Colombo, February 28: A delegation from the U.S. House of Representatives led by Congressman Bob Goodlatte, Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, departed Colombo on February 25 following a two-day visit to Colombo. This was the second visit by members of the U.S. Congress to Sri Lanka in February 2017, demonstrating the bipartisan support in the legislative branch of the U.S. Government for Sri Lanka’s democracy and its efforts to ensure lasting reconciliation.
President Maithripala Sirisena welcomes U.S. Ambassador Atul Keshap and the bipartisan U.S. House of Representatives Judiciary Committee members to his residence for their official meeting.
President Maithripala Sirisena, U.S. Ambassador Atul Keshap, and Sri Lankan Ambassador to the United States Prasad Kariyawasam welcome the bipartisan U.S. House of Representatives Judiciary Committee members to Sri Lanka, a visit President Sirisena called “a new height in bilateral ties.”
Chairman of the U.S. House Judiciary Committee Bob Goodlatte (second from right) and Representative Sheila Jackson Lee (right) present gifts to Speaker Karu Jayasuriya and Opposition Leader R. Sampanthan.
U.S. Ambassador Atul Keshap, the bipartisan U.S. House of Representatives Judiciary Committee members, and Sri Lankan Ambassador to the United States Prasad Kariyawasam met with Speaker Karu Jayasuriya and Opposition Leader R. Samapanthan to discuss strengthened cooperation between the Sri Lanka Parliament and U.S. Congress.
U.S. Ambassador Atul Keshap joins the bipartisan U.S. House of Representatives Judiciary Committee delegation to learn about Sri Lanka’s progress in forging lasting reconciliation and a non-recurrence of conflict with leaders from the Tamil National Alliance.
U.S. Ambassador Atul Keshap and the bipartisan U.S. House of Representatives Judiciary Committee members discuss strengthening trade and economic ties between United States and Sri Lanka with Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe.
Members of the U.S. House Judiciary Committee in official talks with Foreign Minister Mangala Sameeraweera, Deputy Foreign Minister Harsha de Silva, and other senior officials at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
U.S. Ambassador Atul Keshap and members of the U.S. House Judiciary Committee enjoy learning about the variety of Buddhist traditions across the world from Bhante H. Kondanna at Gangaramaya Temple in Colombo.
U.S. Representative Hank Johnson (Democrat – Georgia), one of the first Buddhists elected to the U.S. Congress, offers his respects at Gangaramaya Temple.
The delegation visited Sri Lanka to discuss strategic issues affecting vital sea lanes in the Indo-Pacific, learn about Sri Lanka’s progress in forging lasting reconciliation and a non-recurrence of conflict, including a new Constitution, and to learn more about economic reforms which could increase bilateral trade and investment between the United States and Sri Lanka. The delegation also expressed their support for Sri Lanka’s efforts to fulfill its Geneva commitments, including more land returns. Members also stressed the importance of the bilateral partnership to combat and eradicate trafficking in persons.
The Members of Congress and accompanying staff members, accompanied by United States Ambassador Atul Keshap, met with President Maithripala Sirisena, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera, Speaker of the Parliament Karu Jayasuriya, and Opposition Leader R. Sampanthan. They also met with members of the American business community resident in Sri Lanka. Chairman Goodlatte (Republican-Virginia) was joined by Representatives Sheila Jackson Lee (Democrat-Texas), George Holding (Republican-North Carolina), Henry Cuellar (Democrat-Texas), Jason Smith (Republican-Missouri), Hank Johnson (Democrat-Georgia), Dave Trott (Republican-Michigan), and David Cicilline (Democrat-Rhode Island).
