A nine member UK Parliamentary delegation which is on a six day visit to Sri Lanka yesterday commended the rehabilitation and resettlement process in the post conflict areas.
The delegation head Conservative MP James Wharton addressing a media briefing in Colombo yesterday said they were highly impressed with the ongoing rehabilitation process and the development activities in the North and the East.
“We have witnessed the large scale development process taking place in the Northern and Eastern Provinces, during our visit,” he said.
“The government is more focused on reconstructing the North and the East making the region economically and socially vibrant.
“The delegation also received first-hand information on the rehabilitation and resettlement process currently under way in the North and East “he said.
“We have been able to travel to all corners of these two regions and got an opportunity to talk with ministers, officials, opposition members, resettled people, fisherman and farmers in the North and East. But, I can say that Sri Lanka’s progress after the end of the conflict is tremendous,” he said.
“The government has given priority to infrastructure development to facilitate the development of the production and services sectors,” he said..
“Livelihoods of the people of the North and East who suffered immensely from the 30-year conflict have been improved. New job opportunities have been created together with opportunities in the economic and social and cultural sectors,” he said.
“ We can describe these developments as the positive signs of the reconciliation process,” he said. “We have stronger historical and cultural ties between our two countries. We hope to strengthen economic and trade relations with Sri Lanka. Sri lanka offers many trade and investment opportunities for the British business community. The time has come for Sri Lanka and the United Kingdom to build a strong economic relationship. We hope to have members of the British business community meeting in Sri Lanka shortly,”Wharton said.
Conservative MP Bob Blackman said rapid development taking place in the North and East after the war is remarkable. Business opportunities are on the increase. The people can greatly benefit from the huge potential which has been created in many sectors,” he added.
The delegation also included Conservative MPs Mark Menzies, Andrew Stephenson, Aiden Burley, Connor Burns, Mathew Offord, David Morris, Bob Blackman and Ian Paisley, a member of the Democratic Unionist Party.
Source: Daily News (Sri Lanka)
