UK, Sri Lanka to review foreign and security policies in ‘strategic’ dialogue tomorrow

The second meeting of the strategic dialogue between Sri Lanka and the United Kingdom is scheduled to be held in Colombo tomorrow (07), at the senior officials’ level, the Foreign Ministry said.

A senior Ministry official said: “The meeting will review developments in foreign and security policies, as well as progress in the areas of bilateral engagement, including trade, investment, tourism, climate change, environment protection, migration, and maritime cooperation among others.

The meeting will also take stock of cooperation by the two countries at international fora, including at the United Nations and Commonwealth.

Sri Lanka and the United Kingdom celebrated 75 years of diplomatic relations in 2023. The visit of Her Royal Highness Princess Anne this year, to commemorate this occasion, underscored the importance of our enduring friendship.

At the 2nd Strategic Dialogue, the Sri Lanka delegation will be led by Director General Europe and North America of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Shobini Gunasekera and includes bilateral talks with Foreign Secretary Aruni Wijewardane.

The UK side will be led by Director / India and Indian Ocean Directorate at Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) Ben Meller and will comprise High Commissioner Andrew Patrick, Head of Sri Lanka team in the FCDO Humairaa Haita and the High Commission officials, along with officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other relevant government agencies.”

The inaugural meeting of the strategic dialogue was held in mid-April last year on the invitation of FCDO.