Mangala discusses proposed constitutional reforms with British Foreign Secretary
Wednesday, 11 March 2015 00:26
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Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera has discussed the new Government’s proposed constitutional reforms with British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond in London. Samaraweera has also discussed human rights related issues.
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office on Monday said that Samaraweera and Hammond had also discussed reinvigorating the UK-Sri Lanka relationship, and how the UK could support the new Sri Lankan Government’s reforms and deliver on its commitments to the UN Human Rights Council.
“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,” the Foreign Secretary said after the meeting.
“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,” Hammond said.
Hammond added that 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.
The British Foreign Secretary also particularly welcomed Sri Lanka’s engagement with the Office of the High Commissioner of Human Rights (OHCHR).
He said 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.
Minister Samaraweera is in London accompanying the President Maithripala Sirisena to the Commonwealth Day celebrations.
