However, despite Bogollagama’s request, the Senator had refused to meet with the Minister.
Senator Patrick Leahy, who was elected to the United States Senate in 1974, remains the only Democrat elected to this office from Vermont.

During his stay in Washington, Bogollagama had met with Congressman Frank Pallone (Democrat/New Jersey) and Congressman Jerry Weller (Republican/Illinois) who have been the long standing Chairpersons of the Sri Lanka Congressional Caucus, Congressman Jim McDermott (Democrat - WA), Congressman Rush Holt (Democrat/New Jersey), Congressman Scott Garrett (Republican/New Jersey) Congressman Robert Aderholt (Republican/Alabama) and Under-Secretary of State Nicholas Burns.

Two weeks ago, Sri Lankan expatriates in the United States had requested a meeting with Leahy in regard to his recent resolution, but he had refused to meet with the Lankans.
The Sri Lankan expatriates living in Capital Hill are of the strong view that the Senator has been significantly influenced by pro LTTE lobby groups in Washington and that had led to his resolution. The expatriates want to explain their side of the story to Senator Patrick Leahy but he had refused to meet with them.

The senator’s chief foreign relations advisor Tim Rieser had also refused to meet with the expatriates. He is additionally the Staff Director for the Senate Foreign Aid Subcommittee chaired by Leahy.

In a message to the expatriates, Tim Rieser had however noted that, ‘the Senator’s resolution on withholding foreign aid for Sri Lanka has nothing to do with the LTTE and that Sri Lanka has been “utterly unwilling to take responsibility” for its actions.’

Tim Rieser had added that neither he nor Senator Leahy has had any contact with any LTTE representatives or LTTE front organisations.

This resolution will become law only after it receives the approval of US President George W. Bush.
Meanwhile, during a meeting held between Bogollagama and US Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Nicholas Burns on Thursday, the issues raised in the amendment proposed by Senator Leahy to the Department of State Appropriation Bill for FY 2008, to introduce restrictions on defense cooperation with Sri Lanka on account of alleged human rights issues was discussed at length.

With regard to the issue of alleged impunity enjoyed by errant personnel of the armed forces and police as raised by the senator in his amendment, the Minister had provided information on indictments served, as well as convictions against such personnel during the past few years.
On the issue of unimpeded access to ‘Tamil areas,’ for NGOs and journalists, the Minister said that no less than 21 non-governmental agencies approved by the United Nations are currently providing services to the affected populations in the North and the East. Similarly, he said journalists have access to the conflict areas and that recently a group of journalists including the BBC, Reuters, Reuters TV, AP, APTV, Al Jazeera and Daily Telegraph, visited the Wanni.

Referring to the issue of establishment of a field presence of the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights in Sri Lanka (OHCHR), the Minister pointed out that many UN agencies and international humanitarian organizations already have a presence in Sri Lanka. He also highlighted the fact that the Office of UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) already has a representative in Sri Lanka, whose work is assisted by another officer of that organization. Pointing out that High Commissioner Ms. Louise Arbour is due to visit Colombo next week; the Minister said the visit would provide an opportunity for Sri Lanka to express its views on this issue.

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