US embassy cable - 05COLOMBO1338

C O N F I D E N T I A L COLOMBO 001338 
 
SIPDIS 
 
FOR S/WCI PROSPER AND SA A/S ROCCA 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/02/2015 
TAGS: KISL, KPAO, PGOV, PREL 
SUBJECT: SPEAKING OUT ON GITMO AND DETAINEES 
 
REF: STATE 139288 
 
Classified By: Ambassador Jeffrey J. Lunstead for reasons 1.4 (b) and ( 
d). 
 
 1.  (C) Ambassador raised issue of understanding 
for US detainee operations with Foreign Minister 
Kadirgamar on August 1, explaining that we wanted 
our friends to better understand our operations 
and the rationale for them, and to convey their 
support to broader constituencies.  Kadirgamar 
noted at the beginning of the conversation that as 
far as he could see, this issue did not have great 
visibility in Sri Lanka. 
 
2.  (C) Ambassador made points in reftel, adding 
that Sri Lanka with its long history of ethnic 
conflict and fighting terrorism was well aware of 
how difficult such a struggle against an 
unconventional enemy was.  Foreign Minister 
agreed, commenting that it was difficult for 
democracies to fight terrorists with their hands 
tied behind their backs.  (Foreign Minister has 
long been a top target for the Tamil Tigers, and 
by coincidence that weekend several suspicious 
individuals had been arrested while apparently 
surveilling the Minister's heavily fortified 
residence.) 
 
3.  (C) COMMENT: We agree with the Foreign 
Minister that US detainee operations and alleged 
abuses, while reported in Sri Lanka media, are not 
a burning topic here.  Sri Lankans are preoccupied 
with their still-unresolved ethnic conflict.  Post 
will shortly convene a group including PAO to 
discuss additional opportunities to get our 
message out. 
LUNSTEAD