May 4, 2011, Colombo
It is a pleasure to return to Colombo and see so many old friends. I have had a series of productive meetings with Defense Secretary Rajapaksa and External Affairs Minister G. L. Peiris, members of the opposition, and representatives of civil society.
I also had the chance yesterday to visit Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu for the first time. Both of those places were still under LTTE rule during my tenure as Ambassador, so I was particularly heartened to see the progress and development that has occurred there, and the results of some U.S. assistance programs.
I had the chance to hear of the progress of demining programs we are funding in Kilinochchi and to meet with students who are now back in school as a result of the demining. I participated in a ceremony in Kilinochchi where we distributed 4,000 water pumps to formerly displaced families. Those pumps will help over 17,000 families earn a living on their farms.
In Mullaitivu, I met aspiring fishermen and women who received thousands of baby fish known as fingerlings donated by the U.S. government that will help provide new sources of jobs for the people of the north.
In my official meetings today, I assured the Sri Lankan government that the U.S. is committed to a strong long term partnership with Sri Lanka and that reports of our alleged support for “regime change” have no basis whatsoever. I expressed support for the government’s efforts to recover from its devastating civil war, and encouraged further steps towards reconciliation, and a peaceful, united, democratic Sri Lanka.
I think the government has made some positive progress. It is very important that this progress be sustained. For example:
- The Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission is playing an important role in the reconciliation process. The Commission has heard testimony from Sri Lankans from all regions and ethnic backgrounds.
- It has provided a forum for individuals to bring injustices to light and to express the personal tragedy and hardship created by the war. We hope that the LLRC will also address accountability and will offer recommendations on how to redress wrongs committed by both sides during the conflict.
- Nearly all of the 300,000 IDPs have been resettled from the camps with the remaining scheduled to be resettled by the end of 2011, if not sooner.
- The military, with assistance from several international demining organizations, and support from the U.S. government, has cleared over 5 million square meters of mine-infested land throughout the northern provinces of Sri Lanka. Completion of demining in Mullaitivu will allow most of the remaining IDPs to be resettled.
- The Sri Lankan Government has reduced the number of high security zones, further helping Sri Lankans affected by the conflict to return to their homes and livelihoods.
- The government and Tamil National Alliance have conducted several rounds of talks with another round scheduled on May 12. I expressed our hope that these talks can result in a comprehensive agreement that can help Sri Lanka heal the wounds of war and ensure that all Sri Lankans enjoy equal rights and a future of hope and opportunity.
I am encouraged that External Affairs Minister Peiris will communicate soon with the UN Secretary General and by his statement that Sri Lanka wants cordial relations with the Secretary General and his team.
The UN report underscores the importance of a durable political solution that can forge a prosperous, democratic and united Sri Lanka, but also the importance of dialogue between the UN and the Government of Sri Lanka.
Finally, I accepted the congratulations of the Government for the death of Osama Bin Laden. His defeat is a victory for the United States and for all human beings who seek to live in peace, security, and dignity. His demise will ultimately make the world a safer place. [Courtesy: US Embassy, Colombo]
