Visiting Congressmen call on Govt. to have balanced approach

Say visit very positive but urge more focus on equitable distribution of economic activities

By Uditha Jayasinghe

Visiting US Congressmen yesterday called on the Sri Lankan Government to work hard on providing economic equitability and increased livelihood to the northern region to increase integration.

The Sri Lankan External Affairs Ministry invited three Congressmen to visit Sri Lanka and counter allegations of war crimes by seeing the present state of the country first hand. Accordingly a three member US congressional delegation led by representatives Albert Benjamin arrived in Sri Lanka accompanied by US Ambassador Jaliya Wickramasuriya.

The US delegation included Representative Jack Kingston and Joseph Schuler. Wickramasuriya stressed that the visit was expressly to give US politicians a chance to see the current State of Sri Lanka even though they are not officially representing the American Government. 

The delegation emphasised on the economic opportunity for all of Sri Lankans. They urged the Government to use this opportunity wisely and ensure equitable distribution of chances but they acknowledged that rebuilding would take time. The Congressmen urged the Government to take steps in that regard as there would be many issues to surmount.

The visit focused more on infrastructure growth and basic rights of water, education and housing as well as livelihood opportunities.

Congressmen Schuler on his second visit since June 2009 noted that there was remarkable change on how the country had grown economically and the integration between the two communities. Checkpoints being removed and access to the north was a significant experience for him.

“We talked to the opposition and realised what the country has managed to do so much in such a short time. Yet there is more to do. There is an opportunity to show that Sri Lanka is great as a nation. It was my pleasure to be able to travel to this region and see firsthand the developments that have taken place,” he said.   

Describing the event as fascinating, he pointed out that Sri Lanka had much potential to achieve and expressed his positive sentiments about travelling into all parts of the country. “A tremendous future and opportunity to have great economic growth.”

Stressing on the need for a balanced picture to get out to the rest of the world, Congressman Kingston stated: “It is important to stress on the remarkable achievement of Sri Lanka.”  The world press has not picked up on this enough, he said, but admitted that the human rights issues were also important.

A “proper” picture should be had by the international community and the Congressmen stressed that they would work towards that.

This visit also focused on the Government’s rehabilitation process and the need for the world to know about this. “We will spread the word about the positive work that you are doing,” he promised, adding that trade ties would also be strengthened.

Increased attention from American companies and defence including military training were discussed during some of the meetings that would lead to stronger relations, the Congressmen said. 

“Democrats and Republicans don’t always agree on things, but we do agree on Sri Lanka,” Kingston quipped. “The Sri Lankan Government must find common ground to focus on and formulate a sustainable peace process.”