British Foreign Office Minister Hugo Swire will visit Sri Lanka from January 28-30 , the British High Commission in Colombo 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 senior ministers including Prime Minister Wickremesinghe to discuss the new government’s reform programme 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,” Swire said 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 the UK will do all it can to support Sri Lanka as it moves towards a brighter future. During his visit Swire will meet representatives from NGOs to discuss human rights issues. He will travel to Jaffna to meet the Chief Minister of the Northern Provincial Council and civil society, and visit the British Council in Jaffna, where significant work is being undertaken to improve access to English language training.
The government today granted permission for an Iranian warship with 208 on board to enter the country.
The United States has told Sri Lanka that the disposition of the Iranian naval vessel IRIS Bushehr and its crew is a matter for Colombo to resolve under its own laws and international obligations, while signalling it is in active talks with Sri Lanka to contain Iran’s threat to US interests.
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