The UK will be quick to call out Sri Lanka if it isn’t making progress on its international commitments, said the British Foreign Secretary during a meeting of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Tamils on Wednesday.

Commenting on the upcoming progress report on Sri Lanka’s commitments to the United Nations Human Rights Council, Mr Swire said,

“We are all waiting for the progress report of the high commissioner for human rights which is due out in June.  We do want to see how they are progressing in many of the things they have agreed to do with the international community. I believe they are moving in the right direction and if they are not we will be very quick to point out where they are falling short with what the international community expects.”

Commenting on the current human rights situation, the Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs added,

“The best hope for Sri Lanka in many years is under the present government.  I don’t believe things are perfect, but I do believe that the human rights situation has improved. I see here various statements that the white van cases still continues. I’m not sure I quite agree with that. I think the evidence of torture we need to look at very closely. I’m not saying it doesn’t exist but I think we need to look at it very closely. When you go to Sri Lanka I believe you can smell the difference. I feel  that there is an absence of fear, some people say that is not true in the north. But I believe that is true. People are going about their business largely free of intimidation. Not everything will be perfect overnight, but I think there is a palpable difference in Sri Lanka compared to when I went there 2-3 years ago.”

Sri Lankan shares ended weaker on Wednesday, slipping from a near three-week high in the previous session, as foreign investors continued to exit as concerns over the country's economic growth and rising bond yields rose, Reuters reported.

Sri Lanka's economy was expected to grow 5.3 percent in 2016, but analysts now say tight monetary and fiscal policies may curb growth. The $82.2-billion economy expanded at a sluggish 2.5 percent in the December quarter.

Northern Provincial Council members protested against the Sri Lankan president's upcoming inauguration of military quarters in Vavuniya.

President Sirisena is due to inaugurate new army quarters in Vavuniya in April.

British Prime Minister David Cameron called on Sri Lanka to draw on the experience and expertise of the international community and diaspora in promoting justice and fair treatment for the Tamil community in Sri Lanka.

In a message sent to the annual All Party Parliamentary Group for Tamils event, Mr Cameron said,

“the Sri Lankan government has made important commitments to accountability reconciliation and a political settlement that addresses the needs of all its citizens. The UK is determined to support Sri Lanka to deliver on these commitments.”

See full letter below or here.

Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena reiterated again that his government will “never surrender itself to any country,” in a speech delivered on Monday.

Speaking at the 32nd Conference of the Chief Ministers in Hikkaduwa, Mr Sirisena told the audience:

“Let me assure that the government will never surrender itself to any country”.

His comments come just days after the president made similar remarks at the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) convention at the weekend.

The Sri Lankan president has praised a proposal by Korea to build a hospital for Buddhist monks in Sri Lanka, calling it a “highly meritorious act”.