Embassy of Sri Lanka Washington DC Press Release

Washington, December 8, 2012: Sri Lanka has been making a tremendous progress in all aspects of development since the dawn of peace in 2009 which merits positive recognition from its longstanding friends like the United States , Ambassador Jaliya Wickramasuriya told a group of senior congressional staffers on Thursday (November 29).

The Embassy of Sri Lanka hosted a dinner reception for ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ members of the House Chiefs of Staff AssociationƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ (HCoSA)ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ at the Sri Lanka Residence in Washington DC in order to update them on latest developments in Sri Lanka .ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  Among the invitees were Chairperson of the HCoSA ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Ms.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Stacey Leavandosky and a numberƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ of other Chief of Staffs and Staff directors of bi-partisan Congressional representatives. The Chiefs of Staff are ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ senior policy advisors to Members of Congress who play an important role in developing and directing policy decisions.

ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-We have ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ diplomatic relations with the US spanning 65 years since our independence. The United States is ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Sri LankaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s largest trade partner and the trade relationship between our countries dates back to 200 yearsƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚ the Ambassador apprised the gathering.

The ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  Ambassador further informed the audience that ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Sri Lanka’s intention is to further consolidate the positive relationship with the US .

ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…- If you compare Sri Lanka today with what it was for the ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ three ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ decades before the dawn of peace in 2009, you will realize the country has never been so stable , peaceful and with such strong economic potential as it is today under the visionary leadership of His Excellency President Mahinda RajapaksaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚, he stated.

ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-The peace certainly has its dividends. Sri Lanka had an 8.4% GDP growth in 2011 and 22% growth in the former conflict affected areas. Unemployment rate has dropped to 4%. Tourist arrivals is up by 100%. Sri Lanka has been nominated as the best travel destination for 2013 by Lonely Planet. The World Bank has recognized Sri Lanka as the best place to do business in the region in its ease to do business ranking. Most recently World Justice Project ranked Sri Lanka highest among its regional peers in the ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”¹…”Rule of LawƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  Index 2012ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢.These are tangible examples of Sri LankaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s progressƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚,ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ he revealed.

Ambassador Wickramasuriya further opined, ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ “a country doing well would be a more reliable and mutually beneficial partner in a bilateral relationship than a country in decline”. He ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ requested the cooperation of congressional officials to bring ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Sri Lanka- US ties to the next level through increased understanding of the true situation in Sri Lanka.

ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-Our nationƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ suffered through a 30 year conflict with terrorism. The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam , the perpetrator of terror in our country was classified as the most ruthless terrorist outfit in the world. Now, it is over and there is ample opportunity for ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ both countries to benefit from an enhanced relationshipƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚, the Ambassador declared.

ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-Sri Lanka is very keen in enhancing trade relationship with the US. Some of the US corporate giants likeƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Boeing, Caterpillar, Marriott, Starwood, 3M, John Deere, and Coca-Cola have already recognized Sri LankaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s business potentialƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚, he said.

ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-Please inform your members about the correct story of Sri LankaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚, he added.

In conclusion , Ambassador Wickramasuriya invitedƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ HCoSAƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ members to visit Sri Lanka and experience what he ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ said about the country . He informed that the congressional delegation visitƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  to Sri Lanka organized by the Embassy next year would be an opportunity for them to visit Sri Lanka and see at first hand the tremendous development that has taken place since the advent of peace.

A traditional Sri Lankan dinner was served to the guests .