This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
050224Z May 03
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 06 COLOMBO 000740
SIPDIS
FOR ECA/PE/V/F/A, ECA/PE/V/G/N-ALICE SHIFFLETT; SA/PD
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OEXC SCUL KPAO OEXC
SUBJECT: FY-2003 VOLUNTARY VISITOR PROGRAM: SRI LANKAN
NOMINATION
1. PAS COLOMBO REQUESTS FOR A FUNDED VOLVIS (TWO
INDIVIDUALS TRAVELING TOGETHER - ITT) PROGRAM ON
CONGRESSIONAL AFFAIRS. POST NOMINATES MR. NAUFEL ABDUL-
RAHMAN, SECRETARY TO THE LEADER OF THE PARLIAMENT, AND
MR. N.V. KEERTHIRATNE KARUNASENA WERAGODA, SECRETARY TO
THE CABINET OF MINISTERS, FOR PARTICIPATION IN A 10-DAY
VOLUNTARY VISITOR PROGRAM ON CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEE
SYSTEM. PLEASE ADVISE IF THIS PROJECT CAN BE ACCEPTED
FOR PROGRAMMING. THEY WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR PROGRAMMING
IN LATE MAY (ANYTIME AFTER MAY 18) OR EARLY JUNE, AND
COULD ARRANGE THEIR TRAVEL ACCORDINGLY.
2. THE NOMINEES' BIO DATA, JUSTIFICATION AND PROGRAM
SUGGESTIONS IN EVDB FORMAT FOLLOWS:
START FIXED-FORMAT TEXT (PLEASE DO NOT EDIT):
: The following data is in a fixed format which enables
: automated processing in Washington and should not be
: edited except by means of the Post-EVDB software.
EXPORT-SOURCE: POST-EVDB
VERSION: 3.0.5
POST-EMAIL: rscmb@pd.state.gov
TRANSMITTING-POST: PAS Colombo
TRANSMITTING-POST-ID: 2929
EXPORT-TYPE: BIO DATA
START NOMINATION:
ECA-OFFICE: E/VGN
PROG-AGENCY-NAME:
POST-PROJ-ID: 80
ECA-PROJ-NO:
PROJ-NAME: Single Country - Voluntary Visitors -
Congressional Committee System
START MEMO PROJ-DESC:
END MEMO PROJ-DESC:
PROJ-TYPE: Single Country Project
PROG-TYPE: IV Grant Visitor
FY: 2003
DEPART-POST: 06/16/2003
SESSION-DATE:
RETURN-POST: 06/29/2003
NO-OF-PART: 2
RANK-ORDER: 0
START MEMO POST-OBJ:
This nomination is in support of MPP goal "Democracy"
END MEMO POST-OBJ:
START MEMO POST-RCMD:
Post requests a 10-day volvis program for two high-
level governemnt officials visiting the U.S. for
observation and consultation on the U.S. Congressional
committee system. Since the Sri Lankan government is
considering strengthening the Parliamentary committee
post believes that the the nominees should be provided
with the opportunities to observe how congressional
committees are set-up and work in both federal and
state levels.
The nominees could begin the program in Washington
visiting U.S Congress Committee Offices and later visit
Committee Offices in a State Legislature (possibly
Albany, NY). If approved, the two nominees will be
available for programming for ten days from May 19 to
mid or late June.
This request is for a 10-day funded (Per diem and
internal tavel) volvis grants for two nominees.
END MEMO POST-RCMD:
ECA-OFFICE-ID: 1039
PROG-AGENCY-ID:
PROJ-TYPE-ID: SCP
PROG-TYPE-ID: 29
NOMINATING-POST-ID: 2929
FUNDING-CNTRY-ID:
STATUS: N
ORIGINATOR: P
SUBJ-DISC: Federalism/U.S. Government
START BIO:
PREFIX: Mr.
F-NAME: N.V.Keerthiratne
M-NAME: Karunasena
L-NAME: WERAGODA
SUFFIX:
POSITION-CODE: 114
PRINCIPAL?: Yes
M-ADDR1: Office of the Cabinet of Ministers
M-ADDR2: Republic Square
M-ADDR3: Sir Baron Jayatilaka Mawatha
M-CITY: Colombo 1
M-STATE:
M-CNTRY: Sri Lanka
M-ZONE:
M-ZIP:
M-PHONE: (94-1) 329-620
M-FAX: (94-1) 323-730
M-EMAIL: keewera@sltnet.lk
M-CNTRY-ID: CE
M-ADDRTYPE: B
GENDER: M
DOB: 11/20/1937
MAR-STAT: M
BIRTH-CITY: Induruwa
BIRTH-CNTRY: Sri Lanka
CITIZ-CNTRY: Sri Lanka
RES-CNTRY: Sri Lanka
START MEMO POSITION:
Secretary to the Cabinet of Ministers, December 2001-
SIPDIS
to date
END MEMO POSITION:
START MEMO OTHER-POSITIONS:
END MEMO OTHER-POSITIONS:
START MEMO PREV-POSITIONS:
1998-2001 - Chairman and Director in several companies
in the private sector
1997- Secretary, Ministry of Provincial Councils and
Local Government
1995-96 - Secretary, Ministry of Trade, Commerce and
Food
1994 - Secretary, Ministry of Finance
1992-93 - Secretary, Education, Higher Education and
Cultural Affairs
1988-91 - Secretary, Ministry of Fisheries and Aquatic
Resources
1982-87 - Secretary, Ministry of Agricultural
Development and Research
1978-79 - Government Agent, Matara
1974-77 - Government Agent, Hambantota
1971-73 - Additional Government Agent, Matara
1969-70 - Deputy General Manager, River Valleys
Development Board
1965-68 - Assistant Government Agent
1960-64 - Divisional Revenue Officer
END MEMO PREV-POSITIONS:
START MEMO US-TRAVEL:
1981 - As Mason Fellow of the Kennedy School of
Government, Harvard University
1982-97 - Several visits to World Bank and IMF to
negotiate projects while serving as Secretary in the
different ministries
END MEMO US-TRAVEL:
START MEMO OTHER-TRAVEL:
Germany, India, Malaysia and the Philippines - On
several occasions for official conferences
Paris, France - On several occasions to UNESCO as head
of official delegation
London, U.K. - 1980-81- For studies at Cambridge
University; and the Commonwealth Secretariat on several
occasions as head of official delegation
Rome, Italy - Several visits to attend meetings in FAO
and World Food Program
Australia, New Zealand and Pacific Island - 1982 - as
chairman of consultative group on Agriculture
Japan - 1975 (six months) - Scholarship offered by
JAICA
END MEMO OTHER-TRAVEL:
START MEMO EDUCATION:
B.A. University of Ceylon , 1959
Postgraduate Diploma in Development Studies, Cambridge
University, U.K., 1981
M.A. in Public Administration, Harvard University, 1982
END MEMO EDUCATION:
START MEMO MEMBERSHIPS:
Member, Sri Lanka Association for the Advancement of
Science
Member, Wildlife and Nature Protection Society
Member, Economic Society of Sri Lanka
END MEMO MEMBERSHIPS:
START MEMO PUBLICATIONS:
'The Progress of Rural Agriculture since Independence'
in Business Today, December 1998
'Internal Trade in Sri Lanka,' chapter on Internal
Trade contributed to the National Atlas, 1997
'Importance of English to the Youths to Meet the Modern
Day Challenges' - 1993
'Agricultural Research Systems and Management,' in Sri
Lanka Council for Agricultural Research Policy
publication - 1987
'Agricultural Plans and Policy for Nutritional Adequacy
in Sri Lanka' - paper prepared for FAO, 1986
END MEMO PUBLICATIONS:
START MEMO SPEC-CONSID:
END MEMO SPEC-CONSID:
FIRST-LANG: Sinhala
ENGL-READ: 4
ENGL-SPEAK: 4
ENGL-COMP: 4
START MEMO NOM-POST-OBJ:
This nomination is in support of MPP goal on
"Democracy"
END MEMO NOM-POST-OBJ:
START MEMO NOM-POST-RCMD:
Post requests a 10-day volvis program for two high-
level government officials visiting the U.S. for
observation and consultation on the U.S. Congressional
committee system. Since the Sri Lankan government is
considering strengthening the Parliamentary committee
post believes that the nominees should be provided with
the opportunities to observe how congressional
committees are set-up and work in both federal and
state levels.
The nominees could begin the program in Washington
visiting U.S Congress Committee Offices and later visit
Committee Offices in a State Legislature (possibly
Albany, NY). If approved, the two nominees will be
available for programming for ten days from May 19 to
mid or late June.
This request is for a 10-day funded (Per diem and
internal tavel) volvis grants for two nominees.
END MEMO NOM-POST-RCMD:
START MEMO VIS-OBJ:
Visitors objectives are to fully understand the working
of committee system in the U.S. Congrass and State
Legislatures.
END MEMO VIS-OBJ:
START MEMO VIS-REC:
END MEMO VIS-REC:
NOMINATING-OFFICER: Bruce A. Lohof
START MEMO NOMINATING-JUSTIFICATION:
Mr. Weragoda is a senior officer of the Sri Lanka
Administrative Service, who has held important
positions previously. He is now the Secretary to the
Office of the Cabinet of Ministers, one of the most
important offices in the government.
The present government is desirous in introducing an
effective committee system in the House of Parliament.
Mr. Weragoda, along with Mr.Rahman who is the Secretary
to the Leader of the House of Parliament, have been
entrusted with the task of observing similar
institutions and make recommendation for strengthening
and improving the functions of Parliamentary
committees. Since U.S. Congressional committees are
considered in high esteem Mr. Weragoda who has a wealth
of experience in governmental affairs would be an ideal
candidate for a voluntary visitor program on the
congressional committee system.
END MEMO NOMINATING-JUSTIFICATION:
NOM-OFF: Public Affairs Section
SPEAKER?: Yes
NOTIFY-EMB: Yes
MEDIA?: No
HOME-STAY: No
HOME-HOSP?: Yes
E-I-TYPE:
NOMINEE-ID: 114
PERSON-ID: 116
BIRTH-CNTRY-ID: CE
CITIZ-CNTRY-ID: CE
RES-CNTRY-ID: CE
FIRST-LANG-ID: SI
E-I-TYPE-ID:
NOM-POST-ID: 2929
NOM-FUNDING-CNTRY-ID:
NOM-STATUS: N
DS2019-ACTION: 1
DS2019-SUBJECT: 45.1001
SPONS-FUNDS: 0
SPONS-AGENCY1:
USGOVT-AGENCY1:
US-AGENCY-AMT1: 0
USGOVT-AGENCY2:
US-AGENCY-AMT2: 0
INTL-ORG1:
INTL-ORG-AMOUNT1: 0
INTL-ORG2:
INTL-ORG-AMOUNT2: 0
VIS-GOVT-AMT: 0
COMMISSION: 0
OTHER-AMOUNT: 0
VIS-AMOUNT: 0
VIS-CAT: 5
END BIO:
START BIO:
PREFIX: Mr.
F-NAME: Naufel
M-NAME:
L-NAME: ABDUL-RAHMAN
SUFFIX:
POSITION-CODE: 114
PRINCIPAL?: Yes
M-ADDR1: Office of the Leader of the House of
M-ADDR2: Parliament
M-ADDR3: Sri Jayewardenepura
M-CITY: Kotte
M-STATE:
M-CNTRY: Sri Lanka
M-ZONE:
M-ZIP:
M-PHONE: (94-1) 777-463
M-FAX: (94-1) 777-464
M-EMAIL: lhpsec@slt.lk
M-CNTRY-ID: CE
M-ADDRTYPE: B
GENDER: M
DOB: 06/04/1944
MAR-STAT: M
BIRTH-CITY: Colombo
BIRTH-CNTRY: Sri Lanka
CITIZ-CNTRY: Sri Lanka
RES-CNTRY: Sri Lanka
START MEMO POSITION:
Secretary to the Leader of the House of Parliament,
SIPDIS
2002- to date
END MEMO POSITION:
START MEMO OTHER-POSITIONS:
END MEMO OTHER-POSITIONS:
START MEMO PREV-POSITIONS:
1994-2001 - Secretary to the Leader of the Opposition
in Parliament
1992-94 - Director/Legal Consultant, Associated
Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd.
1992-93 - Chairman, Petroleum Compensation Tribunal
1984-94 - Reverted to the Bar and practised in the
Civil Section
1982-85 - Commissioner, Presidential Tariff Commission
1978-84 - Chairman and Chief Executive, Industrial
Development Board
END MEMO PREV-POSITIONS:
START MEMO US-TRAVEL:
1993 - International Visitor
END MEMO US-TRAVEL:
START MEMO OTHER-TRAVEL:
Switzerland, Geneva - 1989 - Sri Lanka Delegate to the
General Conference of ILO
Australia - 1985 - Member, Sri Lanka Delegatation to
study the workings of the Australian Tariff Board
France, Paris - 1983 - Sri Lanka Delegate to the
General Conference of UNESCO
Austria, Vienna - 1981 - Sri Lanka Delegate to the
General Conference of UNIDO
END MEMO OTHER-TRAVEL:
START MEMO EDUCATION:
Bachelor of Laws, University of Ceylon
Advocate of the Supreme Court of Ceylon (Sri Lanka)
Diploma in Business Administration, University of
Colombo
Fellow of the British Institute of Management, England
END MEMO EDUCATION:
START MEMO MEMBERSHIPS:
Member, Bar Association of Sri Lanka
Member, British Institute of Management
END MEMO MEMBERSHIPS:
START MEMO PUBLICATIONS:
'Is Small Beautiful,' in 'Karmantha' April 1980
'Industrial Growth - Vertical or Lateral,' in
'Karmantha' December 1980
END MEMO PUBLICATIONS:
START MEMO SPEC-CONSID:
END MEMO SPEC-CONSID:
FIRST-LANG: Tamil
ENGL-READ: 4
ENGL-SPEAK: 4
ENGL-COMP: 4
START OTHER-LANGS:
OTHER-LANG: Sinhala
OTHER-LANG-ID: SI
READ: 4
SPEAK: 4
COMP: 4
END OTHER-LANGS:
START MEMO NOM-POST-OBJ:
This project is in support of MPP goal on "Democracy"
END MEMO NOM-POST-OBJ:
START MEMO NOM-POST-RCMD:
Post requests a 10-day volvis program for two high-
level governemnt officials visiting the U.S. for
observation and consultation on the U.S. Congressional
committee system. Since the Sri Lankan government is
considering strengthening the Parliamentary committee
post believes that the the nominees should be provided
with the opportunities to observe how congressional
committees are set-up and work in both federal and
state levels.
The nominees could begin the program in Washington
visiting U.S Congress Committee Offices and later visit
Committee Offices in a State Legislature (possibly
Albany, NY). If approved, the two nominees will be
available for programming for ten days from May 19 to
mid or late June.
This request is for a 10-day funded (Per diem and
internal tavel) volvis grants for two nominees.
END MEMO NOM-POST-RCMD:
START MEMO VIS-OBJ:
Visitors objectives are to fully understand the working
of committee system in the U.S. Congrass and State
Legislatures.
END MEMO VIS-OBJ:
START MEMO VIS-REC:
END MEMO VIS-REC:
NOMINATING-OFFICER: Bruce A. Lohof
START MEMO NOMINATING-JUSTIFICATION:
Although Mr. Abdul-Rahman is an Attorney-at-law, he has
been in politics closely associated with the ruling
United National Party (UNP) and the Parliament for a
long time. During the time the present Prime Minister
was the Leader of the Opposition he was the Secretary
to him (the Leader of the Opposition). When the UNP
came into power in 2001 Mr. Rahman was appointed the
Secretary to the Leader of the House.
SIPDIS
The present government is desirous in introducing an
effective committee system in the House of Parliament.
Mr. Rahman has been entrusted with the task of
observing similar institutions and make recommendation
for strengthening and improving the functions of
Parliamentary committees. Since U.S. Congressional
committees are considered in high esteem, Mr. Rahman
who has long experience in parliamentary affairs would
be an ideal candiate for a voluntary visitor program on
a familiarization of the congressional committee
system.
END MEMO NOMINATING-JUSTIFICATION:
NOM-OFF: Public Affairs Section
SPEAKER?: Yes
NOTIFY-EMB: Yes
MEDIA?: No
HOME-STAY: No
HOME-HOSP?: Yes
E-I-TYPE:
NOMINEE-ID: 115
PERSON-ID: 118
BIRTH-CNTRY-ID: CE
CITIZ-CNTRY-ID: CE
RES-CNTRY-ID: CE
FIRST-LANG-ID: TC
E-I-TYPE-ID:
NOM-POST-ID: 2929
NOM-FUNDING-CNTRY-ID:
NOM-STATUS: N
DS2019-ACTION: 1
DS2019-SUBJECT: 45.1001
SPONS-FUNDS: 0
SPONS-AGENCY1:
USGOVT-AGENCY1:
US-AGENCY-AMT1: 0
USGOVT-AGENCY2:
US-AGENCY-AMT2: 0
INTL-ORG1:
INTL-ORG-AMOUNT1: 0
INTL-ORG2:
INTL-ORG-AMOUNT2: 0
VIS-GOVT-AMT: 0
COMMISSION: 0
OTHER-AMOUNT: 0
VIS-AMOUNT: 0
VIS-CAT: 5
END BIO:
END NOMINATION:
END FIXED-FORMAT TEXT:
3. PLEASE ADVISE ACCEPTANCE OF THESE NOMINATIONS AND
SUITABLE PROGRAM DATES ARE AVAILABLE.
WILLS