UK welcomes progress made towards peaceful resolution of political crisis

The UK has welcomed the  progress made towards the peaceful resolution of the political situation in country following the swearing in of Ranil Wickremesinghe as Prime Minister by President Sirisena on December 16.

Minister for Asia and the Pacific Mark Field in a statement said:

I welcome progress made towards the peaceful resolution of the political situation in Sri Lanka. The outcome is a welcome indication of the resilience of Sri Lanka’s judicial and democratic institutions, and of effective checks and balances between state powers. The UK will continue to stand by Sri Lanka as a close partner and friend, supporting Sri Lanka as it works to deliver sustainable and accountable reform to reinvigorate the economy, improve governance, and safeguard human rights across the country.

Further the statement said the UK is committed to supporting the Sri Lankan Government’s efforts to improve the human rights situation in the country.

The UK provides Sri Lanka with £8.3 million of Conflict, Stability and Security Fund funding over three years, to include support for police reform and training, reconciliation and peace building, resettlement and demining in the north of the country, the statement said.