Minister of State for the Indo-Pacific at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) of the UK, Catherine West, undertook an official visit to Sri Lanka from 26-28 January 2025. Being the first envoy from the new UK Government, Minister West’s visit marked a renewed commitment to further strengthening the bilateral partnership between the two countries.
Minister West paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya and had a meeting with Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment, and Tourism, Vijitha Herath. During her call on Prime Minister Amarasuriya, discussions were held on strengthening engagement on Sri Lanka's economic recovery, government priorities, inclusive growth, education reforms, and efforts to strengthen governance, democratic institutions, and people-to-people ties.
At the meeting with Foreign Minister Herath, sectoral cooperation including in trade, tourism, economic revival, anti-corruption, human rights and reconciliation were discussed.
Minister West, during her visit, participated in an education event at the British Council and launched two export handbooks aimed at supporting Sri Lankan businesses to effectively access the UK market. She also attended a briefing on demining and visited Jaffna to review the FCDO funded Climate Adaptation Project which is a part of the UK’s Climate Action for a Resilient Asia (CARA) program.
The visit underscored the enduring partnership between Sri Lanka and the UK, with both countries committed to deepening their collaboration in areas of mutual interest in the years ahead.
Secretary Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, the British High Commissioner to Sri Lanka and officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and from the FCDO participated in the discussions.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism
Colombo
31 January 2025
