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Change of guard at EC mission in Colombo
From Neville de Silva in London
A British diplomat working at the Brussels-based European Union is due to be posted to Colombo as head of the European Commission’s mission in Sri Lanka.
Julian Wilson who is in charge of the Sri Lanka desk at the EU headquarters, is to replace the current head of mission in Colombo Wouter Wilton, diplomatic sources in Brussels told The Sunday Times.

Mr. Wilson was a journalist with The Economist for several years before taking up a diplomatic appointment, the Brussels source said. Changes are also expected at the British High Commission in Colombo. The present High Commissioner Stephen Evans is due to return to London after completing his tour of duty.

A senior diplomat now at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office is expected to succeed him. The British Government is still awaiting Colombo’s approval.

Until the agreement is received it is not diplomatic protocol to reveal his name.
Meanwhile Brussels-based officials of the 25-nation EU who met last week had Sri Lanka on their agenda. But this had more to do with the upcoming presidential elections in Sri Lanka. There was no further discussion of the LTTE at this stage, diplomatic sources in Brussels said.

However, there is lobbying on behalf of the LTTE by some foreign non-governmental organisations which want to see the EU travel ban on LTTE lifted.

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