British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond said the United Kingdom expects to see progress on accountability and reconciliation in Sri Lanka, as he welcomed Sri Lanka's president and foreign minister in London today.
In a statement released after meeting Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera in London, Mr Hammond said,
“The UK looks forward to supporting the new Sri Lankan Government as it implements its planned reforms, and as it works towards building a more democratic and accountable government, that will help Sri Lanka grow into a stronger and more prosperous nation for all its people.”
The British Foreign Secretary further said “I particularly welcome Sri Lanka’s engagement with the Office of the High Commissioner of Human Rights (OHCHR),” adding,
“The UK expects to see progress on Sri Lankan commitments to set up a credible domestic reconciliation and accountability processes ahead of the UN Human Rights Council in September 2015 and the publication of the report of the OHCHR Investigation on Sri Lanka.”
Calling the Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena's visit to Britain “a clear expression of the renewed friendship between our two countries,” Mr Hammond also said,
“We have long and lasting ties with Sri Lanka, including through the Commonwealth, and can now reinvigorate this partnership and improve our links including in areas of trade, education and tourism.”
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