Howells commends Govt’s N-E development effort

COLOMBO: Visiting British Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs Dr. Kim Howells called on President Mahinda Rajapaksa at Temple Trees yesterday.

The Presidential Secretariat said during the discussion Dr. Howells expressed his deep appreciation about the Government’s efforts to eradicate terrorism and promote development in the North and the East. The talks also centered round further consolidating existing diplomatic relations between Britain and Sri Lanka.

Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama and Secretary to the President Lalith Weeratunga were also associated in the discussions.

Dr. Howells who arrived here on Tuesday also toured the East and inspected several development projects implemented with British financial assistance. Dr. Howells has visited Sri Lanka earlier in his capacity as British Minister of Trade and Industry.