Liam Fox to get protocol assistance

A series of queries have been posed to the External Affairs Ministry concerning reports that the United Kingdom Secretary of State for Defence Dr Liam Fox will not be travelling to Sri Lanka to deliver the Lakshman Kadirgamar Memorial Oration, said a press release issued by it.

On December 18, the invitation to deliver the Oration was extended by the Lakshman Kadirgamar Foundation, it said.

Despite the private nature of the visit, due to the status of the visitor and the important nature of the Oration, the Ministry in association with the other concerned agencies of Government, has made all arrangements to provide the necessary protocol assistance and facilitation to Dr Fox during his planned stay in Sri Lanka.

These same arrangements will be afforded, in the event of the Foundation rescheduling the Oration by Dr Fox for a future date, the release said.