DCM James R. Moore

Remarks by DCM James R. Moore to the Sri Lanka Economic Summit 2008
Session 6 -  Revival of the East:  Challenges and Opportunities
July 3, 2008 – 4-6pm

Thank you for inviting me today to participate in this distinguished panel.

The development and stabilization of the Eastern Province is an extremely important challenge – and opportunity – for the government and people of Sri Lanka.  It is, likewise, a top priority for our Embassy, as I remarked at the dedication earlier this week of the new bridge at Arugam Bay that was funded by USAID.  We look forward to working closely with the Sri Lankan Government, both at the local and national levels, and with development partners and civil society to help to bring progress and prosperity to this neglected region, which has such tremendous potential. (More)

Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Evan Feigenbaum

Senior U.S. State Department Official Visits Sri Lanka and Maldives June 30 – July 3

Colombo, July 3, 2008:  Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Evan Feigenbaum visited Sri Lanka June 30 and July 1 as part of the U.S. Government’s regular, ongoing consultations with the Sri Lankan Government.  During his visit, Feigenbaum met with senior Government of Sri Lanka officials, including Acting Foreign Minister Hussein Bhaila, Minister of Disaster Management and Human Rights Mahinda Samarasinghe, Minister of Foreign Employment and Defense Spokesman Keheliya Rambukwella, Secretary of Defense Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, and Foreign Secretary Palitha Kohona.  He also met with representatives of Sri Lanka’s leading political parties. (More)

Seated from left to right: Minister of Plan Implementation P. Dayaratne; U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Evan Feigenbaum; U.S. Chargé d’Affairs James R. Moore; H.E. President Mahinda Rajapaksa; Chief Minister of the Eastern Provincial Council Sivanasathurai Chandrakanthan; U.S. Agency for International Development Director Rebecca Cohn.

New Arugam Bay bridge

USAID Completes State-of-the-art Bridge over Arugam Bay

Colombo, July 1, 2008—The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) today marked the completion of its flagship tsunami reconstruction project – the new bridge across Arugam Bay – in the presence of His Excellency, President Mahinda Rajapakse.

The $10 million bridge is a gift from the American people to the people of Sri Lanka, and will replace the original bridge that was destroyed by the 2004 tsunami.  The state-of-the-art bridge has been constructed by USAID in partnership with the Road Development Authority under the aegis of the Ministry of Highways.

The design is a combination of steel and concrete, which made the bridge less expensive, faster to build, and more durable. This technology is often used in the United States, but has not previously been used in Sri Lanka.  “For decades to come, this bridge over Arugam Bay will symbolize the commitment of the American people to help Sri Lanka rebuild and grow economically after the tsunami,” U.S. Charge d’ Affairs James R. Moore said at the opening ceremony.  “It will bear witness to our support for stability, democratic governance, economic growth and development in Sri Lanka’s Eastern Province.” (More)

I've come nearly nine thousand miles to be with you this morning to help celebrate the opening of a bridge in which we hope every Sri Lankan and American takes pride.

This bridge is a symbol of our cooperation. 

But more than that, it is a concrete example of partnership and perseverance, an example of Americans and Sri Lankans pulling together in the wake of a very human tragedy and at a time of great national need. (More)

Charge d’ Affaires James R. Moore

Remarks by Charge d’ Affaires James R. Moore at the Opening of Arugam Bay Bridge, July 1, 2008.

I am honored to be with you today for this wonderful occasion, on behalf of Ambassador Blake who is currently in the United States.

In the aftermath of the tsunami that struck your coasts in December 2004, the Government of the United States provided $134 million for tsunami relief and reconstruction activities in Sri Lanka.  These rebuilding efforts are but one manifestation of the close ties that bind together the people of our two great countries. (More)

U.S. Condemns Attack on British High Commission and Sri Lanka Press Institute Staff Members

Colombo, July 1, 2008: The United States condemns the brutal and unprovoked attack on a member of the British High Commission staff and an official of the Sri Lankan Press Institute on June 30. We call on the authorities to bring the perpetrators of this crime swiftly to justice.

We are deeply concerned by a series of recent incidents involving members of the Sri Lankan media.  A press that is free of intimidation is an essential component of any democracy.  We note the recent formation of a ministerial committee to ensure the independence of the media, inquire into complaints of harassment and death threats against media personnel and intervene where warranted, and hope this leads to a more conducive environment for the practice of journalism in Sri Lanka.

Charge d’Affaires James R. Moore Addressing the Seminar (Pic. by Finton Fernando)

Remarks by Charge d’Affaires James R. Moore At Sri Lanka America Society Seminar on  “The Current State of the Sri Lankan Economy and Challenges that Lie Ahead”

June 30, 2008, Galle Face Hotel Colombo

As always, it is a pleasure to be here with our friends from the Sri Lanka America Society.   We are honored that Dr. Saman Kelegama, Director of the Institute of Policy Studies, has agreed to speak to us this evening on the topic of "The Current State of the Sri Lankan Economy and Challenges that Lie Ahead." 

This is a subject about which everyone in Sri Lanka is concerned.  It has likely been keeping Central Bank economists and the Institute’s Macroeconomic Policy Unit up late at night.   I look forward to hearing Dr. Kelegama’s insights. (More)

Colombo, June 30, 2008: The U.S. Embassy in Colombo, which has been closed to the public since June 25 after a suspicious powder was found, will reopen for normal operations Tuesday, July 1, after an investigation determined that the powder did not pose a danger.  Visa and other appointments postponed by the closure are being rescheduled on an individual basis.

Dr. Swarna Hearth – Director General, Department of Animal Production and Health  receiving one of 1,500 PPE kits from USAID Mission Director Rebecca Cohn.

USAID Continues to Help Sri Lanka Prevent Avian Influenza

Colombo, June 25, 2008: The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) handed over on June 24 in Kandy a second donation of key supplies to the Ministry of Livestock Development to help strengthen Sri Lanka’s early warning and reaction capacity against Avian Influenza.

USAID Mission Director, Ms. Rebecca Cohn, and AmeriCares Country Director, Ms. Lisa Hilmi, sign the MoU to finalize the Ulla Water Distribution Network, while NWSDB Chairman, Mr. S.C. Amarasinghe, and Deputy General Manager for Foreign Funded Projects, Mr. Devasurendra, look on. Photo:/USAID

USAID and AmeriCares provide safe water to Ampara community

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