Sri Lanka's foreign minister visits Europe

Sri Lanka’s foreign minister Mangala Samaraweera today left for three European countries to drum up support for island nation’s peace process, which has come under severe strain over a recent spike in violence and disagreement.

“He will visit Britain, France and Belgium,” said foreign ministry spokeswoman Himalee Arunathilake.

This will be Samaraweera’s first visit to these countries after assuming duties as Minister of Foreign Affairs in November, 2005.

European truce monitors have expressed fears that a recent resumption of attacks, with three deaths in three days last week, was risking a four-year-old ceasefire agreement between the Tamil rebels and the government.

“During his visit, Minister Samaraweera will discuss a whole range of bilateral issues and, certainly, the peace process too,” Arunathilake said.

In Britain and France, Samaraweera will be meeting his counterparts Jack Straw and Phillippe Douste-Blazy for official talks.

N Brussels, he will meet the External Relations Commissioner of the European Commission, Benita Ferrero-Waldner, and will address the foreign affairs committee of the European Parliament.