(P. Balasingham in Washington)

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe’s meeting US President George W. Bush is a continuing process and is very significant.  “We see it as a long-term relationship in the context of our connections with his visits to India, Japan and European Union countries”, said Economic Reforms and Science and Technology Minister Milinda Moragoda.

The Prime Minister’s visit is focused to ensure political relationship in the context of the peace process and the economic and trade relationship to formulate free trade agreement in the future, Moragoda told a press briefing at the Ritz Carlton Hotel yesterday.  A double tax agreement with USA has already been ratified by Sri Lanka, and the US will ratify this by December, he said. Meeting President Bush is not a public relations exercise, it is a process.  President J. R. Jayewardene met President Ronald Reagan in 1984.  Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe met President Bush in 2002 and this meeting is a firm one in the context of cementing a continuous relationship, Moragoda said.


Moragoda signs biotechnology deal today
(P. Balasingham in Washington)

Economic Reform and Science and Technology Minister Milinda Moragoda will sign the biotechnology document in the presence of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and Juan Enriquez today.

The Prime Minister will meet Gaddivasguez, Director of  Peace Corps in the noon, a luncheon meeting at the American Enterprise Institute and meet T. Friedman of the New York Times.

He is scheduled to meet Robert Zoellich, US Trade representative later.

“There is going to be a sounder basis in trade, military relationships and biotechnology”, the
Minister said.

The Service Commanders have already visited the USA regarding various matters and substantial discussions have taken place in these matters, he said.

Prime Minister’s visit is to continue this process at the highest level, Moragoda said.

He said the signing the Biotechnology project is of great significance.

“It is connected with genetics and agriculture.  We have to catch up with development in these fields.

It includes anti-malaria development.  India and Singapore have made significant progress in biotechnology and such projects have already been established in Hyderabad and Bangalore”, the Minister said.

Progress in the health sector, which includes cancer research and Malaria, will be highly beneficial to Sri Lanka, Moragoda said.

Even South Africa and Brazil have  made very significant advances in Biotechnology, he said.

The signing of the memorandum of understanding with Microsoft can attract  big brand names of the USA.  The idea is to bring these brands here.  Big companies which did not come earlier to Sri Lanka will now enter the field.  Company oracle will set up their office soon.  “We want a Microsoft man to be permanently stationed here”, he said.

The passing of the Intellectual Property Rights is a positive step in this direction, the Minister said.

The Prime Minister is very keen to get the Peace Corps back.  They will be used to train in English and Information Technology to the National Youth Corps.  This will benefit the rural areas tremendously, Moragoda said.

The Prime Minister’s visit to the US will a great boost to Sri Lanka’s trade and economic development.  Prime Minister Wickremesinghe wants to pursue a methodical plan which will prove beneficial in the long run to Sri Lanka, the Minister said.

Sri Lankan Ambassador to the US Devinda R. Subasinghe emphasised on the importance of the Prime Minister’s visit in the context of Sri Lankan future development.

The Sri Lankan Embassy in Washington in a press release stated:

“In a refreshing vote of confidence and support to Sri Lanka’s efforts to bring Information Technology (IT) solutions to the people, one of the best universities in the United Stats in the field of computer science, Carnegie Mellon, announced its agreement to develop a programme of cooperation with Sri Lanka which includes a Technology Peace Corps.

“Coming on the eve of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe’s visit to the United States, the announcement from Carnegie Mellon indicated that the plans include a launch of a Technology Peace Corps through which academics, researchers and training staff will visit Sri Lanka to conduct research, help upgrade the IT environment, and learn from the experience.   Details of the plan will be finalized in cooperation with the Ministry of Economic Reform, Science and Technology and the newly formed Information, Communication and Technology Agency (ICTA).

“Carnegie Mellon University Provost Mark Kamlet said he was hopeful that the university’s expertise in the field can make helpful contributions as Sri Lanka, through the e-Sri Lanka frame work, moves forward to support sustainable economic development.  The students and faculty, he said, will enjoy working with creative collaborators and leverage the rich culture and traditions, and the potential that Sri Lanka has in a post conflict situation to make rapid economic growth.

“Minister for Economic Reform, Science and Technology, Milinda Moragoda, who is accompanying the Prime Minister, stated that this is a very prestigious university, in the potential for IT in Sri Lanka.

We need to open our ‘windows’ to what is happening in the IT field in the world and the Technology Peace Corps will enable Sri Lankans to interact with volunteers who are also excited with the opportunity to work, learn and share their knowledge.

“We have one of the highest literacy rates in the developing world but we will fall behind if our IT literacy rate does not also catch up.