The new US administration will never support efforts for a separate state in Sri Lanka.

An Exclusive Interview with Sri Lanka's Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar.

by Rajika Jayatilake, Washington DC.

The new US administration will never support efforts for a separate state in Sri Lanka. There is continuity in the US policy on the LTTE and the designation of "Foreign Terrorist Organisation" which was given to it by the previous administration in October 1997, will be continued by the present administration. The likelihood of this designation being lifted when its review comes up this year, is extremely remote.

This was the reassuring message Sri Lanka's Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar took with him as he left Washington DC this evening, after a cordial and relaxed meeting with US Secretary of State General Colin Powell today.

"I didn't come to ask for anything," said the Minister. On the contrary, this meeting had been arranged a month ago and it was one focussed on getting to know the new administration.

"Sri Lanka has always had very cordial relations with the US and we wished to express our appreciation of the collective stand taken by the past and present US administrations in supporting Sri Lanka's unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity." And General Powell had confirmed in no uncertain terms that the US was not in the least in favour of mini countries popping up all over the place.

During their 45 minute meeting, Minister Kadirgamar had briefed General Powell on the present situation in Sri Lanka and the government's unshaken commitment to negotation.He also spoke of the Government's efforts towards an effective devolution of power and what steps were being taken to settle the ethnic issue. The role of Norway as a facilitator was also dwelt on very positively, the Minister said.

Sri Lanka's Foreign Minister with his keen sense of discerning future trends, was most encouraged by General Powell's positive attitude in their discussions on the South Asian region. "There is no doubt that South Asia is going to be very much in focus in US foreign policy from now on," said Minister Kadirgamar.