News
British Minister in Lanka on Wednesday
Britain’s Foreign Office Minister Hugo Swire returns to Colombo next Wednesday for talks with Sri Lankan leaders as the two countries continue their fence-mending efforts begun one year ago after President Maithripala Sirisena assumed office.
Minister Swire’s second visit in almost a year is part of a wider western effort to engage with Sri Lanka.
Recognising that Sri Lanka’s new government has made progress in the areas of reconciliation and human rights, the British Government earlier announced a £6.6 million package over a 3-year period as London’s commitment to supporting stability and prosperity in Sri Lanka.
This financial commitment will be backed by accrediting a non-resident defence attache’ and access to armed forces training to help the Sri Lankan military to “reform”.
The implementation of the Geneva Resolution initiated by the US with UK backing and co-sponsored by Sri Lanka is also expected to figure in the discussions. The resolution has for called a special judicial mechanism to hear accountability trials.
It is learnt that Minister Swire is likely to visit some Brirtish-funded projects such as the Halo Trust de-mining activities in the north.
He is also expected to attend the Galle Literary Festival before flying off to the neighbouring Maldives, one of the countries in Swire’s Asia-Pacific remit.