President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has requested Lord (Tariq) Ahmad of Wimbledon, the UK Minister of State Foreign Commonwealth & Development Affairs to facilitate discussions with the Sri Lankan diaspora in the United Kingdom.
The President said he is prepared to work with them in an understanding and cautious manner.
Minister Tariq Ahmad said Sri Lanka’s progress towards human rights is commendable and has made great strides.
Lord Ahmad today called on President Gotabaya Rajapaksa at the Presidential Secretariat.
The President’s Media Unit said Lord Ahmad highlighted that all human rights issues in Sri Lanka could be resolved by moving forward with a pragmatic and achievable approach.
Lord Ahmad said he will extend possible assistance for the President’s request to assist Sri Lanka in achieving its goals in the renewable energy sector and overcome technical obstacles.
He also informed that the United Kingdom is prepared to continue as a close friend to Sri Lanka.
Full Statement:
The United Kingdom’s State Minister for South Asia, United Nations and the Commonwealth, Lord Tariq Ahmad said that Sri Lanka’s programme to empower human rights is making great strides.
He further stated that Sri Lanka will be able to resolve all issues pertaining to human rights by moving forward with a pragmatic approach to further strengthen it.
As Minister of State for South Asia, the United Nations and Commonwealth, Lord Ahmad has been entrusted with a number of responsibilities including co-operation with the Indian Ocean region, Central Asia and the Commonwealth.
Responding to a request made by the President to assist Sri Lanka in achieving its goals in the renewable energy sector by overcoming technical hurdles, Lord Ahmad said he would look into the matter as soon as possible when he returns to his country and extend all possible assistance in this regard.
He pointed out that facilitating investment in Sri Lanka could attract more investors, adding that people living in the United Kingdom belonging to different ethnic groups were looking forward to making new investments in Sri Lanka.
An agreement has been already signed with the United Kingdom to provide employment opportunities for Sri Lankan healthcare workers.
Lord Ahmad also promised to explore the possibility of developing cooperation in the economic sphere.
The Government aims to solve all the issues faced by Sri Lankans and create an environment where all Sri Lankans can live as one people.
The President expressed the willingness to work with the Sri Lankan Diaspora in the United Kingdom in this regard and requested Lord Tariq Ahmad to provide an opportunity for discussions with the Diaspora.
Lord Ahmad said that the United Kingdom is always ready to work in harmony as a close and pragmatic friend of Sri Lanka.
The year 2023 marks the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the United Kingdom and Sri Lanka.
A celebration is planned to be held to mark this milestone.
Discussions were also held to promote the cultural and artistic aspects of the two countries and to enhance the relationship between the people of the two countries during these celebrations.
