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The Foreign Secretary, Philip Hammond, has met Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera in London.

They discussed reinvigorating the UK-Sri Lanka relationship, and how the UK could support the new Sri Lankan Government’s reforms and to deliver on its commitments to the UN Human Rights Council.

Speaking after the meeting, the Foreign Secretary said:

I am pleased to be able to welcome President Sirisena and Foreign Minister Samaraweera to the UK, in what is a clear expression of the renewed friendship between our two countries.

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.

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.

I particularly welcome Sri Lanka’s engagement with the Office of the High Commissioner of Human Rights (OHCHR). 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.

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