They made theses observations when they met with President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday (Oct 20) at Temple Trees.

The US delegation led by Congressman Albert Benjamin Chandler was accompanied by Sri Lankan Ambassador to US and Mexico Jaliya Wickramasuriya
Expressing his views, Congressman Chandler noted that he had visited Sri Lanka two years ago, and in comparison with that period, the country has achieved a substantial level of development at present.

The delegation toured in Colombo, Kandy and Jaffna to witness the development as well as diverse communities living in harmony in those areas. They were impressed by the security conditions in the country, he further said.

On this occasion, President Rajapaksa requested the Congressmen to reveal to the world the true image of Sri Lanka. He also elaborated on the development initiatives undertaken by the Government across the country including the North and East regions.

The delegation, comprising of Albert Benjamin Chandler, Joseph Heath Shuler and Jack Kingston is currently on a three-day visit to the island under the Sri Lanka- U.S Parliamentary Exchange Program.

Meanwhile, at a press conference last evening, Congressman Shuler stressed that the LTTE should remain in the terrorist watch list.

The delegation met with Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa on October 18, and discussed a range of issues including development, housing and the presence of LTTE activities in foreign countries.