Promoting Foreign Policy Goals of

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Promoting Foreign Policy Goals of Sri Lanka
Presentation by His Excellency Devinda R.
Subasinghe Sri Lankas Ambassador to the United
States National Student Leadership Conference on
International Diplomacy American
University Washington D.C. August 11, 2004
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Basic Facts

• Area 65,606 sq km
• Population 19.04 million
• Literacy Rate 92
• Languages Sinhala, Tamil,
  English
• Religions Buddhism 70
• Hinduism 15
• 
  Christianity 8
• 
  Islam 7
• Government type - Republic
• Capital - Colombo
• Independence - 4 February 1948
  (from U.K.)

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Sri Lanka Overview

• Sri Lanka has a rich culture dating back to 2,500
  years.
• The Sinhalese arrived in the 5th or 6th century
  AD (from Northern India).
• Relations with the Western world date back to the
  Roman court of Augustus Caesar in 1st century
  A.D.
• Known in the Ancient world for its fragrant
  spices, gems and natural beauty. Muslim traders
  referred to it as Serendib or Gem-Island.

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Sri Lanka Overview (cont.)

• Grew into a multi-ethnic society of Tamils,
  Muslims and Europeans.
• First colonized by the Portuguese in 1500s, then
  by the Dutch and finally the British.
• Regained independence in 1948, as a modern nation
  state, official name was changed from Ceylon to
  Sri Lanka in 1972.
• From 1981 to 2001 Sri Lanka was engulfed in a
  separatist war between the Government and Tamil
  Separatists called the LTTE.
• A Peace Process is under way, but no permanent
  resolution has been reached.

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U.S.-Sri Lanka Relations

• 200 years of People to People contact. Including
  Entrepreneurs, Missionaries and Anthropologists.
• Early trade in the 19th century involved the
  import of ice from New England and the export of
  Sri Lankan graphite to America.
• In 1850 John Black, a Scottish merchant, was
  named the first American Commercial Agent in
  Ceylon.
• Formal diplomatic relations were established in
  1948.
• During the Cold War period relations where
  generally good but distant.
• Sri Lanka currently enjoys its closest and
  strongest relationship ever, with the US.
• Mainly focused on Trade and promoting the Peace
  Process.

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Foreign Policy Goals In context

• The Sri Lanka Embassy is modest in its size and
  staffing
• Sri Lanka must keep up its Profile.
• Washington, D.C. is a unique political
  environment.
• The Embassy engages both the Executive and
  Legislative branches.
• As well as, Think Tanks, Lobbyists, Media
  outlets, Private Sector and Non-Governmental
  Organizations.
• Links to International Development organizations
  The World Bank and IMF.

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Foreign Policy Goals

• I Deepen and broaden the Sri Lanka-US
  relationship diplomatically, economically and
  culturally.
• II Secure greater trade and capital market
  access for Sri Lanka in the US and higher levels
  of US investment in Sri Lanka.
• III Increase access to World Bank, IMF and US
  for development assistance.
• IV Provide quality Consular Services and outreach
  activities to the expatriate community and US
  public.

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Achieving Goal I

• I. Broadening and Deepening the Bilateral
  Relationship.
• US engaged in word and deed, on the Peace
  Process.
• Cooperation on mutual interests, eg Global War
  on Terror, global trading system
• Bilateral defense cooperation Coast Guard Cutter
  COURAGEOUS and the Secure Ports Initiative.
• Humanitarian De-mining Assistance
• Maintaining a high-level relationship and
  establishing institutional structures.

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Achieving Goal II

• II Elevating Economic Cooperation
• Total trade between the US and Sri Lanka is 2.5
  billion (2003).
• The United States is Sri Lankas largest export
  market (38 of exports).
• Almost 70 of Sri Lanks GDP is generated by
  trade, access to the global and US markets is
  critical.
• The end of the Multi Fiber Agreement (MFA) in
  January 2005.
• Pursuing a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the
  US. Potential 3-4 gain to GDP.

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FTA Creating the Foundation

• Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA)
  July 2002 establishes Joint Council.
• Promote and guarantee protection of US Foreign
  Direct Investment (FDI) in Sri Lanka.
• Investment Promotion/Protection.
• Avoidance of Double Taxation.
• Open Skies.
• Intellectual Property Rights.
• The Congressional Caucus on Sri Lanka and
  Sri-Lankan-Americans of the 108th Congress.
• The Sri Lanka Working Group at the United States
  Chamber of Commerce.
• Engaging the Union and Environmental communities.

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Leading Brands Made in Sri Lanka
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Achieving Goal III

• III Increase Access to the World Bank, IMF and US
  Technical Expertise and Financial Resources for
  Development.
• A billion dollar commitment from The World Bank
  for 4 years.
• The North East Reconstruction Fund (NERF).
• Sri Lanka qualifying for the Millennium Challenge
  Account (MCA).
• USAID pledged US54 million at the Tokyo
  Conference.

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Achieving Goal IV

• IV Provision of High Quality Consular Services
  and Increased Expatriate Community Outreach and a
  Public Relations Program
• Leverage the capabilities and expertise of the
  expatriate community in promoting economic
  development.
• Address US audiences to promote investment,
  tourism and Sri Lanka in US study abroad
  programs.
• Ensure Quality Consular Services to Americans and
  Sri Lankans.
• Reach out to the community through the Embassy
  web-site.
• Promote Sri Lanka in US Study Abroad Programs
  (ISLE AISLS)

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Sri Lanka in US Study Abroad Programs

• The ISLE (Intercollegiate Sri Lanka Education)
  Program initiated in 1982, is based in Kandy, Sri
  Lanka.
• Participating colleges include, Bates, Bowdoin,
  Carleton, Colby, Grinnell, Holy Cross, Swarthmore
  and Whitman.
• Majors include, Religion, Political Science,
  Development Studies, Sociology and Anthropology,
  Womens Studies, Psychology and Linguistics.
• Internships available with Government and Private
  Institutions and, NGOs.
• The American Institute for Sri Lankan Studies
  (AISLS), established in 1995 - fosters excellence
  in American research and teaching on Sri Lanka
• - Promotes exchange of scholars and scholarly
  information between the US and Sri Lanka
• AISLS Fellowships support 2-4 months research in
  Sri Lanka by US citizens holding PhDs or
  equivalent

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A GREAT PLACE TO VISIT! A GREAT PLACE TO WORK!
A GREAT
PLACE TO LIVE!
Thank You!
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www.slembassyusa.org Embassy of Sri Lanka 2148,
Wyoming Avenue NW Washington DC 20008 Telephone
202-483-4026 Fax [phone]