Reconciliation is ‘bedrock of Sri Lanka’s future economic success’ says British Minister
British Foreign Office Minister for Asia Hugo Swire said Sri Lanka must take “meaningful steps towards truth and accountability” in order to achieve reconciliation and economic success, in a speech to Sri Lanka’s Council for Business with Britain today.
“What a difference a year makes!” said Mr Swire, stating that there had been an improvement in relations between the two governments and “positive developments” over the last year.
“For me, perhaps the most significant of these developments were the commitments Sri Lanka made at the Human Rights Council in September,” he added. “Those commitments to take meaningful steps towards truth and accountability after the long conflict here are key to bringing about lasting reconciliation.”
The minister went on to state “that is important because it is reconciliation that will, I believe, be the bedrock on which Sri Lanka’s future economic success will be built”.
Mr Swire added that the UK was “delighted to announce the provision of £6.6 million pounds of UK Government funding to support peace and reconciliation in Sri Lanka”.
“What a difference a year makes!” said Mr Swire, stating that there had been an improvement in relations between the two governments and “positive developments” over the last year.
“For me, perhaps the most significant of these developments were the commitments Sri Lanka made at the Human Rights Council in September,” he added. “Those commitments to take meaningful steps towards truth and accountability after the long conflict here are key to bringing about lasting reconciliation.”
The minister went on to state “that is important because it is reconciliation that will, I believe, be the bedrock on which Sri Lanka’s future economic success will be built”.
Mr Swire added that the UK was “delighted to announce the provision of £6.6 million pounds of UK Government funding to support peace and reconciliation in Sri Lanka”.
