Commissioner Margot Wallstrom, commissioner responsible for environment, who was in Sri Lanka from May 26-29, was the first member of the European Commission to visit Sri Lanka. The Commissioner’s visit followed the visit of President Chandrika Kumaratunga to Brussels in March this year.

Commissioner Wallstrom met President Chandrika Kumaratunga on May 29 to follow-up discussions she had with the President during her visit to the European Commission on March 16. She expressed support for the efforts to find a peaceful solution to the ethnic conflict in Sri Lanka and to the Norwegian role as a facilitator. Commissioner Wallstrom and the President also exchanged views on environmental problems and on possible European cooperation in this field.

On the 29th, the Commissioner also had a meeting with Mangala Samaraweera, Minister of Urban Development, Construction and Public Utilities. Environmental problems relating to urban development were among the main issues discussed.

Commissioner Wallstrom also participated in the Annual General Meeting of the Worldview International Foundation. A message from her will be presented to the Conference on Media for Democracy, taking place at the Mount Lavinia Hotel on 30th and 31st May.