§ Mr. Chris Smithasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether Mr. Laliph Athulathmudali, Sri Lankan Minister for national security, is currently on an official or private visit to the United Kingdom; what meetings he has held whilst here with representatives of Her Majesty's Government; what the subjects discussed have been; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. WhitneyMr. Athulathmudali visited Britain as our guest from 15 to 21 July. He paid a courtesy call on my right hon. Friend the Minister of State, Home Office and on my right hon. Friend the Minister of State for the Armed Forces. My right hon. and noble Friend gave a dinner for him at Lancaster house on 19 July. He also had talks with officials of the Home Office and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office on matters of mutual interest.
We reiterated to Mr. Athulathmudali our hope that a lasting political settlement to Sri Lanka's intercommunal problems could be achieved so as to safeguard the rights of all communities.