British Deputy High Commissioner visits Trincomalee and Mullaitivu

British Deputy High Commissioner Robbie Bulloch paid his first official visit to Trincomalee and Mullaitivu from 19-21 November 2012.

In the course of the visit the Deputy High Commissioner visited the China Bay naval base, former LTTE bases and the areas where the final stages of the war took place.

He saw at first hand the devastation caused by the conflict, including through meeting displaced people and war affected Tamil, Muslim and Sinhalese communities.

Commenting on his visit, the Deputy High Commissioner said: “I was pleased to make my first official visits to Trincomalee and Mullaitivu, two regions deeply affected by the war. We saw some good work being carried out to help resettle former internally displaced communities and restore their livelihoods, as well as important infrastructure development. We also learned more about the brutality of the LTTE, which used child soldiers and committed terrorist atrocities.  Challenges clearly remain, including the promotion of long term reconciliation between people whose memories of a violent conflict are in many cases still fresh. The UK will continue to support Sri Lanka in building a sustainable peace in all parts of the country.”

The visit also included meetings with the Chief Minister of the Eastern Provincial Council Najeeb Abdul Majeed; Eastern Provincial Council members; the Assistant Government Agent of Mullaitivu, C.A. Mohanras; members of the Tamil National Alliance and Sri Lanka Muslim Congress; Deputy Area Commander Eastern Naval Area, Commodore K.K.V.P.H. De Silva; and Major General K.J. Wijethilaka of Mullaitivu.