The visit follows the successful visit of Foreign Minister Børge Brende in January.

Mr Hattrem served as ambassador to Sri Lanka during 2007-2010.

He says in a comment, “We want to strengthen the political dialogue, support the government’s policies for reform and reconciliation, promote business cooperation and support technical cooperation. It is the positive political development in Sri Lanka that makes this possible, Mr Hattrem states in a comment.”

Mr Hattrem will meet with Foreign Minister Managala Samaraweera, the speaker of the Parliament, Karu Jayasuriya, as well as other government ministers.

He will also meet the leader of the opposition, R. Sampanthan, as well as the Governor and Chief Minister of the Northern Province, and the Commander in Jaffna.

In the Northern Province, Mr Hattrem will make a field visit to returnees to recently released land areas in Valalai, which is part of a Norwegian supported project through the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

Finally, Mr Hattrem will meet representatives for civil society and the business community.

In response to the recent flooding and landslide disaster in Sri Lanka, Mr
Hattrem announces a contribution of USD 600 000 to UNICEF for humanitarian purposes during the visit.

This is in addition to Norway’s substantial regular contribution to the UN Crisis and Emergency Response Fund and the Red Cross for relief in humanitarian crises for speedy and efficient emergency response.

“My thoughts are with the people that have been affected by the recent
flooding. I offer my most sincere condolences to those that have lost their
loved ones,” Mr Hattrem says.