China slams US ambassador to Colombo for criticizing Beijing’s policies – Reuters

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Foreign Minister Aruni Wijewardane highlighted the importance of Sri Lanka’s economic partnership with the UK under the Developing Countries Trade Scheme (DCTS), which provides duty-free access to UK market, as well as in other areas, such as improving the UK’s contribution to Sri Lankan tourism and skilled labor migration.

Wijewardane addressed the issue when she received the Permanent Under-Secretary of the United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), Sir Philip Barton, at the Foreign Office in Colombo on Tuesday (17 ). The constructive bilateral engagement took place in the 75th year of diplomatic relations between the UK and SL.

Foreign Secretary Wijewardane briefed the UK Permanent Under-Secretary on current developments in the country and the government’s plans for 2023 as a year of socio-economic stabilisation, reconciliation and recovery. Permanent Under-Secretary Barton encouraged Sri Lanka’s efforts and reiterated the UK’s support in this regard.

Both sides appreciated the potential to further expand trade and investment ties, including responding to climate change targets, and meeting Sri Lanka’s target of 70% renewable energy. here 2030.

Both parties reiterated their mutual interest in engaging in a Sri Lanka-UK dialogue in the first quarter of 2023, with a view to strengthening the existing multifaceted engagement and working towards achieving tangible results through a focused approach. on results in several areas of mutually beneficial cooperation.

Foreign Secretary Wijewardane and the FCDO Permanent Under-Secretary appreciated the vibrant people-to-people connections emanating from the large ethnic Sri Lankan community in the UK. Foreign Secretary Wijewardane informed the Permanent Under Secretary of the government’s intention to engage further with the Sri Lankan community overseas to better harness their synergies for mutual benefit. It has been agreed to commemorate the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the UK and Sri Lanka this year in a way that reflects the long-standing relationship, in a forward-looking and results-oriented way.

In an exchange of views on regional and international developments, Foreign Minister Wijewardena briefed the UK Permanent Under-Secretary on Sri Lanka’s political priorities for engagement in the Indian Ocean, as well as the country’s assumption of the presidency of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) this year.

During the visit, Sir Barton visited Foreign Secretary Ali Sabry, Minister of State for Finance Shehan Semasinghe and the President’s Chief of Staff Sagala Ratnayaka.

Sir Philip Barton was accompanied by the British High Commissioner, Sarah Hulton, and officials from the British High Commission and the UK FCDO. Senior officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs also attended the meeting.

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