The British foreign office minister for South Asia, Hugo Swire, on Saturday ruled out a defence pact with the Sri Lankan government, stating it was too "premature".
Britain would be engaging in providing training to Sri Lankan troops on how to operate in a democratic country, Mr Swire was quoted by the Island as saying.
"In terms of defence, we are re-engaging with our non resident Defence Attache based in New Delhi, establishing contacts with the Sri Lankan military right across the board. It is all part of what we are doing in other countries such as Burma, where our military experiences are being imparted."
Welcoming the Sri Lankan government's decision to send more troops for UN peace keeping missions, Mr Swire said, "the US and the UK feel that more often than not we have to do the heavy lifting in terms of international peace keeping."
"We would like our friends across the world to step up to the plate. I think it would also be good for the Sri Lankan military and also for the country’s reputation."
Britain would be engaging in providing training to Sri Lankan troops on how to operate in a democratic country, Mr Swire was quoted by the Island as saying.
"In terms of defence, we are re-engaging with our non resident Defence Attache based in New Delhi, establishing contacts with the Sri Lankan military right across the board. It is all part of what we are doing in other countries such as Burma, where our military experiences are being imparted."
Welcoming the Sri Lankan government's decision to send more troops for UN peace keeping missions, Mr Swire said, "the US and the UK feel that more often than not we have to do the heavy lifting in terms of international peace keeping."
"We would like our friends across the world to step up to the plate. I think it would also be good for the Sri Lankan military and also for the country’s reputation."