He outlined the progress made so far in resettlement noting that reconstruction work is happening throughout Sri Lanka, particularly in the North. He told them that the resettlement of displaced persons is now 95 percent complete.

He also detailed the gathering on Sri Lanka’s economic growth, foreign investment and progress in reconciliation and discussed on U.S. support for the Lessons Learned and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC).

Ambassador Wickramasuriya noted in the meetings that Sri Lanka's gross domestic product is likely to reach 8 percent in 2010 “despite the global recession" and that unemployment and inflation are both down. He invited the lawmakers to visit Sri Lanka, and to press for more U.S. investment there.

The Ambassador has recently held sessions with Democratic Sen. Mary Landrieu of Louisiana, Rep. Glenn Thompson, a Pennsylvania Republican, Rep. Steve Driehaus, an Ohio Democrat, Rep. Jim Moran, a Democrat from Virginia, and Rep. Howard Coble, a Republican from North Carolina, the Sri Lankan Embassy in Washington said.

Sen. Landrieu was one of the first U.S. officials to visit Sri Lanka after the 2004 tsunami.

While some in the U.S. have pressed for an international inquiry into the conflict's final days, Ambassador Wickramasuriya assured members of Congress that Sri Lanka's best chance for healing after 26 years of conflict is the internal, public examination the LLRC is now conducting.

Several members asked about the commission and how it might reach its final conclusions. Ambassador Wickramasuriya replied that the commission has a broad mandate, a varied membership of Tamil, Sinhalese and Muslim commissioners. He also noted that U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has stated that internal commissions like the LLRC play an important role in reconciliation following periods of conflict.

All of the members of Congress expressed gratitude for the information on Sri Lanka and the LLRC.

Meanwhile in an interview with The Island Ambassador Wickramasuriya said an investor delegation comprising officials from the US departments of Trade and Commerce and 25 top businesses would be visiting the country shortly to explore opportunities in the post-conflict economy.

He said the delegation would be visiting Jaffna where a free trade zone was being proposed.

"The US Commerce Department and the USTR (US Trade Department) are promoting Sri Lanka as an investment destination and the business delegation including 10 officials from these departments would be in Sri Lanka shortly,’ Wickramasuriya said.

He said the American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) of India would also join the US delegation in Sri Lanka which would be accompanied by Wickramasuriya.

Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) talks, which are alternatively held in Sri Lanka and the US, would be held in Sri Lanka this year too despite hosting the talks last year.

"We were able to convince the USTR to hold the talks in Sri Lanka this year as well, although it has to be held in the US this year. We did this because we felt more investments need to flow into Sri Lanka especially after the war and the USTR accepted our proposal.

"The delegation would visit Jaffna and explore the possibilities of investing in a free trade zone proposed in the peninsular. Public-Private opportunities would also be explored," Wickramasuriya said.

He said the 25-or-so-strong investor delegation would include successful Sri Lankan entrepreneurs in the US who have expanded their businesses in Malaysia, Mexico and China. "They are keen in investing in Sri Lanka and establishing a post in the country of their birth," he said.