Prof. G. L. Peiris, Minister of Export Development and International Trade, addressed a distinguished audience of British and Commonwealth policy makers, administrators, diplomats and academics at Chatham House in London recently.

He dealt with Sri Lanka’s policy initiatives, the functioning of the Provincial Council of the Eastern Province, the scope and objectives of military action in the country, the trajectory of the peace process, the infrastructure projects now under way and opportunities available for investment.

Chatham House, the home of the Royal Institute of International Affairs for over eight decades is one of the most prestigious institutions of its kind in the United Kingdom and serves as a world-leading source of independent analysis, informed debate and influential ideas. The Chatham House Rule, famous worldwide for facilitating free speech and confidentiality at meetings originated there.