The Minister explained that the purpose of the meeting was to update her on developments that have taken place in Sri Lanka since the end of the conflict. Minister Peiris highlighted the disproportionate and intense pressure placed on Sri Lanka by a segment of the international community through the Human Rights Council, which did not acknowledge the achievements despite many challenges.

Minister Peiris requested Costa Rica to form an independent view on the situation in Sri Lanka, and towards helping that process, he invited a representative from Costa Rica to witness the developments that have taken place in the country. The Minister also noted that such a visit had been proposed earlier this year, but had not materialized.

The Costa Rican Vice-President undertook to explore the possibility of sending a Government representative from Costa Rica to Sri Lanka to witness first-hand the developments, and tasked the Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of Costa Rica to be in contact with Sri Lankan authorities in this regard.

Prof. Peiris told Vice–President Echeverr that Sri Lanka is keen on strengthening her political and economic links with Latin American countries including Costa Rica. He said that Sri Lanka produces eighty per cent of the world’s cinnamon and her markets for high quality spices are principally in Latin America. In the context of Sri Lanka’s increasing emphasis on relations with this region, Vice-President Echeverr and Minister Peiris discussed ways and means of enhancing trade relations.

HC/mea