SRI LANKAN AMBASSADOR DISCUSSES LTTE CONFLICT WITH U.S. SECRETARY OF STATE

His Excellency Jaliya Wickramasuriya, Sri Lanka’s ambassador to the United States, recently discussed the fighting in the north against LTTE forces with U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

During a meeting called by Secretary Clinton of all ambassadors in Washington, Amb. Wickramasuriya spoke privately with Secretary Clinton about the LTTE’s use of civilians as human shields in the conflict zone.

Secretary Clinton told the ambassador that the United States is anxious for the fighting to end and that it will support Sri Lankan redevelopment efforts. Her remarks were similar to those she made to President Mahinda Rajapaksa during a recent telephone call to discuss the fighting and prospects for peace in the north.

The United States, along with Canada, the European Union and India, have designated the LTTE a terrorist organization. The U.S. Treasury Department in February froze the funds of the Tamil Foundation, a charity based in the state of Maryland, USA. The department said that the group was supporting the LTTE in Sri Lanka.

Embassy of Sri Lanka
Washington DC
USA

26 March 2009