The Sri Lankan government, today, refused a visa to the US Ambassador at Large for Women’s Issues, Catherine Russell, who had to cancel a 2 day visit scheduled for February 10.
Responding to the announcement, the US Embassy Spokesman said,
“It is regrettable that the Government of Sri Lanka has refused to grant a visa to Ambassador Catherine Russel for the trip. Ambassador Russell’s mandate is to promote stability, peace and development by empowering women politically, socially and economically around the world.”“The United States will continue to raise important issues related to gender-based violence, the impact that the conflict had on families (particularly female-headed households), the need for greater economic empowerment of women, and for greater political participation by women across Sri Lankan.”
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