Head of the UK diplomatic service visits Sri Lanka

      PRESS RELEASE

In his discussion with His Excellency Foreign Minister Bogollogama, Sir Peter welcomed the progress made towards releasing Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) from the camps in Vavuniya and resettling them in their homes.  He explained that the UK wants to support Sri Lankato restore full freedom of movement to all IDPs, to complete the resettlement process and to help civilians rebuild their lives.  Sir Peter encouraged the Foreign Minister to allow humanitarian organisations to play a full role in this process.

Sir Peter and the Foreign Minister also discussed efforts to reach a political solution to the causes of the recent conflict.  Sir Peter commented that the end of the war and the recent strong mandate given to President Mahinda Rajapakse had opened up an historic opportunity to make significant progress towards this goal.  He added that the upcoming parliamentary elections were an important part of political efforts to resolve the conflict and that the UKsupported the efforts of the Election Commissioner to ensure a free and fair poll.

On the UK Foreign Secretary’s recent participation in a Global Tamil Forum conference in London, the British side explained that Foreign and Commonwealth Office ministers and officials regularly engage with expatriate Sri Lankans from all communities to encourage them to support peaceful efforts to achieve peace in Sri Lanka.  During his speech the Foreign Secretary urged GTF members to maintain their commitment to peaceful methods and to support domestic attempts within Sri Lanka to achieve a political solution.