    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2003, Book II)]
    [October 28, 2003]
    [Pages 1409-1410]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Message to the Senate Transmitting the Protocol Amending the Sri Lanka-
    United States Taxation Convention
    October 28, 2003

    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.

    [[Page 1410]]

        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.