Delegation Concludes Visit to Sri Lanka

Press Release

Today, a Congressional Delegation led by Rep. Mac Thornberry (R-TX), Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, and including Reps Henry Cuellar (D-TX) Vicky Hartzler (R-MO) and Carol Shea-Porter (D-NH) concluded a two-day visit to Sri Lanka. In Colombo, the Delegation met Sri Lankan President Maiyhripala Sirisena, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, Karu Jayasuriya Speaker of the Sri Lankan Parliament, and R. Sampanthan Leader of the Parliamentary Opposition and Tamil National Alliance. During their meetings, the delegation emphasized the shared values of democracy, rule of law and freedom of the seas. They encouraged Sri Lankan leaders to continue vital constitutional reforms and stability efforts.

The Delegation also toured the Port of Colombo, a critical strategic location in the Indian Ocean, and extensive infrastructure projects financed by loans from China and managed by Chinese companies.

Commenting on the visit, Chairman Thornberry said:

"The American relationship with Sri Lanka goes back hundreds of years, and Congress is committed to deepening it going forward. Sri Lanka is a vital hub in the Indian Ocean, one that is key to keeping the lanes of commerce and security free and open. One cannot overstate how important it is that a prosperous, stable democracy hold this strategic ground. Sri Lanka has come a long way in the past few years, but they have much hard work ahead of them. America's commitment to their progress -- from increased military-to-military exchanges, development aid, and governance projects- is vital at this important time."

Commenting further, Thornberry said:

"It is also clear that the strategic value of Sri Lanka is not lost on China. The Chinese government is providing an astounding amount of resources, often in the form of loans, to projects on the island. While I share the hope of many that these projects will one day benefit the Sri Lankan people, I was struck by what one Sri Lankan official told me, "one cannot assume that China's motives are entirely innocent.'"

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