UK MP hopes press freedom will be boosted under new govt.

29 January 2015 05:30 pm - 6 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A A A

UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office Minister of State for Sri Lanka, Hugo Swire, who travelled to Jaffna today, expressed optimism that press freedom will grow under the new government.

This was the minister’s first visit to Jaffna. He met Chief Minister of the Northern Province, C. V. Wigneswaran and visited the British Council, a UK funded demining operation by the HALO Trust in Muhamalai, Elephant Pass and the Sabapathipillai Welfare Village.

Commenting on his visit, Swire said:

“I am pleased to have visited Jaffna today. Northern Sri Lanka suffered much throughout the country's long conflict and the people there still face many challenges. This was part of the reason why Prime Minister David Cameron also prioritised visiting Jaffna when he was in Sri Lanka for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in 2013.

Today I saw and heard several different aspects of the Northern Province's story. With the Chief Minister I discussed reconciliation and accountability, the role of the military, the prospects for a political settlement and ways in which the UK might assist Sri Lanka. Seeing Elephant Pass was a strong reminder of how important it is that Sri Lanka should not succumb once again to conflict.

I was pleased to donate books to the Jaffna library. While there, I met journalists to discuss press freedom and the pressures journalists have faced in the recent past. The hope must be that press freedom will increase under the new Sri Lankan government.

I also visited the Sabapathipillai welfare village which David Cameron visited in 2013. Along with my team, I was pleased to gift shoes to all of the schoolchildren of the village – just in time for the new Sri Lankan school year! The welfare village remains, even nearly six years after the conclusion of the conflict. I encourage the new government of Sri Lanka to seek a long-term solution, allowing people to return, where possible, to their original land.

Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka

Comments - 6

Desmond Jeromme Friday, 30 January 2015 10:49 AM

If Mahinda would have been in power he would not allow this Gentleman to visit Jaffna for sure.

sam Friday, 30 January 2015 06:35 PM

Why the British govt is so keen about tamils. May be that elections in UK is in MAy.

rehman Friday, 30 January 2015 07:48 PM

This is coming from a government whose own press freedom rankings have dropped recently. Fix your own house before advising others you hypocrites(Source: Freedom of press 2014)

rosebud Friday, 30 January 2015 09:23 PM

Our govt will manage these things -- we dont need your advise or assistance. We dont trust you via DM Android App

Jude Saturday, 31 January 2015 08:07 AM

Every single word they-utter is kind of cancer and spread the hatred among communities. There is no original land or duplication land in Sri Lanka. Do you know what happened to original lands when British regimed the country. Apparently those Sri Lankan citizens massacred by so called British. If Sri Lankan government did not finish the brutal war you can donate not the shoes but jungle boot weapons and synideto tto the school children. Still the route of cancer is stretching,. Shame Hugo Swire

Freddy Saturday, 31 January 2015 10:58 AM

The prime minister Cameron does not understand that Sri Lanka is One country and openly disregarding the majority Sinhalese country and only supporting a terrorist ltte group for political gain should be exposed. Good governance. Why keep quiet the Poms should be made aware and the Opposition and other parties. Threatening for war crimes against our soldiers who sacrificed their lives to save everyone. He Only cares for the welfare for Tamils.

Add comment
Comments will be edited (grammar, spelling and slang) and authorized at the discretion of Daily Mirror online. The website also has the right not to publish selected comments.

UK MP hopes press freedom will be boosted under new govt.

Comments - 6

Add comment

RECOMMENDED

UDA owned land in Thalawathugoda; UDA Minister Prasanna Ranatunga under the spotlight for forceful occupation of reserved land

Loss-making SMIB faces political pressure in recovering loans

Baltimore Bridge Collapse: MV Dali, SL authorities anchored in mystery?

Has Sri Lanka become a potential hub for the illegal wildlife trade?

Spotlight on Moragahakanda Development Project Moragolla villagers lose livelihoods and down to one meal a day

Ambitious Sri Lankan jobseekers ‘trafficked into Ukraine war zones’

Western purple-faced langurs see blue!

Most Viewed in News

A US “Kaputa”, a Lankan “Nariya” and a Presidential “Feast”

Street food vendor arrested for verbally harassing foreigner

New Visa procedure implemented

Complaint lodged over Piumi Hansamali's possession of Gota’s Range Rover

23 year old youth ends up having his testicles removed

SL on alert on possible genocide allegations by Canada

MIRROR CRICKET

TODAY'S HEADLINES