British High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Sarah Hulton has made a wide-ranging tour of Jaffna and Kilinochchi where she met with civil society groups, women’s organisations and Jaffna’s Mayor and Municipal Commissioner.
Useful meetings with Governor Thiagarajah and #Jaffna mayor Manivannan on key priorities for the region and recent government commitments.
— Sarah Hulton OBE (@SarahHultonFCDO) December 2, 2022
Great to hear about the community work of Karunanilayam in #Killinochchi and meet some talented preschoolers. Useful discussion on local priorities. pic.twitter.com/IHAzVodDaS
— Sarah Hulton OBE (@SarahHultonFCDO) December 1, 2022
On Twitter, she noted that her discussions with civil society organisations in Jaffna focused on the “impact of economic concerns on the community, human rights and long-term concerns including power sharing”.
Met with a diverse range of civil society in #Jaffna including women’s organisations, academics and rights groups. We discussed the impact of economic concerns on the community, human rights and long term concerns including power sharing.
— Sarah Hulton OBE (@SarahHultonFCDO) December 2, 2022
Glad to have had the opportunity to stop by the Thinnai Organic Farm and VVS Palmyrah Resort in #Jaffna and hear about their businesses. Helpful to hear from those in these industries about the potential for development. pic.twitter.com/YQ8HrsbMLP
— Sarah Hulton OBE (@SarahHultonFCDO) December 1, 2022
During her travels she also stopped by Thinnai Organic Farm and VVS Palmyrah Resort in Jaffna where she spoke to these business owners about potential development.
Since the end of the armed conflict Sri Lanka’s military has taken an ever-increasing role in tourism and resorts. In 2018, Sri Lanka Peace and Justice Campaign highlighted this militarisation noting that Sri Lanka’s military runs 21 hotels and resorts across the island.