VZCZCXRO8781
RR RUEHBI
DE RUEHLM #0984 3040703
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 300703Z OCT 08
FM AMEMBASSY COLOMBO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 8833
RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHDC
INFO RUEHKA/AMEMBASSY DHAKA 1123
RUEHIL/AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD 8125
RUEHKT/AMEMBASSY KATHMANDU 6330
RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI 2362
RUEHCG/AMCONSUL CHENNAI 8758
RUEHKP/AMCONSUL KARACHI 2403
RUEHBI/AMCONSUL MUMBAI 6166

UNCLAS COLOMBO 000984 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR ISN, T, AND NEA/IR 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: EFIN MNUC PREL PARM KNNP CE MV
SUBJECT: SRI LANKA/MALDIVES: DESIGNATION OF IRANIAN 
ENTITIES UNDER E.O. 13382 
 
REF: SECSTATE 114408 
 
¶1.  (SBU) On October 28 the Ambassador delivered reftel 
points and FATF 1803 guidelines to Foreign Secretary 
Palitha Kohona.  The Ambassador strongly urged the GSL to 
take local action against the Export Development Bank of 
Iran (EDBI) and to cease any activities the GSL may have 
with this institution and/or its affiliates.  Kohona asked 
if these new U.S. restrictions would affect the GSL's 
future payments to Iran for oil.  (Note:  Sri Lanka imports 
approximately seventy percent of its oil needs from Iran. 
End Note.)  Econ Chief noted that we would need specifics 
on exactly how Sri Lanka is transacting payments to Iran to 
know; however, any attempt to make payment via a U.S. 
financial institution to EDBI or its affiliates will be 
blocked.  The Ambassador also explained that any entity 
within the GSL's jurisdiction that conducts business with 
EDBI or its affiliates may be subject to designation under 
E.O. 13382.  He also underscored the GSL's responsibility 
under UNSCR resolutions, in particular UNSCR 1803.  Kohona 
agreed to review the information provided and share it with 
appropriate agencies. 
 
 
¶2.  (U) Points were also delivered on October 28 to Lauza 
Ali, First Secretary of the Maldives High Commission in 
Colombo for transfer to the Maldives Monetary Authority and 
other relative government agencies, as well to Mr. 
Karunaratne, Director of the Sri Lankan Financial 
Intelligence Unit within the Central Bank. 
 
Blake