Swire extends UK support to Sri Lanka

The United Kingdom stands ready to help Sri Lanka in any way possible to deliver the credible processes and mechanisms it has promised, British Minister of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth office, Hugo Swire, said today (14).

Speaking during the 30th session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, Swire said “in Sri Lanka, we commend the newly elected government for beginning to address post-conflict accountability and reconciliation.

I listened closely to Foreign Minister Samaraweera’s address to this session earlier today and I am encouraged by Sri Lanka’s willingness to engage with the international community, as it seeks to deliver lasting peace.

We hope and expect it will take forward the recommendations made in the High Commissioner’s report; and deliver the credible processes and mechanisms it has promised. The United Kingdom stands ready to help them in any way possible.

To conclude, Mr President: none of the situations I have outlined today will improve overnight.

They require the continued hard work of this Council - together with governments and partners - and the international community.
Ultimately we will be judged by our actions not our words,”