By: Staff Writer
February 03, Colombo (LNW): The UK’s Minister for the Indo-Pacific, Catherine West, is set to meet with Sri Lanka’s newly appointed government officials during her first official visit under the new UK administration. This visit marks a pivotal step in enhancing UK-Sri Lanka relations, focusing on key areas such as economic growth, anti-corruption efforts, human rights, and national reconciliation.
One of the primary objectives of Minister West’s visit is to boost trade relations between the two nations. She will introduce updated export procedure handbooks designed to help Sri Lankan businesses more efficiently access the UK market through the Developing Countries Trading Scheme (DCTS). These efforts aim to open new trade avenues, benefiting businesses and strengthening economic ties between the two nations.
Coinciding with Minister West’s visit, the UK has appointed Lord John Hannett of Everton OBE as the new Trade Envoy to Sri Lanka. In his role, Lord Hannett will work closely with senior officials and business leaders in both countries to promote trade opportunities, increase market access, and encourage economic collaboration.
UK High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Andrew Patrick, expressed his enthusiasm about this appointment, stating: “Lord Hannett’s appointment as the UK’s Trade Envoy to Sri Lanka is a welcome development. With his expertise, we anticipate a strengthened bilateral trade relationship, particularly in key sectors such as education, financial services, renewable energy, and IT-enabled services. His contributions will be instrumental in driving economic growth and prosperity for both the UK and Sri Lanka.”
During her visit, Minister West will also travel to Jaffna, underscoring the UK’s commitment to human rights, post-war reconciliation, and minority rights. She will engage with local political leaders and civil society organizations involved in post-conflict rehabilitation. Additionally, she will visit a UK-funded climate adaptation project focused on mitigating groundwater depletion, a pressing issue affecting Sri Lankan agriculture and local communities.
Speaking about her visit, Minister West stated: “I am pleased to make my first official visit to Sri Lanka and meet the new government soon after their appointment. The UK and Sri Lanka share a dynamic and evolving relationship, and I look forward to exploring ways to strengthen our ties in trade, education, and economic development. Our commitment remains strong in tackling corruption, supporting human rights progress, and addressing climate-related challenges.”
Education is another focal point of Minister West’s visit, as she will engage with the British Council to explore expanding UK-Sri Lanka educational partnerships. With Sri Lanka emerging as a regional hub for transnational education, discussions will center on higher education collaboration and skills development initiatives.
Emphasizing the importance of the visit, High Commissioner Andrew Patrick noted: “Minister West’s visit is a significant milestone as it marks the first engagement between our two new governments. It reaffirms the UK’s commitment to deepening our bilateral partnership. We anticipate increased engagement in the coming months as we collaborate with Sri Lanka on their reform agenda.”
The UK’s renewed engagement with Sri Lanka aims to foster a stronger and more mutually beneficial partnership, focusing on trade expansion, economic reform, climate resilience, and human rights. As both nations navigate their economic and political landscapes, these initiatives are expected to create lasting opportunities for growth and collaboration in the years ahead.
