US Congressman hails peace approach

Bandula Jayasekara in New York

US: Vito Fossella, Republican Congressman for New Jersey told President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday that the United States does not negotiate with terrorists, but he understood Sri Lanka's approach to resolving the conflict through negotiations.

The US Congressman expressed total understanding of Sri Lanka's approach to finding a negotiated settlement to the conflict.

President Rajapaksa and Fossella discussed the commonalities of the terrorist challenges the two countries are faced with.

The Congressman also told the President that he was impressed with the way Sri Lanka has set about re-building after the tsunami under the leadership of the President.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa thanked the US Congressman for the generous support extended to Sri Lanka after the tsunami disaster.

Fossella called on President Rajapaksa at his hotel yesterday morning. He was the first US Congressman to call on the President after his arrival in New York to attend the 61st UN General Assembly.

Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera, Media Minister Anura Priyadarshana Yapa, Foreign Secretary H.M.G.S. Palihakkara, Secretary-General of the Peace Secretariat Dr Palitha Kohona and Ambassador Prasad Kariyawasam, Sri Lanka's Permanent Representative to the United Nations were associated with the President at the discussion.