Embassy of Sri LankaƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  Washington DC-Press Release

Washington, August 12, 2012: ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Ms. Michele .J. Sison , incoming United States Ambassador to Sri Lanka on Friday (Aug 9) paid a courtesy call on Ambassador Jaliya Wickramasuriya here at the Embassy of Sri Lanka , Washington DC. Ambassador Wickramasuriya congratulated Ambassador designateƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Sison and wished her success on her new appointment.

The two ambassadors reflected on the current state of U.S. – Sri Lanka relations that have remained warm and cordial for the last 63 years. Ambassador Wickramasuriya updated the new US envoy on the recent economic and political developments in Sri Lanka including on the post-conflict reconciliation process. ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ HeƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ explainedƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ atƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ lengthƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ the demining,ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ rehabilitation, re-integration, re-construction, and resettlement activities taking place. ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Both ambassadors agreed on the importance of taking the U.S. ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢¢”š¬…” Sri Lankan relations to the next level thorough strong bilateral relations enhanced by economic diplomacy initiatives.

During a 30 year career as a diplomat Ambassador Sison has served in 10 countries including in South Asia at various levels. She has served as the ambassador in Lebanon and in the United Arab Emirates. From 1996-99,ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ she was posted as ConsulƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ GeneralƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ inƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ChennaiƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ and also served as the Deputy Chief of Mission in Pakistan from 1999-2000. She was the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of South Asian Affairs at the U.S. State Department from 2002 to 2004. Prior to her new appointment as the ambassador to Sri Lanka, Ambassador Sison was the Assistant Chief of Mission for Law Enforcement and Rule of Law Assistance at the US Embassy Baghdad, Iraq.

U.S Deputy Secretary of State Thomas NidesƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ swore in Ms. Sison as the U.S. Ambassador to Sri Lanka at a ceremony on Monday (Aug 13) at the State Department. Ambassador Jaliya Wickramasuriya, senior Sri Lankan diplomats in Washington, Ambassador SisonƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s family members and senior U.S. ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Government officials were among the large and representative gathering present on this auspicious occasion.