Shaping SL-UK relations

Foreign Office Minister for Asia and the Pacific UK Minister Mark Field talks to Daily FT on a wide range of political and economic issues including improving trade and getting the best out of CHOGM 2018

By Uditha Jayasinghe 

Q: What were the key points of your visit to Sri Lanka?

A: This was my first visit to Sri Lanka as a Foreign Office Minister, although I have visited twice before in other roles. I was struck by the warmth of the reception I was given in Colombo and Jaffna, and the many and vibrant links between our two countries. The meeting that I held with families of the disappeared from the north and south really brought home the importance of lasting reconciliation, and how much this is in Sri Lanka’s own best interest and the best interests of every community.

Q: Sri Lanka’s Government has come under fire for delaying crucial measures to promote reconciliation. What is your view of the ground situation?

A: I take Sri Lanka’s co-sponsorship of the national resolution at the UN Human Rights Council in September 2015 and of its extension in March this year as evidence of the Government’s commitment to making a lasting success of reconciliation. So I accept there has been some important progress since the first resolution in 2015. Nevertheless, it was apparent from what I heard and saw whilst in Sri Lanka that there is much work still to be done. The recommitment made by President Sirisena at the UN General Assembly this year to reconciliation, human rights and the rule of law will have been welcomed by many people. I heard from people about the importance they attach to the work of the Office of Missing Persons and the further return of land by the military, for example. Sri Lanka’s friends in the international community remain committed to helping where we can. UK-funded demining activity, co-funded by the US, Canadian and Japanese Governments in the Northern Province is a great example of that. 

 Q: What were the key concerns raised by rights groups?

A: During my visit, I met groups representing families of the disappeared from Sinhalese and Tamil communities. I also met people who have recently been able to return to their land now that it has been painstakingly cleared of landmines. Here in Colombo and Jaffna I met young people who wanted to talk about education and employment. They want to see meaningful progress towards lasting solutions to their primary concerns: the work it is hoped the Office of the Missing Persons will undertake stands to allow people to put their suffering behind them; further land returns will build confidence and trust. We also talked about the important role religious leaders need to play in promoting understanding and harmony between people of different faiths.

 Q: What more do you feel needs to be done to fast-track the reconciliation process?

A: Everyone I spoke with had an understanding of the steps that they told me it will serve Sri Lanka well to take. We know from our own experience in Northern Ireland how much hard work and commitment has to go into a reconciliation process. Engaging with the public is a vital element, to build confidence in communities that their interests are understood. What we know from experience is that all reconciliation processes need leadership and political will.

 Q: Sri Lanka is in the midst of formulating a new Constitution but there are fears that political will is insufficient to actually see it through to implementation stage. What were the sentiments of both the Government and pro-Tamil parties? Do you think the Constitution process will be successful?

A: I certainly hope that process that is underway of formulating, agreeing and adopting a new Constitution will succeed. In my meetings I was assured by everyone I met that constitutional reform that meets the needs of all communities in Sri Lanka and the diaspora beyond continues to be a priority. I used my visit to encourage everyone I met to approach this challenge constructively but also with a sense of urgency and ambition. 

Q: Sri Lanka is working to improve its investment climate to attract greater FDI. What steps do you think would facilitate this process?

A: The UK has been helping Sri Lanka get ready to take some of the steps that it will need to take if it is to meet its ambitious target of climbing up the Ease of Doing Business Index. As we know from our own experience in the UK, investors look for a number of things when weighing an opportunity. Understandably they look for conducive and consistent regulatory environments; they need educated and motivated staff; they are attracted by predictable and balanced tax environments; unnecessary red tape will turn them off; they value modern infrastructure. And corruption is a serious impediment to efforts to attract investment, wherever it occurs. 

 Q: How is the UK working to improve trade and investment with Sri Lanka?

A: Through our High Commission we work hard to promote trade and investment. Bilateral trade is worth around £ 1.5 b, with the balance of trade in goods firmly in Sri Lanka’s favour. I want to see two way trade continue to grow rapidly, with more British products available here in Sri Lanka, UK expertise supporting vital national projects like the Colombo Port City project, and more use of the UK Export Finance facility. 

During my visit I heard from UK businesses operating here about the challenges, and also the opportunities. We will continue to be there to help match suppliers and customers, to promote free trade between our two countries and champion good economic governance. 

Q: With Brexit taking precedence, how can Sri Lanka increase its engagement with the UK?

A: As Prime Minister Theresa May recently made clear in a speech she gave in Florence, the British people want to be a global, free-trading nation, able to chart our own way in the world. We want to maximise trade opportunities, through a deep and special partnership with the EU, and by building up our trade relationships around the world. Sri Lankans will continue to find the UK engaged here, and globally. Sri Lanka and the UK have lots of strong links in place to build on: our shared Commonwealth membership and our histories, language and law, people and education, trade and investment. 

Q: The EU is Sri Lanka’s largest export market. With Brexit how can a small country like Sri Lanka work to remain relevant and make the most of preferential schemes like GSP+?

A: Sri Lanka will always be highly relevant to the UK. I was told that, although Sri Lanka could in theory export up to 6,000 product lines under GSP+, currently it supplies only around 60. It is clear that diversification of exports will bring opportunities to build new businesses and increase earnings. British companies are already providing the technical know-how to help make this a reality. As the British Government has made clear, our aim is to maintain current levels of access to the UK for developing countries after we leave the EU. 

Q: How can the Commonwealth assist small developing nations such as Sri Lanka?

A: The enduring strength of the Commonwealth lies in its deep historic roots but also in the shared democratic values of its members. Since Sri Lanka first became a member of the Commonwealth it has benefited greatly. Commonwealth organisations are involved in diverse activities, from helping countries with trade negotiations to encouraging women’s leadership, building the small business sector, supporting youth participation at all levels of society and providing experts to write laws. The current president of the Commonwealth Medical Association is a Sri Lankan. Sri Lankan MPs regularly participate in Commonwealth inter-parliamentary events to share experiences and ideas. The Commonwealth Secretariat promotes democracy, rule of law, human rights, good governance and social and economic development and aims to be a voice for small states and a champion for youth empowerment.

Q: As the UK readies to host CHOGM 2018 what can we expect? What are the major global issues to be addressed?

A: We want the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting 2018 which will take place in London next April to be a celebration of our friendship and collective achievements, as well as an opportunity to reset and ensure the continuing relevance of the Commonwealth for future generations. The over-arching theme at CHOGM next April will be ‘Towards a Common Future,’ and the meeting of heads of government will focus on the challenges we face in all of our societies of ensuring fairness, prosperity, security and sustainability. I used my bilateral political meetings here to invite Sri Lanka to help shape discussion of these issues. 

Q: Wildlife trafficking is growing in Sri Lanka. What trends do you observe and how can it be combated?

A: I was delighted to meet conservationists and Government officials on the frontline of efforts to counter the illegal wildlife trade. Sri Lanka’s diverse flora and fauna is a precious resource that will continue to need constant protecting and careful management. The illegal wildlife trade is the fourth most lucrative transnational crime after drugs, arms and human trafficking, worth up to £ 17 b a year. It threatens the world’s most iconic species with extinction, damages economic growth and is a gateway for other criminality that uses it network of activity. It is fuelled by corruption and undermines good governance and the rule of law. Tough enforcement of controls and protection and development strategies are needed. I believe is vitally important that the issue receives attention at the highest levels of government globally, and I am delighted that Sri Lanka will be hosting the Conference of the Convention on the Trade in Endangered Species in 2019 

Q: How could UK-SL relations grow in the future?

A: We have so much in common and I am confident about the future. Speaking for the UK, we will continue to help Sri Lanka deliver meaningful and lasting reconciliation after the bloody conflicts of recent decades. Getting this right is critical to the future prosperity and security of Sri Lanka and the region – it is also evidently in the interests of the country as a whole. I look forward to seeing trade and our educational links grow; to seeing us develop new partnerships, for example in cyber security and green finance. On a more personal note, I am particularly looking forward to the England cricket tour in the Autumn of 2018.