September 21, 2012
The new U.S Ambassador to Sri Lanka visited the north over the
last couple of days and had wide ranging discussions with officials and people
in the area.
Ambassador Michele J. Sison visited Jaffna and Kilinochchci as part of
her northern trip, her first since she took over as the Ambassador to
Sri Lanka recently.
During her meetings in Jaffna Ambassador Sison met with the Muslim
Federation of Jaffna and discussed several issues including on the displaced
and the needs of the Muslim community, the U.S Embassy said.
The Ambassador had, during that meeting, reiterated US opposition to
a controversial anti Islam video which had resulted in protests
against the U.S government in several countries.
Meanwhile the US Embassy in Colombo said that Sison handed over
fishing supplies to 130 families in Kallar, Killinochchi yesterday.
This donation, through the U.S. Embassy’s development arm, United States
Agency for International Development (USAID), is part of a larger initiative of
partnering with families in conflict-affected areas, bringing dignity back to
their communities.
Speaking at the handover ceremony in the Killinochchi district,
Ambassador Sison said, “You have advocated, against many difficulties, to
secure access to the sea. You have travelled across the district, searching for
a better way of living. It is our hope that these 10 boats, the nets and gear
will assist you as you continue to restore your lives; the U.S. Government is
committed to helping rebuild Sri Lanka’s communities with initiatives such as
this one.”
In addition to providing equipment, USAID organizes exposure visits and
training programs, giving the fishermen of Kallar an opportunity to learn new
technologies, sustainable fish harvesting and environmentally sound practices
from southern fishermen.
