The U.S. State Department announced an additional $6 million aid to help for de-mining operations in Northern Sri Lanka. The U.S. State Department announced this during Minister of Export Development and International Trade, Prof. G. L. Peiris visit to New York and Washington DC to encourage United Nations and U.S. government assistance for the post-conflict economic projects and foreign investment.

He met with Susan Rice, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, as well as an Assistant U.S. Trade Representative and the Acting Under Secretary of the Department of Commerce.

The Minister also consulted with Rep. Sander Levin, (D-Michigan), who is Chairman of the Trade Subcommittee of the influential House of Representatives Ways and Means Committee, a press release issued by the Washington DC embassy of Sri Lanka said.

Rep. Levin said that Sri Lanka would be considered during his subcommittee’s examination of future trade agreements.

Minister Peiris told Congressman Levin and other U.S. government officials that now was the time for renewed investment in Sri Lanka, as the country resettles those displaced by the 25-year-long conflict, rebuilds the north and launches a political process that will give the Tamil population a new voice.

“Will enable Sri Lanka to take advantage of the opportunity that has presented itself. We must have an atmosphere of contentment and well-being. What we want is access to markets. We would expect more support on this,” said Minister Peiris during an interview with a Washington correspondent for the Reuters news service.

Asian investors and companies, he said, have been quick to show interest in Sri Lanka since the conflict’s end. While interests from Malaysia are the most active, Japan and China are also currently involved in projects throughout Sri Lanka.

The government expects growth in traditional sectors, such as tourism, tea and rubber production and the garment industry, as well as an expansion of agricultural production and construction when the post-conflict development takes hold.