Visiting UK parliamentary group observes Sri Lanka’s progress in strengthening democracy and economi

A British-Sri Lanka Parliamentary Group which arrived in Sri Lanka has noticed the significant progress the island nation has made in strengthening democracy and developing the economy within the past three years.

The visiting UK All-Party Parliamentary Group on Sri Lanka led by the chair of the group, Conservative Member of Parliament of the House of Commons, Ranil Jayawardena, yesterday met with President Maithripala Sirisena at the Presidential Secretariat.

The delegation arrived in the country with the aim of strengthening relations with Sri Lanka as a Commonwealth country as well as to promote trade and investment relations between the two countries.

During the meeting with the President, the delegation observed that there was immense progress in the programs carried out by the Government during the past period to strengthen democracy and the steps taken for the development of the economy, and implementation of special development projects as well as the promotion of foreign trade.

President Sirisena pointed out the importance of further strengthening relations between the two countries to reap maximum benefits from the opportunities of new technology and promotion of employment opportunities.

The Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting is scheduled to take place in the United Kingdom in April this year, and the delegation said that parallel to this event, the two countries are expected to further consolidate their ties.

Michelle Donelan, Chris Green and John Lamont, representing the UK All- Party Parliamentary Group on Sri Lanka, participated in the meeting. Secretary to the President Austin Fernando was also present at the meeting.