The United States of America called upon Sri Lanka to allow displaced Tamil stuck in camps to be able to move freely.
A statement released by the US State Department “emphasized the importance of the government allowing freedom of movement for IDPs”.
“The U.S. has stressed to the government that to achieve a lasting peace, it must promote justice and political reconciliation for all parties and dialogue with all parties, including Tamils inside and outside Sri Lanka, on new mechanisms for devolving power,” said a statement from the US State Department.
This follows Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Robert Blake meeting with “16 Sri Lankan-American community representatives”, in order to discuss the political and humanitarian situation in Sri Lanka at the Foggy Bottom headquarters of the State Department.
The “Sri Lankan-American” delegates that met with Blake were a group that were specially prepared and selected by the Sri Lankan Embassy in the US. Most of the group consisted of leading Sinhalese figures from the community.
The embassy also enlisted the services of renowned Washington-based public lobbying firm, Patton Boggs, in order to prepare the group for this meeting.
“The United States has provided over $56 million in humanitarian assistance in 2009, including $6.6 million in demining assistance,” but that “much remains to be done,” Blake also noted.
Blake also “underscored the importance of political reconciliation” while recommending that “Sri Lankan Americans seek opportunities to channel their resources and expertise toward supporting national reconciliation”.
“The government must also seek to improve human rights and accountability,” he said.
The statement comes as Assistant Secretary Blake also expressed “great concern” over remarks Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickremanayake made regarding the US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, showing a serious deterioration in the relationship between the two countries.
By specifically mentioning “Tamils inside and outside Sri Lanka”, the US indicated that it believes the Tamil diaspora play a crucial part in bringing about peace to the island, said analysts.
Approximately 280,000 Tamil civilians remain trapped in IDP camps.
