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FM AMEMBASSY COLOMBO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0334
INFO RUEHKA/AMEMBASSY DHAKA 1819
RUEHIL/AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD 8835
RUEHKT/AMEMBASSY KATHMANDU 7074
RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 5070
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RUEHBI/AMCONSUL MUMBAI 6721
RUEHON/AMCONSUL TORONTO 1232
RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC
RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA 3658
RHHMUNA/HQ USPACOM HONOLULU HI
RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS
RHEHAAA/NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL WASHINGTON DC
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 04 COLOMBO 000768 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPARTMENT FOR SCA/INSB 
GENEVA FOR RMA 
KATHMANDU FOR REFCOORD KATHMANDU 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/29/2019 
TAGS: PREF PREL PHUM CE
SUBJECT: A/S SCHWARTZ PRESSES FOR EARLY RETURN OF 
INTERNALLY DISPLACED PERSONS 
 
Classified By: CHARGE D'AFFAIRES JAMES R. MOORE.  REASONS: 1.4 (B, D) 
 
¶1. (C) Summary: In his July 25-28 visit to Sri Lanka, PRM 
Assistant Secretary Eric P. Schwartz urged the government to 
undertake rapid returns of internally-displaced persons 
(IDPs) to their home villages and avoid prolonging the closed 
camp situation in the North.  In meetings with President 
Mahinda Rajapaksa, Defense Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, 
Senior Advisor to the President, MP Basil Rajapaksa, and 
Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama, as well as civilian and 
military officials directly managing the IDP camps, A/S 
Schwartz received an unwavering -- and emphatic  --  message 
that the Government is committed to  large scale returns, 
including an initial return in August of up to 40,000 
persons.  A/S Schwartz welcomed this news and relayed the 
U.S.,s strong commitment of support for this effort, 
beginning with $8 million in U.S. funding to support returns 
and early recovery.  In his meetings and public comments, A/S 
Schwartz underscored serious U.S. concerns regarding 
confinement of IDPs in camps, while also affirming U.S. 
commitment to helping the Government of Sri Lanka resolve the 
humanitarian crisis.  During the visit, A/S Schwartz 
encouraged senior government officials to permit ICRC to 
continue its important protection work in Sri Lanka.  This 
high-level visit reinvigorated a collaborative approach to 
addressing humanitarian challenges at a time when the 
Government of Sri Lanka increasingly bristles at 
international pressure.  End Summary. 
¶2. (SBU) During his July 25-28 visit, PRM Assistant Secretary 
Eric Schwartz met with senior government and military, 
representatives of international humanitarian organizations 
and local civil society NGOs, and other donor country 
representatives, and visited Manik Farm (reported septel), a 
series of camps established by the Government to accommodate 
over 220,000 of the 280,000 people displaced in the last 
several months of the conflict.  The Government of Sri Lanka 
welcomed A/S Schwartz and demonstrated its desire to place 
engagement with the U.S. on a positive trajectory. 
PRESIDENT: FIRST PRIORITY IS TO RESETTLE 
¶3. (C)  Following A/S Schwartz,s visit to Manik Farm on July 
26, Justice Minister Milinda Moragoda and the U.S. delegation 
(A/S, Charge, USAID Mission Director, and Deputy RefCoord) 
flew directly to Kandy to meet with President Mahinda 
Rajapaksa.  The President immediately and emphatically stated 
that his first priority was to resettle the IDPs, noting that 
at least 19,000 will return within the next several weeks, 
and commenting that he understated his estimate in order to 
exceed expectations. (Comment: Other officials reported that 
some 40,000 will return in August.)  He noted that Sri Lanka 
prioritizes returns because it is the right thing to do, not 
because of outside pressure.  A/S Schwartz recognized the 
efforts of Sri Lankan officials to address enormous 
challenges in the camps.  He emphasized that the U.S. wants 
to assist Sri Lanka, particularly with early returns and 
recovery.  The President highlighted practical needs, 
commenting, "most of these people are farmers, not fighters" 
who will need seeds and other livelihoods support, in 
addition to broader development programs in the North.  A/S 
Schwartz commented to the President that Manik Farm residents 
urgently wanted to know how long they would remain in the 
camps and when they could return home.  He observed that the 
Sri Lankan brigadier responsible for civilian affairs who 
accompanied him in the camps assured IDPs that they would 
return home soon, and people seemed relieved to receive this 
news.  Simply providing information to the IDPs regarding the 
Government's plan, Schwartz noted, could do much to assuage 
IDPs, concerns.  President Rajapaksa thanked A/S Schwartz 
for raising this issue, noting that he believes his 
government has "not done well enough to communicate what we 
 
COLOMBO 00000768  002 OF 004 
 
 
are doing" and characterized this as a problem within the 
camps, as well as in Sri Lanka,s engagement with other 
nations.  (Comment: The President went to great lengths to 
make clear he has ordered returns to take place soon. The 
fact that little information has yet been shared with UN 
agencies regarding specifics reflects a clear intention by 
the Sri Lankan Government to "own" --and tightly control-- 
the returns process.  End comment.)  A/S Schwartz also urged 
the President to permit international health providers 
greater access to the camps; Justice Minister Moragoda 
suggested this would be an issue to discuss with Basil 
Rajapaksa. 
DEFENSE SECRETARY: CAMPS A "SECURITY RISK" 
¶4. (C) In a July 27 meeting with A/S Schwartz, Defense 
Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa bemoaned the "ineptitude" of 
INGOs in conducting demining and humanitarian assistance, 
characterizing them as less efficient than the military.  He 
commented that the Army could complete demining work quickly, 
but that lack of funding is the obstacle.  (Comment:  At 
several points during the trip, Sri Lankan interlocutors 
criticized NGOs.  A/S Schwartz would generally respond that 
many NGOs in Sri Lanka did excellent work, and that it was a 
mistake to make categorical judgments.)  When asked by A/S 
Schwartz for his vision or plan for the North, the Defense 
Secretary replied, "exactly what we did in the East."  He 
pointed out that the IDPs need roads and electricity, not 
just assistance in returning.  Notably, the Defense Secretary 
said that he views a prolonged camp situation as a security 
risk, observing that it would be easier to "control security" 
if people are in small villages rather than large camps. 
(Comment: A brigadier who accompanied the delegation at Manik 
Farm observed that the Government does not believe that 
identification and separation of combatants must be completed 
before returns can begin; this task will be ongoing in areas 
of return.  End comment.) 
SCHWARTZ URGES CONTINUED ICRC PRESENCE IN SRI LANKA 
¶5.  (C)  A/S Schwartz then raised with the Defense Secretary 
concerns about ICRC,s future in Sri Lanka. (Note: ICRC was 
informed on June 30 in a letter from Defense Secretary 
Rajapaksa that it should scale back its activities in Sri 
Lanka now that the conflict has ended, a move which raised 
concerns about ICRC,s continued presence in Sri Lanka.  A/S 
Schwartz consulted with ICRC Head of Delegation before 
raising these concerns.  End note.)   A/S Schwartz stressed 
that "if they leave (Sri Lanka), our work would become very 
difficult."  The Defense Secretary commented that, after 30 
long years, Sri Lanka has defeated the LTTE, and wants to see 
everything connected to that period eradicated.  A/S Schwartz 
pointed out that the ICRC performs its mandated activities 
with the United States, in conducting detainee visits in 
Guantanamo Bay.  The Defense Secretary claimed he has no 
problem with ICRC continuing to work in Sri Lanka, but does 
not want it to do so in the context of its prior focus.  He 
said ICRC must conduct its work under a new, different 
mandate, now that the conflict has ended.  A/S Schwartz 
stressed that the authorities and the ICRC should engage to 
develop mutually agreeable arrangements. 
FOREIGN MINISTER EMPHASIZES BILATERAL COORDINATION 
¶6.  (C) In a meeting with Foreign Minister Rohitha 
Bogollagama, A/S Schwartz emphasized the need for freedom of 
movement for IDPs, and welcomed plans for significant returns 
in August.  He further urged the Sri Lankan Government to 
permit improved access by humanitarian agencies to address 
deficiencies in the camps.  Bogollagama asked for A/S 
Schwartz,s views on steps that could be taken to improve 
bilateral coordination generally.  A/S Schwartz noted that if 
Sri Lanka addresses the challenges ahead in responding 
appropriately to the humanitarian crisis, it would pave the 
way for opportunities in bilateral coordination and support. 
 
COLOMBO 00000768  003 OF 004 
 
 
Regarding the North, Schwartz indicated that the U.S. wanted 
to help in the recovery process. 
¶7.  (C) After the meeting, A/S Schwartz pulled aside the 
Foreign Minister to alert him that ICRC departure from Sri 
Lanka would make continued U.S. assistance much more 
difficult.  He told Bogollagama that he understood the 
Defense Ministry was the major player on this issue, but he 
strongly urged Bogollagama to make clear to the Defense 
Ministry the costs of an ICRC pull-out, and to press them on 
the issue.  Boglollagama took careful note of our concern. 
As he left the meeting with A/S Schwartz, Additional 
Secretary Prasad Kariyawasam, who was in the pull-aside, 
indicated to A/S Schwartz that he shared the desire to work 
out an arrangement with the ICRC, and urged A/S Schwartz to 
press the Defense Ministry on the issue. 
SENIOR ADVISOR DETAILS RETURNS PLANS 
¶8.  (C) Senior Advisor to the President and MP Basil 
Rajapaksa met with A/S Schwartz amid piles of reports, 
folders and maps in his office detailing the infrastructure 
needs of the North.  The Senior Advisor showed A/S Schwartz a 
binder of IDP registration information, which he said is now 
85 percent complete.  Upon completion, IDPs will receive camp 
identification cards. (Note: No government official has said 
that ID card issuance will result in an immediate ability for 
IDPs to exit the camps.  End note.)  When asked if a new 
Competent Authority will be appointed in the North, the 
Senior Advisor claimed this was not necessary, and camp 
administration would revert to civilian control under the 
Government Agent.  (Comment: The military may believe 
otherwise; the newly appointed Vanni commander, whom  A/S 
Schwartz met at Manik Farm, told us that he would soon be 
named Competent Authority.  End Comment.)  Rajapaksa 
estimated that 8,000 to 10,000 families, or up to 40,000 
individuals, will return to areas in Mannar, Vavuniya, and 
even Kilinochchi Districts in August.  He further noted that 
significant returns would continue through the rest of the 
year.  Phases of return in the fall would include returns to 
all areas of Mannar District, several areas of Vavuniya 
District, and certain areas in Mullaitivu District.  He said 
each returnee family would receive 25,000 rupees in cash 
(about 220 US dollars), shelter materials, and livelihoods 
support (such as fertilizer, seed paddy, and agricultural 
tools).  Further, the Senior Advisor reported that 6,003 
elderly persons have already been released from the IDP 
camps, and an additional 9,426 are approved for release.  A/S 
Schwartz raised with Rajapaksa his concern that IDPs in the 
camps are not receiving information about the Government's 
plan, and that such information would ease concerns within 
the camps.  Rajapaksa agreed that IDPs should have more 
information, and said he planned to meet with IDPs in the 
camps in an upcoming visit to the North.  A/S Schwartz 
reiterated to Rajapaksa the need for the GSL to allow 
international NGOs to deliver health care inside the camps to 
supplement what is being provided by the Ministry of Health. 
This, he said, would be especially important once the monsoon 
rains arrive in September and the danger of communicable 
diseases further increases. 
WIDE PRESS COVERAGE CONVEYS U.S. CONCERNS 
¶9. (SBU) In all his meetings with government interlocutors, 
A/S Schwartz foreshadowed for them his comments to the press, 
indicating that they would include expressions of concern on 
issues where further progress is required, along with an 
expression of continued support for humanitarian aid to Sri 
Lanka. 
¶10. (U)  A/S Schwartz conducted a press conference on July 27 
in which he expressed deep U.S. concern about the confinement 
of the vast majority of displaced Sri Lankans, as well as 
concerns about limitations on access for international 
humanitarian organizations.  At the same time, he announced 
 
COLOMBO 00000768  004 OF 004 
 
 
$8 million to support the return and early recovery effort. 
He also said he fully intended to accept the government's 
invitation to return to Sri Lanka to observe the return 
process.  The event was widely reported in international and 
local media.  Live clips made the late news on two TV 
channels, Derana and MTV.  Tamil language papers emphasized 
the hardships suffered by the displaced persons and NGOs, 
lack of access to them.  The Sinhala language papers, on the 
other hand, played up Schwartz,s acknowledgment of 
government efforts to improve conditions and promises to 
return displaced persons soon.  The official press release 
from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was upbeat and 
constructive, noting that the Government welcomed wider 
engagement with the US and international community in 
reconstructing the Northern Province and returning the IDPs. 
COMMENT 
¶11. (C) It is clear that the Government has undertaken a 
massive effort to gather information regarding reconstruction 
needs in the North, and is planning a significant return 
effort, even if details necessary for UN and NGO action have 
not been shared outside the Government.  The visit of A/S 
Schwartz was extremely useful in chasing down disparate 
claims about the Government's plans for the IDP camps and 
their residents.  The Government's stated goal of releasing 
over 9,000 elderly persons and returning up to 40,000 IDPs to 
their home villages in the month of August is welcome news 
and, if realized, will send a positive signal to the 
international community.  It was evident from the visit of 
A/S Schwartz that the most senior levels of Government are 
aware of the immediacy of international concern regarding the 
closed IDP camps.  The real question is how, and how soon, 
the Government will meet its stated goals.  A/S Schwartz,s 
visit signaled that the U.S. would continue to stress - 
privately and publicly - the importance of respect for 
humanitarian principles, and also demonstrated the strong 
U.S. interest in playing a positive role and assisting the 
rapid return of IDPs in conditions of safety and dignity. 
¶12.  (U) This cable has been reviewed and cleared by 
Assistant Secretary Schwartz. 
MOORE