[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 39, Number 44 (Monday, November 3, 2003)]
[Page 1485]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
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.
    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.