U.S delegates tour Jaffna to gain first hand ground information

Ministry of Defence, Public Security, Law & Order

Continuing his official visit to the island, the U.S Assistant Secretary of States for South and Central Asian Affairs, Richard Boucher toured to the Jaffna peninsula today(09).

The U.S diplomat was greeted at the Palali military air base, by the Jaffna Area Commander Major General G.A Chandrasiri. According to U.S embassy sources, the feature of his visit turned as one of his regular visits to his assigned countries.

The U.S diplomat experienced first hand ground information regarding the situation in Jaffna, which he was fond to witness the participative and collective efforts of the Jaffna communities, public servants and the military, despite abortive terrorist attacks by the LTTE. The visiting U.S Assistant Secretary was also briefed on the humanitarian missions carried out by the Security Forces sustaining normalcy in the area, following the closure of the A-9 Jaffna - Kandy trunk route due to intensified LTTE attacks since August 2006.

Boucher held talks with the Jaffna District Secretary, K. Ganesh and Tamil community representatives in the area. According to the District Secretarial sources, the discussion with the diplomat is believed to further extend the development projects and rehabilitation schemes in the area.

The same sources further added that a detailed report was handed over to the U.S diplomat. The U.S Assistant Secretary was also accompanied by the American Ambassador for Sri Lanka, Mr. Robert O'Blake.

Meantime, Jaffna G.A officials added that Mr. Boucher also inspected the Jaffna library. He is also scheduled to meet with President Mahinda Rajapakse and other officials during his three-day visit, which ends Thursday