The UK's Foreign Office minister, Hugo Swire, called on the new Sri Lankan government to "work together with the international community at the UN Human Rights Council, and will co-operate with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights’ investigation into alleged war crimes during the final stage of the Sri Lankan conflict", following a three day visit to the island, where he met with the new president, Maithripala Sirisena, and Tamil representatives and refugees in Jaffna.

In a statement on the conclusion of his visit on Friday, Mr Swire reiterated that long-term peace on the island "will need to include the establishment of a long-term political settlement in the North, and credible processes for reconciliation and accountability to tackle the issues that remain following Sri Lanka’s long conflict."

Visiting Jaffna, Mr Swire met with the Northern Province's Chief Minister, CV Wigneswaran where the discussion focussed on the need to demilitarise the Tamil areas, and with IDPs from Valikaamam North, and the Tamil journalists network, the Jaffna Press Club, which has faced extensive intimidation by state intelligence officers.

Commenting on his visit Mr Swire stated he was “pleased to have visited Jaffna”.

“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," he added.

See more here on his visit to Jaffna.

Full statement published on January 30, reproduced below:

I am delighted to be visiting Sri Lanka again so soon after the recent elections, and welcome the early commitments announced by President Sirisena to lead a more democratic and accountable government. The UK is a long-standing friend of Sri Lanka, so it should be of no surprise that we are one of the first to reach out to the new government as it strives to deliver an ambitious reform programme.

During this visit I have met a wide range of people and heard about the challenges that lie ahead. Beyond the capital, I retraced our Prime Minister’s footsteps to the North of Sri Lanka and met the Chief Minister and Tamil political parties. Many challenges remain, but I am encouraged by the progress made to date.

It is also heartening to see such a renewed desire to reconcile communities and seek a long-term peace for Sri Lanka. This will need to include the establishment of a long-term political settlement in the North, and credible processes for reconciliation and accountability to tackle the issues that remain following Sri Lanka’s long conflict.

As part of this, we hope that the new Sri Lankan Government will work together with the international community at the UN Human Rights Council, and will co-operate with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights’ investigation into alleged war crimes during the final stage of the Sri Lankan conflict.

The UK will do all it can to support Sri Lanka as it moves towards a brighter future.