Nisha Biswal holds talks with Tamil Diaspora

The United States Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Nisha Biswal held discussions with the London-based Tamil diaspora group, Global Tamil Forum (GTF) delegates representing US, UK, Canada, Australia and Germany on the reconciliation process in Sri Lanka on 16 September 2106. GTF President Father S.J. Emmanuel, Spokesperson Suren Surendiran and other leading GTF members participated in the discussions.

Assistant Secretary for Democracy, Human Rights and Labor Tom Malinowski,  Deputy Assistant Secretary of State, Manpreet Singh Anand, Director for South and Central Asia, Carmela Conroy and Senior Desk Officer for Sri Lanka and the Maldives, McKenzie Millar were also present.

Discussions included ground realities today in Sri Lanka, particularly in relation to the North and East. The steps Tamil Diaspora can take to promote justice, peace, reconciliation and economic development were also discussed. GTF is pleased with the understanding and encouragement shown by the US Government representatives.

President of Global Tamil Forum Father S. J. Emmanuel expressed the appreciation of the Tamil community for the continuous engagement of the US Government.

Assistant Secretary Biswal had also met with the Speaker of Sri Lanka parliament Karu Jayasuriya who was visiting Washington to sign a collaboration agreement between the Parliament of Sri Lanka and the House Democracy Partnership of the United States House of Representatives.