UK Minister for the UN and Commonwealth, Baroness Anelay to visit this month

The United Kingdom Minister for the UN and Commonwealth, Baroness Anelay is to visit Colombo and Jaffna from Nov. 6-9 November, on her first official visit to the country.

In a statement it said during her visit the Minister will reiterate the UK’s commitment to supporting Sri Lanka in strengthening democracy and human rights (including tackling gender based and sexual violence), delivering reconciliation and combating corruption.

The Minister will discuss these issues with Prime Minister Wickremesinghe, Foreign Minister Samaraweera and Opposition Leader and Leader of Tamil National Alliance R. Sampanthan.

In Jaffna, Baroness Anelay will meet the Governor of the Northern Province Reginald Cooray and Chief Minister of the Northern Provincial Council C.V. Wigneswaran. The Minister will also meet recent returnees to land cleared of mines by British demining charity The HALO Trust.

, Baroness Anelay said in a statement

“It is a privilege to undertake my first official visit to Sri Lanka at a time of such opportunity for the country to comprehensively address the issues of the past and build lasting peace and reconciliation. The UK Government remains firmly committed to support the Sri Lankan Government in this endeavor, which will help ensure the future stability and prosperity of the country.

“I look forward to discussing the progress made on these issues and hearing of the steps taken to tackle sexual and gender-based violence to create an environment where women are able to exercise their free choice over all aspects of their lives, without the threat of violence.”