The US delegation will be led by Richard Armitage, Deputy Secretary of State, Christina Rocca, Assistant Secretary of State for South Asian Affairs, John Gastright Special Assistant to the Deputy Secretary for South Asian Affairs and James Waller, Desk Officer for Sri Lanka

Co-chairs are expected to make reference to extremism and chauvinism and to call for free and fair elections in April and ask for a rapid return to the peace process. The official said, the co-chairs would also take a very clear stand during the donor meeting, and the outcome would be made known to the government. Last Friday, at a USAID press conference in Colombo, US Ambassador Jeff Lunstead said the position of the donor community was very clear and the entire amount pledged at the Tokyo donor conference will not be made available until the peace process shows progress Published: Sun Feb 15 19:29:55 EST 2004

Consul General Vipula Wanigasekara relinquishes his duties after serving in Oslo for over four years. He served in the Sri Lankan High Commission in Malaysia as Counselor since 1997. Wanigasekara, a non-career officer, was selected to open the first diplomatic office in Norway by the Foreign Ministry under Lakshman Kadirgamar in 1999. Wanigasekara continued to serve under the UNF government at a crucial time with Norway playing an important role in the peace process. There were increased economic activities between Oslo and Colombo during the tenure of Wanigasekara, with number of Norwegian companies establishing partnerships with Sri Lankan companies. Published: Sun Feb 15 19:19:56 EST 2004

Meanwhile according to economic analysts, the retardation of the economic growth from a figure 7.0 to 8.0% to a figure 4.0 to 5.0% would mean a loss of GDP RS. 47.55 billion based on the GDP figure of RS. 1588 billion in 2002. This works out to RS. 10,000 loss to each and every family, the analyst said. Adding that the effects of the loss of GDP and the subsequent loss of income to the families would be further worsened, as the Sri Lankan economy will be starting from a lower point next year. Published: Sun Feb 15 12:50:50 EST 2004