U.S. Opens Two Hospitals in Northern Sri Lanka
February 13, 2013: The U.S. Embassy opened two new hospitals at a cost of over $1,000,000 to provide services in conflict affected areas of Sri Lanka’s Northern Province.
Secretary Kerry Gets Warm Welcome
John Forbes Kerry received a warm welcome from hundreds of State Department employees February 4 as he entered the department for the first time as secretary of state.
Transcript of Press Event by Tri-DAS
January 28, 2013: DAS Moore: The United States, as you know, has a long friendship with Sri Lanka dating back to your independence. We deeply value this multi-faceted relationship and our visit this week is undertaken in that spirit.
U.S. Supports Demining
January 30, 2013: On January 27, U.S. Ambassador Michele J. Sison distributed cricket bats to students at the American Corner in Jaffna with the message “Mines Destroy Lives” in Tamil and Sinhala.
U.S.-Funded UNICEF Mine Risk Education Begins
December 20, 2012: A United States Government grant of $500,000 will help 150,000 residents in the Northern and Eastern Provinces avoid landmines and explosive remnants of war.
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eJournal USA
Go Wild! Coming Together for Conservation
November 2012
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Online Magazine
State Magazine
September 2012
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Webchats and Webcasts
Co.Nx
Connecting people from around the world so they may discuss an array of important topics
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State Alumni
Your Global Community
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Visa
Diversity Visa (DV) Lottery Program
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Movies
February 2013
Free movie screenings @ the American Center
More Embassy News
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U.S. “3C” Trade Mission to Visit Colombo
February 6, 2013: A multi-sector U.S. Trade Mission – the first U.S. trade mission since the end of the conflict – will travel to Colombo February 7-8 after visiting Chennai and Cochin, India as a part of the “3C” exploratory program. The 3C Trade Mission includes companies in the education sector, design consulting services and engineering, food industries, healthcare, airline support, and infrastructure development.
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Statement on the Passing of Former Ambassador Christopher Van Hollen
February 5, 2013: The Embassy wishes to send our condolences to the family of Christopher Van Hollen, former Ambassador to Sri Lanka and Maldives. Dr. Van Hollen passed away in Washington, DC on January 30 at the age of 90. Mr. Van Hollen was U.S. Ambassador to Sri Lanka and the Maldives in 1972-76. Dr. Van Hollen was born in Maryland and served as a naval officer in World War II before pursuing an undergraduate education at Haverford College and a doctorate in political science from Johns Hopkins University.
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U.S. Embassy Disturbed By Threats to Civil Society
January 22, 2013: The United States Embassy is disturbed by the series of threats and attacks against legal defenders, civil society organizations and activists who have spoken out on recent events. The right to express opinions freely is universal and one that is protected under Sri Lankan law. We urge the Government of Sri Lanka protect this fundamental right and ensure that all citizens are able to express their opinions without fear of retribution.
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U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretaries to Visit Sri Lanka and Maldives
January 19, 2013: Deputy Assistant Secretary of State James Moore, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense Vikram Singh, and Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Jane Zimmerman will travel to Sri Lanka and Maldives from January 26-February 1, 2013.
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Remarks by Ambassador Sison at the Chamber of Commerce, Matara
January 17, 2013: In my four months here as the U.S. Ambassador to Sri Lanka, I have made a great effort to visit communities all around the island. I wanted to get to know people not just in Colombo, but in cities and villages in the east, north, central and south.
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U.S. Embassy On Impeachment Process
January 12, 2013: The United States Embassy remains deeply concerned by the impeachment proceedings against Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranayake, which were conducted in defiance of a Supreme Court order. This impeachment calls into question issues about the separation of powers in Sri Lanka and the impact of its absence on democratic institutions.
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Remarks by Ambassador Sison at the Opening of a Shelter for Women Victims of Human Trafficking
December 12, 2012: This is the first government-run shelter for victims of trafficking in Sri Lanka. The United States is proud to be part of the team that made it a reality. This partnership with the government of Sri Lanka also included the National Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force and the International Organization for Migration. This is an example of how our two governments, non-governmental organizations, and the international community can work together to share expertise and best-practices and marshal resources to improve lives here in Sri Lanka.
More News from Washington
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Press Statement by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton Regarding Significant Reductions of Iranian Crude Oil Purchases
December 7, 2012: The United States and the international community remain committed to maintaining pressure on the Iranian regime until it fully addresses concerns about its nuclear program. That’s why today I am pleased to announce that China, India, Malaysia, Republic of Korea, Singapore, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Turkey, and Taiwan have again qualified for an exception to sanctions outlined in Section 1245 of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2012, based on additional reductions in the volume of their crude oil purchases from Iran. As a result, I will report to the Congress that exceptions to sanctions pursuant to Section 1245 of the NDAA for certain transactions will apply to the financial institutions based in these countries for a potentially renewable period of 180 days.
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Statement by Spokesperson Victoria Nuland: Impeachment Proceedings Brought Against Sri Lankan Chief Justice
November 2, 2012: The United States is concerned by actions taken to impeach Sri Lankan Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranayake. We also note with concern recent threats to Sri Lankan judicial officials, including the assault last month on a judge who had publicly criticized government pressure on members of the judiciary. We urge the Government of Sri Lanka to avoid any action that would impede the efficacy and independence of Sri Lanka’s judiciary.
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U.S. Statement at the UPR of Sri Lanka
November 1, 2012: "We note steps taken by the government of Sri Lanka to resettle IDPs, foster economic growth, improve infrastructure, and develop a National Action Plan for implementing a number of recommendations of the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC)."
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Statement by Secretary Clinton Regarding Significant Reductions of Iranian Crude Oil Purchases
June 11, 2012: Today I have made the determination that seven economies—India, Malaysia, Republic of Korea, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Turkey and Taiwan--have all significantly reduced their volume of crude oil purchases from Iran. They join the 11 countries for which I made this determination in March. As a result, I will report to the Congress that sanctions pursuant to Section 1245(d)(1) of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012 will not apply to their financial institutions for a potentially renewable period of 180 days. [Sinhala] [Tamil]
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Sinhala and Tamil New Year's Greeting
April 12, 2012: On behalf of President Obama and the people of the United States, I am delighted to send best wishes to Sri Lankans around the world as you celebrate Sinhala and Tamil New Year.
