Deputy Secretary Richard L. Armitage's Attendance at Tokyo Donors' Conference for Sri Lanka

Deputy Secretary of State Richard L. Armitage will attend the Tokyo Conference on Reconstruction and Development of Sri Lanka, June 9-10 in Tokyo. Deputy Secretary Armitage looks forward to discussing reconstruction and rehabilitation assistance for Sri Lanka at the conference. The Deputy Secretary said the conference was important for the international community to demonstrate its solid support for the peace process and its full commitment to contribute to the reconstruction and development of all regions of the country, including the North and East, which has been devastated by nearly 20 years of conflict.

The Tokyo Conference offers a unique opportunity to highlight to all the people of Sri Lanka the benefits accruing from peace. The United States believes the Tokyo Conference should be held as scheduled notwithstanding the Tamil Tigers’ stated position not to participate, and agrees with the Government of Japan that if the conference were not held as scheduled, it would mean an irreparable loss to the long suffering people of Sri Lanka.