British Prime Minister Cameron welcomes President Sirisena
Posted on March 11th, 2015
By Janaka Alahapperuma
British Prime Minister David Cameron welcomed Sri Lanka President Maithripala Sirisena this afternoon (March 10) during his first visit to the UK. The two leaders met each other in front of the famous door of the Prime Minister’s official residence at No: 10, Downing Street.
Pix by: Sudath Silva
Following the bilateral discussions between the two leaders, a Downing Street spokesman said:
President Sirisena set out the actions his government has already begun to take to reform Sri Lanka in its first two months, including rebuilding confidence in the judicial system by restoring its independence, identifying land to return to the Tamils in the North of the island and replacing military provincial governors with civilian ones. The Prime Minister welcomed these initial steps but underlined that continuing this record of action was essential.
The two leaders also discussed President Sirisena’s clear plans to build lasting reconciliation across Sri Lanka, both through supporting the ongoing UN investigation and by establishing an internal mechanism to address issues from Sri Lanka’s past. The PM welcomed the steps the President had taken so far and his commitment to helping Sri Lanka to realise its enormous potential. He reiterated that meaningful engagement with the ongoing UN process ahead of its report in September is central to the UK’s continued support for Sri Lanka.
The PM also welcomed the growing trade relationship between the UK and Sri Lanka and looked ahead to the visit of the Lord Mayor of London, Boris Johnson with a business delegation in May as an opportunity to grow this further.
Thereafter the Sri Lankan president conducted talks with the All Party Parliamentary Group for Sri Lanka headed by Lord Naseby at the British Parliament.
President Maithripala Sirisena who is currently engaged in an official tour in Britain participated in the Commonwealth Day celebration which was held at the Commonwealth Secretariat yesterday. Her Majesty the Queen Elizabeth and other members of the Royal family including Prince Charles, Prince William and Duchess of Cambridge have attended the event. President Maithripala Sirisena was a special guest at this occasion.
Secretary General of the Commonwealth Kamelesh Sharma and the President designate of the commonwealth in 2015, the head of state of Malta also participated. The Sri Lankan delegation headed by President Maithripala Sirisena and Mrs. Jayanthi Sirisena was warmly welcomed at the Marlborough House, the headquarters of the Commonwealth Secretariat. A special service in connection with the Commonwealth Day celebrations was conducted at the Westminster Abbey church yesterday morning (09). The President and Mrs Sirisena have also attended the service.
Her Majesty will host a special luncheon in honour of the Sri Lankan President at the Buckingham Palace tomorrow.
March 11th, 2015 at 8:37 am
Namaste: Yes first the current Emperor Modi then to see the old Emperor Cameron and of course the secretary of the current Emperor Kamalesh Sharma Jai Hind.
March 11th, 2015 at 9:03 am
I wonder if he ever spoke to PM about the severe visa restrictions to the people of Sri Lanka,where innocent students are being used in numbers game by the shameless British Politicians?
I doubt that our politicians ever speak for the people, just another jolly trip to Blighty at the expense innocent hardworking tax payers like us.
All past Presidents abused their trips to these Commonwealth events, which seems to be irrelevant to people.
Hope likes of Janaka . A haven’t continued their protests against 1815 event and he could have worn the sarong and joined the president who seems to wear that silly attire again, meeting Mr Cameron who seems to wear cloths proper to this age. Hope the Prez will learn a bit from his stay in UK?.Dr Nonis should be respected as he and his parents have achieved enormously in SL,where he is the CEO of McWoods. I am glad that he is with the President’s delegation.
I would urge our leaders to make the Commonwealth relevant to the people in SL.Hope the new president witnessed the civility and decency in in London(and UK).We must not be arrogant and ignorant enough to ignore the reasons and factors that seems to maintain good life in UK.Hope he enjoyed his stay in UK London and bring a little bit of it to Sri Lanka?
March 11th, 2015 at 10:28 am
What strikes me in this visit to London is how Rajapakse was received
when he went he was met by an ocean of expat Tamils from all parts of Europe waving LITE flags. NO ONE STOPPED THEM
NOT EVEN SCOTLAND YARD. if this were Muslims waving the Al Queda flag upon the arrival of the head of Israel the entire mob would have been arrested. the Tamils got the full support and encouragement of this lump David Cameroon, and the royal family including Scotland yard. THE BRITISH WENT OUT OF THEIR WAY TO HUMILIATE RAJAPAKSE.
NOW THAT SIRISENA ARRIVES IN LONDON THE TAMILS HAVE CONVENIENTLY DISAPPEARED INTO THE WOOD WORK LIKE ROACHES. AND THIS LUMP CALLED DAVID CAMEROON OPENS HIS PARASITICAL ARMS TO SIRISENA. WHY ARN’T WE THROWING UP ON THIS ISSUE. IT IS DOWNRIGHT SICKENING.
March 11th, 2015 at 10:42 am
Second comment’
PROFESSOR HAMHOCKS STATED THAT HE WROTE TO SIRISENA ON HOW TO DRESS. WHO THE HELL IS THIS WHITE MAN TO TELL AN ELECTED OFFICIAL OF SRI LANKA AND THE LEADER OF THAT NATION HOW TO DRESS? HE STATES HE IS “HUMBLE” WHAT HUMBUG!!.
I DO NOT LIKE SIRISENA AND HIS COALITION BUT I AM NOT IN THAT POSITION TO TELL THE ELECTED LEADER OF A NATION HOW TO DRESS. THAT IS ONE ISSUE.
THE OTHER IS THAT PROFESSOR HAMHOCKS DID NOT EVEN ADDRESS THE FACT THAT SIRISENA MET DAVID CAMEROON WITH NO OPPOSITION FROM THE TAMILS.
THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN A BLAZING ISSUE FOR LANKAWEB. HOW COME RAJAPAKSE WAS PUT THROUGH SO MUCH HUMILIATION IN LONDON AND SIRISENA WAS NOT?
IF PROFESSOR HAMHOCKS WANTS TO TELL THE LEADERS OF SRI LANKA HOW TO DRESS MAYBE HE CAN MADE A REMARK WHY THE MAHATMA WENT TO LONDON IN A LOINCLOTH?
March 11th, 2015 at 10:45 am
SRI LANKA HAD TO PUT UP WITH
THE BRITISH BRINGING IN INDIAN TAMILS AS TEA PICKERS. THAT SOCIAL PROBLEM CONTINUES TO THIS DAY.
THE NORWEGIAN JOKES WHO LIVED HIGH ON THE HOG WHILE PREACHING PEACE DEALS TO COLOMBO WHILE THE WAR RAGED
NOW WE HAVE YET ANOTHER WHITE MAN PROFESSOR HAMHOCKS TELLING OUR LEADERS HOW TO DRESS AND WHEN THEY DO NOT TAKE HIS “HUMBLE” ADVICE HE LAMBASTES THEM IN THIS PAPER. THIS IS SO DISGUSTING.
March 11th, 2015 at 1:17 pm
At last My3 in sarong.
My3 used to wear a blue “SATAKA” when in MR’s camp.
My3 paid visits to COLONIAL ENDIA and UK as his priorities. WHY?
March 11th, 2015 at 1:20 pm
B W
Why did Mathma went to UK in Loincloth? You must ask him why he was so stupid. He never contributed to the progress of the country if one knows the meaning of progress.
I noticed that people who are not progressive and not outward looking hold on to the loin cloth of the primitive past. I too noticed that people who brag about medieval past are failures who live in the West or ambitious who are frustrated living in SL,unable to get out of the country and enjoy the bright lights of the West.Politicans seems to get out of this misery by selling hogwash to the humble voter, making money in the process and living happily ever after in the Western counties. I pity the ambitious people who are left behind with dreams shattered. I will campaign for them to make it easy for them to be here like us.
They, the left behind and the very well qualified students(came to study in West) must blame their leaders who have created their folly where they can’t hold a worthwhile job to suit their qualifications. Their interpersonal skills are so poor no company would employ them, where they have to command the respect of the indigenous people.I am doing my best as favour to my people to coach them to some level of social acceptance, from dress code to, food and drink,etc.Now these unfortunate students curse our leaders for their predicament, where they have to compete hard to get a good job but end up filling shelves in supermarkets and this is sad. Our politicians here in UK too use this unfortunate situation throw mud at our innocent students, saying that they are bogus, came here to work. I am gradually educating the enforcement offices and even the ministers to show some consideration to our young. Our horrible, criminal leaders never have done their duty for our young here, like exerting pressure on the governments here and that’s a shame. Out of nearly 20 students I managed to get only 2 worthwhile jobs where they will be given PR.I feel so sad for them. When I think about this I feel angry and I doubt I could correct my grammar now. This is why I live in Belgravia, giving my self some voice,not for personal gain as I have more than enough for my self and time is my shortage.I wish I could do more for them
March 12th, 2015 at 9:23 am
Nimal: you ask why the Mahatma went to London in a loincloth. You may also want to ask why he left London as a Barrister in a 3 piece suit. When he graduated from England he was an attorney. He dressed the part and acted as a well dressed man of his qualifications and of that time. So did Nehru, Patel and so many other leaders of the Satyagraha movement.
If you read “Freedom at Midnight” you may get your answer as to why
-Mohandas Karamachand Gandhi left England in a 3 piece suit and
-why the “Mahatma” returned to England in a loincloth.
March 19th, 2015 at 8:00 pm
Bernard
Truly I haven’t got time but I must say that Gandhi going half naked is just like ignoring the motor car and using the bullock cart.He could jolly well maintained wearing the modern cloths spoken any language and given whatever message to the colonials and the world. With so many cultural constrains India is struggling hard to absorb the modern world. He wearing that attire and his teachings haven’t made India a safe place for women where they are raped so frequently. India could have broken away from colonials in the most useful manner and continued progressively.
I know the firebrand business community, living close to me who are responsible for big industries such as the manufacturing of the world class Land Rovers, owning big businesses and they all seems to agree with the modern lifestyles of the West and thousand light years of the thoughts of the Gandhi.
I am so inspired by them and the reason for my success in UK.They too have a sense of charity and tolerance,aquired from the people here, above all respect for the law of the land. I live just a hundred yards from the HQ of the Tatar Company and sometimes meet them at various functions, very posh I say and why should they eat the humble pie and crawl to temples and churches, mingling with losers who failed to face life. It’s 3 AM and must have forty winks before trading in Japan start and good night.