| Press Statement Richard Boucher, Spokesman Washington, DC March 24, 2003 Meeting Between Deputy Secretary Armitage and Sri Lankan Cabinet Ministers Peiris and KarunayakeDeputy Secretary of State Richard L. Armitage met today with Sri Lankan Constitutional Affairs Minister G.L. Peiris and Commerce Minister Ravi Karunanayake. Professor Peiris is one of two ministers leading the government’s team in peace negotiations with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam. Ministers Peiris and Karunanayake are in Washington for Trade and Investment Framework Agreement meetings with the U.S. Trade Representative. Minister Peiris has come directly to Washington from Japan where the Government of Sri Lanka and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam have just concluded the sixth round of peace talks. Minister Peiris briefed the Deputy Secretary on the talks. The Deputy Secretary reiterated his strong support for the peace process and said he was pleased with the continued progress in the talks and with both sides’ determination to move forward. The Deputy Secretary told Minister Peiris he was looking forward to hosting a seminar to brief potential donor countries and organizations about Sri Lanka on April 14 in Washington. He also expressed hope for positive results June 9-10 when the Japanese will host an international donors’ conference for Sri Lanka. The United States hopes that the negotiating process will lead to a permanent end to the Sri Lankan conflict based on the principles of democracy, respect for human rights, and territorial integrity of the nation.
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