The president made these observations speaking during the committee stage debate of the 2016 Appropriation Bill in parliament today. 

 

 

President Maithripala Sirisena said Sri Lanka had in the past caused a split in the international community over the human rights issue. But after the January 08 democratic revolution,  the new Government was able to build good relations with all countries and the UN and ensure the international community took one stand on Sri Lanka.

 

 

The President said that even the UN Human Rights Council was split on the Sri Lanka issue but that situation had now changed.

 

 

"During my recent visit to Malta I met with the leaders of Canada and Britain, two countries which in the past had a negative impression on Sri Lanka", he said and added that during his meeting with British Prime Minister David Cemeron, the UK assured it will support moves to help Sri Lanka regain GSP plus and remove the EU ban on Sri Lankan fisheries products.