Conservative Foreign, Commonwealth Council in British Parliament applauds Lanka's progress

The Conservative Foreign and Commonwealth Council in the British Parliament applauded Sri Lanka's progress when Sri Lankan High Commissioner for the UK Dr Chris Nonis addressed the Conservative Foreign and Commonwealth Council, the High Commission of Sri Lanka in London said in a release.

The council chaired by Sir Ronald Halstead, provides a forum for discussion of international foreign relations, and the promotion of greater understanding and awareness amongst Conservative Party members and activists, in the House of Lords building of the British Parliament, the release added.

The Conservative Foreign and Commonwealth Council members applauded the progress made by Sri Lanka in the post-conflict era, the comprehensive LLRC report, its recommendations and implementation programme.

Dr Chris Nonis in his keynote address called on the Conservative Foreign and Commonwealth Council to look beyond the inflammatory rhetoric of the agents of separatism with collateral agendas, and the imperative that the people of the UK do not fall prey to covert pressure from extremely well-funded lobby groups who use coercive measures for fundraising, and subsequently use their funds to influence opinion leaders, think tanks, and legislators, but who are in reality surrogates for the extreme rump of terrorism.

He reiterated that this was anathema to the fundamental democratic values which we all cherish.

He said that Sri Lanka today needs to be listened to in an impartial, fair and balanced manner, and he invited all those present to visit the country, so that, in the best traditions of democracy they may observe for themselves the real progress that is going on in the country in the post-conflict era.

It would also give them the opportunity to meet the heterogeneous mix of indigenous people of Sri Lanka who are sincere and united in their effort to rebuild the Nation, following the end of the autocracy and hegemony of terrorism.

Members of the Conservative Council expressed their desire to become involved with Sri Lanka's progress, which was contemporary and directly relevant to the needs of the indigenous people of Sri Lanka.

They also expressed their understanding that Sri Lanka needs both the time and space to continue its domestic process of implementation of the recommendations of the LLRC, which is pivotal to the process of reconciliation.

The patrons of this society include William Hague MP, Foreign Secretary; Sir John Major KG, CH; Lord Howe of Aberavon QC; Baroness Chalker of Wallasey and Lord Hurd of Westwell CH CBE; and whose president is Sir Malcolm Rifkind, KCMG, QC.