<b>Senator Rechard Lugar commended Sri Lankan Prime Minister</b>

Chairman of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations Rechard Lugar commended the courage shown by the Prime Minster Ranil Wickremesinghe in taking steps that had not been taken by any leader of the country to solve the crisis in Sri Lanka.

The Prime Minister met members of the Committee on Foreign Relations in Washington on the 23rd July. Senator Paul Sarbanes, Paul D Welistone and Lincon D Chafee also joined the discussions.

At this meeting matters relating to the peace process were discussed at length. Also dicussed especially of assistance needed from the US Government to further the peace process. Also they discussed about steps that should be taken for consolidating relations between two countries and about propogating Sri Lankan exports to the US.

The press release issued by Prime Minster’s office stated that Wickremesinghe held discussions on the security situation of the country with General Brent Scowcroft, the Chairman of the International Intelligence Committee and former National Security advisor to president George Bush.

It further stated that, attention was focused on to reorganization of security force,s while moving ahead with the peace process.

Later in the day, Prime Minister delivered a lecture at the Woodrow Wilson International Centre for Scholars, which is regarded as “Intellectual Heaven” and is a meeting point for policy makers, administrators and Professionals.

Director of the Woodrow Wilson International Centre for Scholars, Lee H. Hamilton praised the Prime Minister for his commitment to a peaceful resolution for the conflict in Sri Lanka and stated that the center is honoured to invite a person with a clear vision in the form of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe.

Meanwhile Chairman of the US Committee of the International Relations Henry Hyde stated that, his wish is to see the Sri Lanka becomes a “Fashionable” country in the near future. Also he praised and wished well to the programme with the present government.

Hyde expressed these sentiments when Prime Mister Ranil Wickeremesinghe met the congress committee on International Relations, on 23rd.

The Secretary Ministry of Foreign Affairs Mr. Nihal Rodrigo and Deputy Ambassador in Washington also participated in the discussions.