Catherine West, the UK Minister for Indo-Pacific, will meet President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and key government ministers to discuss inclusive economic growth, anti-corruption, human rights, and national reconciliation.
This marks the first ministerial visit to Sri Lanka since the formation of new governments in both countries, reflecting the importance of bilateral relations.
The Minister will focus on strengthening UK-Sri Lanka trade ties, launching export procedure handbooks to help Sri Lankan businesses access the UK market through the Developing Countries Trading Scheme (DCTS).
During her visit to Jaffna, Catherine West will emphasize UK support for human rights, reconciliation, minority rights, and climate resilience.
She will meet local political leaders, civil society organizations, and visit an FCDO-funded climate adaptation project addressing groundwater depletion and its effects on agriculture.
Catherine West expressed her excitement about her first official visit, highlighting the strong UK-Sri Lanka partnership and her commitment to fostering trade, economic growth, and education ties.
The Minister reiterated the UK’s dedication to tackling corruption, supporting human rights progress, and addressing climate and environmental challenges.
Discussions with the British Council will focus on expanding the growing education partnership as Sri Lanka positions itself as a regional hub for transnational education (TNE).
UK High Commissioner Andrew Patrick stated that the visit underscores the UK’s commitment to strengthening bilateral ties and collaborating on shared challenges such as economic growth, climate change, and human rights.
The visit highlights the shared ambition of the UK and Sri Lanka to deepen collaboration and promote mutual development.
