Minister of Economic Reform, Science and Technology Milinda Moragoda met new British Secretary of State for International Development Hilary Benn at the International Development Ministry office in London last week. Benn who succeeded Baroness Amos who was appointed the Leader of the House of Lords, reiterated UK’s continued support to Sri Lanka’s peace process and he pointed out the essentiality of economic development to sustain peace in the country.

Minister Moragoda briefed Secretary Benn on the present status of the peace process and emphasised the importance of the international community’s support in keeping the momentum of the development in order to achieve a durable peace in Sri Lanka.

During the discussion, Minister Moragoda on behalf of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe extended an invitation to Secretary Benn to visit Sri Lanka at an earliest convenient time, as his predecessor Baroness Amos was scheduled to do so in November this year. The Secretary of State assured that he would undertake this visit early next year.

Minister Moragoda took the opportunity to exchange views on other bilateral and international issues including relations with the European Union and the situation in Iraq. He thanked the UK government for the continued assistance rendered in Sri Lanka’s development agenda and highlighted the areas of requirement.