Commonwealth Secretary General Don Mckinnon has assured Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe assistance in tsunami reconstruction work utilizing expertise from the commonwealth countries.


Opposition and UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe met the Commonwealth Secretary General in London during his European tour. The discussion centred on the tsunami disaster and restoring the lives of those affected by it. The reconstruction work was also discussed.


The Commonwealth Secretary General said that the commonwealth countries had more expertise on reconstruction than on supplying immediate relief and therefore could help Sri Lanka in a positive manner. Opposition Leader Wickremesinghe appreciated the Commonwealth Organization on behalf of Sri Lanka and requested Mr. Mckinnon to motivate its members to help Sri Lanka.


Mr. Mckinnon noted that the focus on the country’s peace process should not be shifted despite the tsunami since it is essential for the long-term development of the country. Mr. Wickremesinghe said that it was the view of his party and the peace process should be resumed as soon as possible. UNP MP Milinda Moragoda, Opposition Leader's advisor C. Mahendran and the Sri Lankan Ambassador in Britain Faiz Mustafa also attended the discussion.