Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council (CWEIC) Deputy Chair Lord Hugo Swire conducted a four-day trip to Sri Lanka from February 19th, during which economic cooperation was discussed but his previous calls while a British Minister for measures to aid reconciliation seemingly forgotten.
The trip began with a visit to Port City Colombo, a CWEIC Strategic Partner. Accompanied by CWEIC Country Chair Niro Cooke and Country Director Deshan Gonawela, Lord Swire was briefed on the $15 billion smart project, including its progress, projections, and appeal to investor markets such as the Middle East and Asia-Pacific.
Port City Colombo, strategically located on reclaimed land with China Harbour Engineering Company as its primary developer, offers a Special Economic Zone to global investors as Sri Lanka pushes to establish itself as a regional business and tourism hub.
“Sri Lanka needs to show that it is open for Foreign Direct Investment,” Lord Swire said, emphasising opportunities beyond the tea and tourism sectors.
Later that day, Lord Swire met with the British High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Andrew Patrick, to discuss UK-Sri Lanka ties and opportunities for Commonwealth businesses. The visit also included engagements with other officials and business representatives, concluding with a meeting with Sri Lanka’s Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya where economic opportunities and Commonwealth collaboration were discussed.
Writing in an op-ed for Tamil Guardian in 2016 shortly after a resolution at the UN Human Rights Council, Lord Swire, the then UK Minister of State for Asia, urged Sri Lanka to make progress on matters such as the return of military occupied lands, the repeal of the Prevention of Terrorism Act, and devolution of political authority. None of these appear to have been taken up for discussion by Lord Swire despite Sri Lanka showing little progress after the passing of almost nine years. Sri Lanka’s current Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath delivered a speech at the current session of the UNHRC doubling down the stance of previous regimes that domestic mechanisms should be used, rejecting international accountability for war crimes and human rights violations.
