Currently released so far... 97115 / 251,287
Articles
Brazil
Sri Lanka
United Kingdom
Sweden
00. Editorial
United States
Latin America
Egypt
Jordan
Yemen
Thailand
Browse latest releases
2010/12/01
2010/12/02
2010/12/03
2010/12/04
2010/12/05
2010/12/06
2010/12/07
2010/12/08
2010/12/09
2010/12/10
2010/12/11
2010/12/12
2010/12/13
2010/12/14
2010/12/15
2010/12/16
2010/12/17
2010/12/18
2010/12/19
2010/12/20
2010/12/21
2010/12/22
2010/12/23
2010/12/25
2010/12/26
2010/12/27
2010/12/28
2010/12/29
2010/12/30
2011/01/01
2011/01/02
2011/01/04
2011/01/05
2011/01/07
2011/01/09
2011/01/11
2011/01/12
2011/01/13
2011/01/14
2011/01/15
2011/01/16
2011/01/17
2011/01/18
2011/01/19
2011/01/20
2011/01/21
2011/01/22
2011/01/23
2011/01/24
2011/01/25
2011/01/26
2011/01/27
2011/01/28
2011/01/29
2011/01/30
2011/01/31
2011/02/01
2011/02/02
2011/02/03
2011/02/04
2011/02/05
2011/02/06
2011/02/07
2011/02/08
2011/02/09
2011/02/10
2011/02/11
2011/02/12
2011/02/13
2011/02/14
2011/02/15
2011/02/16
2011/02/17
2011/02/18
2011/02/19
2011/02/20
2011/02/21
2011/02/22
2011/02/23
2011/02/24
2011/02/25
2011/02/26
2011/02/27
2011/02/28
2011/03/01
2011/03/02
2011/03/03
2011/03/04
2011/03/05
2011/03/06
2011/03/07
2011/03/08
2011/03/09
2011/03/10
2011/03/11
2011/03/13
2011/03/14
2011/03/15
2011/03/16
2011/03/17
2011/03/18
2011/03/19
2011/03/20
2011/03/21
2011/03/22
2011/03/23
2011/03/24
2011/03/25
2011/03/26
2011/03/27
2011/03/28
2011/03/29
2011/03/30
2011/03/31
2011/04/01
2011/04/02
2011/04/03
2011/04/04
2011/04/05
2011/04/06
2011/04/07
2011/04/08
2011/04/09
2011/04/10
2011/04/11
2011/04/12
2011/04/13
2011/04/14
2011/04/15
2011/04/16
2011/04/17
2011/04/18
2011/04/19
2011/04/20
2011/04/21
2011/04/22
2011/04/23
2011/04/24
2011/04/25
2011/04/26
2011/04/27
2011/04/28
2011/04/29
2011/04/30
2011/05/01
2011/05/02
2011/05/03
2011/05/04
2011/05/05
2011/05/06
2011/05/07
2011/05/09
2011/05/10
2011/05/11
2011/05/12
2011/05/13
2011/05/14
2011/05/15
2011/05/16
2011/05/17
2011/05/18
2011/05/19
2011/05/20
2011/05/21
2011/05/22
2011/05/23
2011/05/24
2011/05/25
2011/05/26
2011/05/27
2011/05/28
2011/05/29
2011/05/30
2011/05/31
2011/06/01
2011/06/02
2011/06/03
2011/06/04
2011/06/05
2011/06/06
2011/06/07
2011/06/08
2011/06/09
2011/06/10
2011/06/11
2011/06/12
2011/06/13
2011/06/14
2011/06/15
2011/06/16
2011/06/17
2011/06/18
2011/06/19
2011/06/20
2011/06/21
2011/06/22
2011/06/23
2011/06/24
2011/06/25
2011/06/26
2011/06/27
2011/06/28
2011/06/29
2011/06/30
2011/07/01
2011/07/02
2011/07/04
2011/07/05
2011/07/06
2011/07/07
2011/07/08
2011/07/10
2011/07/11
2011/07/12
2011/07/13
2011/07/14
2011/07/15
2011/07/16
2011/07/17
2011/07/18
2011/07/19
2011/07/20
2011/07/21
2011/07/22
2011/07/23
2011/07/25
2011/07/27
2011/07/28
2011/07/29
2011/07/31
2011/08/01
2011/08/02
2011/08/03
2011/08/05
2011/08/06
2011/08/07
2011/08/08
2011/08/10
2011/08/11
2011/08/12
2011/08/13
2011/08/15
2011/08/16
2011/08/17
2011/08/19
2011/08/21
2011/08/22
2011/08/23
2011/08/24
2011/08/25
Browse by creation date
Browse by origin
Embassy Athens
Embassy Asuncion
Embassy Astana
Embassy Asmara
Embassy Ashgabat
Embassy Apia
Embassy Antananarivo
Embassy Ankara
Embassy Amman
Embassy Algiers
Embassy Addis Ababa
Embassy Accra
Embassy Abuja
Embassy Abu Dhabi
Embassy Abidjan
Consulate Auckland
Consulate Amsterdam
Consulate Alexandria
Consulate Adana
American Institute Taiwan, Taipei
Embasy Bonn
Embassy Bujumbura
Embassy Buenos Aires
Embassy Budapest
Embassy Bucharest
Embassy Brussels
Embassy Bridgetown
Embassy Brazzaville
Embassy Bratislava
Embassy Brasilia
Embassy Bogota
Embassy Bishkek
Embassy Bern
Embassy Berlin
Embassy Belmopan
Embassy Belgrade
Embassy Beirut
Embassy Beijing
Embassy Banjul
Embassy Bangui
Embassy Bangkok
Embassy Bandar Seri Begawan
Embassy Bamako
Embassy Baku
Embassy Baghdad
Consulate Belfast
Consulate Barcelona
Embassy Cotonou
Embassy Copenhagen
Embassy Conakry
Embassy Colombo
Embassy Chisinau
Embassy Caracas
Embassy Canberra
Embassy Cairo
Consulate Curacao
Consulate Ciudad Juarez
Consulate Chiang Mai
Consulate Chennai
Consulate Chengdu
Consulate Casablanca
Consulate Cape Town
Consulate Calgary
Embassy Dushanbe
Embassy Dublin
Embassy Doha
Embassy Djibouti
Embassy Dili
Embassy Dhaka
Embassy Dar Es Salaam
Embassy Damascus
Embassy Dakar
DIR FSINFATC
Consulate Dusseldorf
Consulate Durban
Consulate Dubai
Consulate Dhahran
Embassy Guatemala
Embassy Grenada
Embassy Georgetown
Embassy Gaborone
Consulate Guayaquil
Consulate Guangzhou
Consulate Guadalajara
Embassy Helsinki
Embassy Harare
Embassy Hanoi
Consulate Hong Kong
Consulate Ho Chi Minh City
Consulate Hermosillo
Consulate Hamilton
Consulate Hamburg
Consulate Halifax
Embassy Kyiv
Embassy Kuwait
Embassy Kuala Lumpur
Embassy Kolonia
Embassy Kinshasa
Embassy Kingston
Embassy Kigali
Embassy Khartoum
Embassy Kathmandu
Embassy Kampala
Embassy Kabul
Consulate Krakow
Consulate Kolkata
Consulate Karachi
Consulate Kaduna
Embassy Luxembourg
Embassy Lusaka
Embassy Luanda
Embassy London
Embassy Lome
Embassy Ljubljana
Embassy Lisbon
Embassy Lima
Embassy Lilongwe
Embassy Libreville
Embassy La Paz
Consulate Leipzig
Consulate Lahore
Consulate Lagos
Mission USOSCE
Mission USNATO
Mission UNESCO
Mission Geneva
Embassy Muscat
Embassy Moscow
Embassy Montevideo
Embassy Monrovia
Embassy Mogadishu
Embassy Minsk
Embassy Mexico
Embassy Mbabane
Embassy Maseru
Embassy Maputo
Embassy Manila
Embassy Manama
Embassy Managua
Embassy Malabo
Embassy Madrid
Consulate Munich
Consulate Mumbai
Consulate Montreal
Consulate Monterrey
Consulate Milan
Consulate Merida
Consulate Melbourne
Consulate Matamoros
Consulate Marseille
Embassy Nouakchott
Embassy Nicosia
Embassy Niamey
Embassy New Delhi
Embassy Ndjamena
Embassy Nassau
Embassy Nairobi
Consulate Nuevo Laredo
Consulate Naples
Consulate Naha
Consulate Nagoya
Embassy Pristina
Embassy Pretoria
Embassy Praia
Embassy Prague
Embassy Port Of Spain
Embassy Port Moresby
Embassy Port Louis
Embassy Port Au Prince
Embassy Podgorica
Embassy Phnom Penh
Embassy Paris
Embassy Paramaribo
Embassy Panama
Consulate Ponta Delgada
Consulate Peshawar
REO Mosul
REO Kirkuk
REO Hillah
REO Basrah
Embassy Rome
Embassy Riyadh
Embassy Riga
Embassy Reykjavik
Embassy Rangoon
Embassy Rabat
Consulate Rio De Janeiro
Consulate Recife
Secretary of State
Embassy Suva
Embassy Stockholm
Embassy Sofia
Embassy Skopje
Embassy Singapore
Embassy Seoul
Embassy Sarajevo
Embassy Santo Domingo
Embassy Santiago
Embassy Sanaa
Embassy San Salvador
Embassy San Jose
Consulate Surabaya
Consulate Strasbourg
Consulate St Petersburg
Consulate Shenyang
Consulate Shanghai
Consulate Sapporo
Consulate Sao Paulo
Embassy Tunis
Embassy Tripoli
Embassy Tokyo
Embassy Tirana
Embassy The Hague
Embassy Tel Aviv
Embassy Tehran
Embassy Tegucigalpa
Embassy Tbilisi
Embassy Tashkent
Embassy Tallinn
Consulate Toronto
Consulate Tijuana
Consulate Thessaloniki
USUN New York
USMISSION USTR GENEVA
USEU Brussels
US Office Almaty
US Mission Geneva
US Mission CD Geneva
US Interests Section Havana
US Delegation, Secretary
US Delegation FEST TWO
UNVIE
UN Rome
Embassy Ulaanbaatar
Embassy Vilnius
Embassy Vientiane
Embassy Vienna
Embassy Vatican
Embassy Valletta
Consulate Vladivostok
Consulate Vancouver
Browse by tag
AF
ADANA
ASEC
AFIN
AMGT
AE
AORC
AID
AR
AO
AU
ASEAN
AGOA
AFGHANISTAN
AFFAIRS
AMED
APER
ASECARP
APEC
AEMR
AS
AA
ANET
AFLU
ABLD
AL
ASUP
AJ
APECO
AMER
ABUD
AODE
AM
AFSN
AESC
AND
AG
ALOW
AROC
AVIANFLU
ATRN
ACOA
AEGR
AMGMT
AADP
AFSI
ACABQ
APRM
AZ
AIDS
ASE
AGAO
ADCO
ABDALLAH
ARF
AIDAC
ACOTA
ASCH
AC
ASEG
AGR
ACS
AMCHAMS
AN
AMIA
ASIG
ADPM
ADB
ANARCHISTS
ALOWAR
ARM
AUC
AINF
AINT
AORG
AY
AVIAN
AMEDCASCKFLO
AK
ARSO
ARABBL
ASO
ANTITERRORISM
ARABL
AOWC
AGRICULTURE
ALJAZEERA
AMTC
AFINM
AOCR
ABER
ARR
AFPK
ASSEMBLY
ASSK
AZE
AORCYM
AINR
AGMT
AEC
ACKM
APRC
AIN
ASCC
AFPREL
ASED
APERTH
ASFC
ASECTH
AFSA
AOMS
AORCO
ANTXON
ARC
AFAF
ADIP
AIAG
AFARI
AEMED
AORL
AX
ASECAF
AOPC
ASECAFIN
AFZAL
APCS
AMB
AGUIRRE
AEMRASECCASCKFLOMARRPRELPINRAMGTJMXL
AIT
ARCH
AMEX
ALI
AQ
ATFN
AMBASSADOR
AORCD
AVIATION
ARAS
AINFCY
ACBAQ
AOPR
AREP
ALEXANDER
ATRD
AEIR
AOIC
ABLDG
ASEX
AFR
ASCE
ATRA
ASEK
AER
ALOUNI
AMCT
AVERY
APR
AMAT
AEMRS
ASPA
AFU
AMG
ATPDEA
ALL
AECL
ACAO
ASECKFRDCVISKIRFPHUMSMIGEG
AORD
AFL
AME
ADM
ASECPHUM
AGIT
ABT
ASECVE
AGUILAR
AT
ABMC
ALZUGUREN
ANGEL
ASR
ANTONIO
BMGT
BEXP
BM
BG
BL
BA
BR
BTA
BO
BY
BBSR
BLUE
BK
BF
BTIO
BELLVIEW
BE
BU
BN
BH
BD
BC
BTC
BILAT
BT
BX
BRUSSELS
BP
BB
BRPA
BUSH
BURMA
BMENA
BESP
BIT
BBG
BGD
BMEAID
BAGHDAD
BEN
BIO
BMOT
BWC
BLUNT
BURNS
BUT
BGMT
BAIO
BCW
BOEHNER
BFIF
BOL
BASHAR
BIMSTEC
BOU
BIDEN
BZ
BFIN
BTRA
BI
BHUM
BOIKO
BERARDUCCI
BOUCHAIB
BORDER
BEXPC
BTIU
BTT
BIOS
BEXB
BGPGOV
BOND
BLR
CE
CG
CH
CVR
CASC
CU
CI
CD
CO
CDG
CB
CJAN
CPAS
COM
CVIS
CMGT
CT
CENTCOM
CNARC
CTERR
COUNTER
CHIEF
CDC
CTR
CBW
COUNTRY
CLEARANCE
CY
CA
CM
CS
CWC
CN
CITES
CF
CWG
CIVS
CFIS
CASCC
CROATIA
CONS
COUNTERTERRORISM
CASA
COE
CJ
CHR
CODEL
CR
CBC
CACS
CHERTOFF
CAS
CONTROL
CONDITIONS
CONDOLEEZZA
CITEL
CV
CLINTON
CHG
CZ
CON
CTBT
CEN
CRIMES
COMMERCE
CLOK
CRISTINA
CFED
CARC
CND
CTM
CARICOM
COUNTRYCLEARANCE
CBTH
CHINA
CSW
CICTE
CJUS
CYPRUS
CW
CAMBODIA
CENSUS
CIDA
CRIME
CBG
CBE
CMGMT
CAIO
CEC
CARSON
CPCTC
CEDAW
COMESA
CVIA
CWCM
CEA
COSI
CAPC
CGEN
COPUOS
CGOPRC
COETRD
CKGR
CFE
CQ
CITT
CIC
CARIB
CVIC
CLO
CAFTA
CVISU
CHRISTOPHER
CACM
CIAT
CDB
CIS
CUL
CHAO
CNC
CL
CSEP
COMMAND
CENTER
COL
CAN
CAJC
CUIS
CONSULAR
CLMT
CIA
CBSA
CEUDA
CAC
CROS
CIO
CPUOS
CKOR
CVPR
CONG
CONTROLS
CEPTER
CVISCMGTCASCKOCIASECPHUMSMIGKIRF
CDCE
DPOL
DEMARCHE
DHS
DR
DA
DISENGAGEMENT
DEMOCRATIC
DEFENSE
DJ
DY
DARFUR
DHRF
DEA
DTRO
DPRK
DO
DARFR
DOC
DRL
DK
DOJ
DTRA
DOMESTIC
DAC
DOD
DEAX
DIEZ
DEOC
DELTAVIOLENCE
DCOM
DMINE
DRC
DCG
DPKO
DOMESTICPOLITICS
DE
DB
DOT
DEPT
DOE
DHLAKAMA
DHSX
DS
DKEM
DAO
DCM
DANIEL
DEM
DAVID
DCRM
ETRD
EAGR
ETTC
EAID
ECON
EFIN
ECIN
EINV
ELAB
EAIR
ENRG
EPET
EWWT
ECPS
EIND
EMIN
ELTN
EC
ETMIN
EUC
EZ
ET
ELECTIONS
ENVR
EU
EUN
EG
EINT
ER
ECONOMICS
ES
EMS
ENIV
EEB
EN
ECE
ECOSOC
EK
ENVIRONMENT
EFIS
EI
EWT
ENGRD
ECPSN
EXIM
EIAD
ERIN
ECPC
EDEV
ENGY
ECTRD
EPA
ESTH
ECCT
EINVECON
ENGR
ERTD
EUR
EAP
EWWC
ELTD
EL
EXIMOPIC
EXTERNAL
ETRDEC
ESCAP
ECO
EGAD
ELNT
ECONOMIC
ENV
ETRN
EIAR
EUMEM
ENRGPARMOTRASENVKGHGPGOVECONTSPLEAID
EREL
ECOM
ECONETRDEAGRJA
ETCC
ETRG
ECONOMY
EMED
ETR
ENERG
EITC
EFINOECD
EURM
EENG
ERA
EXPORT
ENRD
ECONEINVETRDEFINELABETRDKTDBPGOVOPIC
EGEN
EBRD
EVIN
ETRAD
ECOWAS
EFTA
ECONETRDBESPAR
EGOVSY
EPIN
EID
ECONENRG
EDRC
ESENV
ETT
EB
ENER
ELTNSNAR
ECHEVARRIA
ETRC
EPIT
EDUC
ESA
EFI
ENRGY
ESCI
EE
EAIDXMXAXBXFFR
EETC
ECIP
EIAID
EIVN
EBEXP
ESTN
EING
EGOV
ETRA
EPETEIND
ELAN
ETRDGK
EAIDRW
ETRDEINVECINPGOVCS
EPEC
ENVI
ELN
EAG
EPCS
EPRT
EPTED
ETRB
EUM
EAIDS
EFIC
EFINECONEAIDUNGAGM
EAIDAR
ESF
EIDN
ELAM
EDU
EV
EAIDAF
ECN
EDA
EXBS
EINTECPS
ENRGTRGYETRDBEXPBTIOSZ
EPREL
EAC
EINVEFIN
ETA
EAGER
EINDIR
ECA
ECLAC
ELAP
EITI
EUCOM
ECONEFINETRDPGOVEAGRPTERKTFNKCRMEAID
EARG
ELDIN
EINVKSCA
ENNP
EFINECONCS
EFINTS
ECCP
ETC
EAIRASECCASCID
EINN
ETRP
EAIDNI
EFQ
ECOQKPKO
EGPHUM
EBUD
ECONEINVEFINPGOVIZ
ENERGY
ELB
EINDETRD
EMI
ECONEFIN
EIB
EURN
ETRDEINVTINTCS
EIN
EFIM
ETIO
ELAINE
EMN
EATO
EWTR
EIPR
EINVETC
ETTD
ETDR
EIQ
ECONCS
EPPD
ENRGIZ
EISL
ESPINOSA
ELEC
EAIG
ESLCO
EUREM
ENTG
ERD
EINVECONSENVCSJA
EEPET
EUNCH
ECINECONCS
ETRO
ETRDECONWTOCS
ECUN
EFND
EPECO
EAIRECONRP
ERGR
ETRDPGOV
ECPN
ENRGMO
EPWR
EET
EAIS
EAGRE
EDUARDO
EAGRRP
EAIDPHUMPRELUG
EICN
ECONQH
EVN
EGHG
ELBR
EINF
EAIDHO
EENV
ETEX
ERNG
ED
FR
FREEDOM
FINREF
FJ
FI
FRELIMO
FOREIGN
FAA
FETHI
FAS
FTAA
FRB
FAO
FCS
FINANCE
FWS
FTA
FEMA
FDA
FLU
FRANCISCO
FBI
FORCE
FO
FARC
FK
FT
FCSC
FAC
FM
FMGT
FINV
FCSCEG
FARM
FERNANDO
FINR
FIN
FINE
FIR
FDIC
FOR
FOI
FCUL
FKLU
FMLN
FISO
FIXED
GM
GMUS
GG
GR
GE
GAZA
GT
GH
GZ
GJ
GLOBAL
GV
GABY
GOI
GA
GCC
GB
GY
GATT
GC
GUAM
GEORGE
GTIP
GOV
GOMEZ
GUTIERREZ
GL
GKGIC
GF
GU
GWI
GARCIA
GTMO
GN
GANGS
GIPNC
GAERC
GREGG
GUILLERMO
GASPAR
GERARD
GI
HK
HR
HUMANR
HUMAN
HO
HA
HUMANRIGHTS
HU
HHS
HIV
HUM
HRKAWC
HILLEN
HILLARY
HDP
HUMRIT
HSTC
HUMANITARIAN
HCOPIL
HADLEY
HURI
HL
HRETRD
HOURANI
HG
HARRIET
HESHAM
HI
HNCHR
HARRY
HRECON
HRC
HOSTAGES
HEBRON
HUMOR
HSWG
HYMPSK
HECTOR
HN
HYDE
HUD
HRPGOV
HIGHLIGHTS
ID
ILC
IS
IZ
ICAO
IMO
ITU
IR
IAEA
ICRC
IPROP
IT
IBRD
ISRAELI
IRAQI
ISSUES
ITRA
IV
IO
IGAD
IRAQ
IN
IMF
ICTR
ISCON
IADB
IDB
IEA
INR
IWC
ICCAT
ILO
INMARSAT
IOM
ICJ
IQ
ISPA
ITRD
IPR
INTELSAT
ISN
IAHRC
INTERNAL
IFAD
IICA
IHO
IRAN
IL
IRCE
IC
INTELLECTUAL
IRM
IE
ICTY
IDLI
IFO
ISCA
INF
INL
ISRAEL
INV
IBB
INFLUENZA
ISPL
ITER
ITIA
INRA
ISAF
IACHR
INTERPOL
IFR
IRS
INRB
IEF
ISAAC
ICC
INDO
IIP
IATTC
INAUGURATION
IND
INS
IZPREL
IACI
IEFIN
INNP
ILAB
IA
IMTS
ITALY
ITALIAN
IFIN
IRAJ
IX
ICG
IF
ITPHUM
ITA
IP
IACW
IK
IUCN
IZEAID
IRPE
IDA
ISLAMISTS
ITF
INRO
IBET
IDP
IRC
ISO
ICES
IRMO
ITPGOV
IQNV
IMSO
IRDB
IMET
INCB
IFRC
JA
JO
JP
JM
JCIC
JOHN
JE
JEFFERY
JS
JUS
JN
JOHNNIE
JAMES
JKUS
JOSEPH
JML
JAWAD
JSRP
JIMENEZ
JOSE
JKJUS
JK
JAPAN
KMDR
KPAO
KPKO
KJUS
KCRM
KGHG
KFRD
KWMN
KDEM
KTFN
KHIV
KGIC
KIDE
KSCA
KNNP
KHUM
KIPR
KSUM
KISL
KIRF
KCOR
KRCM
KPAL
KWBG
KN
KS
KOMC
KSEP
KFLU
KPWR
KTIA
KSEO
KMPI
KHLS
KICC
KSTH
KMCA
KVPR
KPRM
KE
KU
KZ
KFLO
KSAF
KTIP
KTEX
KBCT
KOCI
KOLY
KOR
KAWC
KACT
KUNR
KTDB
KSTC
KLIG
KSKN
KNN
KCFE
KCIP
KGHA
KHDP
KPOW
KUNC
KDRL
KV
KPREL
KCRS
KPOL
KRVC
KRIM
KGIT
KWIR
KT
KIRC
KOMO
KRFD
KUWAIT
KG
KFIN
KSCI
KTFIN
KFTN
KGOV
KPRV
KSAC
KGIV
KCRIM
KPIR
KSOC
KBIO
KW
KGLB
KMWN
KPO
KFSC
KSEAO
KSTCPL
KSI
KPRP
KREC
KFPC
KUNH
KCSA
KMRS
KNDP
KR
KICCPUR
KPPAO
KCSY
KTBT
KCIS
KNEP
KFRDCVISCMGTCASCKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG
KNNB
KGCC
KINR
KPOP
KMFO
KENV
KNAR
KVIR
KDRG
KDMR
KFCE
KNAO
KDEN
KGCN
KICA
KIMMITT
KMCC
KLFU
KMSG
KSEC
KUM
KCUL
KMNP
KSMT
KCOM
KOMCSG
KSPR
KPMI
KRAD
KIND
KCRP
KAUST
KWAWC
KTER
KCHG
KRDP
KPAS
KITA
KTSC
KPAOPREL
KWGB
KIRP
KJUST
KMIG
KLAB
KTFR
KSEI
KSTT
KAPO
KSTS
KLSO
KWNN
KPOA
KHSA
KNPP
KPAONZ
KBTS
KWWW
KY
KJRE
KPAOKMDRKE
KCRCM
KSCS
KWMNCI
KESO
KWUN
KPLS
KIIP
KEDEM
KPAOY
KRIF
KGICKS
KREF
KTRD
KFRDSOCIRO
KTAO
KJU
KWMNPHUMPRELKPAOZW
KEN
KO
KNEI
KEMR
KKIV
KEAI
KWAC
KRCIM
KWCI
KFIU
KWIC
KCORR
KOMS
KNNO
KPAI
KBWG
KTTB
KTBD
KTIALG
KILS
KFEM
KTDM
KESS
KNUC
KPA
KOMCCO
KCEM
KRCS
KWBGSY
KNPPIS
KNNPMNUC
KWN
KERG
KLTN
KALM
KCCP
KSUMPHUM
KREL
KGH
KLIP
KTLA
KAWK
KWMM
KVRP
KVRC
KAID
KSLG
KDEMK
KX
KIF
KNPR
KCFC
KFTFN
KTFM
KPDD
KCERS
KMOC
KDEMAF
KMEPI
KEMS
KDRM
KEPREL
KBTR
KEDU
KNP
KIRL
KNNR
KMPT
KISLPINR
KTPN
KA
KJUSTH
KPIN
KDEV
KTDD
KAKA
KFRP
KWNM
KTSD
KINL
KJUSKUNR
KWWMN
KECF
KWBC
KPRO
KVBL
KOM
KFRDKIRFCVISCMGTKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG
KEDM
KFLD
KLPM
KRGY
KNNF
KICR
KIFR
KM
KWMNCS
KAWS
KLAP
KPAK
KDDG
KCGC
KID
KNSD
KMPF
KPFO
KDP
KCMR
KRMS
KNPT
KNNNP
KTIAPARM
KDTB
KNUP
KPGOV
KNAP
KNNC
KUK
KSRE
KREISLER
KIVP
KQ
KTIAEUN
KPALAOIS
KRM
KISLAO
KWM
KFLOA
LE
LU
LH
LA
LG
LO
LY
LANTERN
LI
LABOR
LORAN
LTTE
LT
LAS
LAB
LAW
LVPR
LARREA
LEBIK
LAURA
LS
LOTT
LOVE
LR
LEON
LAVIN
LGAT
LV
LAOS
LOG
LN
LB
MOPS
MO
MARR
ML
MASS
MZ
MR
MNUC
MX
MV
MCC
MY
MEDIA
MTCRE
MG
MCAP
MOPPS
MP
MI
MK
MC
MD
MA
MU
MASC
MW
MT
MEPP
MN
MTCR
MH
MEPI
MIL
MNUCPTEREZ
MMAR
MICHAEL
MUNC
MDC
MPOS
MONUC
MAR
MGMT
MAS
MEPN
MENDIETA
MARIA
MONTENEGRO
MOOPS
MSG
MARITIME
MURRAY
MUKASEY
MOTO
MCA
MFO
MEX
MRSEC
MMED
MACP
MAAR
MINUSTAH
MCCONNELL
MAPP
MGT
MARQUEZ
MANUEL
MNUR
MCCAIN
MF
MOHAMMAD
MOHAMED
MNU
MFA
MILITANTS
MINORITIES
MTS
MLS
MILI
MIAH
MEETINGS
MERCOSUR
MED
MARAD
MNVC
MINURSO
MNUCUN
MIK
MARK
MBM
MPP
MILITARY
MAPS
MNUK
MILA
MTRRE
MACEDONIA
MICHEL
MASSMNUC
MUCN
MQADHAFI
MPS
MARRGH
MRCRE
MTRE
MORALES
MAP
MCTRE
MHUC
MOPSGRPARM
MOROCCO
MCAPS
NL
NU
NS
NI
NPT
NATO
NO
NG
NATEU
NSF
NZ
NAS
NP
NDP
NLD
NGO
NEPAD
NAFTA
NASA
NEA
NGUYEN
NIH
NK
NIPP
NONE
NR
NANCY
NEGROPONTE
NRR
NERG
NSSP
NSG
NSFO
NE
NATSIOS
NFSO
NATIONAL
NTDB
NT
NCD
NTSB
NRC
NELSON
NAM
NH
NPG
NEC
NSC
NFATC
NMFS
NATOIRAQ
NAR
NZUS
NARC
NCCC
NA
NC
NEW
NRG
NUIN
NOVO
NATOPREL
NEY
NV
NICHOLAS
NPA
NW
NARCOTICS
NORAD
NOAA
NON
NTTC
NKNNP
NMNUC
NUMBERING
ODIP
OIIP
OPRC
OSCE
OREP
OTRA
OPET
OSCI
OVIP
OECD
OCII
OUALI
OPDC
OEXC
OFPD
OPIC
OFDP
OPCW
OECV
OAS
OM
OMIG
ODAG
OPREP
ORA
OIC
OEXCSCULKPAO
OIG
OASS
OFFICIALS
ORTA
OSAC
OIL
OIE
OEXP
OPEC
OPDAT
OMS
OES
OHI
OMAR
OCRA
OFSO
OCBD
OSTA
OAO
ONA
OTP
ORC
OAU
OXEC
OA
ODPC
OPDP
OVIPPRELUNGANU
OASC
OSHA
OPCD
OTR
OPPI
OPCR
OF
OFDPQIS
OSIC
OHUM
OSTRA
OASCC
OBSP
OFDA
OPICEAGR
OIM
OGAC
OTA
OTRAORP
OPPC
OESC
OCEA
OVP
ON
OPAD
OTAR
OCS
ODC
OTRD
OCED
OSD
ORUE
OREG
PHUM
PINR
PTER
PGOV
PREL
PREF
PL
PM
PHSA
PE
PARM
PINS
PK
PUNE
PO
PALESTINIAN
PU
PBTS
PROP
PTBS
POL
POLI
PA
PGOVZI
POLMIL
POLITICAL
PARTIES
POLM
PD
POLITICS
POLICY
PAS
PMIL
PINT
PNAT
PV
PKO
PPOL
PERSONS
PING
PBIO
PH
PETR
PARMS
PRES
PCON
PETERS
PRELBR
PT
PLAB
PP
PAK
PDEM
PKPA
PSOCI
PF
PLO
PTERM
PJUS
PSOE
PELOSI
PROPERTY
PGOVPREL
PARP
PRL
PNIR
PHUMKPAL
PG
PREZ
PGIC
PBOV
PAO
PKK
PROV
PHSAK
PHUMPREL
PROTECTION
PGOVBL
PSI
PRELPK
PGOVENRG
PUM
PRELKPKO
PATTY
PSOC
PRIVATIZATION
PRELSP
PGOVEAIDUKNOSWGMHUCANLLHFRSPITNZ
PMIG
PREC
PAIGH
PROG
PSHA
PARK
PETER
POG
PHUS
PPREL
PS
PTERPREL
PRELPGOV
POV
PKPO
PGOVECON
POUS
PGOVPRELPHUMPREFSMIGELABEAIDKCRMKWMN
PWBG
PMAR
PREM
PAR
PNR
PRELPGOVEAIDECONEINVBEXPSCULOIIPBTIO
PARMIR
PGOVGM
PHUH
PARTM
PN
PRE
PTE
PY
POLUN
PPEL
PDOV
PGOVSOCI
PIRF
PGOVPM
PBST
PRELEVU
PGOR
PBTSRU
PRM
PRELKPAOIZ
PGVO
PERL
PGOC
PAGR
PMIN
PHUMR
PVIP
PPD
PGV
PRAM
PINL
PKPAL
PTERE
PGOF
PINO
PHAS
PODC
PRHUM
PHUMA
PREO
PPA
PEPFAR
PGO
PRGOV
PAC
PRESL
PORG
PKFK
PEPR
PRELP
PREFA
PNG
PGOVPHUMKPAO
PRELECON
PINOCHET
PFOR
PGOVLO
PHUMBA
PRELC
PREK
PHUME
PHJM
POLINT
PGOVPZ
PGOVKCRM
PGOVE
PHALANAGE
PARTY
PECON
PEACE
PROCESS
PLN
PRELSW
PAHO
PEDRO
PRELA
PASS
PPAO
PGPV
PNUM
PCUL
PGGV
PSA
PGOVSMIGKCRMKWMNPHUMCVISKFRDCA
PGIV
PRFE
POGOV
PEL
PBT
PAMQ
PINF
PSEPC
POSTS
PHUMPGOV
PVOV
PHSAPREL
PROLIFERATION
PENA
PRELTBIOBA
PIN
PRELL
PGOVPTER
PHAM
PHYTRP
PTEL
PTERPGOV
PHARM
PROTESTS
PRELAF
PKBL
PRELKPAO
PKNP
PARMP
PHUML
PFOV
PERM
PUOS
PRELGOV
PHUMPTER
PARAGRAPH
PERURENA
PBTSEWWT
PCI
PETROL
PINSO
PINSCE
PQL
PEREZ
PBS
RS
REFUGEES
RW
RP
RELFREE
RO
REGIONAL
RIGHTS
REACTION
REPORT
RU
RENAMO
RIGHTSPOLMIL
REFORM
RM
REFUGEE
REL
RELATIONS
ROW
RREL
REGION
RATIFICATION
RBI
RICE
ROOD
RODENAS
RUIZ
RODHAM
ROBERT
RGY
ROY
REUBEN
RELIGIOUS
RUEHZO
RODRIGUEZ
RUEUN
RELAM
RSP
RF
RSO
RCMP
REO
ROSS
RPTS
RENE
REID
RUPREL
RMA
RI
REMON
RPEL
RFE
RFIN
RA
RAFAEL
RAY
RUS
RPREL
ROBERTG
RECIN
RAMONTEIJELO
SNAR
SP
SN
SMIG
SL
SOCI
SU
SG
SF
SENV
SZ
SOE
SCUL
SY
SO
SR
SYR
SE
SA
SW
SIPDIS
SCIENCE
SADC
SI
SCI
SOCIETY
SC
SAARC
STR
SECRETARY
SANC
SSH
ST
SNA
SGWI
SEP
SOCIS
SETTLEMENTS
SPECIALIST
SK
SHUM
START
STET
SCVL
SREF
SCHUL
SCUIL
SYRIA
SECURITY
SPCE
SYAI
SMIL
SOWGC
STEPHEN
SNRV
SKCA
SENSITIVE
SECI
SNAP
SPP
SCUD
SOM
SPECI
SMIGBG
SENC
SCRM
SGNV
SECTOR
SENVEAGREAIDTBIOECONSOCIXR
SENVSXE
SASIAIN
SACU
SENVSPL
SWMN
STEINBERG
SOPN
SOCR
SCOI
SCRS
SILVASANDE
SWE
SARS
SNARIZ
SUDAN
SENVQGR
SM
SNARKTFN
SAAD
SD
SAN
SIPRNET
STATE
SENS
SUBJECT
SFNV
SECSTATE
SSA
SPCVIS
SOI
SOFA
SCULKPAOECONTU
SPTER
SKSAF
SENVKGHG
SHI
SEVN
SANR
SPSTATE
SMITH
SCOM
SH
SNARCS
SNARN
SIPRS
SNARM
SIPDI
SCPR
SNIG
SELAB
SULLIVAN
SENVENV
SECDEF
SOLIC
SOIC
SPAS
SASC
SOSI
SEC
SEN
SENVCASCEAIDID
TU
TH
TW
TSPA
TRGY
TPHY
TBIO
TIFA
TS
TZ
TX
TSPL
TT
TK
TC
TINT
TERFIN
TERRORISM
TIP
TURKEY
TI
TECHNOLOGY
TNGD
TRSY
TRAFFICKING
TOPEC
TPSL
TP
TD
TR
TA
TIO
TREATY
TO
THPY
TECH
TRADE
TPSA
TG
TAGS
TF
TRAD
THKSJA
TVBIO
TNDG
TN
TBIOZK
TWI
TV
TWL
TRT
TWRO
TSRY
TTPGOV
TAUSCHER
TRBY
TRBIO
TL
TPKO
TIA
TGRY
TSPAM
TREL
TNAR
TBI
TFIN
TPHYPA
TWCH
THOMMA
THOMAS
TERROR
TRY
TBID
TPP
TE
THANH
TJ
TBKIO
UNGA
USUN
UN
UG
UNSC
UK
UP
US
UNCTAD
UNVIE
UNHRC
USTR
UNAMA
UNCRIME
UNESCO
UV
UNDP
UNHCR
UNCSD
UNCHR
UZ
USAID
UNEP
UNO
UNPUOS
UY
UNDC
UNCITRAL
UNAUS
UNCND
UA
UNMIK
USTDA
USEU
USDA
UNICEF
UR
UNFICYP
USNC
USTRRP
UNODC
UNRWA
UNOMIG
USTRPS
USAU
USCC
UNEF
UNGAPL
UNFPA
UNSCE
USSC
UGA
UEU
UNMIC
UNTAC
UNION
UNCLASSIFIED
USPS
UNA
UMIK
USOAS
UNMOVIC
UNFA
UNAIDS
UNCHC
USGS
UNSE
UNRCR
UNTERR
USG
UE
UAE
UNWRA
UNCSW
UNSCR
UNCHS
UNDESCO
UNPAR
UNC
UB
UNSCS
UKXG
UNGACG
UNREST
UNHR
USPTO
UNFCYP
USCG
UNIDROIT
UNSCD
UPU
UNBRO
UNECE
USTRUWR
UNCC
UNESCOSCULPRELPHUMKPALCUIRXFVEKV
VM
VE
VT
VETTING
VN
VZ
VIS
VC
VTPREL
VIP
VTEAID
VTEG
VOA
VA
VTIZ
VANG
VISIT
VO
VENZ
VAT
VI
VEPREL
VEN
WFP
WTO
WHO
WTRO
WBG
WMO
WIPO
WA
WI
WSIS
WHA
WCL
WE
WMN
WEBZ
WS
WAR
WZ
WMD
WW
WILLIAM
WEET
WAEMU
WM
WWBG
WWT
WWARD
WITH
WMDT
WTRQ
WCO
WEU
WALTER
WRTO
WB
WHTI
WBEG
WCI
WEF
WAKI
WHOA
WGC
Browse by classification
Community resources
courage is contagious
Viewing cable 09COLOMBO1076, SRI LANKA: 2010 NATIONAL TRADE ESTIMATE REPORT
If you are new to these pages, please read an introduction on the structure of a cable as well as how to discuss them with others. See also the FAQs
Understanding cables
Every cable message consists of three parts:
- The top box shows each cables unique reference number, when and by whom it originally was sent, and what its initial classification was.
- The middle box contains the header information that is associated with the cable. It includes information about the receiver(s) as well as a general subject.
- The bottom box presents the body of the cable. The opening can contain a more specific subject, references to other cables (browse by origin to find them) or additional comment. This is followed by the main contents of the cable: a summary, a collection of specific topics and a comment section.
Discussing cables
If you find meaningful or important information in a cable, please link directly to its unique reference number. Linking to a specific paragraph in the body of a cable is also possible by copying the appropriate link (to be found at theparagraph symbol). Please mark messages for social networking services like Twitter with the hash tags #cablegate and a hash containing the reference ID e.g. #09COLOMBO1076.
| Reference ID | Created | Released | Classification | Origin |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 09COLOMBO1076 | 2009-11-27 07:01 | 2011-08-25 00:00 | UNCLASSIFIED | Embassy Colombo |
VZCZCXRO2631
RR RUEHC RUEHSD
DE RUEHLM #1076/01 3310701
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 270701Z NOV 09 CTG NUMEROUS SVC ZDK
FM AMEMBASSY COLOMBO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0844
INFO RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHDC
RUEHNE/ OF LABOR WASHDC
RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASH DC
RUEHLMC/MILLENNIUM CHALLENGE CORP WASHINGTON DC
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 07 COLOMBO 001076
SIPDIS
STATE FOR SCA/INSB, EEB/IFD APRATTIPATI
STATE PASS USTR FOR VICKY KADER
TREASURY FOR SUSAN CHUN
COMMERCE FOR ITA EROL YESIN
GENEVA PASS USTR
E.O 12958: N/A
TAGS: ETRD ECON EFIN CE
SUBJECT: SRI LANKA: 2010 NATIONAL TRADE ESTIMATE REPORT
REF: SECSTATE 105978
COLOMBO 1011
COLOMBO 00001076 001.2 OF 007
¶1. The following is in response to Ref A's request for information
on the National Trade Estimate in Sri Lanka. Ref B includes
information for the Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) and Standards
Related Foreign Barriers to trade in Sri Lanka, submitted November
4, 2009 (and also included here).
TRADE SUMMARY
¶2. The U.S. goods trade deficit with Sri Lanka was $1.7 billion in
2008, a decrease of $160 million from $1.8 billion in 2007. U.S.
goods exports in 2008 were $283 million, up 24.7 percent from the
previous year. Corresponding U.S. imports from Sri Lanka were $2
billion, down 5.0 percent. Sri Lanka is currently the 116th largest
export market for U.S. goods.
¶3. The stock of U.S. foreign direct investment (FDI) in Sri Lanka
was $80 million in 2007 (latest data available), up from $69 million
in 2006.
IMPORT POLICIES
¶4. Despite an economy open to foreign investment, the pace of reform
in Sri Lanka has been uneven. President Rajapaksa's broad economic
strategy focuses on poverty alleviation and steering investment to
disadvantaged areas, large scale infrastructure projects, developing
the small- and medium-sized enterprise sector, promotion of
agriculture, and expanding the already large civil service.
¶5. The Trade, Tariff, and Investment Policy Division of the Ministry
of Finance and Planning is charged with the formulation and
implementation of policies in these areas. In addition, the Trade
and Tariff cluster of the National Council of Economic Development
(NCED) also examines trade and tariff issues and sends
recommendations to the Ministry of Finance and Planning. In July
2009, the President appointed a Presidential Taxation Committee to
examine the entire tax system including import tariffs.
IMPORT CHARGES
¶6. Sri Lanka's main trade policy instrument has been the import
tariff. According to the WTO, in 2006, Sri Lanka's average applied
tariff for nonagricultural goods was 9.2 percent. Its average bound
tariff for these goods was 19.6 percent. However, approximately 70
percent of Sri Lanka's nonagricultural tariffs are unbound under WTO
rules and can be increased at any time. Sri Lanka's average applied
agricultural tariff in 2006 was 23.8 percent.
¶7. Currently in Sri Lanka, there are five tariff bands: 0 percent;
2.5 percent; 6 percent; 15 percent; and 28 percent 15 percent. Most finished product tariffs are 28
percent. There are also a number of deviations from the five band
tariff policy. Some items are subject to an ad valorem or a
specific duty, whichever is higher, and there is intermittent use of
exemptions and waivers. Footwear, ceramic products, and
agricultural products carry specific duties.
¶8. In addition to tariffs, a variety of taxes introduced (see below)
in the past several years have effectively increased Sri Lanka's tax
rates on a range of imported items to between 60 and 100 percent of
the cost, insurance, and freight (CIF) value of the product. The
government has imposed these charges on imports primarily to raise
revenue, to defray the costs of specific government services, or to
promote local producers. Most of these charges are revised upwards
annually. In addition, the government imposed a new Nation Building
Tax of 1 percent on imports on February 1, 2009; it was increased to
3 percent on May 1, 2009. The frequent changes (mostly upward) of
these rates have added unpredictability to foreign exporters' and
local importers' cost calculations. Affected products from the
United States include fruits, processed/packaged food, and personal
COLOMBO 00001076 002 OF 007
care products.
¶9. Other charges on imports include:
9A. An Export Development Board (EDB) levy, ranging from 10 percent
to 35 percent ad valorem on a range of imports identified as
"nonessential." Most of the items are subject to specific duties as
well; for example, shampoo (35 percent or Rs 175 per kg), apparel
(30 percent or Rs 75 per unit), biscuits (35 percent or Rs 60 per
kg) and oranges (20 percent or Rs 15 per kg). Whichever l charged not on the import price but
on 65 percent of the maximum retail price. The EDB levy on most
imports was increased by raising the specific duties (unit rate) in
November 2008 and in 2009.
9B. An import duty surcharge of 15 percent on all dutiable imports
(increased from 10 percent as of November 8, 2007).
9C. A Ports and Airports Development Levy of 5 percent on imports
(increased from 2.5 percent to 3 percent in January 2007; and to 5
percent from January 1, 2009).
9D. A VAT of 0 percent, 12 percent, or 20 percent. When calculating
the VAT, an imputed profit margin of 10 percent (increased from 7
percent on January 1, 2007) is added on to the import price.
Locally manufactured products are also subject to VAT but not the
imputed profit margin. The new VAT rate of 12 percent was
introduced on January 1, 2009 replacing the VAT rates of 5 percent
and 15 percent.
9E. Excise fees on some products such as aerated water, liquor,
beer, motor vehicles, and cigarettes. The list of products subject
to these fees was expanded in 2007 to include certain household
electrical items. When calculating the excise fee, an imputed
profit margin of 15 percent (increased from 10 percent on October
11, 2007 and from 7 percent on January 1, 2007) is added on to the
import price. Locally manufactured products are also subject to
excise fees.
9F. A Social Responsibility Levy, a surcharge of 1.5 percent
assessed on the import duty to fund the National Action Plan for
Children. This tax was increased from 1 percent as of November 8,
¶2007.
9G. A new Nation Building Tax (NBT) on imports was introduced on
February 1, 2009 at 1 percent. It was increased to 3 percent on May
1, 2009.
¶10. A regional infrastructure fee of 5 percent, 7.5 percent or 10
percent (based on engine capacity) is imposed on automobiles. This
tax, first introduced in January 2007 at a flat rate of 2.5 percent,
was increased in 2008.
¶11. Textiles and Apparel: Textiles are free of customs import duty.
There is an Export Development Board Levy (often referred to as a
cess) of 50 Rupees (approximately $0.45) per kilogram on imported
textiles not intended for use by the apparel export industry. All
textile imports are subject to a Nation Building Levy of 3%, Ports
and Airports Tax of 5%, Social Responsibility Levy of 1.5% and a
Value Added Tax (VAT) of 12%.
¶12. Currently, apparel imports are subject to a 15 percent import
duty, a 30 percent or Rs 75 per unit Export Development Board Levy,
a 12 percent Value Added Tax, a 5 percent Ports and Airpnge,
prevented prepayments on import bills, and imposed a 100 percent
deposit requirement on Letters of Credit for the import of
non-essential items. In the case of motor vehicle imports, the
COLOMBO 00001076 003 OF 007
deposit requirement was 200 percent of the import value. These
restrictions were introduced to discourage imports due to a foreign
exchange shortage and were later lifted.
¶14. The U.S. Government engaged in bilateral Trade and Investment
Framework Agreement (TIFA) talks with the government of Sri Lanka in
October 2009. In response to U.S. concerns that combined tariffs,
levies, and taxes greatly exceed Sri Lanka's bound rates for many
imports, the GSL explained that it had established a Presidential
Tariff Commission to simplify its tax and tariff structure and to
bring it into compliance with international agreements. The United
States stressed the importance of reducing Sri Lanka's high tariffs
on agricultural products; opening the Sri Lankan market for U.S.
agricultural biotechnology products; providing more certainty and
transparency in Sri Lanka's government procurement, and integrating
U.S. technical assistance into the government of Sri Lanka's overall
intellectual property rights enforcement plan. The Embassy
continues to follow up and press the Sri Lankan government to take
action.
IMPORT LICENSING
¶15. Sri Lanka requires import licenses for over 400 items at the
6-digit level of the Harmonized Tariff System code, mostly for
health, environment, and national security reasons. Importers must
pay a fee equal to 0.1 percent of the import price to receive an
import license.
Cjor companies have not faced problems.
Customs is also in the process of installing an Electronic Data
Interchange system to support an automated cargo clearing facility.
When implemented, this system should improve customs administration
and facilitate trade.
STANDARDS
¶17. The Sri Lanka Standards Institution (SLSI) is operating a
Compulsory Import Inspection Scheme (covering 102 items) per
regulations framed under the Imports and Exports Control Act, No. 1
of 1969 as amended by Act No. 28 of 1987. According to the Imports
Standardization and Quality Control Regulations of 2006, conformity
of the imported products to the relevant Sri Lankan Standards is
monitored. Samples are drawn from consignments accompanied by a
quality certificate from an accredited laboratory or manufacturer
registered with SLSI, which could be subject to testing or random
check, or if there is a reasonable doubt regarding the quality of
the consignment.
¶18. Sri Lanka has introduced new food safety regulations. According
to the Adoption of Standards Regulations of 2008 (Ref. No. 1589/34 -
FEB 2009), 158 SLSI standards were made mandatory starting in
September 2009 for certain food and beverage products. (NOTE: Post
will provide a PDF document containing notification of the
regulations per request. END NOTE.) The SLSI standards range from
commodities to processed products. Though these standards did exist
previously, they were for the most part voluntary. Some U.S.
companies are concerned that these newly-mandatory measures do not
factor in market preferences and could restrict trade. The Ministry
of Health, which is the CODEX focal point, plans to notify the WTO
with regard to this new regulation.
TECHNICAL BARRIERS TO TRADE
¶19. In January 2007, the Ministry of Health adopted a regulation for
the import, sale and mandatory labeling of genetically engineered
(GE) food products, potentially costing U.S. industry as much as $20
million. This regulation is moving towards full implementation,
although some aspects of it are irregularly enforced or not enforced
at all. Key problems with the regulation include: mandatory Sri
Lankan regulatory approval of foods with 0.05 percent or more of GE
COLOMBO 00001076 004 OF 007
content; labeling for products with more than 0.05 percent of GE
content; and the requirement that shipments of bulk commodities be
accompanied by documentation certifying that there is no GE content.
Sri Lankan importers have raised several concerns about the
regulation, including that conformity with a 0.05 percent GE content
labeling threshold would be costly and that mandatory labeling could
needlessly raise consumer concerns with biotechnology.
Additionally, importers fear that bureaucratic procedures in
granting approvals - as well as Sri Lanka's technical inability to
carry out approvals - may obstruct and limit future imports of GE
products. For example, a 2008 U.S. GE corn shipment was cancelled
due to excessive bureaucratic delays. This decision has discouraged
many Sri Lankan importers from attempting to import unprocessed GE
bulk commodities, as it is understood that their import license
application will be ignored, delayed or refused.
¶20. During October 2009 discussions under the United States-Sri
Lanka Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA), the United
States raised concerns regarding Sri Lanka's mandatory labeling
requirement, noting a lack of scientific justification, and adding
that the regulation would essentially act as a nontariff barrier.
Sri Lanka stated that they would follow CODEX Alimentarius
guidelines pertaining to the labeling of GE foods, and noted that
CODEX had not yet ruled on this issue. The United States also
reminded Sri Lanka of the trade ramifications of their GE policy,
including the previously mentioned corn shipment as well as a
rejected November 2008 food aid shipment of rice. Sri Lankan
regulators were not persuaded to change their position. The USG
will continue to raise the issue.
¶21. USDA has sent several local scientists and regulators for
training in biotechnology and biosafety at Michigan State
University. The most recent regulator to participate in this
program is the Director of Biosafety at the Ministry of Environment,
who is a senior regulator with respect to agricultural
biotechnology. He is also the coordinator for the National
Biosafety framework. His view of biotechnology was positively
transformed by the training, and he acknowledged several previous
personal misconceptions. USDA and the State Department will
continue to work with Ministry of Environment officials to affect
regulatory change.
¶22. Poultry: Sri Lanka has banned the importation of U.S. chicken
meat that is not mechanically contended that this under the use of a WTO safeguard mechanism. The U.S.
government responded that if this were the case, that safeguard
should be formally raised within the WTO. Additionally, Sri Lanka
had imposed avian influenza bans on all poultry and poultry products
imported from several U.S. states. As of October 2009, these bans
were all removed. Sri Lanka imposed these bans due to the detection
of low pathogenicity notifiable avian influenza, an action which is
not supported by the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE).
Sri Lanka was reluctant to remove the bans and continues to believe
that their actions were justified - raising concerns that such
action may reoccur.
¶23. Beef: A ban on U.S. beef imports remains in effect due to the
detection of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) in the United
States in 2003. This ban is also not supported by the OIE, and Sri
Lanka is one of five countries in the world to have taken absolutely
no action to lift any part of their BSE-related U.S. beef ban. This
issue was raised during the October 2009 TIFA. Sri Lanka defended
their position by incorrectly citing the guidelines and
recommendations of the OIE's guidelines for meat and poultry.
¶24. Microbiological Testing of Meat Imports: In September 2009, Sri
Lanka started 100% testing of all imported meat products for various
pathogens. This policy change was not notified to the WTO.
Importers have complained that the additional demurrage costs
associated with the testing are unnecessary, and that government
testing methods are not sound. The U.S. Department of Agriculture
additionally argues that the USDA Food Safety Inspection Service
COLOMBO 00001076 005 OF 007
attestation which mandatorily accompanies all meat exports is a
sufficient assurance of wholesomeness. During the October 2009
TIFA, Sri Lanka was asked to provide its regulation on
microbiological testing, especially as it relates to their testing
protocol, targeted pathogens, and acceptable pathogen levels. The
U.S. government also emphasized the importance of notifying the WTO
SPS committee of this regulation.
¶25. Seed Potatoes: Sri Lanka lifted a ban on imports of seed potato
from the United States in March 2007, initially instituted due to
fears that the Colorado Potato Beetle (CPB) could have been
introduced into Sri Lanka by these imports. However, Sri Lanka now
requires a certificate from a plant entomologist stating that the
CPB does not exist in the potato tuber to accompany the seed potato
imports. The United States has pressed for the removal of this
certificate requirement on the grounds that it was not
scientifically justified. In July 2008, Sri Lankan officials
visited the U.S. potato industry to further review the issue. It is
hoped that as a result of this visit, the issue will be resolved and
a visual inspection at the time of shipment will be considered
sufficient to address any concerns. Although this issue may be
addressed, recent 2008 import permits have included overly
restrictive virus tolerances and requirements on generations of seed
potatoes. There is concern that the generation requirements are
not being applied to seed potatoes imported from other markets such
as Europe. The CPB area freedom certificate, virus tolerances, and
restrictive generation requirements all need to be addressed before
the Sri Lankan market can grow into a strong commercial export
market for U.S. seed potatoes.
GOVERNMENT PROCUREMENT
¶26. Sri Lanka is not a signatory to the WTO Agreement on Government
Procurement and has no plans to join it beyond its current observer
status.
¶27. Government procurement of goods and services is primarily
undertaken through a public tender process. Some tenders are open
only to registered suppliers. Procurement is also undertaken
outside the normal competitive tender process. Examples of such
procurement include agreements in 2006 with the government of China
to build a coal power plant and for two Chinese companies to build a
new bulk cargo port in Hambantota, and an agreement with India to
build a coal power plant.
¶28. The government publiublic procurement process. However, in early 2008 the
government
disbanded the National Procurement Agency, which it had established
in 2004, and shifted its functions to a unit in the Ministry of
Finance. This move has raised concerns about the government's
commitment to improve the transparency of procurements. Despite
being discussed during the 2009 TIFA talks, the government of Sri
Lanka has yet to respond to the concerns raised.
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS (IPR) PROTECTION
¶29. In 2003, Sri Lanka's new intellectual property law - governing
copyrights, patents, trademarks, and industrial design - came into
force. Under the new law, IPR infringement is a criminal offense
and IPR infringement is subject to both criminal and civil
jurisdiction. Sri Lanka also passed a new Computer Crimes Act in
2007 strengthening Sri Lanka's IPR regime pertaining to software.
¶30. Notwithstanding the new laws, weak IPR enforcement remains a
problem. Piracy levels remain very high for sound recordings and
software. According to a study commissioned by the Business
Software Alliance, as much as 90 percent of personal computers in
Sri Lanka used pirated software in 2008. The study estimates retail
revenue losses of $97 million in 2008 due to software piracy.
Further, government use of unauthorized software continues to be a
problem.
COLOMBO 00001076 006 OF 007
¶31. Redress
Software Alliance successfully worked with government authorities to
increase prosecutions for IPR infringement in the software sector.
In the apparel sector, right holders have scored some legal
successes in combating trademark counterfeiting.
¶32. The Sri Lankan Government's Director of Intellectual Property,
along with international experts, continues to have IPR legal and
enforcement training for customs, judicial and police officials.
The U.S. Embassy, the United States Patent and Trademarks Office,
the American Chamber of Commerce of Sri Lanka, and the European
Chamber of Commerce are also working with the government of Sri
Lanka and the private sector to improve enforcement, provide
enforcement training, and enhance public awareness. Sri Lankan
Customs has created a computer based Customs Trade Mark recordation
system, although it is yet to be launched.
SERVICES
¶33. Insurance: Sri Lanka does not allow cross-border supply of
insurance, with the exception of health and travel insurance. In
order to provide all other insurance services to resident Sri
Lankans, insurance companies must be incorporated in Sri Lanka. Sri
Lanka allows 100 percent foreign ownership for locally incorporated
insurance firms, but branching is not allowed. Although Sri Lanka's
insurance regulatory body has the authority to establish minimum and
maximum premiums for motor, fire and employers liability policies,
in practice these premiums are not regulated. In early 2008, the
Sri Lankan government implemented a new regulation requiring all
insurance companies to reinsure 20 percent of their insurance
business with a state-run insurance fund.
¶34. Telecommunications: Telecommunications, especially mobile
services, is increasingly competitive and may be the most dynamic
service industry in Sri Lanka. The government of Sri Lanka
maintains a majority share in one of the fixed line carriers, Sri
Lanka Telecom (SLT), which was previously a wholly owned government
entity. All other operators are privately owned.
¶35. Telecommunications (continued): Due to SLT's past monopoly
status, it continues to own most of the national fixed line
telephone infrastructure (including the main switches and the only
two international cable landing stations) and continues to dominate
the fixed line sector, affecting the competitiveness of other
operators in this segment of the market. The government liberalized
international telecommunications in 2003 and issued 33
non-facilities based gateway licenses, ending the SLT monopoly over
international telephony.
¶36. Broadcasting: The government imposes taxes on foreign movies,
programs, and commercials to be shown on television, ranging from Rs
25,000 (approximately $220) for an imported English-language movie
to Rs 90,000 (approximately $790) per half hour of a
foreign-language program dubbed in the local language Sinhala.
Foreign television commercials are taxed at Rs 500,000 (roughly
$4,400) per year. Rates for non-English foreign programming are
higher. Government approval is required for all foreign films and
programs shown on television.
¶37. Professional Services: There is no formal national policy on
liberalization of professional services. In practice, many foreign
doctors, nurses, engineers, architects, and accountants work in Sri
Lanka. Most of them are employed by foreign companies. Unless the
government has recognized a foreign national's professional
qualifications, such professional cannot sign documents presented to
government institutions or regulatory bodies.
¶38. Professional Services (continued): The Immigration Department
grants resident visas for foreign professionals whose services are
required for projects approved by the government or by companies
approved by the Board of Investment (BOI). Non-BOI companies, such
as banks, can also employ foreign staff; however, in practice the
COLOMBO 00001076 007 OF 007
Immigration Department has limited the number of resident visas to
levels below those desired by companies.
¶39. Legal Services: Any person, including foreigners, can provide
legal consultancy services without being licensed to practice law in
Sri Lanka. Only Sri Lankan citizens can register in the Supreme
Court and practice law (i.e., appear in courts) in Sri Lanka.
INVESTMENT BARRIERS
¶40. While Sri Lanka welcomes foreign investment, there are
restrictions in a wide range of sectors. Foreign invesnternational brand names and
franchises with an initial investment of not less than $150,000);
coastal fishing; education of students under 14 years of age for
local examinations; and local degree-awarding university education
(institutions awarding overseas degrees are permitted).
¶41. Investment in the following sectors is restricted and subject to
screening and approval on a case-by-case basis when foreign equity
exceeds 40 percent: shipping and travel agencies; freight
forwarding; higher education; mass communications; deep sea fishing;
timber-based industries using local timber; mining and primary
processing of nonrenewable national resources; and growing and
primary processing of tea, rubber, coconut, rice, cocoa, sugar, and
spices.
¶42. Foreign investment equity restrictions and government
regulations also apply to air transportation, coastal shipping,
lotteries, large-scale mechanized gem mining, and "sensitive"
industries such as military hardware, illegal narcotics, and
currency.
¶43. The BOI offers a range of incentives to both local and foreign
investors. To qualify for BOI incentives, investors need to meet
minimum investment and minimum export requirements. In general, the
treatment given to foreign investors is nondiscriminatory. Even
with incentives and BOI facilitation, however, foreign investors can
face difficulties operating in Sri Lanka. Problems range from
difficulties in clearing equipment and supplies through customs to
obtaining land for factories. The BOI encourages investors to
locate their factories in BOI-managed industrial processing zones to
avoid land allocation problems. Investors locating in industrial
zones also get access to slightly better infrastructure facilities
such as improved power reliability, telecommunications, and water
supply.
¶44. Information contained in this cable will also be provided to
requesting offices as a Word document via email. Questions should
be directed to EconOff Ken Kero-Mentz at keroka@state.gov.