKA: FOREIGN MINISTER PROMISES
[...] (C) SUMMARY: Foreign Minister Bogollagama called in Ambassador on March 29 to request Embassy cooperation in overcoming human rights-based concerns about Sri Lanka's eligibility for a Millennium Challenge Compact. Ambassador explained that MCC eligibility is based on a country's governance r [...]
2007-03-30 05:25:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPREL EAID PHUM PGOV PTER MOPS CE
07COLOMBO516SRI LANKA REQUESTS US MILITARY TEAM TO ASSESS AIR DEFENSE FOLLOWING LTTE AIR ATTACK
[...] (C/NF) Summary: Defense Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa convoked Ambassador and Defense Attache on March 30 to request the visit of a U.S. military team to assess how Sri Lanka can improve its air defense capabilities to defend against possible future LTTE air attacks. Rajapaksa outlined the countr [...]
2007-04-01 05:33:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALMASS PTER PREL CE IN
07COLOMBO521SRI LANKA: CONTINUED VIOLENCE IN THE EAST
[...] (SBU) SUMMARY: Recent violence in Sri Lanka's east included an April 2 blast on a civilian passenger bus in Amara district that killed 15 and injured 20. On Apil 1, in Batticaloa district, six Sinhalese consruction workers were gunned down. The Sri Lanka government blamed the Liberation Tige [...]
2007-04-03 13:29:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE
07COLOMBO523SRI LANKA: OPPOSITION LEADER OUTLINES AGGRESSIVE
[...] (C) SUMMARY. Ambassador met United National Party (UNP) leader Ranil Wickremesinghe on March 30 to press Wickremesinghe to stay involved in working towards a political solution to Sri Lanka's widening conflict. Wickremesinghe outlined the UNP's new aggressive strategy toward the ruling Sri [...]
2007-04-04 12:02:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE
07COLOMBO524SRI LANKA: DEVOLUTION COMMITTEE CHAIR OPTIMISTIC
[...] (C) SUMMARY: In a March 30 meeting with Ambassador, Tissa Vitharana, chair of the All Party Representative Committee (APRC) convened to draft a devolution proposal, was optimistic the process would yield positive results. Vitharana said he expected the governing Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) [...]
2007-04-04 12:16:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PTER PHUM CE
07COLOMBO525SRI LANKA: PUSH FOR UN HUMAN RIGHTS MONITORING
[...] (C) SUMMARY: In October-November 2006, senior UN officials proposed establishing a UN-sponsored human rights monitoring mission in Sri Lanka. However, the GSL has consistently resisted the idea, most recently citing the existence of the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (CoI) on Human Right [...]
2007-04-04 12:49:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPHUM PREL PTER CE
07COLOMBO526 UNHCR ASSESSES HUMANITARIAN SITUATION IN THE VAKARAI
[...] (U) Summary: Ambassador and USAID Program Officer attended the seventh Consultative Committee on Humanitarian Assistance (CCHA) meeting, chaired by the Minister of Disaster Management and Human Rights and attended by the Secretary of Defense and representatives of UN agencies, the ICRC, and o [...]
2007-04-04 13:03:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYPGOV PHUM PREF CE
07COLOMBO534SRI LANKA: TAMIL PARLIAMENT MEMBERS PRESS
[...] (C) SUMMARY. In an April 3 meeting with Ambassador, opposition party Tamil National Alliance (TNA) leader R. Sampanthan and three TNA members of Parliament pressed the U.S. to be a more vocal critic of the Rajapaksa administration. Speaking of the ruling Sri Lanka Freedom Party's (SLFP) an [...]
2007-04-05 12:30:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPTER PHUM MOPS PGOV PREL CE
07COLOMBO536SRI LANKA: 2006 GDP GREW 7.4 PERCENT; 2007 GROWTH LIKELY TO
[...] (SBU) Summary and comment: Sri Lanka's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) grew by 7.4 percent in 2006, its highest annual growth rate since 1978. The Central Bank Governor announced that he expects 2007 growth to come in between and 7.5 and 8 percent. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) forecasts only [...]
2007-04-06 06:15:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYEAID ECON EINV ETRD PREL CE
07COLOMBO539LEADING PRESIDENTIAL ADVISOR DISCUSSES GSL
[...] (C) Summary: President Rajapaksa's senior political advisor and brother Basil Rajapaksa told the Ambassador on April 4 that once the All Parties Representative Committee (APRC) reaches agreement on a consensus devolution proposal, the GSL would need the approval of the Supreme Court and two [...]
2007-04-06 07:18:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPREL PTER PGOV CE
07COLOMBO540SRI LANKA: JVP MAINTAINS PRO-WAR STANCE
[...] (C) SUMMARY: On April 5, the Ambassador met with Somawansa Amarasinghe, chairman of the Marxist, Sinhalese chauvinist Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP),to discuss the prospects for a peaceful solution to Sri Lanka's ethnic conflict. The JVP, long critical of U.S. foreign policy, has made public [...]
2007-04-06 10:44:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE
07COLOMBO541SUMMARY OF UNITED NATIONS COMMON HUMANITARIAN
[...] Summary: On March 30, UN agencies involved with the Sri Lanka Common Humanitarian Action Plan (CHAP) gave presentations on the status of their activities and funding levels. Additional funds are sought in all areas. During introductory remarks, UN Country Representative Frederick Lyons sta [...]
2007-04-09 03:17:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIEDPGOV PHUM PREF CE
07COLOMBO561SRI LANKA: PRESIDENT RAJAPAKSA APPOINTS NEW
[...] (C) Summary. President Rajapaksa has tasked Justice Mahanama Tilakaratne to oversee the GSL's response to concerns about abductions, including the list of 347 names Ambassador presented to Presidential Chief of Staff Lalith Weeratunga. Prior to this assignment, Rajapaksa formally appointed [...]
2007-04-11 12:35:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPTER PGOV MOPS PREL CE
07COLOMBO564SRI LANKA: BUSINESS LEADERS WANT PEACE, BUT
[...] (SBU) Summary and comment: Sri Lankan business leaders are concerned that increased fighting could provoke an LTTE attack that would seriously hurt the economy. While normally hesitant to question the government's handling of the conflict, a small group of American Chamber of Commerce members [...]
2007-04-12 08:14:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYECON EINV ETRD PREL PGOV PTER CE
07COLOMBO57SRI LANKAN DEFENSE SECRETARY REITERATES COMMITMENT
[...] (C) SUMMARY: Defense Secretary Gothabaya Rajapaksa told Ambassador on January 10 that Army Commander Fonseka had been misquoted, and that the GSL would not take the fight to North after pushing the LTTE out of the East. Gothabaya insisted the GSL wants a peaceful solution to the conflict, not [...]
2007-01-11 12:56:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPTER PGOV MOPS PREL CE
07COLOMBO58SRI LANKA: INDIAN FOR MIN URGES GOVERNMENT TO
[...] (C) SUMMARY: Indian Minister for External Affairs Pranab Mukherjee, in Colombo ostensibly to invite President Rajapaksa to the next SSARC summit in April, expressed India's concern to the President and other senior leaders over civilian casualties in the two-decade old ethnic conflict. He ga [...]
2007-01-11 13:06:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPREL PTER PHUM PGOV MOPS IN CE
07COLOMBO591SRI LANKA: DEFENSE SECRETARY THREATENS THE PRESS,
[...] (S) SUMMARY: Defense Secretary Rajapaksa reportedly threatened Daily Mirror Editor Champika Liyanarachchi following the publication of a series of articles on the activities of the LTTE-breakaway Karuna group in the East. After the call from Gothabaya, Liyanarachchi contacted Karuna directl [...]
2007-04-19 12:53:00Embassy ColomboSECRETPGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE
07COLOMBO593SRI LANKA: DEFENSE SECRETARY THREATENS THE PRESS,
[...] (S) SUMMARY: Defense Secretary Rajapaksa reportedly threatened Daily Mirror Editor Champika Liyanarachchi following the publication of a series of articles on the activities of the LTTE-breakaway Karuna group in the East. After the call from Gothabaya, Liyanarachchi contacted Karuna directl [...]
2007-04-19 13:05:00Embassy ColomboSECRETPGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE
07COLOMBO600HUMANITARIAN COORDINATION MEETING FOCUSES ON
[...] (SBU) Summary: At the eighth meeting of Consultative Committee on Humanitarian Assistance on April 23 with Minister of Disaster Management and Human Rights Samarasinghe and Defense Secretary Rajapaksa, UN chief Lyons briefed on his April 20 trip to Killinochchi in which he expressed the UN's [...]
2007-04-23 10:40:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYPTER AORC EAID CE
07COLOMBO604SRI LANKA: FOREIGN SECRETARY ASKS FOREIGN PARTNERS
[...] (C) SUMMARY: Foreign Secretary Palitha Kohona called in the Ambassador on April 20 to provide an update on Government of Sri Lanka's (GSL) progress on human rights. He said the GSL's new Inter-Ministerial Committee on Promoting Sri Lanka's Image Abroad, which he chairs, is so far succeeding [...]
2007-04-23 12:23:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE
07COLOMBO630SRI LANKA: DEFENSE SECRETARY OUTLINES MILITARY
[...] (C) SUMMARY: Ambassador called on Defense Secretary Gothabaya Rajapaksa on April 26 to inquire about the military's future ambitions in the North. Ambassador reasserted the U.S. position that only a political solution will resolve Sri Lanka's ethnic conflict. In a candid discussion, Gothab [...]
2007-04-27 11:31:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE
07COLOMBO631SRI LANKA: SCENESETTER FOR ASSISTANT SECRETARY
[...] (C) INTRODUCTION: Your visit comes at a time when the environment for human rights, civil liberties, and media freedom is declining broadly as the conflict escalates. Our top priority is to press the government to put forward a serious power-sharing proposal that can help it win back the sy [...]
2007-04-27 11:39:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS ECON EAID SL
07COLOMBO643SRI LANKA: RULING PARTY'S DEVOLUTION PROPOSAL
[...] (C) SUMMARY. The ruling Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) on May 1 released its devolution proposal, which will now move to the All Party Representative Committee (APRC). Unlike most previous APRC drafts, which recommend devolution to the provinces, the SLFP proposal recommends that the unit o [...]
2007-05-02 11:12:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE
07COLOMBO660 SRI LANKA: COLOMBO AIRPORT TO SUSPEND NIGHT OPERATIONS IN
[...] (SBU) SUMMARY: Sri Lanka's Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) will suspend nighttime operations following a series of air attacks by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE),including two in Colombo. Defense Secretary Gothabaya Rajapaksa made the decision, seeking to reduce the poss [...]
2007-05-04 11:40:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYEAIR ECON EINV ETRD PTER CE
07COLOMBO68SRI LANKA: CATHOLIC BISHOPS ASSESS DIRE HUMAN
[...] (C) Summary: Ambassador Blake met the Catholic Bishops of Jaffna and the northwestern district of Mannar on January 11. Political Chief and Poloff followed up with Jaffna Government Agent Ganesh on January 12. The bishops expressed deep concern regarding the humanitarian situation in the n [...]
2007-01-12 13:29:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE
07COLOMBO698PRESIDENT RELIES ON BROTHERS FOR POLICY ADVICE AND
[...] (C) SUMMARY: President Rajapaksa relies on his brothers, Defense Secretary Gothabaya Rajapaksa and Senior Advisor to the President Basil Rajapaksa, for advice on security matters and political affairs respectively. Fear that Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) stalwarts are disloyal has caused [...]
2007-05-15 05:32:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE
07COLOMBO70SRI LANKA: CROSSOVERS ENDANGERING COOPERATION
[...] (C) SUMMARY: Opposition leader Wickremesinghe told Ambassador on January 11 that a large-scale defection of members of Parliament from his UNP to the government ranks would force him to end cooperation with President Rajapaksa. He was concerned about the negative fallout for the peace proces [...]
2007-01-12 14:16:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE
07COLOMBO702SRI LANKA: BOUCHER TELLS GOVERNMENT TO GET HUMAN
[...] (C) SUMMARY: After meeting with human rights and non-governmental organization leaders in Jaffna, Assistant Secretary Boucher urged Sri Lankan officials to control SIPDIS paramilitary groups' human rights abuses and encourage greater freedom of the press. The Government asserted that it [...]
2007-05-15 11:43:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE
07COLOMBO720SRI LANKA: PRESIDENT APPOINTS BROTHER AS MINISTER OF PORTS
[...] (SBU) SUMMARY: President Rajapaksa has appointed his older brother, Chamal, as Minister of Ports and Aviation. The position makes Chamal responsible for oversight of several multi-million dollar ventures that the President has pushed, including an international port and airport in his home d [...]
2007-05-17 11:31:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYECON EINV KCOR PGOV CE
07COLOMBO728SRI LANKA: GSL COMPLICITY IN PARAMILITARY
[...] (S) SUMMARY: Allegations of government complicity in crimes committed by organized paramilitary groups have mounted in the last year. Paramilitaries such as the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE)-breakaway Karuna group and Eelam People's Democratic Party (EPDP) have helped the Government of Sr [...]
2007-05-18 09:22:00Embassy ColomboSECRETPGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE
07COLOMBO742SRI LANKA: SECOND "EMINENT PERSONS" PLENARY
[...] (C) SUMMARY: The second plenary meeting of the International Independent Group of Eminent Persons (IIGEP) and the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) took place May 12. This was followed the same week by the CoI's first hearing, a meeting hosted by the Human Rights Minister to update donor countrie [...]
2007-05-22 09:41:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE
07COLOMBO747SRI LANKA: OPPOSITION "CROSSOVERS" PRESENT THEIR
[...] (C) SUMMARY: On May 22, a group of "crossover" United National Party (UNP) Members of Parliament (MP) held a press conference to release their own devolution proposal. The UNP defectors are not members of the All Parties Representative Committee (APRC),but APRC Chairman Tissa Vitharana h [...]
2007-05-23 12:47:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PTER PHUM CE
07COLOMBO748SRI LANKA: PRESIDENT SEEKS TO NEUTRALIZE SINHALESE
[...] (C) SUMMARY: Since the extremist Sinhalese party Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) withdrew official support for the President in April 2006, President Rajapaksa has been working to establish a measure of indirect control over the party and sap its ability to challenge his policies. The Presid [...]
2007-05-24 08:42:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE
07COLOMBO755 SRI LANKAN AMBASSADOR TO U.S. ALLEGES LTTE SOLD NORWEGIAN
[...] (SBU) Summary: Sri Lanka's Ambassador to the United States, Bernard Goonetilleke, stated in a May 17 radio interview that 130,000 Norwegian passports were in the hands of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE),who were selling them to Middle Eastern terrorist groups. On May 21, the Norw [...]
2007-05-25 05:09:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYPREL PTER PGOV KFRD CVIS CMGT CPAS CE
07COLOMBO756 SRI LANKAN AMBASSADOR TO U.S. ALLEGES LTTE SOLD NORWEGIAN
[...] (SBU) Summary: Sri Lanka's Ambassador to the United States, Bernard Goonetilleke, stated in a May 17 radio interview that 130,000 Norwegian passports were in the hands of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE),who were selling them to Middle Eastern terrorist groups. On May 21, the Norw [...]
2007-05-25 05:09:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYPREL PTER PGOV KFRD CVIS CMGT CPAS CE
07COLOMBO779 SRI LANKA: CORRUPTION PANELISTS TELL AMBASSADOR POLITICAL
[...] (SBU) Summary: At a recent roundtable hosted by Ambassador, participants from government, civil society organizations, the private sector, and the media described corruption as endemic at all levels of Sri Lankan government, and also widespread in dealings between business and government. Most [...]
2007-05-30 12:17:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYECON EAID KCOR PGOV CE
07COLOMBO787SRI LANKA: TAMIL HOSTEL OWNERS TOLD TO EXPEL ALL
[...] (C) At approximately 5:30 p.m. on May 31, a local holiday, police in the central Colombo business district of Pettah summoned more than 60 Tamil hostel owners and ordered them to expel all occupants from their lodging that night. The police warned that they would do so forcibly the next morni [...]
2007-06-01 10:35:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PTER PHUM MOPS PREL CE
07COLOMBO788SRI LANKA: GOVERNMENT ARRESTS ANOTHER FORMER
[...] (C) SUMMARY: On May 30, 2007, the Terrorism Investigation Division (TID) arrested the Chairman of Standard Newspapers Ltd. and former Chairman of the Civil Aviation Authority, Tiran Alles, on allegations of "aiding terrorists." The arrest occurred as Alles was receiving treatment in a priv [...]
2007-06-01 10:36:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE
07COLOMBO789SRI LANKA: CONSULTATIONS ON DEVOLUTION PROPOSAL
[...] (C) SUMMARY: All-Party Representative Committee (APRC) chair Vitharana told Ambassador that discussions on devolution were proceeding constructively, and should be finished within two months, or by the end of July. He agreed with Ambassador's assessment that President Rajapaksa was prepared [...]
2007-06-01 11:11:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE
07COLOMBO805SRI LANKA: EXTRAJUDICIAL KILLINGS OF RED CROSS
[...] (C) SUMMARY: The issue of abductions has again taken center stage in Sri Lanka as President Rajapaksa prepares to travel to Geneva to deliver a speech to the International Labor Organization on June 15 and meet with Louise Arbour. On June 1, President Rajapaksa announced a new committee desi [...]
2007-06-06 11:08:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE
07COLOMBO82INVESTMENT CLIMATE STATEMENT, 2007 - SRI LANKA
[...] No summary [...]
2007-01-16 12:01:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIEDCE EFIN EINV ELAB ETRD KTDB OPIC PGOV USTR
07COLOMBO820SRI LANKA: SUPREME COURT STAYS ORDER EXPELLING
[...] (S) SUMMARY: On June 8 the Sri Lanka Supreme Court stayed the removal of non-Colombo based Tamils temporarily residing in Colombo lodges and hostels (ref A). The Court ruled in favor of a Fundamental Rights Application filed by the NGO Center for Policy Alternatives (CPA). Military spokesm [...]
2007-06-08 10:20:00Embassy ColomboSECRETPGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE
07COLOMBO824SRI LANKA: PRIME MINISTER EXPRESSES REGRET FOR
[...] (C) SUMMARY: Over the weekend, Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickremanayake publicly expressed "regret" for the deportation of Tamils from Colombo lodges and hostels. On Saturday June 9, approximately 160 Tamils who were forcibly deported from Colombo to Vavuniya returned to Colombo on the same [...]
2007-06-11 10:32:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE
07COLOMBO829AKASHI PLEDGES CONTINUED JAPANESE AID TO SRI LANKA
[...] (C) Summary: In a briefing to Co-Chair Ambassadors on June 8, Japanese Special Envoy Yasushi Akashi found Colombo more polarized and pessimistic when he arrived on June 5 than he had seen in any of his 14 previous visits. By the end of his visit, he was only slightly more optimistic. In respo [...]
2007-06-12 02:21:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPREL PHUM PREF CE
07COLOMBO835 SRI LANKA: IIGEP'S FIRST PUBLIC STATEMENT CRITICAL OF GSL
[...] (U) SUMMARY: The first International Independent Group of Eminent Persons (IIGEP) public statement, released on June 10, outlines the group's key criticisms of the Commission of Inquiry's (CoI) progress to date and notes that the Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) has done little to address IIGEP's [...]
2007-06-12 12:43:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYPHUM PGOV PREL CE
07COLOMBO841SRI LANKA: DEFENSE SECRETARY CRITICIZES
[...] (U) SUMMARY: Defense Secretary Gothabaya Rajapaksa, in an interview with Reuters and BBC correspondents, accused the international community, particularly the UK, of "bullying" Sri Lanka over human rights. He maintained that in fighting terrorism "anything is fair." He also charged that the [...]
2007-06-13 12:51:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE
07COLOMBO842FOREIGN MINISTER FOLLOWS UP WITH AMBASSADOR ON
[...] (S) Summary: Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama invited Ambassador for a one-on-one meeting the evening of June 13th to discuss his requests to Secretary Gates at their recent meeting in Singapore for enhanced US-Sri Lankan maritime surveillance cooperation, UAVs, and enhanced i [...]
2007-06-14 09:18:00Embassy ColomboSECRETPREL MASS PHUM CE
07COLOMBO843SRI LANKA: WAR, AIR ATTACKS HIT BUSINESS CONFIDENCE
[...] (SBU) Summary: The resumption of war in Sri Lanka is hurting the economy both in the short term and the long term, by driving up day-to-day business costs and by making firms nervous about new investments. Veteran Sri Lanka business people say the current investment environment is as bad as th [...]
2007-06-14 10:33:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYECON EINV ETRD CE
07COLOMBO844SRI LANKA: OPPOSITION LEADER CALLS FOR ARREST OF
[...] (S) SUMMARY: United National Party (UNP) Opposition leader Ranil Wickremesinghe, citing the same grounds used by the Terrorism Investigation Division (TID) to arrest Tiran Alles (ref A),has called for the arrest of the President's brother Basil Rajapaksa and other members of the President's [...]
2007-06-14 10:36:00Embassy ColomboSECRETPGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE
07COLOMBO845OPPOSITION LEADER BLASTS RAJAPAKSA GOVERNMENT IN
[...] (C) Summary: In a June 13 briefing to the diplomatic corps, Opposition Leader Wickremesinghe criticized the Rajapaksa government for being "at war with the LTTE, the international community, and with Sri Lankan values." He said the UNP party would soon start a campaign to bring the failures [...]
2007-06-14 11:16:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPREL PGOV CE
07COLOMBO854AMBASSADOR AND OFDA DIRECTOR VISIT TO BATTICALOA, SRI
[...] (SBU)Summary: On June 4 and 5, Ambassador and USAID Mission Director joined an OFDA assessment mission led by OFDA Director Ky Luu to Batticaloa District in eastern Sri Lanka. Also on the mission were William Berger, OFDA Regional Advisor and John Lee Park, USAID HA Program Manager. The team as [...]
2007-06-15 05:46:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYPHUM PINS PREF PGOV EAID CE
07COLOMBO861SRI LANKA: ABDUCTIONS PLAGUE MUSLIM COMMUNITY
[...] (S) SUMMARY: Muslim businessmen have been subjected to abductions for the first time in recent weeks, marking a new and disturbing trend. Following numerous complaints from Muslim community groups, Ambassador called on Sri Lanka Muslim Congress leader Rauff Hakeem (strictly protect),who st [...]
2007-06-19 05:44:00Embassy ColomboSECRETPGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE
07COLOMBO873 SRI LANKA: SCENESETTER FOR TRADE MINISTER GL PEIRIS VISIT
[...] (SBU) Summary: Sri Lankan Trade Minister Peiris will visit Washington June 22-26 to meet with senior officials including Assistant Secretary Boucher and Deputy U.S. Trade Representative Bhatia. Peiris will be accompanied by representatives of Sri Lanka's main garment exporter association, whic [...]
2007-06-20 08:26:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYECON EINV ELAB ETRD PGOV PREL CE
07COLOMBO88SRI LANKA: DEFENSE SECRETARY AND AMBASSADOR REVIEW
[...] (S) On January 10, Ambassador and Pol Chief met Defense Secretary Gothabaya Rajapaksa (ref a). Ambassador noted that SIPDIS the U.S. and Sri Lanka wanted to work with each other and with India on interdiction of arms shipments to the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (ref b). He said the U [...]
2007-01-16 13:45:00Embassy ColomboSECRETMARR MOPS PTER PREL PGOV CE
07COLOMBO882SRI LANKA GOVERNMENT CREATES HIGH SECURITY ZONE
[...] (C) SUMMARY: On June 18 media outlets reported that the Government of Sri Lanka has designated Sampur and Muttur in the Trincomalee district as a High Security Zone (HSZ) by formal "gazette notification." Some NGOs expressed concern that the move could prevent thousands of Tamils, displaced [...]
2007-06-20 13:09:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE
07COLOMBO883TWO EX-MINISTERS JOIN THE OPPOSITION, FORM NEW
[...] (C) Summary. On June 19, two high profile ex-ministers, Mangala Samaraweera and Sripathi Sooriyarachchi, crossed over from the President,s party, the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP),to the opposition. In a letter to the Speaker of Parliament, Samaraweera announced his and Sooriyarachchi,s [...]
2007-06-20 13:19:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE
07COLOMBO889SRI LANKA: ACCESS TO TAMILNET RESTRICTED IN SRI
[...] (C) SUMMARY: On June 19 TamilNet, a pro-Tamil website accused by the Government of posting propaganda for the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE),was blocked by the major Internet Service Providers (ISPs) in Sri Lanka. TamilNet has accused the GSL of ordering ISPs to restrict access, a [...]
2007-06-21 12:06:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE
07COLOMBO890SCENESETTER FOR JUNE 25-26 CO-CHAIR MEETING IN OSLO
[...] Summary: The June 26 Co-Chair meeting in Oslo marks a good opportunity to think through our strategy to get the parties back to the negotiating table and into a more sustained process that could produce a breakthrough. In a June 15 meeting with Norwegian Minister Solheim in Geneva, President [...]
2007-06-21 13:29:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPREL PTER PGOV CE
07COLOMBO893SRI LANKA: PRESIDENT'S SUPPORT IN PARTY AND
[...] (C) SUMMARY: Since Mahinda Rajapaksa was selected as the Sri Lanka Freedom Party's (SLFP) candidate for the 2005 presidential election, tensions have been building within the party. Embassy contacts tell us that several SLFP stalwarts have tired of defending the Rajapaksa government's poor p [...]
2007-06-22 05:22:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE
07COLOMBO899SRI LANKA: POLICE ARREST SUSPECTED ABDUCTIONS
[...] (C) SUMMARY: On June 21, a special unit of the Police Department's Criminal Investigation Unit (CID) arrested former Air Force Squadron Leader Nishantha Gajanayake in connection with an ongoing probe into abductions, extortion and extra-judicial killings. Among other crimes, Gajanayake is [...]
2007-06-22 10:25:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE
07COLOMBO920AMBITIOUS CHIEF JUSTICE BREAKS AWAY FROM PRESIDENT
[...] (C) SUMMARY: In a shift from regularly supporting the President in its rulings, the Supreme Court, headed by Chief Justice Sarath De Silva, made several decisions this month that the public widely hailed as justice served by a newly independent judiciary. Legal experts say, however, that whi [...]
2007-06-27 13:29:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE
07COLOMBO927AMBASSADOR AND OFDA DIRECTOR VISIT TO BATTICALOA,
[...] (SBU) Summary: OFDA recently completed a mission to Sri Lanka that was highlighted by the participation of OFDA Director, Ky Luu. While in Sri Lanka Mr. Luu, along with the Ambassador and USAID Director, spent two days in Batticaloa District assessing the situation of IDPs and returnees. The [...]
2007-06-29 04:03:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYPHUM PINS PREF PGOV EAID CE
07COLOMBO944OPPOSITION COOPERATING TO PRESSURE PRESIDENT
[...] (C) SUMMARY: The Ambassador met with Former Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera on July 2 to discuss the goals of his newly formed Sri Lankan Freedom Party-Mahajana Wing (SLFP-M) and its new informal partnership with the main opposition United National Party (UNP). Samaraweera told us he h [...]
2007-07-03 11:51:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE
07COLOMBO946SRI LANKA: AMBASSADOR PRESSES PRESIDENTIAL
[...] (C) SUMMARY: On July 2 Ambassador met with President Rajapaksa's brother and chief political advisor Basil Rajapaksa to discuss the GSL's development plans in the East. Ambassador inquired about ongoing efforts to resettle internally displaced persons (IDPs),the concerns surrounding the cr [...]
2007-07-03 12:09:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE
07COLOMBO948SRI LANKA: DEFENSE SECRETARY AGREES TO APPOINT
[...] (C) Summary: Ambassador, Swiss Ambassador Flint and the Head of the European Commission Humanitarian Office Verboom presented Defense Secretary Rajapakse on June 29 the findings and recommendations of the Bilateral Donor Group (BDG) visit in May to the Vanni (the LTTE-controlled area of north [...]
2007-07-03 13:02:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPREL MOPS EAID CE
07COLOMBO959SRI LANKA: GOVERNMENT TAKES STEPS TO ADDRESS
[...] (C) SUMMARY: The Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) has recently made several announcements about its efforts to eliminate abductions in Sri Lanka. On July 4 Defense Spokesman Keheliya Rambukwella announced the arrest of 10 suspected abductors in the GSL's efforts to eliminate abductions-for-ra [...]
2007-07-06 07:35:00Embassy ColomboSECRETPGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE
07COLOMBO966IIGEP DISPUTE WITH GSL DIFFUSED FOR NOW
[...] (C) SUMMARY: On June 20, the International Independent Group of Eminent Persons (IIGEP) received a harshly worded letter from the Attorney General (AG) accusing IIGEP of over-extending its mandate, relying too much on its assistants, and insulting the members of the Commission of Inquiry (C [...]
2007-07-10 11:22:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE
07COLOMBO971SRI LANKA: MILITARY TAKES LAST REMAINING LTTE
[...] (C) On July 11 military spokesman Prasad Samarasinghe announced that the military had taken Baron's Cap, the last remaining high point in Thoppigala, the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam's (LTTE) last stronghold in the East. Later that evening, LTTE defense spokesman Irasiah Illanthirayan is [...]
2007-07-12 10:49:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE
07COLOMBO973SRI LANKA: DEVOLUTION PROCESS MAY BE RUNNING OUT
[...] (C) Summary. The opposition United National Party (UNP) leadership has grown increasingly frustrated with the All Parties Representative Committee (APRC) process and is threatening to withdraw completely by August 15. UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe admits that he is staying out of the AP [...]
2007-07-12 11:45:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE
07COLOMBO977SRI LANKA: INSTABILITY IN THE EAST MAKES FREE AND
[...] (C) SUMMARY: After more than a year of fighting to rid the eastern province of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE),the Government is making preparations to hold elections as a concrete sign that order has been restored. However, significant obstacles remain that could jeopardize th [...]
2007-07-13 11:05:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE
07COLOMBO978SRI LANKA: LTTE SOMBER IN LATEST TALKS WITH
[...] (C) Summary: Norwegian Ambassador Brattskar met with Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) leadership in Kilinochchi July 11. In a briefing for Co-Chair Ambassadors, he described their mood as serious, somber, and determined. No new ground was broken. Political wing head Thamilselvan wa [...]
2007-07-13 11:25:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPREL PTER PGOV CE
07COLOMBO986SRI LANKA: FIGHTING SHIFTS TO THE NORTH
[...] (C) SUMMARY: On July 14, the Sri Lankan Army (SLA) battled with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in Vavuniya district in northern Sri Lanka, resulting in at least 14 SLA deaths. The Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) is planning a large celebration on July 19 in downtown Colombo to c [...]
2007-07-16 11:20:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE
07COLOMBO99SRI LANKA: OPPOSITION WILL COOPERATE WITH
[...] (C) The Ambassador met with Karu Jayasuriya, former deputy leader of the opposition United National Party (UNP),on January 17 to discuss whether the likely "cross-over" of UNP members to accept cabinet slots in the government would damage the MoU between the UNP and governing Sri Lanka Freedo [...]
2007-01-17 12:50:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PHUM PTER CE
07GENEVA1713SRI LANKAN PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE LOBBIES
[...] (C) Recently arrived Sri Lanka Permanent Representative, Dayan Jayatilleka, used an introductory courtesy call with Ambassador Tichenor June 27 to lobby hard against any kind of resolution on Sri Lanka in the Human Rights Council. Jayatilleka stressed that Sri Lanka saw all country resolutio [...]
2007-07-03 09:47:00US Mission GenevaCONFIDENTIALPHUM UNHRC PINR CE
07MANILA2586THE DEPUTY SECRETARY'S MEETING WITH SRI LANKA FM
[...] (C) Summary: The government of Sri Lanka (GSL) is committed to the political agenda of devolution, Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama and Defense Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa told Deputy Secretary Negroponte in a July 31 meeting on the sidelines of ASEAN. The FM emphasized Sri [...]
2007-08-01 09:14:00Embassy ManilaCONFIDENTIALASEAN ETRD PREL EXBS PGOV PTER PHUM MOPS RP
07NEWDELHI1643SRI LANKA'S FOREIGN MINISTER ASSURES BOUCHER THAT HUMAN RIGHTS ISSUES WILL BE ADDRESSED AND REQUESTS MORE SUPPORT
[...] (C) SUMMARY: In his meeting with Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama, Assistant Secretary Boucher emphasized that it was vital that the forthcoming devolution package reassure moderate Tamils about their future place in Sri Lankan society and guarantee that their rights are protected. [...]
2007-04-05 13:38:00Embassy New DelhiCONFIDENTIALPREL PGOV PTER CE IN
07NEWDELHI1702ASSISTANT SECRETARY BOUCHER REVIEWS SOUTH ASIAN
[...] (C) Summary: During a one hour meeting on April 5, Assistant Secretary for South and Central Asian Affairs Richard Boucher and Indian Foreign Secretary Shivshankar Menon reviewed political and economic developments with Pakistan, Nepal and Sri Lanka. When it comes to the region, New Delhi a [...]
2007-04-11 07:17:00Embassy New DelhiCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PTER PHUM PINR PREF ECON ETRD AF
07NEWDELHI2037INDIAN OFFICIAL SEES BANGLADESH AT CROSSROADS, SRI
[...] (C) Summary. In a meeting with PolCouns on April 26, MEA Joint Secretary Mohan Kumar: -- said that the caretaker government in Bangladesh has reached a crossroads by allowing Sheikh Hasina and Khaleda Zia to return, stating such a move weakens the government and will force it to reassert itself in [...]
2007-04-27 12:27:00Embassy New DelhiCONFIDENTIALPREL PGOV BG BM CE IN
07NEWDELHI2553GOI BRIEFED ON AIR DEFENSE CONSULTATIONS WITH SRI
[...] (C) SUMMARY: The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) expressed appreciation for the briefing provided by the Defense Attache (DATT) regarding the recent U.S. military survey of the Government of Sri Lanka's (GOSL) air defense capabilities. MEA requested the USG to apprise the GOI of radar equipmen [...]
2007-05-30 09:34:00Embassy New DelhiCONFIDENTIALPTER PREL PGOV PHUM CE BM
07NEWDELHI5127A/S SAUERBREY VOICES CONCERN OVER SRI LANKA'S
[...] (C) SUMMARY: In response to Assistant Secretary Ellen Sauerbrey's points regarding the status of Sri Lanka's Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs),the Government of Sri Lanka's (GOSL) slow pace of identification and prosecution of human rights abusers, allegations of child recruitment into the [...]
2007-11-29 05:22:00Embassy New DelhiCONFIDENTIALPHUM PGOV PREL PTER CE IN
07OSLO195NORWAY'S VIEWS ON SRI LANKA PEACE PROCESS
[...] (C) Summary. On February 28, DCM and Pol Officer met with Norwegian Special Envoy to Sri Lanka Jon Hanssen-Bauer and Sri Lanka Adviser Tomas Stangeland at the MFA. The Norwegians stressed the importance of USG involvement in the peace process, outlined views on the Indian and the U.K. pers [...]
2007-03-01 16:36:00Embassy OsloCONFIDENTIALPHUM PREL PTER CE NO
07OSLO454NORWEGIAN UPDATE: SRI LANKA PEACE EFFORTS
[...] (C) Summary. On April 30 Sondre Bjotveit, MFA Adviser in the Peace and Reconciliation Section, updated us on Norwegian peace efforts in Sri Lanka. He described MFA Special Envoy Jon Hanssen-Bauer's recent meetings with UK and South African government officials, in addition to sharing perso [...]
2007-05-02 12:28:00Embassy OsloCONFIDENTIALPHUM PREL PTER CE NO
07OSLO723SRI LANKA CO-CHAIRS MEET IN OSLO
[...] (C) Summary: Representatives of the Sri Lanka Co-Chairs (United States, European Union, Japan, and Norway) met in Oslo on June 29, to discuss the latest developments in Sri Lanka. All participants agreed that the situation is bleak with few small signs of opportunity. Assistant Secretary Ric [...]
2007-07-06 11:08:00Embassy OsloCONFIDENTIALPHUM PREL PTER CE NO
07PHNOMPENH543DAS JOHN MEETS OPPOSITION POLITICAL FIGURES, IFI
[...] (SBU) Summary. Human rights leader Kem Sokha told visiting DAS Eric John that his move into politics was in response to lowered USAID funding to his Cambodian Center for Human Rights (CCHR) NGO as well as continued calls from the Cambodian people that he return to political life. Kem Sokha [...]
2007-04-12 08:40:00Embassy Phnom PenhUNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYPGOV PHUM EFIN EPET CB
07TOKYO4715JAPANESE MORNING PRESS HIGHLIGHTS 10/09/07
[...] No summary [...]
2007-10-09 04:54:00Embassy TokyoUNCLASSIFIEDOIIP KMDR KPAO PGOV PINR ECON ELAB JA
07TOKYO5504JAPANESE MORNING PRESS HIGHLIGHTS 12/11/07
[...] No summary [...]
2007-12-11 02:02:00Embassy TokyoUNCLASSIFIEDOIIP KMDR KPAO PGOV PINR ECON ELAB JA
08BEIJING1267 April 3 MFA Press Briefing: Hu Jia Case, Olympic Boycott,
[...] Key points at the April 3 MFA Press Briefing were: -- China has handled the Hu Jia case according to law and will not accept criticism. -- The IOC is right to reject calls to boycott the Beijing Olympics and the torch relay should not be disrupted. -- Reports China supplied the IAEA with [...]
2008-04-03 11:14:00Embassy BeijingUNCLASSIFIEDPREL PGOV PHUM PTER CH PK TN TZ CI QA KZ AS SW
08CHENNAI240SRI LANKAN PRESIDENT VISITS IMPORTANT SOUTH INDIAN HINDU
[...] (SBU) Summary: On July 11 - 12, Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa visited one of South India's most important Hindu temples. Sri Lankan officials said the visit was "personal," except for a hastily thrown together press conference. Embassy contacts said that although President Rajapaks [...]
2008-07-17 10:25:00Consulate ChennaiUNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYPGOV PREL PTER IN CE
08COLOMBO1042SRI LANKA: GOVERNMENT FORCES TAKING CONTROL OF
[...] (C) SUMMARY: The recent fall of Pooneryn and the crossroads town of Mankulam to government forces has greatly improved the government's military position and put the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam in a strategic bind. Government forces now control virtually all of Sri Lanka's western coastli [...]
2008-11-18 14:11:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV MOPS PTER CE
08COLOMBO1049SRI LANKA: TERRORISM TRIAL OF JOURNALIST
[...] (SBU) SUMMARY: The trial on terrorism charges of journalist J.S. Tissainayagam has entered a critical phase. The testimony in the case has not gone well for the government, with the officer who took Tissainayagam's confession conceding errors. The Judicial Medical officer who examined Tissa [...]
2008-11-20 13:46:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PHUM PTER PREL CE
08COLOMBO1063 AUSTR DELANEY'S VISIT TO SRI LANKA
[...] (U) Summary: Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for South Asia Michael Delaney visited Sri Lanka November 11-14 to engage with key government and business leaders, to discuss issues related to U.S.- Sri Lanka Trade and Investment Framework Agreement talks, and to review labor issues raised in [...]
2008-11-26 07:51:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYECON EFIN ETRD EINV PGOV CE
08COLOMBO1070SRI LANKA: AMBASSADOR REVIEWS PROBLEMS IN EASTERN
[...] (C) SUMMARY: In a meeting on November 25, Ambassador discussed current U.S. concerns about the situation in Sri Lanka with Foreign Minister Bogollagama. After praising GSL cooperation with the UN and ICRC over delivering food supplies to the population of the Vanni, Ambassador noted that incr [...]
2008-11-26 11:21:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPREL PHUM MOPS PREF CE
08COLOMBO1078SRI LANKA: DASD CLAD TOLD EASTERN PROBLEMS LIKELY
[...] (C) SUMMARY: During a visit to Sri Lanka on November 22-23, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense James Clad discussed the Sri Lankan Army's military progress against the LTTE, future political arrangements in Sri Lanka's north, demobilization of the TMVP, and child soldiers with Defense Secr [...]
2008-11-28 09:49:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE
08COLOMBO1094SRI LANKA: ANTI-CONVERSION BILL STALLED IN
[...] (C) After a meeting at the Peace Secretariat (SCOPP) on December 1, Secretary to the Ministry of Human Rights and Disaster Management Rajiva Wijesinghe reported to Charge that the anti-conversion bill currently being debated in Parliament is likely to remain in a standing committee and not com [...]
2008-12-02 12:20:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALKIRF PHUM CE
08COLOMBO1099SRI LANKA: SECURITY DETERIORATES IN EASTERN
[...] (C) SUMMARY: Over the past three weeks the security situation in the East has deteriorated as LTTE cadres and TMVP members loyal to Karuna have conducted a series of killings. In response, the government imposed a curfew on Batticaloa and the Chief Minister and Mayor of Batticaloa went on a o [...]
2008-12-03 05:11:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PTER PHUM MOPS CE
08COLOMBO1102SRI LANKA: TMVP, GSL, AND UNICEF SIGN MOU ON CHILD
[...] (C) SUMMARY: On December 1 the Government, the TMVP and UNICEF signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) that committed each party to end the use and recruitment of child soldiers by the TMVP. Karuna signed on behalf of the TMVP, "as leader of the TMVP in the presence of the Chief Minister o [...]
2008-12-03 12:38:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PHUM MOPS CE
08COLOMBO1108SRI LANKA: VERBAL AGREEMENT REACHED ON TMVP
[...] (SBU) According to IOM Chief of Party Mohammed Abdiker, on December 1 at a meeting convened by Secretary of Defense Gothabaya Rajapaksa, TMVP Commander and Member of Parliament Vinayagamurthi Muralitharan ("Karuna Amman") and Eastern Provincial Council Chief Minister Sivanesathurai Chadrakant [...]
2008-12-04 13:40:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PHUM MOPS EAID CE
08COLOMBO111SRI LANKA: DISAPPOINTMENT AT LIMITED SCOPE OF
[...] (C) SUMMARY: While the international response to the unveiling of the government proposals for limited devolution of powers to the provinces under Sri Lanka's 13th Amendment was cautiously positive, reactions from the minority Tamils and Muslims have ranged from disappointment to scathing rej [...]
2008-01-29 15:02:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPREL PGOV PTER PHUM MOPS CE
08COLOMBO1113SRI LANKA: RELIGIOUS LEADERS FACE OBSTACLES
[...] (SBU) SUMMARY: On November 23, international and Sri Lankan religious leaders held a conference in Anuradhapura at which they sought to facilitate the opening of a humanitarian corridor for the IDP population of the Vanni. Following the conference they met with the President who offered his [...]
2008-12-08 05:38:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV MOPS PINR CE
08COLOMBO1117SRI LANKA: TRIAL OF JOURNALIST ON TERRORISM
[...] (U) The inquiry to determine whether the confession of journalist J.S. Tissainayagam was voluntary or forced was held on December 5 at the High Court of Colombo before High Court Judge Deepali Wijesundera. The court ruled that it was voluntary. The future direction of this high-profile case [...]
2008-12-08 12:24:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPHUM PGOV PREL TERAA CE
08COLOMBO1123 SRI LANKA PASSES 2009 BUDGET
[...] Summary: (SBU) Parliament easily passed the 2009 GSL budget on December 8, one month following President Rajapaksa's presentation of the draft on November 6. This is Rajapaksa's fourth budget since coming into office in 2005 on a platform of poverty reduction, steering investment to disadvan [...]
2008-12-09 11:54:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYECON EFIN PGOV MARR KMCA CE
08COLOMBO113 AMBASSADOR IN SRI LANKA'S EAST: DISARM PARAMILITARY GROUPS
[...] Ambassador and AID officer visited Batticaloa in Sri Lanka's volatile Eastern Province on January 22-24 to attend the opening of a vocational training center funded by private American donations; open two USAID funded facilities; and meet with local officials, donors, and INGO representatives. [...]
2008-01-30 11:20:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYPGOV PHUM PREF EAID PINS CE
08COLOMBO1133 SRI LANKA: FINANCING HARDSHIPS IN NEW YEAR
[...] (SBU) Summary: Sri Lanka's macroeconomic outlook for 2009 is weakening. In November Central Bank reserves declined, for the fourth straight month, to around $2 billion, or less than 2 months of imports. The trade deficit in the first ten months expanded by 78%, and the Central Bank (CB) expe [...]
2008-12-15 11:15:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYECON EFIN PGOV KMCA CE
08COLOMBO114SRI LANKA: RISING VIOLENCE IN NORTH KILLS STUDENTS
[...] (C) SUMMARY: An LTTE artillery bombardment of the Palaly base near Jaffna thwarted an attempt by Defense Secretary Gothabaya Rajapaksa and Army Commander Sarath Fonseka to land there on January 28, forcing their aircraft to return to Colombo. Government forces responded by bombing the LTTE a [...]
2008-01-30 11:46:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPREL PGOV PTER PHUM PREF MOPS CE
08COLOMBO1163STAFFDEL AHUJA BRIEFED ON HUMANITARIAN SITUATION
[...] (U) SUMMARY: During her December 11-16 visit, House Foreign Affairs Committee (HFAC) staff member Jasmeet Ahuja met with Government of Sri Lanka, NGO, UN, and international organization representatives to assess the humanitarian situation in the North. Humanitarian access issues for the UN and [...]
2008-12-31 06:28:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYPGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE
08COLOMBO142SRI LANKA: OPPOSITION AND MINORITY PARTIES SEARCH
[...] (C) SUMMARY: Sri Lanka's main opposition and minority parties have resigned themselves to working another year under the SLFP-led government. The opposition and minority parties remain frustrated with the SLFP-led government, but recognize they have few options for replacing the current admi [...]
2008-02-07 08:33:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPREL PGOV PTER PHUM MOPS CE
08COLOMBO144SRI LANKA: SURGE IN VIOLENCE AND INTIMIDATION
[...] (SBU) SUMMARY: Intimidation and attacks on the media in Sri Lanka have risen sharply since the beginning of the year. The International Federation of Journalists ranked Sri Lanka as the fifth deadliest country for journalists based on 2007 incidents that included six recorded deaths. January [...]
2008-02-07 12:22:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYPGOV PHUM PTER SCUL CE
08COLOMBO15SRI LANKA: GOVERNMENT DECIDES TO ANNUL CEASE-FIRE
[...] (C) Summary. On January 2, Sri Lanka's cabinet voted unanimously to end the Cease-Fire Agreement (CFA) signed between the GSL and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in 2002. Norway, the CFA's facilitator, issued a statement regretting the decision and noting that the Sri Lankan Mo [...]
2008-01-03 12:18:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE
08COLOMBO177NGOS IN LTTE-CONTROLLED AREA BRIEF ON GROWING
[...] (SBU) Summary: In a February 19 briefing at the EU Commission for selected Heads of Mission, international NGOs operating in the northern area of the Vanni still controlled by the LTTE reported growing constraints on their operations, including increasing restrictions on access both to and w [...]
2008-02-20 10:31:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYEAID PREL PTER CE
08COLOMBO198SRI LANKA: GOVERNMENT CIRCUMVENTS CONSTITUTIONAL
[...] (C) SUMMARY: Parliament adopted the 17th Amendment to the Sri Lankan Constitution in 2001, intending it to be a significant check on the powers of the Executive President. The 17th Amendment mandates an independent Constitutional Council (CC) responsible for nominating members to key public [...]
2008-02-26 05:24:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PHUM CE
08COLOMBO199SRI LANKA: LOCAL GOVERNMENT ELECTIONS IN EAST FACE
[...] (C) SUMMARY: The GSL's plan of holding local government elections in nine constituencies in Batticaloa faces many challenges. Interlocutors from a variety of political parties and civil society organizations believe that holding a credible, free and fair election will be difficult, given the [...]
2008-02-26 05:24:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PTER PHUM PREL MOPS CE
08COLOMBO207SRI LANKA: CARE INTERNATIONAL LOCAL EMPLOYEE
[...] (SBU) On February 26, the Country Director of CARE International in Sri Lanka (headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia) contacted Ambassador about the abduction of a CARE International staff member from a police checkpoint in Colombo on the evening of February 25. Three of CARE's staff from Ampara a [...]
2008-02-26 12:04:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYPHUM PGOV CE
08COLOMBO211SRI LANKA: RARE MEETING BETWEEN PRESIDENT AND
[...] (C) SUMMARY: President Rajapaksa and Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe had their first meeting in months, but Wickremesinghe called the meeting inconclusive. He rebuffed the President's attempt to encourage the UNP to rejoin the APRC discussions. However, Wickremesinghe said that the UN [...]
2008-02-27 11:51:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PHUM MOPS CE
08COLOMBO213CHILD SOLDIERS IN SRI LANKA: DEMARCHE DELIVERED
[...] (SBU) SUMMARY: On February 28, Ambassador delivered to Sri Lankan Minister of Foreign Affairs Rohitha Bogollagama reftel demarche on the possible restriction of U.S. Foreign Military Financing to the Government of Sri Lanka, due to the recruitment and use of child soldiers by government-backed [...]
2008-02-28 12:24:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPREL PHUM PGOV PTER MASS CE
08COLOMBO231BASIL RAJAPAKSA DISCUSSES ELECTIONS IN EAST, APRC,
[...] (C) Summary: At a March 5 lunch with Co-Chair Ambassadors, Basil Rajapaksa, the President's brother, senior political advisor, and coordinator for the stabilization and development of the East, said that the President had insisted to all the parties and the paramilitary TMVP that the March 10t [...]
2008-03-06 11:37:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PHUM CE
08COLOMBO244SRI LANKA: GOVERNMENT-BACKED EX-TIGERS SWEEP LOCAL
[...] (C) SUMMARY: The March 10 local elections in Batticaloa District in eastern Sri Lanka went off without any serious violations or incidents of violence. The TMVP, a government-backed anti-LTTE Tamil paramilitary, swept the elections, winning 8 of 9 local bodies (and in a coalition with the r [...]
2008-03-11 14:34:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PHUM MOPS CE
08COLOMBO245SRI LANKA: GOVERNMENT-BACKED EX-TIGERS SWEEP LOCAL
[...] (C) SUMMARY: The March 10 local elections in Batticaloa District in eastern Sri Lanka went off without any serious violations or incidents of violence. The TMVP, a government-backed anti-LTTE Tamil paramilitary, swept the elections, winning 8 of 9 local bodies (and in a coalition with the r [...]
2008-03-11 15:20:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PHUM MOPS CE
08COLOMBO246SRI LANKA: GOVERNMENT-BACKED EX-TIGERS SWEEP LOCAL
[...] (C) SUMMARY: The March 10 local elections in Batticaloa District in eastern Sri Lanka went off without any serious violations or incidents of violence. The TMVP, a government-backed anti-LTTE Tamil paramilitary, swept the elections, winning 8 of 9 local bodies (and in a coalition with the r [...]
2008-03-11 15:20:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PHUM MOPS CE
08COLOMBO247SRI LANKA: GOVERNMENT-BACKED EX-TIGERS SWEEP LOCAL
[...] (C) SUMMARY: The March 10 local elections in Batticaloa District in eastern Sri Lanka went off without any serious violations or incidents of violence. The TMVP, a government-backed anti-LTTE Tamil paramilitary, swept the elections, winning 8 of 9 local bodies (and in a coalition with the r [...]
2008-03-11 15:20:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PHUM MOPS CE
08COLOMBO248SRI LANKA: GOVERNMENT-BACKED EX-TIGERS SWEEP LOCAL
[...] (C) SUMMARY: The March 10 local elections in Batticaloa District in eastern Sri Lanka went off without any serious violations or incidents of violence. The TMVP, a government-backed anti-LTTE Tamil paramilitary, swept the elections, winning 8 of 9 local bodies (and in a coalition with the r [...]
2008-03-11 15:20:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PHUM MOPS CE
08COLOMBO249SRI LANKA: DEFENSE SECRETARY DEFENDS SPECIAL
[...] (C) On March 11, Ambassador delivered reftel (a) points to Defense Secretary Gothabaya Rajapaksa, highlighting our desire to clarify U.S. vetting policy to the GSL while at the same time preserving our long-term relationship with the Sri Lankan military. Ambassador invited Gothabaya to provi [...]
2008-03-11 15:20:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPHUM PREL MASS PGOV MOPS CE
08COLOMBO272SRI LANKA: GOVERNMENT REACTS SHARPLY TO HUMAN
[...] (C) SUMMARY: On March 14, Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama called in the Ambassador to register strong protest to the U.S. State Department's 2007 Human Rights Report on Sri Lanka. The Minister objected to the report's sourcing and its negative conclusions, and to the State Department pr [...]
2008-03-17 12:06:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPREL PHUM PGOV MOPS PTER CE
08COLOMBO279AMBASSADOR PRESSES SRI LANKAN JUSTICE SECRETARY ON
[...] (C) SUMMARY: On March 17, Ambassador and DCM met the Secretary to the Ministry of Justice Suhada Gamalath to urge SIPDIS that the GSL, in the face of restrictions on U.S. Foreign Military Financing to Sri Lanka (ref A),take swift and effective measures to demobilize and rehabilitate child [...]
2008-03-18 11:51:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PHUM PTER MOPS CE
08COLOMBO280SRI LANKA: TAMIL JOURNALISTS DETAINED FOR ALLEGED
[...] (C) SUMMARY: J.S. Tissainayagam, a columnist for the Sunday Times, and two other journalists were arrested on March 7 by the Sri Lanka Police's Terrorism Investigation Division. Police also arrested B. Jasikaran, owner of the printing press that prints the Tamil weekly Sarinihar, his busine [...]
2008-03-18 12:01:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPHUM PGOV PTER PREL CE
08COLOMBO286EU TROIKA VISIT TO COLOMBO YIELDS LITTLE
[...] (C) Summary: In a briefing to Co-Chair Ambassadors at the conclusion of their March 17-18 visit to Colombo, EU Troika members noted they: pressed the Government of Sri Lanka to allow access to the Vanni for the Norwegian facilitators; noted the GSL's intention to implement the 13th Amendmen [...]
2008-03-19 12:51:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPREL PGOV CE
08COLOMBO314SRI LANKA: EMBASSY DISCUSSES CHILD SOLDIERS
[...] (C) SUMMARY: Ambassador and DCM called on Foreign Secretary Palitha Kohona on March 24 to discuss Embassy SIPDIS suggestions for a roadmap to address child soldiers. Ambassador recommended any progress on the issue be verified by UNICEF and noted that the Embassy would remain engaged in t [...]
2008-03-27 11:11:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PHUM PTER PREL MOPS CE
08COLOMBO344SRI LANKA: REPORT BLAMES GOVERNMENT FOR "TRINCO 5"
[...] (C) Summary: On April 1, the prominent Sri Lankan human rights group University Teachers for Human Rights (Jaffna) released a lengthy report on two cases that have received significant international attention: the murders of five Tamil youths in Trincomalee in January 2006, and the killing of [...]
2008-04-03 11:43:00Embassy ColomboSECRETPGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE
08COLOMBO346SRI LANKA RESUMES MANAGEMENT OF NATIONAL CARRIER AND
[...] (SBU) Summary and comment: The government of Sri Lanka resumed management control of the national carrier Sri Lankan Airlines on April 1. The government has appointed Treasury Secretary (and mastermind of the Sri Lankan economy) P.B. Jayasundera to be chairman of the Sri Lankan Board of Direc [...]
2008-04-04 06:54:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYEAIR EINV CE
08COLOMBO352SRI LANKA: LTTE ATTACK KILLS MINISTER, 13 OTHERS
[...] (SBU) SUMMARY: Sri Lanka's Minister for Highways (and Chief Government Whip in Parliament),Jeyaraj Fernandopulle, and 13 others were killed by a suicide bomb blast on April 6 at about 8 am local time, just before the start of a marathon race about 25 kilometers northeast of Colombo. Also kil [...]
2008-04-07 10:50:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYPTER ASEC PGOV PHUM PREL CE
08COLOMBO363SRI LANKA: JVP RIFT RESULTS IN SUSPENSION OF
[...] (C) Summary. On April 6, local press reported that the JVP, in a March 21 Central Committee meeting, had decided to suspend Parliamentary Group Leader and Propaganda Secretary Wimal Weerawansa from the party. Weerawansa reportedly upset fellow JVP leaders by publicly contradicting the party' [...]
2008-04-09 10:52:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE
08COLOMBO366SRI LANKA: 2007 GDP GROWTH REPORTEDLY 6.8%; FITCH
[...] (SBU) Summary: Sri Lanka continued its healthy economic growth in 2007, reporting a 6.8% increase in real gross domestic product for the year. Weaknesses in the government's statistical methodology suggest the actual growth figure may have been lower, probably closer to 6%. The reported outco [...]
2008-04-09 11:00:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYECON EINV EFIN KMCA CE
08COLOMBO369SRI LANKA: GOVERNMENT-BACKED PARAMILITARY RELEASES
[...] (SBU) SUMMARY: Eleven TMVP child soldiers were released on April 7 to police custody in Batticaloa. They were transported on April 8 to a temporary holding facility in Pallekele, near Kandy, where they were met by Justice Secretary Suhada Gamalath, who chairs the GSL committee on SIPDIS c [...]
2008-04-09 12:36:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE
08COLOMBO372EMBASSY COLOMBO EAC MEETING 04/09/2008
[...] (SBU) Summary: AmEmbassy Colombo convened an Emergency Action Committee (EAC) meeting on April 9, 2008. The EAC discussed post's security posture in light of a recent assassination of a government minister and the upcoming Sinhala/Tamil New Year celebrations. The EAC agreed that current secu [...]
2008-04-10 09:37:00Embassy ColomboSECRET//NOFORNASEC CASC PTER
08COLOMBO394SRI LANKA: SCENESETTER FOR PDAS CAMP'S VISIT TO
[...] (C) INTRODUCTION: Your visit comes at a time when our relations with Sri Lanka are beginning to show signs of strain from the increasing pressure we have applied on key issues, particularly human rights and military cooperation. Nonetheless, we continue to have access at the highest levels [...]
2008-04-17 11:26:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE
08COLOMBO407SRI LANKA: AMBASSADOR DISCUSSES HUMAN RIGHTS
[...] (C) Summary: Ambassador met Tourism Minister Milinda Moragoda for a debrief of the Minister's recent visit to Washington. President Rajapaksa recently designated Moragoda as a special envoy on external military relations with the US, India and possibly other countries. Ambassador suggested [...]
2008-04-24 12:49:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPHUM PREL PTER MOPS CE
08COLOMBO409SRI LANKA: IIGEP COMES TO END; HOPE REMAINS FOR
[...] (C) SUMMARY: The International Independent Group of Eminent Persons (IIGEP) has ended its work in country and released its final public statement on April 15. The statement concluded that the Commission of Inquiry's (COI) work has not met international standards, detailed the reasons for th [...]
2008-04-25 06:31:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE
08COLOMBO412SRI LANKA: PDAS CAMP ENCOURAGES PROGRESS ON HUMAN
[...] (C) Summary. During his April 21-22 visit to Colombo, SCA PDAS Don Camp highlighted to GSL officials that despite the long-standing friendship between our countries, continuing human rights abuses place limits on our cooperation. PDAS Camp pressed for the release of TMVP child soldiers and [...]
2008-04-28 04:02:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS ECON CE
08COLOMBO417SRI LANKA: BUS BOMBING KILLS 26
[...] (U) On April 25, a bomb exploded on a packed, evening rush-hour bus in Piliyandala, a suburb 15 km south of Colombo. Twenty-six people were killed, and 64 injured. The bus was traveling from the outskirts of Colombo to Kahapola, a village east of the city. Police have arrested nine suspect [...]
2008-04-28 11:41:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE
08COLOMBO448SRI LANKA: MAY 10 EASTERN POLLS SEEN AS REFERENDUM
[...] (C) SUMMARY: The May 10 Eastern Provincial Council elections are the first provincial-level polls in the East in twenty years. A relatively free, fair, and peaceful election would help bring back normalcy in the East, lay the groundwork for democratic administrative structures, and reinforce [...]
2008-05-08 13:25:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE
08COLOMBO449SRI LANKA: PRESIDENT PROROGUES PARLIAMENT
[...] (C) On May 6, President Rajapaksa abruptly prorogued (suspended) Parliament until June 5. All parliamentary committees must be reconstituted and pending legislation must be re-introduced when Parliament reconvenes. Presidential advisor Basil Rajapaksa and Presidential Secretary Lalith Weera [...]
2008-05-08 13:31:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PHUM CE
08COLOMBO459REQUEST TO SRI LANKA TO PROVIDE AVIATION SUPPORT
[...] (C) Ambassador and ODC Chief Orozco met with Sri Lankan Secretary of Defense Gotabhaya Rajapaksa on May 12 to request that Sri Lanka offer Mi-8 or Mi-24 helicopters to support the UN-AU peacekeeping operation in Darfur. Drawing on the background in para 4 of reftel, Ambassador noted that Suda [...]
2008-05-12 11:12:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALMARR PREL KPKO CE
08COLOMBO463SRI LANKA: GOVERNMENT WINS EASTERN POLLS BY NARROW
[...] (C) Summary: The ruling UPFA won the Eastern Provincial Council elections on May 10, amidst criticism by the opposition parties and observer groups of large scale election malpractices. The UPFA-TMVP won 18 seats plus 2 bonus seats, the UNP-SLMC won 15, and the JVP and TDNA won one each. Re [...]
2008-05-12 13:22:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE
08COLOMBO465SRI LANKA: AMBASSADOR DISCUSSES PROSPECTS FOR
[...] (C) On May 12 Ambassador met with V. Anandasangaree, President of the Tamil United Liberation Front (TULF) to discuss devolution of power and prospects for peace. Anandasangaree stressed that the LTTE is not the sole representative of the Tamil people, and that the government should talk with [...]
2008-05-13 12:16:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE
08COLOMBO47SRI LANKA: EMIRATES AIRLINES TERMINATES MANAGEMENT OF
[...] (SBU) Summary and comment: Emirates Airlines announced on January 7 that it would not seek to renew its management contract with national carrier Sri Lankan Airlines, of which it owns 44 percent. Emirates' decision followed poor progress in negotiations with the government of Sri Lanka on ren [...]
2008-01-10 11:40:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYEAIR EINV CE
08COLOMBO471SRI LANKA: MIHIN LANKA LOSES MONEY, SUSPENDS OPERATIONS,
[...] (SBU) Summary: Mihin Lanka, a budget airline started by the government of Sri Lanka a year ago, has been hemorrhaging public money. The airline stopped flying on May 1 when the last of its two wet-leased aircraft was reclaimed after Mihin was unable to make lease payments, but plans to resume [...]
2008-05-15 09:28:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYEAIR EINV EFIN CE
08COLOMBO475SUICIDE BOMBER KILLS AT LEAST EIGHT IN CENTRAL
[...] A suicide bomber on a motorbike detonated himself next to a police bus in downtown Colombo on May 16 at 12:00 noon. According to Defense Ministry spokesman Keheliya Rambukwella, six policemen and two civilians were killed and 75 to 80 persons were injured. Subsequent media reports put the fi [...]
2008-05-16 09:19:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIEDPGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS ASEC CE
08COLOMBO476DARFUR HELICOPTERS: SRI LANKANS HOPE THEY CAN HELP
[...] (C) Ambassador spoke on May 16 with Defense Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa to seek an update on the Government of Sri Lanka's response to our request that Sri Lanka provide helicopters to support the UN-AU peacekeeping operation in Darfur (reftel). Rajapaksa said he had spoken with Air Force [...]
2008-05-16 10:54:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALMARR PREL KPKO CE
08COLOMBO477DARFUR HELICOPTERS: SRI LANKANS HOPE THEY CAN HELP
[...] (C) Ambassador spoke on May 16 with Defense Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa to seek an update on the Government of Sri Lanka's response to our request that Sri Lanka provide helicopters to support the UN-AU peacekeeping operation in Darfur (reftel). Rajapaksa said he had spoken with Air Force [...]
2008-05-16 10:54:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALMARR PREL KPKO CE
08COLOMBO478SRI LANKA: SCENESETTER FOR DAS ERICA
[...] (C) Summary and Introduction: Your visit comes at a time when our relations with Sri Lanka are strong, but show some strain from the pressure we have applied on key issues, particularly human rights. Nonetheless, we continue to have access at the highest levels of the GSL and to play an imp [...]
2008-05-16 10:57:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPREL PGOV PHUM MOPS PTER CE
08COLOMBO480SRI LANKA: PILLAIYAN IS CHOICE FOR CHIEF MINISTER
[...] (SBU) SUMMARY: The government's game plan for organizing the newly elected Eastern Provincial Council and naming the province's new Chief Minister may be unravelling. TMVP leader "Pillaiyan" and M.L.M. Hisbullah, both elected to the council for the United People's Freedom Alliance (UPFA),lay [...]
2008-05-16 12:17:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE
08COLOMBO483SRI LANKA: PRESIDENT NAMES PILLAIYAN CHIEF
[...] (C) SUMMARY: President Rajapaksa swore in the TMVP leader "Pillaiyan" as new Chief Minister of the Eastern Province on May 16. However, it is still unclear whether a block of a few Muslim Provincial Councilors led by M.L.M. Hisbullah will assure Pillaiyan of a majority by supporting him in th [...]
2008-05-20 12:12:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPREL PGOV PHUM MASS MOPS PTER CE
08COLOMBO503SRI LANKA: IRAN REFINERY OFFER GOING AHEAD, BUT IN WHOSE
[...] (SBU) Summary and comment: Iran's offer of concessionary financing for a major expansion of Sri Lanka's sole oil refinery was firmed up with the late April visit of President Ahmadinejad to Sri Lanka. Iran has promised to lend Sri Lanka 70% of the estimated $1.2 billion project cost, at a conc [...]
2008-05-27 04:16:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYEINV ENRG PREL CE IR CH
08COLOMBO507SRI LANKA: DEFENSE JOURNALIST ABDUCTED, BEATEN AND
[...] (C) SUMMARY: Keith Noyahr, a prominent journalist and defense analyst, was abducted and severely beaten by unidentified men on the night of May 22. The next day, hundreds of journalists protested the attack and demanded a full investigation. Some of the victim's journalist colleagues specula [...]
2008-05-27 12:00:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PHUM PREL PTER CE
08COLOMBO509SRI LANKA: EMBASSY MAKES HEADWAY ON LETTERS OF CREDIT FOR
[...] (SBU) Summary: Following Ambassador's intervention with senior presidential advisor Basil Rajapaksa, the Government of Sri Lanka has acted to resolve its longstanding failure to provide standby letters of credit to U.S. investor AES. AES operates a $104 million 163 megawatt power plant in Co [...]
2008-05-28 11:21:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYECON EINV PGOV PREL CE
08COLOMBO510SRI LANKA: DISCUSSIONS ON NEXT STEPS AFTER EASTERN
[...] (C) SUMMARY: The Ambassadors or Heads of Mission of the U.S., France, Norway, India, and U.K., and the Resident Representatives of the UN, World Bank and Asian Development Bank met on May 21 to discuss policy responses to the recent elections for the Provincial Council in the east. Most agreed [...]
2008-05-28 12:13:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPREL PTER MARR PHUM CE
08COLOMBO516SRI LANKA OFFERS TO PROVIDE ONE HELICOPTER FOR
[...] (C) In response to Ambassador's May 12 meeting with Secretary of Defense Gotabaya Rajapaksa (ref B) and follow-up conversations May 16 (ref A) and May 23, post today received written confimation, dated May 27, that the Government of Sri Lanka is prepared to make available one Bell 212 helicop [...]
2008-05-29 12:51:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALKPKO MARR PREL
08COLOMBO527SRI LANKA: GOVERNMENT RAISES FUEL PRICES BY RECORD AMOUNTS
[...] (SBU) Summary and comment: On May 25, the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation, Sri Lanka's state-owned oil company, raised diesel and gasoline prices by an unprecedented 37% and 23% respectively. This is the second CPC fuel price increase in 2008, bringing prices to double the level of two years ago [...]
2008-06-02 11:19:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYECON EINV EAGR PGOV CE
08COLOMBO528SRI LANKA: DEFENSE MINISTRY MOBILIZES AGAINST
[...] (C) SUMMARY: The Defense Secretary summoned two media workers from the government-owned publishing house. He reportedly harangued them for over two hours for participating in a rally to protest the abduction and beating of defense journalist Keith Noyahr. The journalists told us that Gothab [...]
2008-06-02 13:14:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PHUM PTER MOPS PREL CE
08COLOMBO536SRI LANKA'S CHILD SOLDIERS: INITIAL STEPS WELCOME,
[...] (C) SUMMARY: In May 22-23 meetings, DRL DAS Barks-Ruggles obtained an update on the government's efforts to release child soldiers. She urged Justice Secretary Gamalath to put in place effective measures to combat the problem, and pressed the Foreign Secretary and the Secretary of the Disast [...]
2008-06-03 10:18:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PHUM PTER MASS CE
08COLOMBO539SRI LANKA: ETHNIC DIVIDE IN ATTITUDES ON THE
[...] (C) SUMMARY: In May 22-24 meetings with visiting DAS Barks-Ruggles, representatives from the ICRC, the UN, and a leading local think tank described a deteriorating human rights situation. Human Rights Ministry Secretary Amarasinghe highlighted the limited steps the government has taken to rec [...]
2008-06-03 10:39:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PHUM PREL PTER CE
08COLOMBO55SRI LANKA: PRESIDENTIAL ADVISOR WELCOMES USG
[...] (C) Summary. On January 8, Senior Presidential Advisor Basil Rajapaksa outlined for Ambassador and the visiting 1210 team the GSL's ambitious development agenda for the East and welcomed USG assistance on a wide range of policy initiatives. Rajapaksa highlighted the government's progress i [...]
2008-01-11 08:00:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPREL PGOV PTER PHUM MOPS CE
08COLOMBO552SRI LANKA'S EASTERN PROVINCIAL COUNCIL CONVENES;
[...] (C) SUMMARY: Sri Lanka's new Eastern Provincial Council was sworn in June 4 despite an opposition boycott. Since the announcement of Chief Minister Pillaiyan's appointment, tensions have remained high between the Muslim and Tamil communities in the East with targeted political assassination [...]
2008-06-05 12:10:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PINR EAID PTER PHUM MOPS ECON EINV
08COLOMBO57SRI LANKA: GOVERNMENT PROMISES DEVOLUTION PACKAGE
[...] (C) SUMMARY: The government has announced a new deadline for presenting a proposal for a political solution to Sri Lanka's ethnic problem. The President and Council of Ministers have asked the All-Party Representative Committee to endorse enhanced powers for the Northern and Eastern Province [...]
2008-01-11 09:27:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPREL PGOV PTER PHUM MOPS CE
08COLOMBO571SRI LANKA: TWO PROVINCIAL COUNCILS DISSOLVED;
[...] (U) At midnight on June 10, the government dissolved the Sabaragamuwa and North Central Provincial Councils. Both councils' terms were scheduled to end in August 2009. North Central Chief Minister (CM) Bertie Premalal Dissanayake and Sabaragamuwa Chief Minister Mahipala Herath confirmed tha [...]
2008-06-11 11:51:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE
08COLOMBO578SRI LANKA'S CHILD SOLDIERS: GSL AGREES TO JOINT
[...] (C) SUMMARY: At a dinner on June 10, Defense Secretary Rajapaksa, Justice Secretary Gamalath and UNICEF Country Representative Duamelle agreed to a joint verification plan in which UNICEF officials and Justice Ministry staff would seek to identify the whereabouts of the approximately 70 child [...]
2008-06-12 11:58:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PHUM PREL MASS CE
08COLOMBO581SRI LANKA: PRESIDENT TELLS PRESS TO TOE THE LINE
[...] (C) SUMMARY: Two senior journalists told Embassy that President Rajapaksa called in the heads of Sri Lanka's major media outlets on June 6 to criticize their coverage of the war and instructed them to avoid publishing any sensitive or derogatory military information. The President implied that [...]
2008-06-13 03:26:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PHUM PTER MOPS PREL CE
08COLOMBO595SRI LANKA: LOW EXPECTATIONS FOR NORTHERN TASK
[...] (U) Summary. On April 30, the Cabinet approved President Rajapaksa's proposal for a Special Task Force (STF) for Northern Development to administer the Northern Province. He appointed Minister of Social Welfare and Eelam People's Democratic Party (EPDP) leader Douglas Devananda as Chairman [...]
2008-06-17 10:45:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE
08COLOMBO600SRI LANKA: SEVERAL TRACK 2 AND 1.5 INITIATIVES
[...] (SBU) SUMMARY: Prominent Sri Lankans and interested members of the international community are pursuing a number of Track 1.5 and 2 initiatives to resolve Sri Lanka's ethnic conflict. The One Text Initiative (OTI) appears to have progressed the most. Other initiatives are either embryonic o [...]
2008-06-20 07:28:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYPGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE
08COLOMBO601(S) REQUEST FOR SHARING OF INTELLIGENCE ON
[...] (S) Charge, accompanied by DATT, met with Sri Lankan Navy (SLN) Commander Karunagoda on June 20 to receive the Sri Lankan Navy's request for location and tracking information on one or more LTTE motherships believed to be carrying weapons to a location approximately 190 miles off the Indian co [...]
2008-06-20 13:25:00Embassy ColomboSECRETCE MARR MOPS PINR PREL PTER
08COLOMBO609SRI LANKA: U.S. INVESTOR AES RECEIVES LONG- OVERDUE LETTERS
[...] (SBU) Summary: U.S. power producer AES has received two long-overdue standby letters of credit to protect against non-payment by the state-owned Ceylon Electricity Board. Issuance of the letters of credit mostly resolves the Embassy's top priority advocacy case, which Ambassador has pressed [...]
2008-06-24 11:31:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYECON EINV PGOV PREL CE
08COLOMBO61INVESTMENT CLIMATE STATEMENT, 2008 - SRI LANKA
[...] No summary [...]
2008-01-14 10:32:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIEDCE ECON EFIN EINV ELAB ETRD KTDB OPIC PGOV USTR
08COLOMBO610SRI LANKA: HIGH LEVEL INDIAN DELEGATION URGES
[...] (C) Summary. Indian Security Advisor M.K. Narayanan, Foreign Secretary Shiv Shankar Menon and Defense Secretary Vijay Singh made an unannounced, two-day visit to Colombo from June 20-21 to meet with Sri Lankan officials, military service chiefs, and Tamil political party leaders. Indian DC [...]
2008-06-24 11:33:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE
08COLOMBO620SRI LANKA: SCENESETTER FOR DAS FEIGENBAUM'S VISIT
[...] (C) Sri Lanka: Your visit comes at a time when our relations with Sri Lanka are showing signs of strain from the increasing pressure we have applied on key issues, particularly human rights. Nonetheless, we continue to have access at the highest levels of the GSL and to play an important [...]
2008-06-25 13:18:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE MV
08COLOMBO637SRI LANKA: LARGE SEARCH OF TAMILS IN COLOMBO
[...] (C) On July 2, in an early morning operation Sri Lankan army, police, and STF forces cordoned off and searched Kimbula Ela, a predominantly Tamil area of Colombo. According to an Embassy mail room employee who lives in the area, 800 people (including the Embassy employee) were told to leave [...]
2008-07-02 10:36:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PTER PHUM ASEC CE
08COLOMBO638SRI LANKA: POWER SECTOR BADLY NEEDS REFORM,
[...] Summary: The state owned Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) is the primary provider of electricity to Sri Lanka. The company is plagued with inefficiencies and a spiraling debt. Sri Lanka is dependent on petroleum products to produce 60 percent of its electricity. The price of production is sky [...]
2008-07-02 11:36:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIEDECON ENRG EINV KCOR KMCA PGOV CE
08COLOMBO646SRI LANKA: TMVP LEADER ASSURES COOPERATION ON
[...] (C) SUMMARY: In his first meeting with USG officials, new Eastern Province Chief Minister and TMVP head Pillaiyan pledged his cooperation to release the TMVP's remaining child soldiers. He was less forthcoming about the near-term disarmament of all TMVP cadres, arguing that the LTTE had re-i [...]
2008-07-07 07:33:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE
08COLOMBO650SRI LANKA: DAS FEIGENBAUM CONFRONTS GSL'S
[...] (C) SUMMARY: In a series of June 30 meetings with GSL officials, SCA Deputy Assistant Secretary Evan Feigenbaum stressed that Sri Lanka has many friends in Washington, but a growing sense of frustration, even despair, now prevails that the political track has not kept up with the military track [...]
2008-07-08 08:47:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS EAID CE
08COLOMBO654KARUNA RETURNS TO SRI LANKA
[...] (U) SUMMARY: Former TMVP head Karuna Amman was deported from the UK and returned to Sri Lanka on July 3rd after spending the last three months in a UK detention center after the Crown Prosecution Service announced it had insufficient evidence to charge him with gross human rights violations. C [...]
2008-07-08 09:40:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE
08COLOMBO66SCENESETTER FOR ADMIRAL WILLARD'S VISIT TO SRI
[...] (C) INTRODUCTION: Your visit comes at a defining juncture for Sri Lanka. With the abrogation of the 2002 Cease-Fire Agreement (CFA),we expect to see an escalation in fighting and further deterioration of the human rights situation in the coming months. The Sri Lankan military is a key pla [...]
2008-01-14 12:01:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALMARR PREL PHUM EAID CE
08COLOMBO660SRI LANKA: GSL FLOATS IDEA THAT PEACE TALKS MUST
[...] (U) On July 8, English language newspaper The Daily Mirror quoted Government Peace Secretariat chief Rajiva Wijesingha saying the "Government has conveyed to the LTTE it must leave aside its weaponry for future peace talks." The article also stated that the Government was insisting that all T [...]
2008-07-09 10:55:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIEDPREL PGOV PTER MOPS CE
08COLOMBO668SRI LANKA: CHALLENGE ISSUED AND WITHDRAWN TO
[...] (U) Summary: Ranil Wickremesinghe, leader of the main opposition United National Party (UNP) has faced the third challenge to his leadership since 2000. In June, a group of senior UNP MPs threatened to boycott the upcoming Provincial Council (PC) election campaigns (Ref A) if Wickremesinghe di [...]
2008-07-11 09:05:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE
08COLOMBO681SRI LANKA: RAJAPAKSA GOVERNMENT'S SUPPORT BASE
[...] (SBU) SUMMARY: Despite economic troubles and democratic lapses, President Rajapaksa continues to enjoy popular support among the Sinhalese majority, even as opinions differ radically among the minority communities. Minister of Environment Ranawaka reflected GSL's approach to the conflict in a [...]
2008-07-16 04:18:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYPGOV PHUM PTER CE
08COLOMBO695SRI LANKA: TENSION IN THE TMVP: KARUNA AND
[...] (U) SUMMARY: On July 12 in Colombo, Karuna and Pillaiyan held their first face to face meeting since Karuna's return to the country July 3. The TMVP spokesman characterized the meeting positively, yet two days later Karuna appeared in Batticaloa unannounced causing deep concern for Pillaiyan a [...]
2008-07-21 11:05:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE
08COLOMBO696SRI LANKA: AMBASSADOR CONTINUES EFFORTS ON BEHALF
[...] (C) On July 16 Ambassador met with Ronnate Tissainayagam, wife of detained journalist and two time IVP participant J.S. Tissainayagam (Ref B). Mrs. Tissainayagam reported that the four and a half month detention had severely affected her husband's mental capacity and he was now hardly able to [...]
2008-07-21 11:11:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PTER PHUM CE
08COLOMBO706SRI LANKA: LTTE DECLARES UNILATERAL CEASEFIRE FOR
[...] (SBU) SUMMARY: The LTTE announced that it will observe a unilateral ceasefire during the SAARC summit from July 26 to August 4, but warned that it would continue to respond to any government offensives with defensive actions. The Sri Lankan government has reacted warily to the ceasefire declar [...]
2008-07-22 12:04:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIAL//NOFORNPGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE
08COLOMBO721SCENESETTER FOR A/S BOUCHER'S VISIT FOR THE 15TH
[...] (C) Summary and Introduction: Your visit for the 15th SAARC Summit finds most SAARC member countries preoccupied with domestic issues. After surviving a no-confidence vote, the Indian government is looking ahead to national elections next year, and frustrated that last minute objections from [...]
2008-07-25 08:04:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS PINR ECON CE MV
08COLOMBO723SRI LANKA: APRC RECOMMENCES MEETINGS, JOINED BY
[...] (C) SUMMARY: Ambassador met with All Party Representative Committee (APRC) Chairman Tissa Vitharana to discuss the devolution process and encourage the APRC to invite the Opposition to reach a consensus on a post-conflict political solution. Vitharana told Ambassador that the APRC's main dif [...]
2008-07-28 08:53:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE
08COLOMBO730SRI LANKA: TREASURY SECRETARY OFFERS TO RESIGN FOLLOWING
[...] (SBU) Summary: On July 28, P. B. Jayasundera, Treasury Secretary, handed in his resignation following a Supreme Court judgment that severely criticized his role in the privatization of Lanka Marine Services (LMS),a government-owned bunkering company. Jayasundera, Rajapakse's primary economic [...]
2008-07-29 12:38:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIAL//NOFORNECON EINV KCOR KMCA PGOV CE
08COLOMBO74AKASHI READOUT OF VISIT TO COLOMBO
[...] (C) Summary: In a briefing for the Co-Chair and Indian Ambassadors on January 15, Japanese Special Envoy Yasushi Akashi reported that he conveyed to President Rajapaksa and other interlocutors Japan's deep concern about the abrogation of the cease-fire and the likelihood of intensified hosti [...]
2008-01-16 10:54:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPREL PTER PGOV CE
08COLOMBO747SRI LANKA: BOUCHER PRESSES DEFENSE SECRETARY ON
[...] (C) SUMMARY: Assistant Secretary for South and Central Asia Richard Boucher and Ambassador Blake met Defense Secretary Gothabaya Rajapaksa on August 1 to discuss bilateral security cooperation, the progress of the government's war against the separatist Tamil Tigers, and humanitarian and hum [...]
2008-08-08 10:21:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE
08COLOMBO753SRI LANKA: GSL WEAKENS CORRUPTION OVERSIGHT BY APPOINTING
[...] (SBU) Summary: In a move that is likely to encourage further government corruption, chairmanships of Sri Lanka's parliamentary Public Accounts Committee (PAC) and the Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) were recently awarded to government ministers. These committees have been traditionally [...]
2008-08-13 08:55:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYECON EINV KCOR PGOV CE
08COLOMBO766SRI LANKA: BOUCHER FINDS COMMITMENT TO MILITARY
[...] (C) SUMMARY: During Assistant Secretary for South and Central Asian Affairs Richard Boucher's visit to Colombo for the SAARC summit on August 1-4, Sri Lankan government interlocutors made clear they were committed to a military solution to the conflict. The President, the Foreign Minister, th [...]
2008-08-15 06:43:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS EAID CE
08COLOMBO80BOGOLLAGAMA SEEKS U.S. ADVICE ON WAY FORWARD
[...] (C) Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama convoked the Ambassador on January to hear the Ambassador's thoughts on steps Sri Lanka should take on issues of concern to the U.S. and others. With respect to the intensified conflict, which the US and other countries oppose, the Ambassador urged the [...]
2008-01-18 08:47:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPREL PTER PHUM CE
08COLOMBO825UN CHIEF REPORTS HUMANITARIAN SITUATION IN NORTH
[...] (C) Summary: UN Resident Representative Neil Buhne provided Ambassador a readout of a quiet two-day trip he took to Kilinochchi August 27-29. Buhne told the Ambassador the humanitarian situation was worse than expected. He met some families that had been forced to move up to 20 times as a res [...]
2008-09-02 11:08:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIAL//NOFORNPREF PHUM PGOV EAID CE
08COLOMBO849GSL ORDERS ALL INGOS AND UN OUT OF VANNI FOR
[...] (SBU) Summary: At the September 8 Consultative Committee of Humanitarian Affairs (CCHA),the Government of Sri Lanka confirmed that all UN and international NGO expatriate staff will have to leave the LTTE-controlled areas effective immediately with their key equipment (vehicles, communication [...]
2008-09-09 08:26:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYPREF PHUM PGOV EAID CE
08COLOMBO86SRI LANKA: US PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION STIRRING
[...] (C) Summary. Recent comments by US Presidential candidates Senator Hillary Clinton and Senator Barack Obama have been a catalyst for open discussion over what the US presidential election will mean for Sri Lanka. Tamil press and politicians have generally favored the perceived nuanced positi [...]
2008-01-23 07:25:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPREL PTER OREP CE
08COLOMBO868DEFENSE SECRETARY AND PRESIDENTIAL ADVISOR SHARE
[...] No summary [...]
2008-09-15 11:15:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIAL//NOFORNPREL PREF EAID CE
08COLOMBO883 HUMANITARIAN SITUATION IN SRI LANKA'S NORTHERN PROVINCE:
[...] (U) Summary: As the Sri Lankan military makes headway into the Northern Province, UN Agencies and INGOs have been requested by the Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) to pull back to Vavuniya as their safety and security cannot be guaranteed. As a result, the security and humanitarian situation f [...]
2008-09-18 06:16:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYEAID PREF PGOV PHUM CE
08COLOMBO902Sri Lanka: Journalists Face Continued Pressure
[...] (SBU) SUMMARY: Munza Mushtaq, news editor the English-language, independent daily "The Nation," resigned on August 30, 2008 to protest a spate of recent actions by the publication's new management to curb journalistic and editorial independence. The change in management and in editorial oien [...]
2008-09-26 02:38:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYPHUM PROP CE
08COLOMBO907SRI LANKA: GRENADE ATTACK AGAINST HOME OF HUMAN
[...] (U) On Saturday September 27, 2008 at approximately 11:30 p.m., two grenades were thrown at the residence of Mr. J.C. Weliamuna in Kohuwela, a Colombo suburb. Weliamuna is a well-known human rights lawyer and also Director of Transparency International (Sri Lanka). One of the two grenades d [...]
2008-09-29 11:29:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE
08COLOMBO92SRI LANKA: TEXTILE AND APPAREL SECTOR CONCERNS FOR 2008:
[...] (U) Summary: Sri Lanka's garment sector remains healthy, but is concerned about the possible impact of a U.S. recession. An even more pressing worry is the possibility of losing preferential access to the EU market under the EU's GSP+ program. The industry is frustrated that the government [...]
2008-01-24 11:39:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYECON ETRD KTEX CE
08COLOMBO93SRI LANKA: GOVERNMENT UNVEILS PROPOSAL FOR FIRST
[...] (C) SUMMARY: The All-Party Representative Committee (APRC) complied with a Presidential instruction to produce a devolution plan based on full implementation of the 1988 13th Amendment to Sri Lanka's Constitution. In effect, it submitted to the President a draft reportedly dictated largely b [...]
2008-01-24 13:44:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PHUM KDEM CE
08COLOMBO976PRESIDENT RAJAPAKSA AND AMBASSADOR DISCUSS
[...] (C) Summary: On the margins of ceremonies opening a USAID-funded vocational training center in President Rajapaksa's hometown of Tangalle on October 26, Ambassador and the President discussed a range of important issues. The President indicated he wants to become more personally involved in h [...]
2008-10-27 09:34:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PHUM CE
08COLOMBO985CO-CHAIRS MEET WITH FOREIGN MINISTER TO ON
[...] (C) Summary: At the request of Co-Chair Ambassadors, Foreign Minister Bogollagama met with the Co-Chair Ambassadors on October 29 to discuss the humanitarian situation in the north and progress towards a political solution to Sri Lanka's conflict. The Co-Chairs urged continued humanitarian acc [...]
2008-10-30 08:29:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPREL PREF PGOV CE
08COLOMBO994BASIL RAJAPAKSA DISCUSSES INDIA TRIP,
[...] (C) Summary: In a November 3 meeting with Ambassador, Presidential senior advisor Basil Rajapaksa agreed security remains a problem in eastern Sri Lanka and agreed to discuss with the Defense Secretary a timetable for demobilizing paramilitaries there. Regarding his recent trip to India, he sa [...]
2008-11-04 12:25:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PHUM IN CE
08GENEVA319ICRC DONOR SUPPORT GROUP VISIT TO SRI LANKA
[...] (C) Summary: Geneva-based Refugee Officer (RefOff) Nick Hilgert traveled to Sri Lanka from March 31 to April 5 with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) Donor Support Group (DSG) to visit ICRC project sites. The DSG is made up of donors who contribute more than $10 million an [...]
2008-04-29 14:20:00US Mission GenevaCONFIDENTIALPREF PHUM PGOV EAID CE
08JERUSALEM1871JERUSALEM MEDIA REACTION (10/10): INTERNAL PALESTINIAN
[...] Regular columnist Mohammad Yaghi opines in Al Ayyam independent daily under the title, "A dialogue to buy time" (10/10): "Many Arab countries see the controversy surrounding the Palestinian Authority Presidency as a continuation of the demise of the PLO. They are trying to avert the collapse [...]
2008-10-10 11:26:00Consulate JerusalemUNCLASSIFIEDPREL KMDR KPAL KWBG KPAO IS
08NEWDELHI1013GREYBEARDS AND INSIDERS GIVE DAS FEIGENBAUM THE
[...] (C) SUMMARY: During three days of meetings in Delhi, SCA Deputy Assistant Secretary Evan Feigenbaum heard from Indian academics, politicians and former top bureaucrats gave varying views on the bilateral relationship, Indian domestic politics, and regional affairs. Former Ambassador to the U. [...]
2008-04-08 07:01:00Embassy New DelhiCONFIDENTIALPGOV PHUM PREL PINR KDEM IN BM CH CE NP
08NEWDELHI2322INDIA TO CONTINUE ADVOCACY FOR DEVOLUTION OF POWER
[...] No summary [...]
2008-08-29 03:26:00Embassy New DelhiCONFIDENTIALPREL PGOV PINR PTER KTIA MOPS IN CE
08NEWDELHI2803SRI LANKA EVENTS CREATE "TSUNAMI" IN INDIAN
[...] (C) Summary. The recent uptick in violence and the plight of Tamils in Sri Lanka has created a political firestorm in India, with a potential faceoff between the ruling Congress Party and its coalition DMK partners in Tamil Nadu. However, a political crisis appears to have been avoided, as th [...]
2008-10-27 11:15:00Embassy New DelhiCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PTER MOPS CE IN
08TOKYO1519JAPANESE MORNING PRESS HIGHLIGHTS 06/04/08
[...] No summary [...]
2008-06-04 02:04:00Embassy TokyoUNCLASSIFIEDOIIP KMDR KPAO PGOV PINR ECON ELAB JA
08TOKYO207TOKYO MEDIA REACTION - CHINA AND SRI LANKA
[...] "China to Shift Economic Focus to Domestic Demand" The conservative Sankei editorialized (1/27): "According to Chinese statistics, the nation's gross domestic product (GDP) for 2007 increased by 11.4 percent from the previous year. Although Beijing has posted double-digit growth for five conse [...]
2008-01-28 02:33:00Embassy TokyoUNCLASSIFIEDOIIP KMDR KPAO JA
08TOKYO90JAPANESE FRUSTRATED WITH SRI LANKANS
[...] (C) SUMMARY: Japan is concerned by Sri Lanka's decision to withdraw from the cease-fire agreement it had with the LTTE, and was surprised and miffed by this move, since President Rajapaksa had only three weeks earlier personally assured Prime Minister Fukuda that his government agreed a politic [...]
2008-01-11 02:41:00Embassy TokyoCONFIDENTIALPREL CE JA
08USUNNEWYORK866UN GENERAL DEBATE: CUBA, AFGHANISTAN,ISRAEL,
[...] (U) SUMMARY: As the United Nations General Debate entered its second day, national leaders called for resolution of the food, energy, and financial crises, as well as implementation of UN reform (expanding the Security Council). Israel called for Israelis and Palestinians to live "side-by-side [...]
2008-09-26 23:48:00USUN New YorkUNCLASSIFIEDPREL PGOV AORC UNGA
09ANKARA725TURKISH MEDIA REACTION
[...] No summary [...]
2009-05-21 10:19:00Embassy AnkaraUNCLASSIFIEDOPRC KMDR TU PREL KPAO
09BERLIN117MEDIA REACTION: RUSSIA, AFGHANISTAN, MIDEAST, IRAN, DAVOS,
[...] Lead Stories Summary 2. Russia Suspends Kaliningrad Missile Plan 3. U.S. Policy on Afghanistan 4. Envoy Mitchell in the Mideast 5. Davos World Economic Forum 6. U.S.-Iranian Relations 7. Clashes Between Sri Lankan Government And Rebels  [...]
2009-01-29 12:28:00Embassy BerlinUNCLASSIFIEDOPRC KMDR KPAO GM IS XF XH CE IR
09BERLIN589MEDIA REACTION: MIDEAST, GITMO, BALKANS, SRI LANKA, BURMA,
[...] Lead Stories Summary 2. Israeli PM Netanyahu in Washington 3. Guantnamo Prisoners 4. VP Biden in Bosnia and Herzegovina 5. End of Sri Lankan Civil War 6. Burmese Trial against Aung San Suu Kyi 7. U.S.-Russian Disarmament Talks  [...]
2009-05-19 12:02:00Embassy BerlinUNCLASSIFIEDOPRC KMDR KPAO GM US IS BK CE BM RS
09BRUSSELS859U.S.-EU EXCHANGES ON SOUTH AND CENTRAL ASIA
[...] (C) Summary: During the June 8 U.S.-EU meetings on South and Central Asia, SCA Bureau Deputy Assistant Secretary Michael Owen stressed the need to work together to produce internationally credible elections in Afghanistan. The European Commission's James Moran responded the EU would do "whate [...]
2009-06-22 12:16:00USEU BrusselsCONFIDENTIALAF EAGR ETRD ETTC EU EUN IN KDEM MARR MOPS
09CHENNAI317SRI LANKAN REFUGEES IN INDIA UNLIKELY TO RETURN ANYTIME
[...] (SBU) Summary: Despite the defeat of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam and cessation of hostilities in Sri Lanka, the Sri Lankan refugees in Tamil Nadu are unlikely to return to their homeland anytime soon. Release of internally displaced persons (IDPs) from confinement in IDP camps is a [...]
2009-10-30 05:03:00Consulate ChennaiUNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYPREF PGOV PTER PHUM SOCI IN CE
09CHENNAI59BHARAT BALLOT O9: SRI LANKA BECOMES AN ELECTION ISSUE, WILL
[...] (C) Summary: Increasingly harsh coverage of the war in Sri Lanka in the Tamil Nadu press has shifted public opinion in the state. Expressions of support for the LTTE, once limited to the fringe of the state's politics, are becoming more commonplace. Representatives of an umbrella organizatio [...]
2009-02-27 01:48:00Consulate ChennaiCONFIDENTIALPREL PGOV PHUM PTER CE IN
09COLOMBO100Sri Lankans Welcome Inauguration of Barack Obama
[...] Summary. Sri Lankans welcomed the inauguration of President Barack Obama with widespread enthusiasm. Ambassador hosted a viewing of the occasion with high level contacts and attended services at two Buddhist temples where monks blessed the President. Sri Lankan media carried a congratulator [...]
2009-01-28 10:17:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIEDKPAO PREL KMDR CE
09COLOMBO1006MFA CALLS IN AMBASSADOR OVER DHS QUESTIONING OF
[...] (C) On November 2, Foreign Minister Bogollagama called in Ambassador regarding reports that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security had requested that Sri Lankan Chief of Defense (CHOD) Sarath Fonseka come in for a "voluntary" interview with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement office [...]
2009-11-02 12:37:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PREF PHUM PTER EAID MOPS CE
09COLOMBO1015LOSS OF EU GSP-PLUS TRADE BENEFITS WOULD BE A
[...] (U) SUMMARY: The European Union granted Sri Lanka GSP-Plus trade benefits after the 2004 tsunami, and Sri Lanka has substantially increased its EU-bound exports. However, an EU Commission recommended on October 19 the withdrawal of the GSP-Plus benefits because its investigation found that the [...]
2009-11-05 05:33:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALECON ETRD PGOV EINV KTEX CE
09COLOMBO1016JVP: PLAYING IT CLOSE TO THE CHEST--FOR NOW
[...] (C) SUMMARY. In a meeting with PolOff, MP Vijitha Herath of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP, the People's Liberation Front) offered guarded comments indicated the leftist-nationalist party was probably waiting for a more certain political climate to declare publicly its political intention [...]
2009-11-06 06:09:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PREF PHUM PTER EAID MOPS CE
09COLOMBO1018FONSEKA'S U.S. VISIT AND RECALL MAKE WAVES IN SRI
[...] (C) News of CHOD General Sarath Fonseka's visit to the U.S. and subsequent interaction with DHS dominated the local headlines in Colombo during the week of November 1. Many news outlets and political actors strongly criticized the U.S. for this apparent attempt to question Fonseka and possib [...]
2009-11-06 12:26:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PREF PHUM PTER EAID MOPS CE
09COLOMBO1019MUSLIM CONGRESS LEADER ON ELECTIONS, FONSEKA, AND
[...] (C) SUMMARY: In a meeting with PolOff, Chairman of Sri Lanka Muslim Council (SLMC) and Eastern Provincial opposition leader Basheer Segudawood spoke of his party's strategy to defeat President Rajapaksa at the upcoming elections. The strategy included forming a broad coalition with the UNP and [...]
2009-11-06 12:37:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PREF PHUM PTER EAID MOPS CE
09COLOMBO1030HANGING CHOD? GENERAL SARATH FONSEKA SUBMITS HIS
[...] (C) Chief of Defense (CHOD) General Sarath Fonseka submitted his resignation to President Rajapaksa on November 12. Senior military officials in the Office of Chief of Defense Staff (OCDS),a Ministry of Defense official, United National Party (UNP) insiders and a retired military general wit [...]
2009-11-12 14:16:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PREF PHUM PTER EAID MOPS CE
09COLOMBO1031TAMIL LEADER SAMPANTHAN FORESEES "HOT" ELECTION
[...] (C) SUMMARY: In a November 10 meeting with PolChief, Tamil National Alliance Chairman Rajavarothiyam Sampanthan said President Rajapaksa told him there would be early presidential elections. He affirmed General Fonseka's intention to run but noted that a Rajapaksa/Fonseka contest would "spli [...]
2009-11-13 10:24:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PREF PHUM PTER EAID MOPS CE
09COLOMBO1032MISSION ANNOUNCES RE-DIRECTION OF ASSISTANCE AWAY
[...] (C) On November 11, Ambassador met with Basil Rajapaksa, senior advisor to the president and chief of the Sri Lankan Government's relief and reconstruction efforts, to announce the U.S. decision to redirect aid from closed camps to returnees, host families, and open camps by March 2010. Rajapa [...]
2009-11-13 10:40:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PREF PHUM PTER EAID MOPS CE
09COLOMBO1037LABOR SLOWDOWNS BEGIN POLITICAL SEASON
[...] (SBU) Summary. Labor unions affiliated with the opposition political parties UNP and JVP held a three day labor slowdown Nov 11-13 in the government run electricity, petrol, water and port companies. The labor action had a limited impact, but post expects continued labor actions in advan [...]
2009-11-16 09:46:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYCE ECON ELAB PGOV
09COLOMBO1038PRESIDENT RAJAPAKSA GETS COLD FEET ON ELECTIONS
[...] (SBU) Summary. President Mahinda Rajapaksa in a much-anticipated nationwide speech on Sunday night failed to announce either a presidential or general election. Rajapaksa instead largely gave a speech that extolled the virtues of his Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) and took thinly-veiled swi [...]
2009-11-16 13:02:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYPGOV PREL PREF PHUM PTER EAID MOPS CE
09COLOMBO1040SRI LANKA,S PERSONALIZED SYSTEM OF ECONOMIC
[...] (C) Summary. The real power to make economic policy appears to transcend the formal government policy channels and focus on the influence of President Rajapaksa and his circle. According to our contacts, the new Secretary to the Treasury, P.B. Jayasundera, is the policymaker with the mos [...]
2009-11-17 06:06:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALCE ECON EFIN PGOV
09COLOMBO1054SENATE FOREIGN RELATIONS COMMITTEE (SFRC) FACT FINDING
[...] (SBU) SUMMARY: On November 2-8, Senate Foreign Relations staff members Nilmini Rubin and Fatema Sumar visited Sri Lanka and held meetings with senior government officials, international organizations, political leaders, civil-society activists, and journalists to discuss post war reconciliation [...]
2009-11-23 02:40:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYPGOV PREL PHUM CE
09COLOMBO1056FOOD SECURITY IN SRI LANKA: A "GROWING" PROBLEM
[...] (SBU) SUMMARY: Sri Lanka continues to focus attention on food security and is taking some actions to increase production on the island. Post-harvest losses remain a particular problem. The government is encouraging farmers to modernize production and transport techniques, but is hindered by [...]
2009-11-23 04:38:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYEAGR ECON IO AID CE
09COLOMBO1059SRI LANKA: ICRC ROLE INCREASINGLY UNCERTAIN,
[...] (C) SUMMARY: In a November 12-16 visit to Sri Lanka on a range of post-conflict humanitarian issues, PRM Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary (PDAS) Sam Witten discussed the situation of LTTE ex-combatants (including rehabilitation programs) in separate meetings with Minister of Justice Milin [...]
2009-11-23 08:48:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PREF PHUM CE
09COLOMBO106INDIAN EXTERNAL AFFAIRS MINISTER STRESSES
[...] (C) Summary: In a briefing on the January 27 visit to Sri Lanka of External Affairs Minister Mukherjee, Indian Deputy High Commissioner stressed that Mukherjee registered deep concern over the current humanitarian crisis in the Vanni, where Tamil civilians are caught in the crossfire between milit [...]
2009-01-29 12:27:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPREL PREF PHUM IN CE
09COLOMBO1061TAMIL PARTIES CONFUSED AND UNDECIDED ON WAY FORWARD
[...] (C) SUMMARY: Sri Lanka's main Tamil parties remain disorganized and unsure of their strategy for the upcoming election season. Faced with the possible role of kingmaker in the upcoming presidential election, the Tamil parties generally are uncomfortable with the prospect of supporting the ree [...]
2009-11-23 12:25:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PREF PHUM PTER EAID MOPS CE
09COLOMBO1062TRUST BUT VERIFY: SRI LANKA ANNOUNCES IDP FREEDOM
[...] (C) SUMMARY: On November 21, 2009, the Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) announced its intention to increase freedom of movement for internally displaced persons (IDPs) living in camps in northern Sri Lanka. While specifics are unclear, it appears that as of December 1, IDPs will be able to leav [...]
2009-11-23 12:31:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PREF PHUM PTER EAID MOPS CE
09COLOMBO1066BATTLE OF THE TITANS BEGINS
[...] (U) Late on November 23, President Mahinda Rajapaksa began the process to hold an early presidential election and instructed the Elections Commission to begin preparations for the election. Rajapaksa issued the instructions at a meeting with leaders of political parties constituting the ruling [...]
2009-11-24 05:57:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYPGOV PREL PREF PHUM PTER EAID MOPS CE
09COLOMBO1067SRI LANKA,S ECONOMIC POLICY FOCUSES ON GOVERNMENT
[...] (C ) Summary. The Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) has adopted a hybrid economic model based on government led development, private sector exports, agricultural self sufficiency, large infrastructure projects and focusing on Asia instead of the United States or Europe. Sri Lanka has an his [...]
2009-11-25 07:35:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALCE EAGR ECON ETRD PGOV
09COLOMBO1069EMBASSY COLOMBO P-1 REQUEST
[...] (SBU) This is an action request for PRM,s Admissions Office. 2. (SBU) SUMMARY AND ACTION REQUEST: Post requests access to the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP) for a Sri Lankan national well-known to the Embassy Public Affairs Section who is planning to flee the country within day [...]
2009-11-25 08:24:00Embassy ColomboSECRETPHUM PREF SCUL CE
09COLOMBO1073RUMBLE IN THE JUNGLE: UNP LEADERS BELIEVE THEY ARE
[...] (C) SUMMARY: Members of the main opposition United National Party (UNP) are upbeat about the party's electoral prospects and are confident that UNF alliance candidate General Sarath Fonseka can beat President Rajapaksa in the upcoming presidential election. UNP party members noted that the U [...]
2009-11-25 12:01:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PREF PHUM PTER EAID MOPS CE
09COLOMBO1076 SRI LANKA: 2010 NATIONAL TRADE ESTIMATE REPORT
[...] The following is in response to Ref A's request for information on the National Trade Estimate in Sri Lanka. Ref B includes information for the Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) and Standards Related Foreign Barriers to trade in Sri Lanka, submitted November 4, 2009 (and also included here). [...]
2009-11-27 07:01:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIEDETRD ECON EFIN CE
09COLOMBO1091SRI LANKA: NON-COMMITTAL ON PRESSING TRADITIONAL
[...] (C) On November 30, PolOff delivered reftel points to Sri Lankan MFA Additional Director General for East Asia and Pacific Affairs Ranjith Gunaratna urging Sri Lanka's support for engaging Burmese authorities to offer a dialogue with National League for Democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi. Gunar [...]
2009-12-01 12:20:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPREL PGOV CE
09COLOMBO1094SHOW ME THE MONEY: KEY TAMIL LEADER DELAYS
[...] No summary [...]
2009-12-02 13:24:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PREF PHUM PTER EAID MOPS CE
09COLOMBO1111SRI LANKA ABUZZ OVER FONSEKA CANDIDACY, BUT
[...] (C) SUMMARY. The announcements of an early presidential election January 26 and of General Fonseka's candidacy have dramatically altered the political landscape in Sri Lanka and created a palpable sense of new possibilities. But the general is likely to face an uphill battle in his attempt to [...]
2009-12-04 05:01:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PREF PHUM PTER EAID MOPS CE
09COLOMBO1113SRI LANKA ABUZZ OVER FONSEKA CANDIDACY, BUT
[...] (C) SUMMARY. The announcements of an early presidential election January 26 and of General Fonseka's candidacy have dramatically altered the political landscape in Sri Lanka and created a palpable sense of new possibilities. But the general is likely to face an uphill battle in his attempt to [...]
2009-12-04 05:01:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PREF PHUM PTER EAID MOPS CE
09COLOMBO1118ELECTION SEASON MAY BRING INCREASED RISK TO
[...] (C) SUMMARY: Sunday Leader newspaper editor-in-chief Frederica Jansz, and chairman of Leader Publications Lal Wickramatunge reported feeling increasingly at risk as election season took off and expected that conditions would worsen after presidential nominations on December 17. The pair wer [...]
2009-12-04 10:12:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PREF PHUM PTER EAID MOPS CE
09COLOMBO1121 SRI LANKA: 2010 NATIONAL TRADE ESTIMATE REPORT (Resubmit)
[...] The following is in response to Ref A's request for information on the National Trade Estimate in Sri Lanka. Ref B includes information for the Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) and Standards Related Foreign Barriers to trade in Sri Lanka, submitted November 4, 2009 (and also included here). [...]
2009-12-07 07:51:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIEDETRD ECON EFIN CE
09COLOMBO1125HAMBANTOTA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT: INCREASING
[...] (SBU) Summary: The Government of China is constructing an international airport in conjunction with the large Hambantota port. Hambantota is located in the rural South of Sri Lanka, which also happens to be President Rajapaksa,s home region and political base. China Harbor Ltd. is engaged [...]
2009-12-09 02:36:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYCE ECON ETRD EINV EAIR ELTN CH
09COLOMBO1126SRI LANKA'S AMBITIOUS PLAN FOR NORTHERN
[...] (C) Summary. An official of Sri Lanka,s Ministry of Nation Building provided Econoff with the Government of Sri Lanka,s (GSL) plans to rebuild the Northern region of Sri Lanka. The document outlines how the economy and infrastructure were destroyed by the war, the GSL,s 180 day plan to [...]
2009-12-09 02:40:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALCE ECON PGOV
09COLOMBO1129RED ROVER: PARTY MEMBERS START CROSSING OVER
[...] (C) On December 7, senior UNP leader S.B. Dissanayake resigned from his position as National Organizer for the UNP and his position as opposition leader of the Central Province provincial council. Local observers have noted in the past that Dissanayake was a possible presidential candidate ( [...]
2009-12-09 12:56:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PREF PHUM PTER EAID MOPS CE
09COLOMBO1135SRI LANKA: A/S BLAKE FINDS SITUATION IMPROVED BUT
[...] (C) SUMMARY AND COMMENT: During a December 8-10 visit, Assistant Secretary Blake found progress on humanitarian issues but also much that remained to be done. The IDP situation had greatly improved, with about three-fifths of the IDPs returned home or resettled, freedom of movement allowed f [...]
2009-12-14 06:28:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PREF PHUM PTER EAID MOPS CE
09COLOMBO1139SRI LANKA: ELECTIONS UPDATE NO. 1
[...] (SBU) Introduction: As an air of anticipation builds in Sri Lanka in advance of the upcoming Sri Lankan elections, including a presidential election scheduled for January 26 and a parliamentary election anticipated for later in the spring, post will provide update reports as events dictate, [...]
2009-12-14 13:50:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PREF PHUM PTER EAID MOPS CE
09COLOMBO1145SRI LANKA: ELECTIONS UPDATE NO.2
[...] (C) Former Chief Justice Sarath N. Silva spoke at an event organized by UNF member Mangala Samaraweera on December 15, criticizing the concentration of powers developed through the executive presidency under Mahinda Rajapaksa. Fonseka was a "surprise" guest at the event, and local media publis [...]
2009-12-16 12:59:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PREF PHUM PTER EAID MOPS CE
09COLOMBO1150FORMER PRESIDENT NOTES DESTRUCTIVE INFLUENCE OF
[...] (C) In a December 14 meeting with Ambassador, former President Chandrika Kumaratunga discussed President Rajapaksa's abuse of power and said that under his leadership, the economy, the political climate, health care, education and international relations had spiraled down reaching a new low in [...]
2009-12-17 09:54:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PREF PHUM PTER EAID MOPS CE
09COLOMBO1152SRI LANKA ELECTIONS UPDATE NO.3
[...] (C) With official nominations registered between 9:00 and 11:00 this morning, 23 candidates will be vying in the January 26 presidential election. Both President Rajapaksa from the UPFA and his main challenger former General Fonseka of the UNF and JVP handed in their nominations while hundreds [...]
2009-12-17 12:41:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PREF PHUM PTER EAID MOPS CE
09COLOMBO1155PUTTALAM'S "OLD" IDPS: A STABLE, IF LEAN, EXISTENCE
[...] (SBU) On December 10-11, Embassy officials visited the Puttalam district and held meetings with senior government officials, international organizations, civil-society, and NGOs to assess the post-war humanitarian conditions and resettlement options of Muslim internally displaced persons (IDPs) [...]
2009-12-18 09:07:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYPGOV PREL PHUM CE
09COLOMBO1159DEFENSE SECRETARY DEFENDS SRI LANKAN POLICIES WITH
[...] (C) SUMMARY: In a December 8 meeting with A/S Blake, Sri Lankan Defense Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa discussed accountability and reconciliation; the State of Emergency; disarmament of ex-combatants and paramilitary groups; reconstruction in the North; rehabilitation of Liberation Tigers of [...]
2009-12-22 04:33:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PREF PHUM PTER EAID MOPS CE
09COLOMBO1166ELECTIONS IN THE EAST: TAMILS UNCONVINCED
[...] (S) SUMMARY: A visit to the Eastern Province by Embassy officers found that Tamils in the East do not strongly support either President Rajapaksa or General Fonseka in the upcoming election and that many would spoil their votes. Only Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) authorities expressed strong c [...]
2009-12-22 11:13:00Embassy ColomboSECRETPGOV PREL PREF PHUM PTER EAID MOPS CE
09COLOMBO1177SRI LANKAN ELECTIONS COMMISSIONER: FAQS FOR AND
[...] (C) SUMMARY AND INTRODUCTION: The following provides Post assessment of key issues related to the Sri Lankan Elections Commissioner and the upcoming presidential election scheduled for January 26. The message is organized in frequently-asked-question (FAQ) format and draws on Ambassador's Dec [...]
2009-12-22 12:50:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PREF PHUM PTER EAID MOPS CE
09COLOMBO1180ACCOUNTABILITY: FONSEKA STIRS UP HORNETS' NEST
[...] (C) SUMMARY: The committee appointed by the president to look into allegations raised in the Department's October 21 incidents report to Congress will not issue a public report but rather a recommendation memo for President Rajapaksa's consideration. Although Sarath Fonseka was quoted as accu [...]
2009-12-23 12:15:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PREF PHUM PTER EAID MOPS CE
09COLOMBO12GOVERNMENT OF SRI LANKA LIKELY SOON TO BAN LTTE
[...] (C) A senior Government Minister confirmed to Ambassador on January 5 that the Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) is likely to ban the LTTE as early as Wednesday, January 7. Although he was one of the Ministers involved in lifting the ban in 2002 so the Government could open peace talks with the LT [...]
2009-01-06 02:35:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPREL PGOV PTER CE
09COLOMBO127SRI LANKA: PRESIDENTIAL ADVISOR WELCOMES CO-CHAIRS
[...] (C) SUMMARY: On February 4 Presidential Advisor Basil Rajapaksa, after expressing concerns over the description of India's role, privately welcomed the Co-Chairs statement, as did Foreign Minister Bogollagama. On February 5, Defense Secretary Gothabaya Rajapaksa blasted the statement, calling [...]
2009-02-05 09:39:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALMOPS PREL PHUM PINS CE
09COLOMBO128President Mahinda Rajapaksa's Independence Day Speech
[...] (U) In his February 4th speech to the nation, President Mahinda Rajapaksa said that for thirty years, Sri Lankans have lived in the midst of an illegal, armed, terrorist movement which prevented the country from celebrating 'true' freedom. President Rajapaksa reminded the people of his 2005 Pre [...]
2009-02-05 09:45:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIEDPGOV PREL CE
09COLOMBO133CO-CHAIR MEETING WITH UN SPECIAL ENVOY TO SRI LANKA
[...] (C) Summary: Co-Chair Ambassadors briefed UN Special Envoy Tamrat Samuel on the short- and longer-term issues he should focus on during his February 5-8 visit. Short term issues include the need for both sides to do much more to protect civilians in the conflict zone, and provide them food [...]
2009-02-05 12:37:00Embassy ColomboSECRETPREL AORC PGOV CE
09COLOMBO143SRI LANKA: CHRISTIAN GROUPS CONCERNED OVER
[...] (C) SUMMARY: On January 20 and February 2, separate evangelical Christian groups met Ambassador to discuss their concerns regarding the likely passage of "anti-conversion legislation." The legislation's vague language and harsh punishments would infringe on their rights of thought, conscience [...]
2009-02-10 05:17:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPREL PHUM KIRF CE
09COLOMBO166Northern Sri Lanka SitRep 14: ICRC to Ship Food Aid into
[...] (SBU) On Monday, the ICRC evacuated by sea 400 wounded persons, who are now receiving medical treatment in Trincomalee. This brings the total number of medical evacuations by sea to 1145. ICRC Country Director Paul Castella told Ambassador that an ICRC-flagged ship carrying 30 tons of food pl [...]
2009-02-17 12:45:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYMOPS PREF PHUM PGOV PREL ASEC CE
09COLOMBO167SRI LANKA: SINHALESE VOTE CARRIES PRESIDENT'S
[...] (SBU) SUMMARY: Sinhalese voters delivered resounding victories to President Rajapaksa's UPFA coalition in the Northwestern (NWP) and Central (CP) Provincial elections on February 14. The results reflected the Sinhalese majority's strong endorsement of Rajapaksa's military focus in combating t [...]
2009-02-17 12:49:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PINS CE
09COLOMBO173Northern Sri Lanka SitRep 15: Heavy Fighting Continues; UN
[...] (SBU) Defense Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa informed Ambassador and DATT on February 17 that the military has now occupied almost all the former safe zone and is now engaged in house to house combat with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in Puthukkuduyiruppu (PTK) town. LTTE continue [...]
2009-02-18 12:21:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYMOPS PREF PHUM PGOV PREL ASEC CE
09COLOMBO180Northern Sri Lanka SitRep 16
[...] (SBU) Summary: UN Under Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs John Holmes began his visit to Sri Lanka, which will likely bring renewed international attention to the Sri Lankan conflict. Ambassador stressed to Holmes and Foreign Minister Bogollagama that Sri Lankan forces would likely con [...]
2009-02-19 13:53:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYMOPS PREF PHUM PGOV PREL ASEC CE
09COLOMBO186Northern Sri Lanka SitRep 17
[...] (SBU) Summary: On February 20, the Defense Secretary told the Ambassador that the army expects to push the remaining LTTE back to the safe zone within the next week (February 21-27). He assured the Ambassador that the Government would at that point enter "passive mode" to permit civilians to f [...]
2009-02-20 10:21:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYMOPS PREF PHUM PGOV PREL ASEC CE
09COLOMBO199SRI LANKA: UN LAUNCHES 2009 COMMON HUMANITARIAN ACTION PLAN
[...] Summary: On February 18, 2009, the United Nations launched its 2009 Common Humanitarian Action Plan (CHAP) for Sri Lanka. The 2009 CHAP requests US$ 155 million for 103 projects proposed by 42 organizations. Priority activities for immediate requirements are estimated at $75.7 million. The [...]
2009-02-23 11:54:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIEDEAID PGOV PHUM PREF CE
09COLOMBO201Northern Sri Lanka SitRep 18
[...] (SBU) Summary: On September 20, Sri Lankan Air Defenses shot down two light planes sent by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) on suicide missions to attack targets in the Colombo area. The planes narrowly missed their targets. The visit by UN U/SYG John Holmes made clear to both the [...]
2009-02-23 12:18:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYMOPS PREF PHUM PGOV PREL ASEC CE
09COLOMBO218SRI LANKA: TAMIL NEWSPAPER EDITOR'S "WHITE VAN" ARREST
[...] (SBU) SUMMARY: Eyewitnesses reported that several men, some in plain clothes and some in police uniforms took Tamil newspaper editor M. Vidyatharan at gunpoint at about 9:45 am local time on February 26 and bundled him into a white van. Vidyatharan was taken as he came out of a funeral parlor [...]
2009-02-26 13:08:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIEDPHUM PGOV PTER PREL CE
09COLOMBO22 SRI LANKA: GOVERNMENT UNVEILS ECONOMIC STIMULUS PACKAGE
[...] (SBU) Summary: On December 30, the government announced a 16 billion rupee (USD 140 million) economic stimulus package intended to aid various ailing economic sectors and ensure 6% GDP growth in 2009. Actual implementation mechanisms for the plan remain unclear, and certain components of the [...]
2009-01-07 11:11:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYECON EFIN PGOV KMCA CE
09COLOMBO229SRI LANKA: PRESIDENT LAUNCHES ANTI-CHILD SOLDIER
[...] (C) SUMMARY: On February 26 Charge attended the launch of the GSL campaign against child soldiers. In his remarks at the event President Rajapaksa focused on the LTTE's use of children in combat but pointedly singled out Eastern Province Chief Minister Pillaiyan in an oblique reference to the [...]
2009-02-27 08:51:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPREL PHUM MOPS CE
09COLOMBO244SRI LANKA LIKELY TO REQUEST IMF ASSISTANCE
[...] (C) SUMMARY: The GSL appears ready to request IMF assistance to help cope with its otherwise looming economic crisis. IMF officials report that a formal invitation to begin negotiations could come from the government "within a couple of weeks." END SUMMARY It's bad... ------------- 2 [...]
2009-03-04 11:20:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALECON EFIN PGOV CE
09COLOMBO252SRI LANKA: CO-CHAIR AMBASSADORS DISCUSS WAYS TO
[...] (S) Summary: Ambassador hosted a meeting of Co-Chair Ambassadors on March 5 to take stock of actions since the February 3 Co-Chair statement and consider what further actions we should recommend to capitals. Ambassadors agreed not to recommend an additional Co-Chair statement at this time [...]
2009-03-05 13:44:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPREL PTER PGOV CE
09COLOMBO26GOVERNMENT OF SRI LANKA BANS LTTE
[...] (U) SUMMARY: On January 7, the Government of Sri Lanka banned the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). Under the ban's regulations, anyone found guilty of promoting, encouraging or aiding and abetting the LTTE would be sentenced to 20 years imprisonment. On January 8, Ambassador attended [...]
2009-01-08 12:03:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIEDPHUM PTER PREF CE
09COLOMBO266SRI LANKA: PILLAIYAN'S TMVP HANDS IN SOME OF ITS
[...] (SBU) On March 7, cadres loyal to Eastern Provincial Council Chief Minister Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan ("Pillaiyan") surrendered 150 weapons and 7,000 rounds of ammunition to government security forces in Batticaloa. Press reports characterized the ceremony as the "official disarming" of Pi [...]
2009-03-09 11:50:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PHUM PTER MARR EAID CE
09COLOMBO277Northern Sri Lanka SitRep 29
[...] (SBU) Summary: The UN reports heavy shelling within the safe zone on March 10, resulting in many civilian casualties. A medical team arrived from India to establish and run a field hospital in Pulmoddai that will treat medical evacuees from the safe zone. Despite Government pledges to cease u [...]
2009-03-11 12:14:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYMOPS PREF PHUM PGOV PREL ASEC CE
09COLOMBO278SRI LANKA: KARUNA JOINS THE SLFP AND BECOMES A
[...] (U) After months of growing tension between former comrades-in-arms Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan ("Pillaiyan") and Vinayagamoorthy Muralitharan ("Karuna Amman") (refs C, D, E),Karuna officially left the TMVP (a breakaway faction of the LTTE formerly known as the "Karuna group") and joined Pr [...]
2009-03-11 12:31:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPREL PHUM CE
09COLOMBO279SRI LANKA: SUICIDE BOMBING AT SOUTHERN MOSQUE KILLS 14; ONE
[...] A presumed LTTE suicide bomb attack killed at least 14 and injured 36 at celebrations for the birthday of the Prophet Mohammed on March 10 at 10:15 am. The explosion at the Godapitiya Mosque in Akuressa, 15 km inland from the principal southern coastal town of Matara and about 160 km south of [...]
2009-03-11 12:33:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIEDPTER PGOV ASEC MOPS CE
09COLOMBO281SRI LANKA: OPPOSITION MEDIA ADVISOR ABDUCTED, THEN
[...] (U) At approximately 19:30 local time on March 11, Professor Dhammika Ganganath Dissanayake, the former Chairman of the State Broadcasting Corporation, was abducted by men in civilian clothes who came in a white van. Early in the morning of March 12 Dissanayake was released unharmed more than [...]
2009-03-12 11:43:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPHUM PREL PINS CE
09COLOMBO283Northern Sri Lanka SitRep 30
[...] (SBU) Summary: In a March 12 meeting Ambassador pressed Defense Secretary to minimize civilian casualties. The U.N. reports 2,683 killed and 7,241 injured in fighting from January 20-March 7. UN Resident Representative Buhne informed Ambassador that 72 persons were killed and 91 injured as t [...]
2009-03-12 12:53:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYMOPS PREF PHUM PGOV PREL ASEC CE
09COLOMBO285AMBASSADOR DISCUSSES IMF AGREEMENT AND CITIBANK
[...] (SBU) SUMMARY: In a March 12 meeting with Ambassador, Central Bank Governor Cabraal disclosed that an IMF team is expected shortly in Colombo with a view to concluding an agreement in as little as one month. The Fund will be focused on GSL measures to help Sri Lanka strengthen and stabilize it [...]
2009-03-12 13:03:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALECON EFIN PGOV CE
09COLOMBO287Northern Sri Lanka SitRep 31
[...] (U) SUMMARY: WFP will complete delivery of 500 MT of food aid to the no-fire zone today. The ICRC is planning an evacuation of 400 wounded from the no-fire zone as soon as March 14. Indian DCM reported that the Indian-supplied field hospital will begin operating today in Pulmoddai. End Summ [...]
2009-03-13 07:55:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYMOPS PREF PHUM PGOV PREL ASEC CE
09COLOMBO294Northern Sri Lanka SitRep 32
[...] (U) Summary: The March 13 statement by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights attesting that 2,800 civilians have died in fighting in the north since January 20 and that the Sri Lankan Government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) may have committed "war crimes" met with angry [...]
2009-03-16 12:29:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYMOPS PREF PHUM PGOV PREL ASEC CE
09COLOMBO299Northern Sri Lanka SitRep 33
[...] (U) Summary: The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) reports basic medical supplies are still urgently needed in the safe zone; this plea is repeated by health administrators in the safe zone. The UN accuses the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) of forcibly recruiting a loc [...]
2009-03-17 11:33:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYMOPS PREF PHUM PGOV PREL ASEC CE
09COLOMBO3SRI LANKA: ARMY CAPTURES KILINOCHCHI; LTTE ANSWERS
[...] (C) SUMMARY: On the afternoon of January 2, President Mahinda Rajapaksa announced the much-delayed capture of Kilinochchi on state television. The fall of the LTTE's administrative capital follows a series of victories for the government on the Northern battlefield in the fall and early winte [...]
2009-01-02 13:25:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPREF MOPS PGOV CE
09COLOMBO300SRI LANKA: UN HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS
[...] (SBU) SUMMARY: On March 13 U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights released a statement in which she raised the possibility that war crimes were being commited by the Sri Lankan military and the LTTE. Human Rights Minister Samarasinghe responded for the government describing the statement as [...]
2009-03-17 11:49:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPHUM PREL PINS UN CE
09COLOMBO304Northern Sri Lanka SitRep 34
[...] (U) Summary: Ambassador pressed Foreign Minister to allow in medical supplies and to stop shelling near civilian concentrations. ICRC reports that some medicine "may" be loaded onto a passenger ferry departing this evening (March 18) from Trincomalee for the safe zone. Unconfirmed reports we [...]
2009-03-18 12:24:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYMOPS PREF PHUM PGOV PREL ASEC CE
09COLOMBO307SRI LANKA: AMBASSADOR PRESSES ON SAFE ZONE
[...] (C) SUMMARY: On March 18 Ambassador met with Foreign Minister Bogollagama to urge him to fulfill GSL commitments not to shell the safe zone and to allow medicine to reach civilians trapped there. Ambassador called claims that the army was not shelling the safe zone "not credible" and echoed [...]
2009-03-19 09:50:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPREL PGOV PHUM MOPS PINS CE
09COLOMBO308A SUGGESTION FOR GETTING MANY OF SRI LANKA'S
[...] (C) Summary: While the US and some others are engaged in intensive efforts to protect the estimated 120-150,000 civilians trapped in the "safe zone" of northern Sri Lanka from shelling, and assure they have adequate food and medicine, the international community needs a plan to evacuate as ma [...]
2009-03-19 11:18:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PHUM PREF EAID CE
09COLOMBO32DISCUSSION WITH PRESIDENT RAJAPAKSA ON MEDIA
[...] (c) Summary: In a January 8 meeting with President Mahinda Rajapaksa requested by Ambassador, the President offered little hope that investigations into recent attacks on the press would lead anywhere, but agreed to provide security for two prominent critics. He predicted the Sri Lankan mil [...]
2009-01-09 08:35:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PHUM CE
09COLOMBO320Northern Sri Lanka SitRep 37
[...] (SBU) Summary: The Government provided a 2-ton shipment of medical supplies for civilians in the conflict area on March 22, the first in a month. Following on the death of a local CARE worker in the conflict area, the Government accused both CARE and the deceased of supporting the LTTE. The [...]
2009-03-23 12:18:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYMOPS PREF PHUM PGOV PREL ASEC CE
09COLOMBO329Northern Sri Lanka SitRep 39
[...] (SBU) Summary: The Sri Lankan Air Force confirms that the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) fired shoulder-mounted missiles from the safe zone on March 25. The Government publicly assails humanitarian agencies, free media, and civil rights activists, among others. UNHCR reports access [...]
2009-03-25 12:00:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYMOPS PREF PHUM PGOV PREL ASEC CE
09COLOMBO33SRI LANKA: AFTER THE FALL OF KILINOCHCHI, WHAT WAY
[...] (C) SUMMARY: The government of Mahinda Rajapaksa has achieved considerable success in its military campaign against the LTTE. The Defense Ministry under his brother, Secretary Gothabaya Rajapaksa, has had top priority for funding and other support, and has used this mandate to transform the [...]
2009-01-09 11:00:00Embassy ColomboSECRETPGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE
09COLOMBO339SRI LANKA: FOREIGN MINISTER CONVOKES PERM 5
[...] (SBU) In a bid to show that briefings to the UN Security Council on Sri Lanka are not needed, Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Rohita Bogollagama convoked the Ambassadors of the permanent members of the Council, Japan and India for a dialogue on March 25 with Senior Presidential Advisor Basil Raja [...]
2009-03-26 10:46:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYPREL AORC MOPS CE
09COLOMBO34CO-CHAIR AMBASSADORS RE-AFFIRM IMPORTANCE OF A
[...] (C) Summary: In a meeting convened by Ambassador on January 8, Co-Chair Ambassadors and the Indian High Commissioner agreed that recent Sri Lankan military successes have given new impetus to Sinhalese extremists and other hard-liners to expand their extreme agenda to include efforts to sto [...]
2009-01-09 11:53:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPREL PTER PGOV CE
09COLOMBO351Northern Sri Lanka SitRep 41
[...] (SBU) Summary: Contrary to various reports that the LTTE retains control over just one square kilometer of land in addition to the "safe zone", the Sri Lankan army continues to face heavy fighting a few kilometers west of the "safe zone". The Ministry of Resettlement has instructed two inter [...]
2009-03-27 10:45:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYMOPS PREF PHUM PGOV PREL ASEC CE
09COLOMBO357Northern Sri Lanka SitRep 42
[...] (SBU) SUMMARY: The Foreign Minister announced the GSL would suspend attacks against the LTTE for a short period of time. He did not indicate when the suspension would begin. 1000MT of food and non-food items are set to be delivered to the safe zone on March 31. Basil Rajapaksa outlined steps [...]
2009-03-30 11:27:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYPREF MOPS PHUM PGOV PREL ASEC CE
09COLOMBO368Northern Sri Lanka SitRep 43
[...] (SBU) SUMMARY: Walter Kaelin, UN Special Rapporteur for IDPs will visit Sri Lanka April 2-6. ICRC President Kellenberger has tentative plans to visit Sri Lanka starting April 9. India is sending additional equipment and personnel to support the GOI's field hospital in Pulmoddai. Last week's [...]
2009-03-31 11:11:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYPREF MOPS PHUM PGOV PREL ASEC CE
09COLOMBO369AFGHANISTAN-PAKISTAN STRATEGY: SRI LANKA OFFERS
[...] (SBU) Ambassador briefed Foreign Secretary Palitha Kohona on the conclusions of the Afghanistan-Pakistan Strategic Review on March 31. Kohona expressed appreciation for the detailed readout. With respect to how Sri Lanka might help, Kohona offered two thoughts. First, he noted that Afghani [...]
2009-03-31 11:57:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYPREL MARR MOPS NATO PK AF CE
09COLOMBO374Northern Sri Lanka SitRep 44
[...] (SBU) SUMMARY: The U.N. now reports 3937 civilians killed and more than 9000 injured since January 20. 78% of those killed were in the safe zone. The U.N. has received reports that the Army has fired on escaping civilians. The planned food aid shipment to the safe zone has been delayed. UNH [...]
2009-04-01 12:37:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYPREF MOPS PHUM PGOV PREL ASEC CE
09COLOMBO384Northern Sri Lanka SitRep 45
[...] (SBU) SUMMARY: The Sri Lankan Army reports it has surrounded hundreds of LTTE cadres in the eastern sections of PTK. The military reports the LTTE is moving portions of the civilian population to the southern section of the safe zone. 1,030MT of food aid and non-food items have arrived off th [...]
2009-04-02 11:15:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYPREF MOPS PHUM PGOV PREL ASEC CE
09COLOMBO385SRI LANKA: IMF NEGOTIATIONS COMPLETE; GSL MUST ACT
[...] (C) Summary: The IMF team negotiating a stand-by agreement with the GSL returned to Washington on April 1 with GSL-agreed language for Sri Lanka's Letter of Intent (LOI) and a hope that the government will demonstrate it is ready to take necessary steps to put the economy back on track. The p [...]
2009-04-02 12:07:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALECON EAID CE
09COLOMBO396Northern Sri Lanka SitRep 47
[...] (SBU) SUMMARY: Army Commander Fonseka reported to Ambassador that the LTTE controls only 3 square kilometers outside the safe zone. Fonseka also estimated that the LTTE only had 600-700 hard core cadres and 300 Sea Tigers left. Defense Secretary Rajapaksa told Reuters that the military was i [...]
2009-04-06 11:49:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYPREF MOPS PHUM PGOV PREL ASEC CE
09COLOMBO402Northern Sri Lanka SitRep 48
[...] (SBU) SUMMARY: According to the UN, 14,166 civilians have been killed or wounded in fighting between January 20 and April 6. The majority of those casualties have occurred in GSL-declared safe zones. The military announced the launch of an operation to free thousands of civilians. UNSR Kalin [...]
2009-04-07 11:39:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYPREF MOPS PHUM PGOV PREL ASEC CE
09COLOMBO411Northern Sri Lanka SitRep 49
[...] (SBU) SUMMARY: Ambassador intervened with Army Commander Fonseka to urge an end to heavy shelling of the GSL-designated safe zone on April 8. The Red Cross reported a disappointing result of ICRC President Kellenberger's visit to Sri Lanka, including the denial of access to IDP screening point [...]
2009-04-08 11:56:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYPREF MOPS PHUM PGOV PREL ASEC CE
09COLOMBO412Northern Sri Lanka SitRep 50
[...] (SBU) SUMMARY: GSL officials reported that military operations are ongoing to create corridors through which civilians could escape the safe zone. UNSYG Ban Ki Moon and President Rajapaksa discussed by phone a "humanitarian pause" in the fighting. Subsequently, UN Resident Representative Buh [...]
2009-04-10 08:18:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYPREF MOPS PHUM PGOV PREL ASEC CE
09COLOMBO413Northern Sri Lanka SitRep 51
[...] (SBU) SUMMARY: The government of Sri Lanka announced a 48-hour period of restraint, during which the armed forces would confine themselves to defensive operations. International observers noted that shelling of the "safe zone" had diminished on April 11 and 12, and that no firing was now bei [...]
2009-04-13 10:45:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYPREF MOPS PHUM PGOV PREL ASEC CE
09COLOMBO415Northern Sri Lanka SitRep 52
[...] (SBU) SUMMARY: Just a few hours before the government-declared period of restraint ends at midnight local time on April 14, the pause appeared generally to be holding. The UN, ICRC and Sri Lankan health and military authorities were all reporting relatively low numbers of wounded, mostly from [...]
2009-04-14 10:38:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYPREF MOPS PHUM PGOV PREL ASEC CE
09COLOMBO418Northern Sri Lanka SitRep 53
[...] (SBU) SUMMARY: Ambassador pressed Defense Secretary Rajapaksa to exercise restraint to ensure civilian casualties are minimized in the safe zone. Rajapaksa repeated the GSL offer of amnesty to all LTTE fighters, except LTTE leader Prabakharan and Intelligence Chief Pottu Amman. The governmen [...]
2009-04-15 10:56:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYPREF MOPS PHUM PGOV PREL ASEC CE
09COLOMBO425Northern Sri Lanka SitRep 54
[...] (SBU) SUMMARY: UNSYG CoS Vijay Nambiar met Ambassador and noted that the UN should play a "continuous," rather than "one-off", role in promoting an end to hostilities. Ambassador met Minister for Resettlement Bathiudeen and urged progress on benchmarks for the treatment of the IDP population. [...]
2009-04-16 11:27:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYPREF MOPS PHUM PGOV PREL ASEC CE
09COLOMBO431SRI LANKA: VISIT BY UNSYG CHIEF OF STAFF NAMBIAR
[...] (C) SUMMARY: The April 16-17 visit to Sri Lanka by UNSYG Chief of Staff Vijay Nambiar yielded mixed results. After a one-on-one breakfast meeting with President Rajapaksa on April 17, Nambiar reported that Rajapaksa had left only a slim opening for the UN to pursue the release of civilians b [...]
2009-04-17 11:29:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPREL PREF PHUM MOPS EAID UNGA CE
09COLOMBO432Northern Sri Lanka SitRep 55
[...] (SBU) SUMMARY: The visit of the UN Secretary General's Chief of Staff Vijay Nambiar brought limited progress, with some prospect of a working-level UN mission to try to negotiate the release of greater numbers of civilians from the LTTE-controlled "safe zone." The UN resident coordinator in Col [...]
2009-04-17 11:42:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYPREF MOPS PHUM PGOV PREL ASEC CE
09COLOMBO435Northern Sri Lanka SitRep 56
[...] (SBU) SUMMARY: The situation in the "safe zone" has taken a dramatic turn today, with a strong push by the Sri Lankan military. Reports indicate that early this morning Sri Lankan troops attacked LTTE positions near and in Putumattalan. High numbers of civilians appear to have crossed over i [...]
2009-04-20 12:32:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYPREF MOPS PHUM PGOV PREL ASEC CE
09COLOMBO457SRI LANKA: BROTHER OF TAMIL MP SURVIVES ABDUCTION
[...] (C) SUMMARY: Urban planner Selvarajah Raveendran, brother of a Tamil National Alliance (TNA) Member of Parliament, was abducted in front of eyewitnesses at a checkpoint in a high-security zone by unformed policemen and others in civilian clothes on March 24. At the request of the victim's b [...]
2009-04-23 11:09:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PHUM PREL MOPS CE
09COLOMBO459Northern Sri Lanka SitRep 60
[...] (SBU) SUMMARY: Charge called the Foreign Minister to support the UN Secretary General's request to allow a working-level UN team access into the "no-fire zone" (NFZ) to negotiate an LTTE surrender. The Minister was non-committal. The Sri Lankan military pressed on in its pursuit of remaining [...]
2009-04-24 12:29:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYPREF MOPS PHUM PGOV PREL ASEC CE
09COLOMBO464Northern Sri Lanka SitRep 61
[...] (SBU) SUMMARY: On April 27, the Government continued to reject calls for a ceasefire, but declared an end to combat operations. The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) promptly accused Government forces of continuing to bomb civilians. UN Undersecretary for Humanitarian Affairs John Holme [...]
2009-04-27 11:26:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYPREF MOPS PHUM PGOV PREL ASEC CE
09COLOMBO466SRI LANKA: GOVERNMENT ATTEMPTS TO EXCLUDE NORWAY
[...] (C) SUMMARY: On April 24 evening, Foreign Minister Bogollagama summoned the EU and Japanese Ambassadors and Charge to the MFA on short notice. Foreign Secretary Kohona and several other MFA officials also attended. The meeting occurred within hours of a visit to Colombo on April 24 by Indian [...]
2009-04-27 13:30:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPREL PGOV PTER MOPS CE
09COLOMBO468SRI LANKA: GOVERNMENT WINS BIG IN PROVINCIAL POLL
[...] (SBU) Summary: President Mahinda Rajapaksa's ruling United People's Freedom Alliance (UPFA) coalition delivered a resounding defeat to the opposition United National Party (UNP) in Western Provincial Council elections held Saturday, April 24. The two-thirds majority received represents the l [...]
2009-04-28 03:00:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIEDPGOV PREL PHUM CE
09COLOMBO47UNP ACCUSES GOVERNMENT OF ORDERING ATTACKS ON MEDIA
[...] (C) SUMMARY: In an intervention in Parliament on January 9, Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe directly accused the Defense Secretary and the Army Commander of involvement in activities of "a few intelligence sections" responsible for the attack on the MTV station, the assassination of ne [...]
2009-01-13 11:26:00Embassy ColomboSECRETPGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE
09COLOMBO470Northern Sri Lanka SitRep 63
[...] (SBU) SUMMARY: Despite the Government's April 27 promise to end use of heavy weapons in the conflict, post continues to receive reports from multiple reliable Embassy sources with access to first-hand information of firing causing civilian deaths and injuries in the Government-designated "safe [...]
2009-04-29 11:46:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYPREF MOPS PHUM PGOV PREL ASEC CE
09COLOMBO477Northern Sri Lanka SitRep 64
[...] (SBU) SUMMARY: French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner and British Foreign Secretary David Miliband conducted a one-day visit to Sri Lanka on April 29. They urged the Government to end hostilities in the North; however President Mahinda Rajapaksa and Defense Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa rebu [...]
2009-04-30 12:10:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYPREF MOPS PHUM PGOV PREL ASEC CE
09COLOMBO479SRI LANKA: FEW RESULTS FROM HIGH-LEVEL VISITS
[...] (C) SUMMARY. Successive visits by UN Under Secretary General for Humanitarian Affairs John Holmes, UK Development Minister Mike Foster, UK Foreign Secretary Miliband and French Foreign Minister Kouchner, as well as frequent high-level contacts by Charge with GSL have yielded no progress on [...]
2009-04-30 14:07:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREF PREL CE
09COLOMBO484Northern Sri Lanka SitRep 65
[...] (SBU) SUMMARY: President Rajapaksa has invited co-Chairs Ambassadors to a meeting on May 5; post requests guidance from Washington. The Government of Sri Lanka continued to refute reports of shelling in the civilian safe zone, and accused the UN of "spying" following the leak of a UNOSAT repor [...]
2009-05-04 10:39:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYPREF MOPS PHUM PGOV PREL ASEC CE
09COLOMBO488SRI LANKA: INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND LOAN
[...] (C) Charge delivered ref a points to Senior Presidential Advisor Basil Rajapaksa on April 29 when, in a discussion initially concerning other issues, Rajapaksa said that the U.S. is blocking Sri Lanka's IMF request. Charge and Econ Chief underscored that the U.S. has not threatened publicly [...]
2009-05-05 05:45:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALKDEM PREL EFIN ECON PHUM CE
09COLOMBO492Northern Sri Lanka SitRep 66
[...] (SBU) SUMMARY: Charge attended a meeting of Co-Chair Ambassadors with President Mahinda Rajapaksa on May 5. The UN appealed for 50 million USD in urgent humanitarian needs. The Sri Lankan Army advanced further south within the Government-designated safe zone. ICRC reports delay in food shipment [...]
2009-05-05 12:21:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYPREF MOPS PHUM PGOV PREL ASEC CE
09COLOMBO495SRI LANKA: EMBASSY SHARES IMAGES OF SAFE ZONE WITH
[...] (C) SUMMARY: In a May 5 meeting with President Mahinda Rajapaksa and Foreign Secretary Palitha Kohona, Charge provided satellite images taken since April 27 of new shelling damage within the Government-designated "safe zone." The President maintained that Government forces have not been she [...]
2009-05-05 14:03:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPREL PHUM MOPS PREF PTER CE
09COLOMBO501Northern Sri Lanka SitRep 67
[...] (SBU) SUMMARY: On May 5, President Mahinda Rajapaksa invited UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon to visit the country. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) expects the "Green Ocean" ferry to depart Trincomalee on the evening of May 6 and offload food in the conflict zone on May 7. [...]
2009-05-06 12:02:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYPREF MOPS PHUM PGOV PREL ASEC CE
09COLOMBO502SRI LANKA: PRESIDENT DISCUSSES HUMANITARIAN
[...] (C) SUMMARY: President Rajapaksa discussed the participation of the international community in ongoing humanitarian relief efforts and future recovery efforts in the conflict-affected north with Co-Chair Ambassadors on May 5. Charge, acting as spokesman for the Co-Chairs, urged the Presiden [...]
2009-05-06 13:30:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPREL PREF PHUM PGOV MOPS EAID CE
09COLOMBO507Northern Sri Lanka SitRep 68
[...] (SBU) SUMMARY: President Mahinda Rajapaksa briefed the diplomatic corps on May 7 regarding the conclusion of the war with the LTTE and the Government's intentions of responding to humanitarian and development needs in the North. An ICRC ferry successfully reached the conflict zone on May 7 to [...]
2009-05-07 12:47:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYPREF MOPS PHUM PGOV PREL ASEC CE
09COLOMBO508SRI LANKA: CHARGE UNDERSCORES CONCERNS ABOUT IMF
[...] (C) Charge and EconChief met with Foreign Minister Bogollagama on May 7 to underscore U.S. concerns about Sri Lanka's request for an IMF Stand-by Arrangement (SBA). Charge informed Bogollagama that the U.S. is concerned about Sri Lanka's ability and commitment to carry out an effective program [...]
2009-05-07 13:00:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALECON PGOV PREL CE
09COLOMBO514Northern Sri Lanka SitRep 69
[...] (SBU) SUMMARY: Heavy shelling in the conflict zone on May 9 and 10 resulted in the deaths of at least several hundred civilians. Each side of the conflict blamed the other. Foreign Minister Bogollagama disputed accusations against Government forces in a May 11 meeting with Charge. The Govern [...]
2009-05-11 12:28:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYPREF MOPS PHUM PGOV PREL ASEC CE
09COLOMBO519Northern Sri Lanka SitRep 70
[...] (SBU) SUMMARY: The Army is now advancing on LTTE positions from the south as well as the north of the conflict zone. Post received reports of continued shelling and heavy fire in the conflict zone through the morning of May 12. Senior Government officials continued to refute reports of any re [...]
2009-05-12 11:34:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYPREF MOPS PHUM PGOV PREL ASEC CE
09COLOMBO522Northern Sri Lanka SitRep 71
[...] (SBU) SUMMARY: Despite indications from within the safe zone that the trapped civilian population might attempt to escape on May 12-13, a large-scale exodus had not materialized as of 4 pm local time on May 13. Charge and Defense Attache liaised with Government officials and with contacts in [...]
2009-05-13 11:28:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYPREF MOPS PHUM PGOV PREL ASEC CE
09COLOMBO523SRI LANKA: CB GOVERNOR DISAPPOINTED ABOUT IMF
[...] (C) Summary: In a collegial but stern conversation, Central Bank Governor Cabraal told the Charge that the GSL is disappointed by the lack of U.S. support for its IMF Stand-by Arrangement (SBA) and concerned that U.S. attempts to place political conditions on the GSL's request are inappropriat [...]
2009-05-13 11:51:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALEFIN ECON PREL PHUM KDEM CE
09COLOMBO529Northern Sri Lanka SitRep 72
[...] (SBU) SUMMARY: Charge pressed Government officials to permit UN access to the conflict zone as soon as possible, and to facilitate a visit this month by UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon. At least 1,200 civilians escaped on May 14, and perhaps thousands of others are following, according to mi [...]
2009-05-14 11:21:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYPREF MOPS PHUM PGOV PREL ASEC CE
09COLOMBO535NORTHERN SRI LANKA SITREP 74
[...] (C) SUMMARY: May 16-17 marked a watershed day in Sri Lanka's conflict with the LTTE, as an estimated 72,000 civilians escaped the safe zone. Remnants of the LTTE continued to mount resistance in an area of less than one square kilometer in the government's unilaterally declared "no fire zon [...]
2009-05-17 11:55:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPREF MOPS PHUM PGOV PREL ASEC CE
09COLOMBO539Northern Sri Lanka SitRep 75
[...] (SBU) SUMMARY: The Sri Lankan Military has announced that the war with the LTTE is over. Numerous sources reported that LTTE leader Prabhakaran was dead, but there had been no official announcement as 1630 local. There were reports that LTTE leaders Pullidevan and Nadesan wanted to surrender [...]
2009-05-18 11:54:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYPREF MOPS PHUM PGOV PREL ASEC CE ECON
09COLOMBO54SRI LANKA: DEFENSE SECRETARY ESCALATES THREATS
[...] (C) SUMMARY: On January 14, despite assurances from President Rajapaksa to senior editors and journalists that none of them would be harmed, threats to the media escalated. His brother, Defense Secretary Gothabaya Rajapaksa, gave a rambling interview in which he accused the MTV television ne [...]
2009-01-15 13:21:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE
09COLOMBO540SRI LANKA: CB GOVERNOR RESPONDS TO U.S. IMF
[...] (SBU) Summary: Central Bank Governor Nivard Cabraal, in a written response to DCM, classified U.S. attempts to "block" the GSL's IMF Stand-by Arrangement (SBA) as "misplaced" and "puzzling," noting that such an action could set a precedent for future IMF loan requests. Cabraal highlighted th [...]
2009-05-18 12:07:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALECON EFIN PGOV CE
09COLOMBO543Northern Sri Lanka SitRep 76
[...] (SBU) SUMMARY: President Rajapaksa gave a victory speech to Parliament on the morning of May 19. While he discussed redevelopment of the North and political reform in broad terms, the speech was far from the olive branch to the Tamil people many had hoped it would be. It was defensively bell [...]
2009-05-19 10:41:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYPREF MOPS PHUM PGOV PREL ASEC CE ECON
09COLOMBO549Northern Sri Lanka SitRep 77
[...] (SBU) SUMMARY: President Rajapaksa declared May 20 a national holiday to celebrate the victory over the Tamil Tigers (LTTE). In Ambassador's farewell call on him, the President acknowledged the importance of reconciliation with Sri Lankan Tamils and with the Tamil Diaspora to ensure that Tami [...]
2009-05-20 10:45:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYPREF MOPS PHUM PGOV PREL ASEC CE ECON
09COLOMBO557Northern Sri Lanka SitRep 78
[...] (SBU) SUMMARY: Presidential Advisor Basil Rajapaksa told Ambassador late on May 20 that the GSL was firm in its decision to restrict access by UN agencies and others to IDP camps. He criticized the UN and ICRC and said that they had to decide whether to remain in Sri Lanka to help IDPs. He s [...]
2009-05-21 11:44:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYPREF MOPS PHUM PGOV PREL ASEC CE ECON
09COLOMBO559Northern Sri Lanka SitRep 79
[...] (SBU) SUMMARY: UN staff on the ground were preparing for Secretary General Ban Ki Moon's visit on May 23, but it was unclear if his schedule would allow a meeting with the Co-Chair Ambassadors. UN envoy Vijay Nambiar held a press conference where he described his flight over the desolation of [...]
2009-05-22 12:51:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYPREF MOPS PHUM PGOV PREL ASEC CE ECON
09COLOMBO563SRI LANKA: IN FAREWELL, AMBASSADOR PRESSES HARD ON
[...] (C) SUMMARY: In his round of farewell calls on Sri Lankan government officials, Ambassador Blake emphasized that having won the war against "Tamil Tiger" terrorism, the Sri Lankan government now needed to consolidate its victory by "winning the peace." Ambassador noted that following the mili [...]
2009-05-26 11:38:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PHUM PREL MOPS CE
09COLOMBO567SRI LANKA: BAN KI-MOON BRIEFS CO-CHAIR AMBASSADORS
[...] (C) Summary: In his messages to the government during a 24-hour visit to Sri Lanka on May 23, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon emphasized the key points of the need for a political process and reconciliation, better access by humanitarian workers to the IDP camps, early IDP returns, and grea [...]
2009-05-27 12:32:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREF PREL PHUM MOPS CE
09COLOMBO594SRI LANKA: PRESIDENT RAJAPAKSA'S VICTORY PARADE
[...] (U) The Government of Sri Lanka's June 3 "National Victory Parade" was an elaborately staged tribute to the military forces' defeat of the LTTE. The event featured thousands of servicemen parading on Galle Face Green, displays of naval and air assets, and folkloric dancers, also numbering in [...]
2009-06-04 11:52:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYPGOV PREL PHUM CE
09COLOMBO596SRI LANKA: MORE THREATS TO AND ATTACKS ON
[...] (C) SUMMARY: Since the Government's victory against the LTTE, GSL officials have begun openly criticizing journalists that it claims were on the LTTE payroll. Public comments by the Army Commander and Inspector General of Police have heightened concerns among journalists for their safety. Sinc [...]
2009-06-05 02:32:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PHUM PREL KPAO CE
09COLOMBO601SRI LANKA DETAINS AND EXPELS CANADIAN SHADOW
[...] (C) SUMMARY: Sri Lankan immigration authorities, apparently acting on instructions from the Defense Secretary, detained Canadian Liberal Party Member of Parliament for Toronto Bob Rae on arrival late on June 9. (Rae's consituency has a large Tamil minority.) Rae had previously requested an [...]
2009-06-10 12:31:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPREL PGOV EAID PREF PHUM CE
09COLOMBO602SRI LANKA: CHARGE URGES FOREIGN MINISTRY TO SEEK
[...] (C) SUMMARY: In separate meetings with the Foreign Secretary and Foreign Minister on June 9, Charge emphasized that the U.S. goal is to get bilateral relations with Sri Lanka on a more constructive, cooperative basis, as they were in the past. Charge noted that since the war was now behind u [...]
2009-06-10 12:52:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPREL PGOV EAID PREF PHUM CE
09COLOMBO621The Way Forward in the North - A Serious Discussion about
[...] SUMMARY: Charge met with Presidential Advisor Basil Rajapaksa on June 15 to ask about Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) priorities for de-mining and to discuss how the U.S. Government (USG) could support those within a strategic framework. M.S. Jayasinghe, Chairman of the National Steering Commit [...]
2009-06-17 13:16:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIEDEAID PREF PGOV PHUM CE
09COLOMBO623SRI LANKA: "COMPETENT AUTHORITY" STILL IN CHARGE
[...] (SBU) SUMMARY: Although the Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) has indicated that responsibility for camp management in Manik Farms and in the transit sites in and around Vavuniya District was being transferred from Competent Authority (CA) Major General Chandrasiri to Vavuniya Government Authority [...]
2009-06-18 10:45:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYEAID PREF PGOV PHUM CE
09COLOMBO624SRI LANKA: DOUGLAS DEVANANDA - GOVERNMENT'S MAN
[...] (S) SUMMARY: The leader of the Eelam People's Democratic Party (EDPD),Douglas Devananda, has a long history of enmity with the recently defeated Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam. He has been a favorite of successive Sri Lankan governments in Colombo. But Devananda has a violent and even cri [...]
2009-06-19 04:19:00Embassy ColomboSECRETPGOV PHUM PREL PTER PINR EAID CE
09COLOMBO633SRI LANKA: PRESIDENT'S SUPPORTERS CALLING FOR
[...] (SBU) SUMMARY: A flurry of press reports and statements by GSL officials and ministers over the past several weeks has floated the idea of extending President Rajapaksa's term of office without a competitive election. These suggestions range from a proposal for a referendum that would allow [...]
2009-06-23 12:13:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYPGOV PHUM PINR CE
09COLOMBO635SRI LANKA: PRESIDENT'S SUPPORTERS CALLING FOR
[...] (SBU) SUMMARY: A flurry of press reports and statements by GSL officials and ministers over the past several weeks has floated the idea of extending President Rajapaksa's term of office without a competitive election. These suggestions range from a proposal for a referendum that would allow [...]
2009-06-24 05:02:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYPGOV PHUM PINR CE
09COLOMBO639SRI LANKA: TWO LOCAL U.N. STAFF DETAINED,
[...] (C) SUMMARY: Two local UN staff members are being detained by government forces, possibly for alleged ties to a 2006 assassination attempt on Defense Secretary Gothabaya Rajapaksa. The two men, who work as drivers for UNHCR and UNOPS, were taken into custody on June 12 and 13. The UN has bee [...]
2009-06-24 13:01:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPHUM PGOV PTER PREL UN CE
09COLOMBO65SRI LANKA: VANNI'S CIVILIANS SQUEEZED AS ARMY
[...] (C) SUMMARY: Concerns for the civilians trapped by fighting in northern Sri Lanka are rising. Small but significant numbers of IDPs from the Vanni have moved to government-controlled territory as the continued advances of the Sri Lankan Army have squeezed the 300,000 population into a smalle [...]
2009-01-20 12:10:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPREL PREF MOPS CE
09COLOMBO67INVESTMENT CLIMATE STATEMENT 2009 - SRI LANKA
[...] No summary [...]
2009-01-21 06:02:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIEDCE ECON EFIN EINV ELAB ETRD KTDB OPIC PGOV USTR
09COLOMBO693SRI LANKA: PRESIDENT PROMISES DEVOLUTION...LATER
[...] (C) SUMMARY. President Mahinda Rajapaksa in a June 30 interview with The Hindu reaffirmed his willingness to pursue a political solution, but said he was waiting for two things: participation and cooperation of the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) and a fresh mandate from the people. The gove [...]
2009-07-10 10:01:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PREF PHUM PTER EAID MOPS CE
09COLOMBO697NEW SRI LANKA MINISTER OF JUSTICE AND NEW SUPREME
[...] (C) SUMMARY: On July 2, President Rajapaksa swore in Milinda Moragoda as the new Minister of Justice and Law Reforms. Earlier in June, the President appointed a new Chief Justice, Asoka de Silva, to replace former Chief Justice Sarath de Silva, who many observers felt had "hyper-politicized" [...]
2009-07-14 04:31:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PREF PHUM PTER EAID MOPS CE
09COLOMBO704Getting Set to De-Mine Sri Lanka's North - Stepping
[...] (SBU) SUMMARY: Charge and other U.S. Embassy officials met July 10 with Basil Rajapaksa, Special Advisor to the Sri Lankan president. Their discussion focused on de-mining in Sri Lanka's Northern Province - a prerequisite for the return of those displaced during the protracted conflict betwe [...]
2009-07-16 03:57:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYEAID PREF PGOV PHUM CE
09COLOMBO722SRI LANKA: HUMAN RIGHTS INQUIRY (COI) DISBANDED;
[...] (C) The GSL in mid-June disbanded the Presidential Commission of Inquiry, which hadbeen charged with investigating allegations of srious human rights violations since August 2005. Seventeen cases were being reviewed by the COI, ncluding the killing of 17 Action Contre la Faim (ACF) aid worker [...]
2009-07-22 07:02:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PREF PHUM PTER EAID MOPS CE
09COLOMBO726SCENESETTER FOR JULY 25-28 VISIT BY PRM A/S
[...] (SBU) SUMMARY: Your visit comes at a critical time in US-Sri Lanka relations. During the October 2008 - May 2009 final military push to defeat the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE),the Government of Sri Lanka increasingly distanced itself from western nations who criticized its methods [...]
2009-07-22 15:04:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYPHUM PREF PREL CE
09COLOMBO729SRI LANKA: ICRC?S FUTURE UNCERTAIN
[...] (C) Summary. A/DCM and Poloff met with ICRC Acting Head of Delegation Anthony Dalziel on July 21 to discuss ICRC?s current and future status in Sri Lanka. On July 1, ICRC received a letter from Defense Secretary Gothabaya Rajapaksa requesting ICRC to terminate its operations in the East. A [...]
2009-07-23 14:43:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PREF PHUM PTER EAID MOPS CE
09COLOMBO740SRI LANKA: POST-WAR TAMIL LEADERSHIP VACUUM
[...] (C) Summary. Tamil National Alliance (TNA) member of parliament (MP) from Jaffna Pathmini Sithamparanathan met with Poloff on July 13 to discuss the TNA,s current status and post-war strategy. She said the TNA had begun talking with other Tamil parties about how to unite the Tamil polity a [...]
2009-07-28 09:24:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PREF PHUM PTER EAID MOPS CE
09COLOMBO744UNP SEEKS NEW STRATEGY TO CHALLENGE RAJAPAKSA
[...] (C) Summary. Poloff met recently with several key United National Party (UNP) figures to discuss the UNP,s post-war strategy. UNP contacts agreed that President Mahinda Rajapaksa is currently enjoying his post-war honeymoon, but felt that Sri Lankans would soon shift their focus to basic ec [...]
2009-07-29 10:19:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PREF PHUM PTER EAID MOPS CE
09COLOMBO745SRI LANKA: CHINESE INFLUENCE ON THE RISE
[...] (C) Summary. China has emerged as Sri Lanka,s strongest supporter in the post-war reconstruction era, providing funding for projects ranging from power plants to weapons. China has a long-standing goal of increasing its influence in the region, especially at the expense of India, the other re [...]
2009-07-29 11:29:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALEFIN EAID EINV PREL CE
09COLOMBO753Report Number One on Interagency Policy Committee (IPC)
[...] (SBU) SUMMARY: This is the first of three monthly reports on the Government of Sri Lanka's progress in meeting benchmarks for as outlined in Ref (b). CAMP MANAGEMENT AND ACCESS: Acute humanitarian needs are being met in internally displaced persons camps (IDP) camps, although all sectors ar [...]
2009-07-31 07:31:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYEAID PREL PREF PGOV PHUM MOPS ASEC CE
09COLOMBO768A/S SCHWARTZ PRESSES FOR EARLY RETURN OF
[...] (C) Summary: In his July 25-28 visit to Sri Lanka, PRM Assistant Secretary Eric P. Schwartz urged the government to undertake rapid returns of internally-displaced persons (IDPs) to their home villages and avoid prolonging the closed camp situation in the North. In meetings with President Mah [...]
2009-08-03 09:40:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPREF PREL PHUM CE
09COLOMBO769SRI LANKA: A/S SCHWARTZ VISITS IDP CAMPS IN
[...] (C) SUMMARY: During his July 25-28 visit to Sri Lanka, PRM Assistant Secretary Eric Schwartz directly observed the humanitarian situation in Manik Farm, an expansive, yet congested, camp complex in northern Sri Lanka for 220,000 of the 280,000-plus Sri Lankans displaced in the final months of [...]
2009-08-03 10:20:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPREF PREL PHUM CE
09COLOMBO773UPDATE ON GOVERNMENT OF SRI LANKA'S PLANS TO
[...] (SBU) SUMMARY: The rehabilitation and reintegration of former LTTE combatants will be crucial if Sri Lanka is to achieve sustainable reconciliation. With the launching this past week of a National Framework Proposal for Reintegration of Ex-Combatants, and the recent appointment of Major Gen [...]
2009-08-05 09:23:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYPREL PGOV EAID PREF PHUM CE
09COLOMBO780SCENESETTER FOR JAFFNA MUNICIPAL COUNCIL ELECTIONS
[...] (C) Summary: Jaffna Municipal Council elections will be held on Saturday, August 8, the first elections in the Jaffna area since 2004. The government is paying close attention to this election, sending a number of ministers to campaign there alongside Douglas Devananda, leader of the Eelam [...]
2009-08-07 12:23:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PREF PHUM EAID CE
09COLOMBO781UVA PROVINCIAL COUNCIL ELECTIONS UPDATE
[...] (SBU) Summary. Pol Staff visited Badulla and Monaragela Districts in Uva Province to get a sense of the issues and progress of the campaign for the upcoming August 8 provincial elections. The elections are the first since the end of war and are being perceived by many as a testing ground fo [...]
2009-08-07 13:15:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PREF PHUM EAID CE
09COLOMBO807SRI LANKA'S FOREIGN MINISTER SEES "DEVOLUTION"
[...] No summary [...]
2009-08-14 07:11:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PREF PHUM PTER EAID MOPS CE
09COLOMBO81SRI LANKA: JOURNALISTS FLEE COUNTRY AMID
[...] (C) SUMMARY: At least nine media personnel have left the country since the January 6 attack on the independent MTV network's broadcasting center (ref E) that marked the beginning of a recent surge in attacks and threats on journalists in the country (ref A, B, D). At least five additional jou [...]
2009-01-23 12:10:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPHUM PGOV PTER PREL CE
09COLOMBO818IMPACT OF RAINFALL ON SRI LANKA'S MANIK FARM IDP CAMPS
[...] (SBU) SUMMARY: Recent rainfall in Sri Lanka's northern district of Vavuniya, the location of the Manik Farm IDP camps, was a wake-up call for the Government of Sri Lanka and international organizations conducting humanitarian operations. Major improvements appear necessary to avert disaster pr [...]
2009-08-19 11:28:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYEAID PREL PREF PGOV PHUM MOPS ASEC CE
09COLOMBO82SRI LANKA: FORMER FOREIGN MINISTER RECEIVES
[...] (C) SUMMARY: Former Foreign Minister Mangala Samawaweera told Ambassador on January 23 that he felt his life was in danger and was planning to seek temporary safe haven abroad. He strongly implied that Defense Secretary Gothabaya Rajapaksa was behind the threats to his life, but admitted he d [...]
2009-01-23 12:14:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE
09COLOMBO827BASIL RAJAPAKSA DISCLOSES PLAN TO DECONGEST MANIK
[...] (C) SUMMARY: Senior Advisor to the President Basil Rajapaksa told Charge and A/DCM that the GSL planned to move forward with significant IDP resettlement before the monsoon season begins in October. When pressed, Rajapaksa said as many as 100,000 would be released, including students, relig [...]
2009-08-24 12:24:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PREF PHUM PTER EAID MOPS CE
09COLOMBO837SRI LANKAN FINANCIAL INTELLIGENCE UNIT NOT YET IN
[...] (C ) Since the early August arrest of LTTE leader and financer Kumaran Pathmanathan (KP),the Sri Lankan military has interrogated KP about the LTTE,s financing network and overseas assets. Secretary of Defense Rajapaksa (the President,s brother) publically claimed that KP,s interrogatio [...]
2009-08-26 09:19:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALCE ECON EFIN PTER
09COLOMBO848CLERGY IDPS RELEASED, DOCTORS OUT ON BAIL - IS
[...] (SBU) On August 27, the Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) announced it was releasing 579 clergy members from the IDP camps in Vavuniya. Media reports said 571 of these were Hindu priests, with six Catholic priests and two nuns joining them. These same reports said approximately 220 clergy membe [...]
2009-08-27 11:40:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PREF PHUM EAID CE
09COLOMBO854REPORT NUMBER TWO ON INTERAGENCY POLICY COMMITTEE
[...] (SBU) SUMMARY: This is the second of three monthly reports on the Government of Sri Lanka's progress in meeting benchmarks as outlined in Ref B. The start of pre-monsoonal rains this month has created a heightened urgency among all humanitarian actors, in terms of accelerating the release of p [...]
2009-08-31 10:54:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYEAID PREL PREF PGOV PHUM MOPS ASEC CE
09COLOMBO855JOURNALIST TISSAINAYAGAM CONVICTED, GIVEN 20 YEAR
[...] (SBU) On August 31, the Colombo High Court announced a guilty verdict in the closely watched case of Sri Lankan journalist Jayaprakash Sittampalam Tissainayagam. After brief summation of arguments by the prosecutor and lead defense counsel, the bailiff read the decision of Judge Deepali Wijes [...]
2009-08-31 10:57:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PREF PHUM PTER EAID MOPS CE
09COLOMBO86SRI LANKA: ARMY CAPTURES MULLAITIVU; BOTH SIDES
[...] (SBU) Army Commander Sarath Fonseka announced in a live television broadcast on January 25 that the military had captured Mullaitivu - the last major town held by the LTTE. In a campaign appearance for the February 14 Central Province council elections, President Mahinda Rajapaksa stated that [...]
2009-01-26 12:20:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALMOPS PHUM PREF CE
09COLOMBO861TNA TO MEET WITH PRESIDENT RAJAPAKSA
[...] (C) On September 2, Media reports indicated that the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) would meet with President Rajapaksa on September 7. TNA leader R. Sampanthan, a Member of Parliament (MP),told PolStaff there were several issues they wished to discuss with the President. First was the need f [...]
2009-09-02 12:06:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PREF PHUM PTER EAID MOPS CE
09COLOMBO864TISSAINAYAGAM'S LAWYER, CONCERNED DIPLOMATS
[...] (S) SUMMARY: In a meeting with diplomatic representatives, recently convicted journalist Tissainayagam's lead lawyer said the appeals process could be lengthy but held out hope for a presidential pardon at some point. Tissainayagam was of two minds on the question of whether the international [...]
2009-09-03 13:46:00Embassy ColomboSECRETPGOV PREL PREF PHUM PTER EAID MOPS CE
09COLOMBO872PRESIDENT RAJAPAKSA HOLDS LINE ON RECONCILIATION,
[...] (C) SUMMARY: In a lengthy September 8 meeting with Charge, President Rajapaksa said his recent meeting with TNA party leaders had gone well but that implementation of the 13th Amendment to the constitution dealing with the devolution of central power would have to wait until at least April afte [...]
2009-09-09 13:54:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PREF PHUM PTER EAID MOPS CE
09COLOMBO876SRI LANKAN OFFICIALS REJECT FREEDOM OF IDP
[...] (C) On September 9, Charge delivered ref. A freedom of movement points to Foreign Minister Bogollagama and was met with a predictable response. The FM said these points were nothing new and the GSL appreciated our continued interest. He repeated the request for us to help purchase heavy demi [...]
2009-09-10 13:55:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PREF PHUM PTER EAID MOPS CE
09COLOMBO877TNA SAYS MEETING WITH SRI LANKA PRESIDENT
[...] (C) On September 7, seven members of parliament from the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) party met with President Rajapaksa and his brother, Senior Presidential Advisor Basil Rajapaksa. While it was reported in the press as a cordial and satisfactory meeting, TNA MP Suresh Premachandran, one of [...]
2009-09-11 06:53:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PREF PHUM PTER EAID CE
09COLOMBO878SRI LANKA REMAINS FOCUSED ON FOOD SECURITY; WILL
[...] (U) SUMMARY: EconOff delivered REF points to Ms. Janaki Kuruppu, the President's top food security advisor. Kuruppu outlined a number of actions items the GoSL has taken since the food crisis of 2008 and expressed interest in participating in the Secretary's upcoming food security meeting in [...]
2009-09-11 06:53:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIEDCE EAGR EAID ETRD PREL UNGA
09COLOMBO887GOVERNMENT OF SRI LANKA'S PRONOUNCEMENTS TO
[...] (SBU) Summary: ADCM attended meeting September 16 called by UN Resident Coordinator to brief Heads of Mission and aid agencies on recent IPD returns. Starting on September 11, approximately 2,7000 IDPs were moved from Manik Farm in Vavuniya and are currently being held in closed transit sites [...]
2009-09-16 12:40:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIEDPGOV PREL PREF PHUM PTER EAID MOPS CE
09COLOMBO89AKASHI STRESSES NEED FOR POLITICAL SOLUTION AND
[...] (C) Summary: In his January 22-25 visit to Sri Lanka, Japanese Special Envoy Yasushi Akashi stressed the need for a political solution, protection of the civilians from ongoing military operations in the North, urged an improvement in law and order and an end to the climate of impunity. Akas [...]
2009-01-26 13:57:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPREL PREF PHUM CE
09COLOMBO890MOJ SECRETARY ON GOVERNMENT REFURB OF
[...] (C) SUMMARY: In a September 16 meeting with PolChief, Secretary of the Sri Lankan Ministry of Justice Suhada Gamalath said the recently named four-minister team to deal with the EU on the GSP-plus issue would have both a PR function (arguing in Europe that denial of GSP-plus would hurt the nee [...]
2009-09-17 12:44:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PREF PHUM PTER EAID MOPS CE
09COLOMBO893PRESIDENT BEWILDERED, FRUSTRATED WITH U.S. SRI
[...] (C) SUMMARY: In a private meeting following ambassador's credentialing ceremony, President Rajapaksa expressed bewilderment and frustration at U.S. policy for encouraging him to fight terrorism and then criticizing him when he did. Rajapaksa claimed that 70 percent of the IDPs locked in camps [...]
2009-09-18 11:14:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PREF PHUM PTER EAID MOPS CE
09COLOMBO894PRESIDENT QUESTIONS VERACITY OF CPA DIRECTOR DEATH
[...] (U) On September 16, President Rajapaksa called for an investigation to verify a death threat against Paikiasothi Saravanamuttu, or &Sara8, Director of the Centre for Policy Alternatives. As mentioned in ref. A, Sara received a letter on August 20, 2009, threatening him with death for his all [...]
2009-09-18 11:30:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PREF PHUM PTER EAID MOPS CE
09COLOMBO895UN PASCOE TAKES GSL AT ITS WORD ON IDP RETURNS
[...] (C) On September 18 UN Under-Secretary General for Political Affairs Lynn Pascoe gave a briefing for the Colombo-based diplomatic community, reviewing his visit here over the past two days. He and locally-based UN senior staff visited a demining site in Mannar, an IDP camp and a rehabilitat [...]
2009-09-18 11:59:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PREF PHUM PTER EAID MOPS CE
09COLOMBO897FOREIGN MINISTER WANTS NEW RELATIONSHIP BUT
[...] (C) SUMMARY: In a September 18 initial courtesy call by ambassador, Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama expressed his government's strong desire to improve and broaden relations with the U.S. in the new, post-war environment. Ambassador expressed our desire as well to broaden the relationship [...]
2009-09-21 09:52:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PREF PHUM PTER EAID MOPS CE
09COLOMBO913REQUEST FOR USG DEMINING EQUIPMENT FOR SRI LANKAN
[...] (U) This is an Action Request for Department. See paragraph 5. 2. (C) Officials of the Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) have often said that the release of the more than 250,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) currently held in closed camps cannot take place until demining operations are [...]
2009-09-25 10:20:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PREF PHUM PTER EAID MOPS CE
09COLOMBO929ARCHBISHOP SUGGESTS PUSHING ACCOUNTABILITY COULD
[...] (C) SUMMARY: Roman Catholic Archbishop Ranjith told ambassador that pushing the GSL too hard on the war crimes accountability issue now could destabilize Sri Lankan democracy and would set back the cause of human rights. He reasoned that weakening the Rajapaksas -- who despite their public im [...]
2009-10-02 11:20:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PREF PHUM PTER EAID MOPS CE
09COLOMBO933SRI LANKAN-CHINESE TRADE TILTS HEAVILY TOWARD CHINA
[...] No summary [...]
2009-10-06 03:29:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALCE CH ECON ETRD PGOV EINV
09COLOMBO938JUSTICE MINISTER, DEFENSE SECRETARY DISCUSS
[...] (C) In an October 7 meeting with Ambassador, Justice Minister Malinda Moragoda said the 1987 Youth Commission, which looked at the roots of the JVP uprising, might be a mechanism that Sri Lanka could use to get at the questions of accountability and reconciliation. In response to Ambassador's [...]
2009-10-07 12:44:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PREF PHUM PTER EAID MOPS CE
09COLOMBO942RULING PARTY AIMING FOR DECISIVE VICTORY IN
[...] (C) SUMMARY. The government is aiming for a strong showing in this Saturday's final provincial election in the heart of the ruling United People's Freedom Alliance (UPFA) Sinhala Buddhist constituency to set the stage for victories in the upcoming Presidential (January) and parliamentary (April [...]
2009-10-09 08:46:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PREF PHUM PTER EAID MOPS CE
09COLOMBO943SRI LANKA BOOSTS DEFENSE BUDGET FOR TROOPS,
[...] (C ) Summary. The Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) has requested almost $300 million in supplementary defense spending, which will provide for paying current soldiers, salaries and needs, recruiting 25,000 new soldiers, and building bases and a new Coast Guard. The timing of the announceme [...]
2009-10-12 04:25:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALCE ECON PGOV PINS PREL PTER
09COLOMBO945RULING PARTY FEELING VULNERABLE AFTER SOUTHERN
[...] (C) SUMMARY. The United People's Freedom Alliance (UPFA),which includes President Mahinda Rajapaksa's Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP),won the southern provincial election with a 67 percent majority, considerably lower than their goal of 75 to 80 percent. This setback may shift their strategy [...]
2009-10-13 12:59:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PREF PHUM PTER EAID MOPS CE
09COLOMBO95SRI LANKA: DECLARED SAFE ZONE INOPERATIVE; ICRC
[...] (C) SUMMARY: In separate briefings, UN and ICRC representatives reported that repeated violations of the "safe zone" had compelled their staffs to return to Puthukkudiyiruppu (PTK). Recent intense fighting reportedly has killed 300 civilians. The ICRC reports "tens" injured on a daily basis [...]
2009-01-27 12:39:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPREL MOPS PHUM CE
09COLOMBO981FINANCE SECRETARY OUTLINES GSL DEVELOPMENT PLANS
[...] (SBU) Summary. Influential powerbroker P.B. Jayasundera has returned to the government as the Finance Secretary, following a year-long exile due to corruption issues. In an introductory call with Ambassador Butenis, Jayasundera described government plans to reconstruct the North and Eas [...]
2009-10-22 11:59:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALCE ECON ETRD PGOV
09COLOMBO982TAMIL LEADER URGES U.S., INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY
[...] (C) SUMMARY: In an initial courtesy call, Tamil National Alliance (TNA) leader R. Sampanthan discussed a range of issues with the Ambassador, including upcoming elections, human rights, and the role of Tamils in the post-war environment. Sampanthan opined that the presidential election would b [...]
2009-10-22 12:20:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PREF PHUM PTER EAID MOPS CE
09COLOMBO983DISAPPEARANCES APPEAR TO DECLINE, DEFSEC SAYS THEY
[...] (S/NF) SUMMARY: Post appears to be seeing a continuing decline in disappearances across most of Sri Lanka, according to statistics obtained from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). (STRICTLY PROTECT: Provision of these statistics by ICRC to Post goes against their regular [...]
2009-10-22 12:31:00Embassy ColomboSECRET//NOFORNPGOV PREL PREF PHUM PTER EAID MOPS CE
09COLOMBO988GSL RESPONSE TO REPORT MEASURED -- THUS FAR
[...] (C) SUMMARY: The response of the Sri Lankan government (GSL) to release of the S/WCI report to Congress on incidents during the recent conflict thus far has been measured. Human Rights Minister Samarasinghe told Ambassador an "independent" committee of eminent persons would be announced next w [...]
2009-10-26 11:37:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PREF PHUM PTER EAID MOPS CE
09COLOMBO993SRI LANKA PRESS FREEDOM ISSUES: SOME STEPS
[...] (S) SUMMARY: On October 26, the two people arrested as accomplices in publishing imprisoned journalist Tissainayagam's "terrorist" articles were released and apparently acquitted of all charges. In releasing V. Jasiharan and Valarmathy Vadivel, the high court judge noted that the only evidenc [...]
2009-10-28 12:38:00Embassy ColomboSECRETPGOV PREL PREF PHUM PTER EAID MOPS CE
09COLOMBO994FOREIGN MINISTER RESPONDS TO WAR INCIDENTS REPORT
[...] (C) On October 28, Ambassador was called in by Foreign Minister Bogollagama to discuss the response of the Sri Lankan government (GSL) to the U.S. Report on Incidents in the Recent Conflict. The FM said the GSL was not satisfied with the report and they understood it reached no legal conclusi [...]
2009-10-28 12:47:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PREF PHUM PTER EAID MOPS CE
09COLOMBO996SRI LANKA: MESSAGE FROM PRESIDENT OBAMA TO
[...] (U) On October 28, Political Chief delivered reftel message from President Obama to President Rajapaksa. BUTENIS [...]
2009-10-29 12:08:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIEDPGOV PREL PREF PHUM CE
09COLOMBO997SRI LANKA: LETTER FROM SENATOR LUGAR TO PRESIDENT
[...] (U) On October 28, Political Chief met with Presidential Chief of Staff Lalith Weeratunga and delivered ref A message from Senator Lugar to President Rajapaksa. BUTENIS [...]
2009-10-29 12:11:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIEDPGOV PREL PREF PHUM CE
09COLOMBO999Sri Lanka Scenesetter
[...] (SBU) Sri Lanka stands at a pivotal point in its modern history. The end of the long secessionist war with the LTTE opens up opportunities for national reconciliation, political reform, economic renewal, and international re-engagement. The question is whether the Sri Lankan leadership has the [...]
2009-10-30 08:02:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIEDPGOV PREL PREF PHUM PTER EAID MOPS CE
09GENEVA584SRI LANKA: S/WCI AMB. WILLIAMSON'S GENEVA MEETINGS
[...] (C) S/WCI Amb. Williamson met with representatives of ICRC, OHCHR and UNHCR July 9 to discuss the recent conflict in Sri Lanka in relation to a Congressional reporting requirement in recent supplemental funding legislation. His interlocutors presented a complex picture of what had happened o [...]
2009-07-15 09:23:00Mission GenevaCONFIDENTIALCE MOPS PGOV PHUM PREF PREL
09ISLAMABAD472 PAKISTAN MEDIA REACTION: MARCH 04, 2009
[...] No summary [...]
2009-03-04 11:09:00Embassy IslamabadUNCLASSIFIEDKMDR KPAO OIIP OPRC PGOV PREL PK
09NEWDELHI1013SPECIAL REPORT: INDIAN MEDIA WELCOMES "END OF
[...] (BEGIN EXCERPT): "President Rajapakse has achieved what no previous Sri Lankan leader came close to doing: securing the integrity and sovereignty of Sri Lanka by freeing it from the malevolent challenge of the LTTE. Now, in the post-Prabakaran era, he needs to address two big tasks: rehabilita [...]
2009-05-19 10:46:00Embassy New DelhiUNCLASSIFIEDKMDR KPAO PGOV PREL IN
09NEWDELHI1029MEDIA REACTION: TALIBAN/PAKISTAN, SRI LANKA,
[...] "TALIBAN, TALIBAN, TALIBAN," editorial in May 17 Islamist Urdu bi-weekly DAWAT: "In the Taliban, the United States seems to have found a new imaginary foe. Today the word Taliban has been reduced practically to an expletive. The U.S. initially carried out intensive bombardments against the Tal [...]
2009-05-20 12:14:00Embassy New DelhiUNCLASSIFIEDKMDR KPAO PGOV PREL IN
09NEWDELHI1036MEDIA REACTION: SRI LANKA, PAKISTAN, UNITED
[...] QWAR ENDS, BUT ISSUES STILL ALIVE,Q editorial in May 20 centrist Gujarati daily, JANMABHOOMI: QThe 30-year old violent ethnic struggle for a separate Tamil state in Sri Lanka may have ended, but it would be erroneous to infer that this will lead to a lasting peace. The Sri Lankan Rajapakse gov [...]
2009-05-21 12:07:00Embassy New DelhiUNCLASSIFIEDKMDR KPAO PGOV PREL IN
09NEWDELHI1053INDIAN FOREIGN SECRETARY READOUT OF SRI LANKA TRIP
[...] (C) Summary. In a May 22 briefing for the Charge, Foreign Secretary Menon provided a readout of his visit, along with National Security Advisor MK Narayanan, to Colombo on May 20-21. India's message to President Rajapaksa was to focus on resettling IDPs, reconstruction, demining, and the lo [...]
2009-05-22 13:42:00Embassy New DelhiCONFIDENTIALPREL PGOV CE IN
09NEWDELHI1123MEDIA REACTION: PAKISTAN, SRI LANKA, U.S.
[...] "PAKISTAN'S NUCLEAR INTENTIONS," editorial in June 1 nationalist Hindi daily, RASHTRIYA SAHARA: "The Indian Army Chief has valid concerns about Pakistan's attempts to enhance its nuclear capability. India has to raise this issue at the international diplomatic level, but should also talk to Pa [...]
2009-06-02 10:45:00Embassy New DelhiUNCLASSIFIEDKMDR KPAO PGOV PREL IN
09NEWDELHI1129CHARGE MEETS NEW INDIAN FOREIGN MINISTER;
[...] (C) Summary: In a June 2 courtesy call by the Charge, newly appointed External Affairs Minister Krishna said he welcomed enhancement of the bilateral dialogue. In a prior meeting with Foreign Secretary Menon, the Charge flagged the need to move forward on "legacy" issues in the run-up to ne [...]
2009-06-02 14:37:00Embassy New DelhiCONFIDENTIALPREL PGOV PINR PHUM ENRG CE IN
09NEWDELHI1210FS MENON AND U/S BURNS DISCUSS REGIONAL SECURITY
[...] (C) SUMMARY. Foreign Secretary Menon and visiting Under Secretary for Political Affairs Bill Burns discussed regional security June 10, with a focus on Afghanistan and Pakistan. Menon referred to Prime Minister Singh's June 9 comments in Parliament that the Composite Dialogue could not resume [...]
2009-06-11 17:51:00Embassy New DelhiCONFIDENTIALPREL PGOV PTER MOPS PK IN
09NEWDELHI1213HOME MINISTER MEETS U/S BURNS
[...] (S) Summary: In a productive and serious June 10 exchange with Under Secretary Bill Burns, Home Minister P. Chidambaram offered his sober assessment of India's internal and external security challenges: from Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka to ongoing insurgencies in "the hinterlands" of I [...]
2009-06-11 18:04:00Embassy New DelhiSECRETPGOV BG ECON NP PHUM PK PREL PTER IN
09NEWDELHI1318INDIA WELCOMES SRI LANKAN DELEGATION, PROGRESS ON
[...] (U) Senior Adviser to the Sri Lankan President Basil Rajapaksa and his brother, Sri Lankan Defense Secretary Gothbaya Rajapaksa, met with Indian External Affairs Minister Krishna in Delhi on June 24. They discussed the resettlement and rehabilitation of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) [...]
2009-06-25 11:38:00Embassy New DelhiUNCLASSIFIEDPREL PGOV PHUM MOPS PREF PTER CE IN
09NEWDELHI1673MEDIA REACTION: WAR AGAINST TERRORISM, SRI
[...] "CONTINUING JIHAD IN AFGHANISTAN-PAKISTAN: AN AMERICAN GAMEPLAN," op-ed in August 11 right-of-center Urdu daily, RASHTRIYA SAHARA: "Analysts and researchers throughout the world have concluded that the jihad continuing in Afghanistan and Pakistan for the last 30 years is, in fact, an American [...]
2009-08-11 11:13:00Embassy New DelhiUNCLASSIFIEDKMDR KPAO PGOV PREL IN
09NEWDELHI2142U/S BURNS REVIEWS REGIONAL ISSUES WITH INDIAN FS
[...] (C) Summary: During a wide-ranging review of regional issues with Under Secretary Burns on October 16, Indian Foreign Secretary Rao reviewed recent Indo-Pak discussions in New York and criticized Pakistani inaction on Hafiz Saeed and terrorist infiltrations. Rao described India as unable to c [...]
2009-10-21 14:59:00Embassy New DelhiCONFIDENTIALPREL PTER IN PK AF CH RU CE NP BM JA
09NEWDELHI743FOREIGN SECRETARY MENON ON END GAME IN SRI LANKA
[...] (C) In an April 15 meeting, Indian Foreign Secretary Shivshankar Menon reviewed with Ambassador Burleigh the current state of Indo-Sri Lankan discussions as the conflict in northern Sri Lanka reaches a conclusion. Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Bogollagama was in New Delhi April 15 for meetings wit [...]
2009-04-15 15:49:00Embassy New DelhiCONFIDENTIALPREL PGOV PHUM PTER CE IN
09NEWDELHI814INDIAN FOREIGN SECRETARY URGES COOPERATION ON SRI
[...] (C) Charge met with Indian Foreign Secretary Shiv Shankar Menon April 23 for a discussion on the urgent humanitarian situation in Sri Lanka and its ramifications for India. Menon began the conversation by noting that External Affairs Minister Mukherjee had requested a telephone call to Secretary [...]
2009-04-23 14:57:00Embassy New DelhiCONFIDENTIALPREL PGOV PHUM MOPS PREF ASEC CE IN
09NEWDELHI829RAJAPAKSA PROMISES A PAUSE TO INDIAN ENVOYS
[...] (C) On April 25, National Security Adviser M.K. Narayanan told Charge that Sri Lankan President Rajapaksa had agreed to announce on April 27 a cessation of hostilities with the LTTE. Narayanan, who had traveled with Foreign Secretary Shiv Shankar Menon to Colombo on April 24, related that he had p [...]
2009-04-25 13:28:00Embassy New DelhiCONFIDENTIALPREL PGOV PHUM MOPS PREF ASEC IN
09NEWDELHI855MEDIA REACTION: PAKISTAN, H1N1 FLU OUTBREAK
[...] "TALIBAN'S HOLD OVER PAKISTAN," op-ed article by columnist R.R. Palsokar in April 29 centrist Marathi daily SAKAAL: "The conflict in Pakistan has various facets. First, political clashes between Asif Zardari's Pakistan People's Party and Nawaz Sharif's Muslim League are pulling the administrat [...]
2009-04-29 12:33:00Embassy New DelhiUNCLASSIFIEDKMDR KPAO PGOV PREL IN
09NEWDELHI967UK READOUT OF DES BROWNE (SPECIAL ENVOY FOR SRI
[...] (C) Summary. UK Special Envoy for Sri Lanka Des Browne visited New Delhi May 6-7 to consult with Indian officials on possible collaboration on the humanitarian and political situation in Sri Lanka. Browne briefed diplomats on his view of the situation in Sri Lanka, and a UK High Commission coll [...]
2009-05-13 13:51:00Embassy New DelhiCONFIDENTIALPREL PGOV PHUM MOPS CE UK IN
09NEWDELHI996INDIAN FOREIGN SECRETARY WEIGHS POST-CONFLICT
[...] (C) Charge met with Indian Foreign Secretary Shiv Shankar Menon May 15 for a discussion on the urgent humanitarian situation in Sri Lanka. Menon acknowledged the dire situation and said that the fighting was more intense in the conflict zone, with higher casualty figures and more use of heavy we [...]
2009-05-15 13:42:00Embassy New DelhiCONFIDENTIALPREL PGOV PHUM MOPS PREF CE IN
09SINGAPORE765SINGAPORE TO PROVIDE GOOD GOVERNANCE TRAINING TO
[...] (C) Singapore will host twenty-five (all Under-Secretary level) Sri-Lankan officials from several ministries for two weeks of good-governance and leadership training beginning October 25, MFA South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa Director S. Premjith told EP Counselor in an August 13 meeting. Prem [...]
2009-08-14 07:21:00Embassy SingaporeCONFIDENTIALPREL EAID PGOV PHUM MOPS SL AF SN
09STATE100197SCA ASSISTANT SECRETARY BLAKE'S SEPTEMBER 24,
[...] (SBU) Participants: U.S. SCA A/S Blake SCA Special Assistant Matthew Lowe Anthony Renzulli (SCA Notetaker) Sri Lanka Defense Secretary Rajapaksa Ambassador to the United States Jaliya Wickramasuriya 2. (C) SUMMARY. In a September 24 meeting with Defense Secretary Gotobhaya Rajapa [...]
2009-09-25 19:19:00Secretary of StateCONFIDENTIALCE PGOV PHUM PREF PREL PTER
09STATE102030SRI LANKA/NEPAL: SCA A/S BLAKE'S SEPTEMBER 29,
[...] (U) September 29, 2009; 12:00 p.m.; New York. 2. (SBU) Participants: U.S. SCA A/S Blake Donald Camp, Senior Area Adviser, USUN Douglas Mercado, Adviser, Humanitarian Affairs, USUN Anthony Renzulli (SCA Notetaker) UN U/SYG for Political Affairs Lynn Pascoe U/SYG for Humanitarian Af [...]
2009-09-30 23:58:00Secretary of StateCONFIDENTIALPREL PGOV PHUM PREF PTER EAID ICRC UN IN CE NP
09STATE26714ASSISTANT SECRETARY BOUCHER SPEAKS WITH BASIL
[...] (C) Summary: On March 18, Assistant Secretary for South and Central Asian Affairs Boucher met with Sri Lankan Presidential Advisor Basil Rajapaksa regarding the humanitarian situation in Sri Lanka. He pressed Rajapaksa to halt the continuing Sri Lankan Army shelling of the safe zone and empha [...]
2009-03-19 21:45:00Secretary of StateCONFIDENTIALPHUM KDEM PREL CE
09STATE28882SRI LANKA: USUN GUIDANCE ON THE MARCH 26 OCHA
[...] (U) This is an action request please see para 2: 2. (U) USUN should draw from the talking points in para 3 during the March 26 informal OCHA briefing on the humanitarian situation in Sri Lanka. Due to the impossibility of the Council reaching consensus on a joint statement, Mission shoul [...]
2009-03-25 23:41:00Secretary of StateUNCLASSIFIEDCE PREL XD XO
09STATE36734ASSISTANT SECRETARY BOUCHER MEETS WITH PALITHA
[...] (C) Summary: On April 10, Assistant Secretary for South and Central Asian Affairs Richard Boucher met with Sri Lankan Foreign Secretary Palitha Kohona regarding the humanitarian situation in Sri Lanka. Boucher told Kohona that the Sri Lankan Army must halt the continued shelling of the safe z [...]
2009-04-14 19:18:00Secretary of StateSECRETPREL PHUM KDEM CE
09STATE85620A/S BLAKE-AKASHI TELECON
[...] (C) SUMMARY. In an August 14 telephone conversation with Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Blake, Japanese Special Envoy to Sri Lanka Yasushi Akashi said that Japan, anticipating a change in government following upcoming elections, will delay the proposed U.S.-J [...]
2009-08-17 20:25:00Secretary of StateCONFIDENTIALPGOV PHUM PREF PREL CE JA
09STATE96501SRI LANKA: A/S BLAKE RAISES IDPS AND REPORT TO
[...] (C) SUMMARY: Assistant Secretary for South and Central Asian Affairs Robert Blake urged Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Bogollagama September 15 to allow freedom of movement for internally displaced persons (IDPs) by the end of September, when monsoon rains will begin. A/S Blake stressed that the [...]
2009-09-17 00:13:00Secretary of StateCONFIDENTIALPREL PGOV PHUM PREF MOPS KAWC CE
09TOKYO1141JAPANESE MORNING PRESS HIGHLIGHTS 05/20/09
[...] No summary [...]
2009-05-20 00:34:00Embassy TokyoUNCLASSIFIEDOIIP KMDR KPAO PGOV PINR ECON ELAB JA
09TOKYO1144TOKYO MEDIA REACTION - SRI LANKA
[...] LEAD STORIES: Wednesday morning's Asahi front-paged a report from Washington claiming that the Obama administration informed the Japanese government on Tuesday of its decision to nominate California lawyer John Roos as the new U.S. Ambassador to Japan. 2. "Force Alone Can Not Bring Peace" T [...]
2009-05-20 01:39:00Embassy TokyoUNCLASSIFIEDOIIP KMDR KPAO JA
09TOKYO1225TOKYO MEDIA REACTION - SRI LANKA
[...] LEAD STORIES: All Monday morning papers gave top or front-page play to GM's plans to file Chapter 11 bankruptcy as early as today. 2. "Step toward Ethnic Reconciliation" The liberal Asahi editorialized (6/1): "President Rajapaksa of Sri Lanka declared victory in the civil war. The governme [...]
2009-06-01 02:55:00Embassy TokyoUNCLASSIFIEDOIIP KMDR KPAO JA
09USUNNEWYORK114SYG BAN BRIEFS ON AU SUMMIT, IRAQ, GAZA,
[...] (SBU) SUMMARY: Secretary-General Ban briefed the Security Council on his recent travels in February 9 consultations. Ban recounted his personal intervention on the Muhajeria crisis in Darfur, described a long list of challenges in Afghanistan and relayed a new sense of optimism in Iraq in the [...]
2009-02-11 01:21:00USUN New YorkUNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYPREL PGOV PHUM UNSC SO SU ZI MA AF IS IZ PK
09USUNNEWYORK571UN SECRETARY-GENERAL BRIEFS ON HIS RECENT VISIT TO
[...] (SBU) Summary: On June 5, the Secretary-General briefed members of the Security Council on his recent visit to Sri Lanka as well as on UN assistance to IDPs. The briefing was in an "informal interactive" format, which included the participation of Sri Lankan Permanent Representative Palihakka [...]
2009-06-06 02:01:00USUN New YorkUNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYPREL PGOV PHUM CE
10BEIJING232JANUARY 28, 2010 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: TALKS WITH DALAI LAMA
[...] Key points at the January 28 MFA press briefing were: -- Chinese officials will meet with representatives of the Dalai Lama for talks in the "near term." -- The EU arms embargo against China was the result of "political prejudice" and China demanded that it be lifted. -- Requests for inf [...]
2010-01-28 10:35:00Embassy BeijingUNCLASSIFIEDPREL PHUM PARM MASS EINT TINT SENV CH AF JM
10BERLIN124MEDIA REACTION: U.S., AFGHANISTAN, YEMEN, HONDURAS, SRI
[...] Lead Stories Summary 2. (U.S.) State of the Union Address 3. (Afghanistan) London Conference, German Strategy 4. (Yemen) London Conference 5. (Honduras) Lobo Inauguration 6. (Sri Lanka) Outcome of Elections 7. (Iran) Nuclear Program 8. (Germany-U.S.) Germ [...]
2010-01-28 13:54:00Embassy BerlinUNCLASSIFIEDOPRC KMDR AF YM HO CE IR GM
10BERLIN173MEDIA REACTION: IRAN, EURO, EUROPEAN COMMISSION, UKRAINE,
[...] Lead Stories Summary 2. (Iran) Nuclear Program, Protests 3. (EU) Euro Financial Crisis 4. (EU) New European Commission 5. (Ukraine) Aftermath of Elections 6. (Sri Lanka) Rising Tensions 7. (Germany-U.S.) GM-Opel  [...]
2010-02-10 13:00:00Embassy BerlinUNCLASSIFIEDOPRC KMDR IR EMS EU UP CE GM
10COLOMBO10EASTERN SRI LANKA MAKES POST-WAR ECONOMIC
[...] (SBU) Summary. The Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) touts the 'economic success' in Eastern Sri Lanka, where the fighting ended in 2007, as its blueprint for the reconstruction of Northern Sri Lanka. Econoff found that the base economy in the East of paddy rice farming and fishing has boun [...]
2010-01-07 12:25:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYCE EAGR EAID ECON EFIN ETRD PGOV PHUM
10COLOMBO103HAMBANTOTA PORT COMPLEX: WILL SRI LANKA REALIZE
[...] (SBU) SUMMARY: Sri Lanka is betting on becoming a global trading hub, and a key part of its strategy is developing a giant port and industry facility in the southern rural area of Hambantota. Robust development in Hambantota, specifically the seaport and the international airport, is progres [...]
2010-02-09 04:13:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIEDECON ETRD EINV EAIR ELTN EWWT PGOV CH CE
10COLOMBO105SRI LANKA: FONSEKA DETAINED, GOVERNMENT PLANS
[...] (C) SUMMARY: On February 8, former opposition presidential candidate Fonseka was taken into custody by military police. Several key joint opposition leaders were at the office when the detention occurred and said the military personnel had man-handled Fonseka and dragged him across the floor as [...]
2010-02-09 13:44:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PREF PHUM PTER EAID MOPS CE
10COLOMBO108SRI LANKA HOT TOPICS: FONSEKA, BUDDHIST CRITICISM
[...] (C) SUMMARY: On February 10, Charge met with the Foreign Secretary, who said that the Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) had acted with complete transparency when detaining Sarath Fonseka and that the U.S. statement of "concern" by the State Department spokesman was premature. He left the door open [...]
2010-02-10 12:31:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PREF PHUM PTER EAID MOPS CE
10COLOMBO11SRI LANKA: ELECTIONS UPDATE NO.5
[...] (C) TNA Leader R. Sampanthan announced late afternoon on January 6 that the TNA would support Fonseka in the presidential election. A written statement by Sampanthan outlining the decision focused almost exclusively on President Rajapaksa, ending by saying it was important to defeat him, and [...]
2010-01-07 14:06:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PREF PHUM PTER EAID MOPS CE
10COLOMBO111FM BOGOLLAGAMA SUMMONS CHARGE FOR FOLLOW-UP ON
[...] (C) On February 12, Foreign Minister Bogollagama summoned Charge to provide more information regarding her question at a February 11 briefing for the diplomatic corps regarding General Fonseka's medical care. At the February 11 briefing the FM enumerated the legal provisions that govern the p [...]
2010-02-12 11:56:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PREF PHUM PTER EAID MOPS CE
10COLOMBO1212007 IWOC AWARDEE FIGHTS UPHILL BATTLE ON JUDICIAL
[...] (C) SUMMARY: Kishali Pinto-Jayawardena, 2007 Sri Lankan recipient of the Secretary's International Women of Courage Award, related frustration with the presidential election, the Rajapaksa family, and a weak Sri Lankan civil society. She also discussed her recent report on post-war justice, wh [...]
2010-02-17 12:22:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PREF PHUM PTER EAID MOPS CE
10COLOMBO122SRI LANKA BADLY MISSES IMF DEFICIT TARGET; LIKELY
[...] (C) Summary. An IMF staff mission currently in Sri Lanka is finding that the country has badly missed its 2009 government deficit target, with the budget deficit reaching 9.5% of GDP, well over the 7% IMF target. The IMF staff team plans to recommend no further disbursements until Sri La [...]
2010-02-18 12:09:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALCE ECON ETRD PGOV
10COLOMBO125SRI LANKA: FOCUS ON FONSEKA FAMILY CONTINUES
[...] (C) SUMMARY: Sarath Fonseka lodged an election petition with the Supreme Court, alleging many violations of elections law and asking the court to overturn Rajapaksa's victory, and declare Fonseka the winner. The government issued an arrest warrant for Fonseka's son-in-law, Danuna Tillakaratne [...]
2010-02-19 05:58:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PREF PHUM PTER EAID MOPS CE
10COLOMBO132FONSEKA CATCH-22: SUPREME COURT RULES NO RELEASE
[...] (C) SUMMARY: At a Fundamental Rights hearing on February 23, the Supreme Court denied General Fonseka release as interim relief because his claim that there was no reason to detain him could not be verified until the investigation was completed and, presumably, charges were filed. At the same [...]
2010-02-24 01:54:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PREF PHUM PTER EAID MOPS CE
10COLOMBO140FONSEKA ARREST PROMPTS BUDDHIST CLERGY CONCERNS FOR
[...] (SBU) SUMMARY: The Fonseka arrest has led to a rift between the Rajapaksa leadership and the four mahanayakas (chief monks) of the largest Buddhist sects. The arrest sparked the monks to raise broader issues of democratic governance and to call a Sangha Sabha (council of clergy) to discuss the [...]
2010-02-26 01:56:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIEDPGOV PREL PHUM CE
10COLOMBO142ANGLICAN BISHOP OFFERS ADVICE AND HOPE
[...] (C) SUMMARY: On February 25, Ambassador called on Anglican Bishop Duleep Kamil De Chickera, a well-respected and influential Sri Lankan cleric. The bishop saw a role for the international community in Sri Lanka but cautioned against a didactic approach. While there were two national interfait [...]
2010-02-26 07:29:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PREF PHUM PTER EAID MOPS CE
10COLOMBO143COLOMBO CHIEFS OF MISSION RECOMMEND WAYS FORWARD
[...] (C) SUMMARY: In a meeting called by Ambassador to discuss reftel demarche to capitals, chiefs of missions (COMs) in Colombo agreed with the U.S. assessment that the political situation in Sri Lanka had deteriorated after the presidential elections in terms of the Fonseka arrest, intimidation o [...]
2010-02-26 08:16:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PREF PHUM PTER EAID MOPS CE
10COLOMBO17FATEFUL STEP: MAIN TAMIL PARTY ANNOUNCES SUPPORT
[...] (C) On January 6, leader of the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) R. Sampanthan formally announced the TNA's support for common opposition candidate General Fonseka. Addressing a packed news conference at parliament, Sampanthan said the TNA had consulted both candidates over the last several weeks [...]
2010-01-11 04:54:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PREF PHUM PTER EAID MOPS CE
10COLOMBO2OPPOSITION PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE HAS LITTLE
[...] (C) Summary. The opposition presidential candidate General Fonseka is a military man who has publicly admitted that he has little knowledge of economic issues, and other than clamping down on corruption, he has no apparent economic program. General Fonseka has announced some populist me [...]
2010-01-04 11:39:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALCE ECON PGOV
10COLOMBO20JOURNALIST TISSAINAYAGAM RELEASED ON BAIL
[...] (C) On January 11, Sri Lankan journalist Jayaprakash Sittampalam Tissainayagam -- who last August was convicted by a Sri Lankan high court under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) for publishing articles critical of the Sri Lankan Government's (GSL) war effort, conspiring with others to pub [...]
2010-01-11 12:30:00Embassy ColomboSECRETPGOV PREL PREF PHUM PTER EAID MOPS CE
10COLOMBO21SRI LANKA - ELECTIONS UPDATE NO. 6
[...] (C) Presidential candidate Sarath Fonseka released his campaign "manifesto" on January 7, a full-color 22-page brochure, which contained a strong condemnation of President Rajapaksa, largely on grounds of corruption and family patronage. Post contacts have said the manifesto would be publish [...]
2010-01-11 12:34:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PREF PHUM PTER EAID MOPS CE
10COLOMBO27SRI LANKA: ELECTIONS UPDATE NO 7
[...] (C)(Rel to UK, CAN, AUS, SWITZ.) Local media and the elections monitoring group CMEV reported that a bus carrying supporters of presidential candidate Sarath Fonseka in Tangalle, in the southern Hambantota District, was attacked by two gunmen on a motorcycle on January 12. A 58-year-old woman [...]
2010-01-13 12:31:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PREF PHUM PTER EAID MOPS CE
10COLOMBO3ECONOMIC DIFFICULTIES IN SRI LANKA'S CENTRAL
[...] SUMMARY: Sri Lanka's mountainous Central Province includes the country's second largest city, the majority of the tea-planting region, and a sizeable nubmer of foreign investment and export-oriented industries. Unfortunately the province's economy is struggling under the weight of the global [...]
2010-01-04 11:48:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIEDECON ETRD PGOV EINV KTEX CE
10COLOMBO32SRI LANKA WAR-CRIMES ACCOUNTABILITY: THE TAMIL
[...] (S) SUMMARY: There have been a few tentative steps on accountability for crimes allegedly committed by Sri Lankan troops and civilian officials during the war with the LTTE. President Rajapaksa named a committee to make recommendations to him on the U.S. incidents report by April, and candidate Fon [...]
2010-01-15 12:23:00Embassy ColomboSECRETPGOV PREL PREF PHUM PTER EAID MOPS CE
10COLOMBO36SRI LANKA: ELECTIONS UPDATE NO. 8
[...] (C)(Rel to UK, CAN, AUS, SWITZ.) Election-related violence has caused three additional deaths since the last elections update cable from Post (Ref. A). On January 16, a group of unidentified persons opened fire on a van carrying supporters of President Rajapaksa, killing one person and injurin [...]
2010-01-19 13:40:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PREF PHUM PTER EAID MOPS CE
10COLOMBO40SRI LANKA: ELECTIONS UPDATE NO. 9
[...] (C)(Rel to UK, CAN, AUS, SWITZ.) Two persons were reported shot and seriously injured the night of January 18 while returning home from a Fonseka campaign rally in a small town near Hambantota. Numerous Post contacts have expressed concern about increasing violence in the remaining days befor [...]
2010-01-20 14:43:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PREF PHUM PTER EAID MOPS CE
10COLOMBO44GDP GROWTH IS NOT ENOUGH AS POPULAR ECONOMIC
[...] (C) Summary. Sri Lanka has enjoyed strong economic growth in the last four years, with rising per capita income, falling poverty rates, and a booming stock market in 2009. Despite glowing macro-economic statistics, opposition candidate General Fonseka appears to be gaining traction with [...]
2010-01-21 11:51:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALCE ECON PGOV SOCI
10COLOMBO46ELECTION DEVELOPMENTS IN EASTERN SRI LANKA
[...] (C) A contact who works on human rights issues in Eastern Sri Lanka and serves on Chief Minister Pillayan's staff, provided an international group with her perspective on elections in the East. OPPORTUNITIES FOR FRAUD ----------------------- 2. (C) Transfer of ballot boxes from polling s [...]
2010-01-21 13:21:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PREF PHUM PTER EAID MOPS CE
10COLOMBO47RAJAPAKSA POLLSTER SAYS RACE IS NECK AND NECK
[...] (C) SUMMARY: President Rajapaksa's chief opinion pollster told us their figures and those of the opposition all showed the presidential election to be very close. Undecided voters were at an unprecedented 17 percent (six or seven percent this close to the election date was more the norm),with [...]
2010-01-22 07:24:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PREF PHUM PTER EAID MOPS CE
10COLOMBO48ELECTIONS IN AMPARA: INTIMIDATION AND WEAK
[...] (SBU) Ambassador and USAID Mission Director met with about ten business representatives from the Chamber of Commerce and Industry in the Ampara District in eastern Sri Lanka and made a separate call on the Ampara Government Agent (GA),Mr. Sunil Kannangara. Ampara has fewer Tamils than its eas [...]
2010-01-22 07:43:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PREF PHUM PTER EAID MOPS CE
10COLOMBO50SRI LANKA: ASSESSING PROGRESS ON KEY ISSUES REF: A. 09 COLOMBO 1176 B. COLOMBO 32 C. COLOMBO 8 COLOMBO 00000050 001.8 OF 004
[...] No summary [...]
2010-01-22 09:00:00Embassy ColomboSECRETPGOV PREL PREF PHUM PTER EAID MOPS CE
10COLOMBO53LEFTIST JVP EXPLAINS SUPPORT FOR FONSEKA
[...] (C) SUMMARY: In a January 15 meeting with Ambassador, neo-Marxist Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) party chief Somawansa Amarasinghe and JVP MP Sunil Hanunnetti discussed the JVP's vision of a united, multiethnic, multi-lingual Sri Lanka; their support for Sarath Fonseka's presidential bid; the [...]
2010-01-25 10:22:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PREF PHUM PTER EAID MOPS CE
10COLOMBO56SRI LANKA: ELECTIONS UPDATE NO. 11
[...] (C) (Rel to UK, CAN, AUS, SWITZ.) On the eve of an historic presidential election in Sri Lanka, the leading candidates appear to be neck-and-neck, with no one able to predict how events will unfold. Scenarios -- often offered by the same observer -- range from a peaceful handover of power to [...]
2010-01-26 01:24:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PREF PHUM PTER EAID MOPS CE
10COLOMBO57SRI LANKA: ELECTIONS UPDATE NO. 11
[...] (C) (Rel to UK, CAN, AUS, SWITZ.) On the eve of an historic presidential election in Sri Lanka, the leading candidates appear to be neck-and-neck, with no one able to predict how events will unfold. Scenarios -- often offered by the same observer -- range from a peaceful handover of power to [...]
2010-01-26 01:24:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PREF PHUM PTER EAID MOPS CE
10COLOMBO61SRI LANKA: ELECTIONS UPDATE NO. 13 - POLLS CLOSED
[...] (C) (Rel to UK, CAN, AUS, SWITZ.) After the close of polls at 4:00 PM local, elections monitoring group PAFFREL reported an estimated turnout of 74 percent for all of Sri Lanka except Jaffna, where it reported 18-20 percent turnout. Figures on turnout for Jaffna are difficult to interpret, as [...]
2010-01-26 12:52:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PREF PHUM PTER EAID MOPS CE
10COLOMBO62SRI LANKA: ELECTIONS UPDATE NO. 14 - ANNOUNCEMENT
[...] (C) (Rel to UK, CAN, AUS, SWITZ.) Ballot counting has been slow overnight. Postal ballots were not completed until around 2:30 AM local time, and by 9:00 AM local time, only about 20 per cent of the total ballots had been counted, when in past elections over 50 per cent would be complete at th [...]
2010-01-27 04:15:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PREF PHUM PTER EAID MOPS CE
10COLOMBO65SRI LANKA: ELECTIONS UPDATE NO. 15
[...] (C) (Rel to UK, CAN, AUS, SWITZ.) Despite earlier confusion, Elections Commissioner Dissanayake confirmed in a meeting with PolOff on January 28 that he had indeed certified President Rajapaksa's victory in the January 26 presidential election. He said the official gazette notification was be [...]
2010-01-28 12:44:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PREF PHUM PTER EAID MOPS CE
10COLOMBO7SRI LANKA: ELECTIONS UPDATE NO.4
[...] (C) As reported by Post in an O/I item on December 24, the TNA is expected to announce shortly that it will support Fonseka in the presidential election, with widespread local media coverage already discussing the move. TNA leader Sampanthan is scheduled to meet with Ambassador Wednesday or T [...]
2010-01-05 12:42:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PREF PHUM PTER EAID MOPS CE
10COLOMBO72INVESTMENT CLIMATE STATEMENT, 2010 - SRI LANKA
[...] No summary [...]
2010-02-01 08:41:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIEDCE ECON EFIN EINV ELAB ETRD KTDB OPIC PGOV USTR
10COLOMBO75AMBASSADOR RAISES POST-ELECTION CONCERNS WITH
[...] (C) SUMMARY: Following on Assistant Secretary Blake's January 29 meeting with the Sri Lankan charge d'affaires in Washington (reftel),Ambassador Butenis requested and held a meeting on January 31 with Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Bogollagama to raise U.S. concerns regarding Government of Sri L [...]
2010-02-01 12:27:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PREF PHUM PTER EAID MOPS CE
10COLOMBO76AMBASSADOR RAISES POST-ELECTION CONCERNS WITH
[...] (C) SUMMARY: Following on Assistant Secretary Blake's January 29 meeting with the Sri Lankan charge d'affaires in Washington (reftel),Ambassador Butenis requested and held a meeting on January 31 with Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Bogollagama to raise U.S. concerns regarding Government of Sri L [...]
2010-02-01 12:27:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PREF PHUM PTER EAID MOPS CE
10COLOMBO78POST-ELECTION UPDATE: PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS,
[...] (C) (Rel to UK, CAN, AUS, SWITZ.) After broaching the idea on January 28, President Rajapaksa's plan appears to be to dissolve Parliament on or about February 5, with a general election most likely towards the end of March or early April. Analysts suggest the president is hoping to capitalize [...]
2010-02-01 12:31:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PREF PHUM PTER EAID MOPS CE
10COLOMBO8CAMPAIGN STRATEGIST SAYS FONSEKA WANTS TRUTH AND
[...] (C) SUMMARY: In a meeting with Ambassador, chief opposition campaign strategist and one-time Rajapaksa confidante Mangala Samaraweera said he was "pleasantly surprised" that General Fonseka believed accountability was important for Sri Lanka, that he agreed with Samaraweera that the country ne [...]
2010-01-06 11:54:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PREF PHUM PTER EAID MOPS CE
10COLOMBO81SRI LANKA: PURGES IN THE MILITARY, POLICE - AND
[...] (C) SUMMARY: Following President Rajapaksa's January 26 re-election, the leadership has undertaken purges of military and police officials believed to be loyal to Fonseka or perceived to be overly eager to uphold election laws against Rajapaksa campaign abuses. Contacts indicated that two sen [...]
2010-02-02 13:07:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PREF PHUM PTER EAID MOPS CE
10COLOMBO82POST ELECTION: NEW THREATS TO MEDIA FREEDOM
[...] (C) SUMMARY: Sri Lanka's presidential election has brought a new wave of official and unofficial pressure on media outlets and attacks against journalists. MTV (Sirisa),a popular private television and radio conglomerate, has received official warning that it must cease airing anti-governme [...]
2010-02-02 13:37:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PREF PHUM PTER EAID MOPS CE
10COLOMBO83DEFENSE SECRETARY ON FONSEKA AND POST-ELECTION
[...] (S) SUMMARY: On February 2, Defense Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa summoned DATT to a hasty meeting under the pretext of discussing an upcoming engagement activity with the U.S. military. As expected, Rajapaksa also wanted to explain the government's position on the treatment of General Fonseka [...]
2010-02-02 13:48:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PREF PHUM PTER EAID MOPS CE
10COLOMBO84 Northern Development Plan Has Not Promoted Reconciliation
[...] (SBU) Summary. Econoff attended a business development conference in Jaffna, the heart of northern Sri Lanka. Thirty years ago Jaffna was an economic and educational center, but the legacy of war is a basic economy now devoid of significant industry. The Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) is prom [...]
2010-02-03 04:49:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYECON ETRD EINV SOCI PGOV CE
10COLOMBO85DEFENSE SECRETARY ON FONSEKA AND POST-ELECTION
[...] (S) SUMMARY: On February 2, Defense Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa summoned DATT to a hasty meeting under the pretext of discussing an upcoming engagement activity with the U.S. military. As expected, Rajapaksa also wanted to explain the government's position on the treatment of General Fonseka [...]
2010-02-03 06:18:00Embassy ColomboSECRETPGOV PREL PREF PHUM PTER EAID MOPS CE
10COLOMBO91POST-ELECTION UPDATE: SC SECOND-TERM RULING,
[...] (C) On February 2, a full bench of seven Supreme Court judges, including the chief justice, ruled that President Rajapaksa's second term of office would begin on November 19, 2010, the five-year anniversary of his taking office. The president's lawyers had argued the second term should not be [...]
2010-02-03 12:08:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PREF PHUM PTER EAID MOPS CE
10COLOMBO94PRESIDENT SPEAKS OF UNITY, EMERGENCY REGULATIONS
[...] (C) In his Sri Lankan National Day speech in Kandy on February 4, President Rajapaksa promised to turn Sri Lanka into the "Pride of Asia" through economic development and national unity. The themes were quite similar to those used in his op-ed article in the February 4 edition of the Wall Str [...]
2010-02-05 08:45:00Embassy ColomboCONFIDENTIALPGOV PREL PREF PHUM PTER EAID MOPS CE
10COLOMBO97SRI LANKA: INFORMATION ON FORCED LABOR AND EXPLOITATIVE
[...] Agencies responsible: The Department of Labor and the National Child Protection Authority (NCPA) have the legal authority to enforce hazardous child labor laws. 2. Exchange of information: The Department of Labor works closely with the Police Unit at the NCPA and the Women and Children's [...]
2010-02-08 05:31:00Embassy ColomboUNCLASSIFIEDEIND ELAB ETRD PHUM SOCI CE
10NEWDELHI152MEDIA REACTION: INDO-PAK RELATIONS, INDIA-SRI
[...] "TENSION BETWEEN INDIA AND PAKISTAN," editorial in January 27 right-of-center Urdu daily ETEMAAD: "The US Defense Secretary's recent disclosure about different terror groups in the Afghan-Pakistan region vindicates India's fear that one more attack from Pakistani area is possible. Unfortunatel [...]
2010-01-28 10:10:00Embassy New DelhiUNCLASSIFIEDKMDR KPAO PGOV PREL IN
10OTTAWA85Canada Shares U.S. Views on Challenges, Way Forward in Sri
[...] (C/NF) Summary. Canada's analysis of the challenges the international community faces in Sri Lanka "tracks almost identically" with that of the U.S. Canada is nonetheless less optimistic than the U.S. about Sri Lanka's long-term future in light of the undercutting of democratic institutions [...]
2010-02-26 14:12:00Embassy OttawaCONFIDENTIAL//NOFORNPREL PHUM CE CA
10STATE16163SRI LANKA: ENGAGING INTERNATIONAL PARTNERS
[...] (U) This is an action request; see paragraph 11. 2. (SBU) Summary: Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa has followed his January 26 re-election with the extra-legal arrest of the opposition candidate and intimidation of independent media. While Rajapaksa's administration has faced cri [...]
2010-02-23 00:01:00Secretary of StateUNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYCE KAWC KDEM PGOV PHUM PREF PREL
10STATE9654A/S BLAKE URGES GSL TO PURSUE RECONCILIATION,
[...] (C) SUMMARY: Assistant Secretary for South and Central Asian Affairs Robert Blake summoned Sri Lankan Embassy CDA Tissa Wijeratne to his office January 29 to express USG concern about the GSL's handling of the election aftermath. A/S Blake urged that any action by the government against defea [...]
2010-01-30 00:00:00Secretary of StateCONFIDENTIALPREL PGOV PHUM CE
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