British minister to visit Sri Lanka today

A British minister will arrive in Sri Lanka Wednesday for a three-day visit to the country, the British High Commission in Colombo said on Tuesday.

British Foreign Office Minister Hugo Swire will also visit Jaffna while in Sri Lanka from Jan. 28 to 30, the British High Commission said.
Hugo Swire is paying a second visit to Sri Lanka which comes shortly after the formation of a new government.

As part of a broad visit, Swire will call on the country’s senior ministers, including Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, to discuss the new government’s reform program and areas of potential co-operation.

“I am delighted to be visiting Sri Lanka again so soon after the recent elections, and welcome the early progress made by President Sirisena towards a more democratic and accountable government,” the British High Commission quoted Swire as saying with regards to his upcoming visit.

He said that it is encouraging to see such a renewed desire for peace and reconciliation following past instability and Britain will do all it can to support Sri Lanka as it moves towards a brighter future.