For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
October 28, 2003
Message to the Senate of the United States
TO THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES:
I transmit herewith, for Senate advice and consent to ratification,
the Protocol Amending the Convention Between the Government of the
United States of America and the Government of the Democratic Socialist
Republic of Sri Lanka for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the
Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with Respect to Taxes on Income signed at
Colombo on March 14, 1985, together with an exchange of notes, signed
at Washington on September 20, 2002 (the "Protocol"). I also transmit,
for the information of the Senate, the report of the Department of
State concerning the Protocol.
The Protocol would amend the Convention to make it similar to tax
treaties between the United States and other developing nations. The
Convention would provide maximum rates of tax to be applied to various
types of income and protection from double taxation of income. The
Convention, as amended by the Protocol, also provides for resolution of
disputes and sets forth rules making its benefits unavailable to
residents that are engaged in treaty shopping.
I recommend that the Senate give early and favorable consideration
to this Protocol in conjunction with the Convention, and that the
Senate give its advice and consent to ratification.
GEORGE W. BUSH
THE WHITE HOUSE,
October 28, 2003.
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