Hugo Swire here tomorrow, Nisha Biswal next week

Wednesday, 28 January 2015 00:15 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Sri Lanka will receive two high profile visitors from the UK and the US over the next week, as the new Government in office steps up diplomatic efforts to “reset” ties with the Western world ahead of the UN Human Rights Council Sessions in March. UK Foreign Office Minister Hugo Swire will visit Sri Lanka for the second time tomorrow for a two-day visit, the British High Commission said.

US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Nisha Biswal will also be in Colombo next week, Daily FT learns. The British High Commission said that as part of a broad visit Minister Swire will call on senior ministers including Prime Minister Wickremesinghe to discuss the new Government’s reform program 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. He said it was encouraging to see such a renewed desire for peace and reconciliation following past instability and added that 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 also 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. Assistant Secretary Biswal will also be visiting Sri Lanka for the second time in two years. The US Assistant Secretary’s visit will precede Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera’s trip to Washington for meetings with Secretary of State John Kerry and other officials. The visits come just weeks after President Maithripala Sirisena won the 8 January election and formed his new unity Government. (DB)