Mangala to address US Institute of Peace

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mangala Samaraweera with US Secretary of State, John Kerry. www.usip.org

Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera will speak at the US Institute of Peace on February 25, to discuss the possibilities for peace and reconciliation, six years after the end of the war in Sri Lanka.

The event, co-sponsored by the Heritage Foundation, will provide a forum to discuss how initiatives to advance reconciliation, post-conflict development and stronger democratic institutions are progressing in the island.

The Foreign Minister will offer an update on the progress towards sustainable peace in Sri Lanka, including plans for economic development.

It will be followed by a moderated discussion and a question-and-answer session.

Welcome address by Ambassador and Executive Vice President, USIP, Bill Taylor, introductory remarks by Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia Affairs, Nisha Biswal, keynote address by Foreign Minister of Sri Lanka Mangala Samaraweera, Moderator: Senior Fellow, Asian Studies Center, Heritage Foundation, Lisa Curtis and the closing remarks by Director, Asian Studies Center, Heritage Foundation, Walter Lohman.