British MP calls on Prof Peiris

British Member of Parliament James Wharton, who has been an active participant in debates in the House of Commons on Sri Lankan issues, called on External Affairs Minister Professor G.L. Peiris at the ministry yesterday.

The minister briefed the British legislator on current developments in Sri Lanka, with particular reference to the report of the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission and action being taken by the government.

Sri Lanka's High Commissioner in the United Kingdom, Dr Chris Nonis was present at the discussion. Wharton, travelled to Vavuniya, Kilinochchi and Jaffna to observe progress with regard to resettlement, demining and rehabilitation.

Wharton and a group of British Members of Parliament met President Mahinda Rajapaksa in London in December 2010. He had discussions with Prof. Peiris in London last year.

He is a member of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Sri Lanka and is playing a lead role in the establishment of a group called " Sri Lankans for Conservatives," which is a support group of the Sri Lankan diaspora who have obtained Conservative Party membership.

It is expected that he will visit Sri Lanka again later this year, as part of an exchange programme sponsored by International Alert. A group of young Parliamentarians from Sri Lanka visited the United Kingdom recently on this same programme.

Prof. Peiris also met with Member of the European Parliament Nirje Devadithiya a few days ago, for a comprehensive discussion of matters relating to Sri Lanka.