Sri Lanka's US envoy meets with senate leader

(March 27, Washington, Sri Lanka Guardian) Jaliya Wickramasuriya, Sri Lanka’s ambassador to the United States, met this week with U.S. Sen. Richard Lugar, to discuss the fighting in Northern Sri Lanka and post-conflict development.Wickramasuriya briefed Sen. Lugar, the ranking member of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, on the state of the conflict against the LTTE forces in the north, and on prospects for an end to the fighting in the weeks ahead.

Sen. Lugar, a Republican from Indiana, expressed his concern for the safety of civilians held by the LTTE in the conflict zone. He also expressed his desire that civilians displaced by the fighting return to their homes under a government resettlement effort. Some senators on Sen. Lugar’s committee have been critical of the conflict, calling for a cease fire.

Amb. Wickramasuriya assured Sen. Lugar of the progress government forces have made against the LTTE in recent weeks. He also stressed the care taken to protect displaced citizens.

-Sri Lanka Guardian