Departing Canadian ambassador, David Mackinnon, and French ambassador, Eric Lavertu, held separate meetings with Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe.
The meeting follows a similar meeting by Mackinnon with Sri Lanka’s Prime Minister, Dinesh Gunawardena, where he reportedly expressed optimism over Sri Lanka’s economic future.
The press release from the office of Sri Lanka’s prime minister did not make reference to any concern over human rights, civil liberties or continued impunity for war crimes; all issues raised by the latest report by the former UN High Commissioner.
Watch the interview with @McKinnonDavid @CanHCSriLanka https://t.co/Zxjqlt2FN2 #Srilanka #lka #UNHRC51 #EconomicCrisisLK #Accountability pic.twitter.com/XgjSttAYaz
— Arun Arokianathan (@aroarun) October 1, 2022
In speaking to Globe Tamil, MacKinnon emphasised that accountability was a key priority for Canada at the UN. He expressed optimism over this issue claiming that these issues were being recognised by the Aragalaya and a growing understanding that “impunity and accountability also apply on the economic side”.
The Sri Lankan Prime Minister’s office reports that Gunawardena reportedly thanked the Canadian ambassador for his country’s support “by establishing Hardy Advanced Technological Institute in Ampara that produced a large number of skilled technicians for Sri Lanka, and for the support given to the public transport service by providing railway locomotives”.
Mackinnon allegedly also pointed out that “encouraging established businessman among Sri Lankans living in Canada to invest in this country will hugely benefit the country's economic progress”.
Additional Secretary to the Prime Minister, Harsha Wijayawardena and Political and Commercial Head of the Canadian High Commission, Daniel Bood also participated in this event.
