The UK and Sri Lanka are and will remain partners in prosperity and looking forward to the growth and prosperity of two countries, together, said Janet Ford, Head of UK Trade and Investment (UKTI), Colombo.

Expressing her views regarding to UK- Sri Lanka business sector she said that UK is keen to work more closely with Sri Lanka in a wide range of business sectors.

"In Sri Lanka we are building on historic foundations and have strong trading relationships with businesses here," Ms Ford said.

The UK is Sri Lanka’s second largest Western export partner and the second largest single country contributing Foreign Direct Investment (FDI).

Speaking with regard to the UK Economy, Ms. Janet Ford said, 'over the past several months, Sri Lankan business people have told me that they are concerned about the health of the British economy. My answer is always the same: Don’t be. The UK is the world’s sixth largest economy. And our government has recognised the need to take decisive action now to reduce the national budget deficit and secure long-term prosperity'.

More tourists visited Sri Lanka in 2009 from the UK than from any other Western nation and over 100,000 more are expected to visit throughout this year, proving the UK to be a strong supporter of the growth of Sri Lankan tourism, the British High Commission said in a release.

There are already over 100 companies with UK affiliations operating in Sri Lanka. The cultural bonds between the UK and Sri Lanka make education and training an ever expanding area for business partnership between our countries.

The British Council and UKTI have welcomed a number of UK Higher Education providers to Sri Lanka, such as Northumbria University, Coventry University, Sheffield Hallam University, the University of Staffordshire, the University of Middlesex and many, many others.

For example, UK companies have long-established expertise in maritime engineering, like Scott Wilson, engineering consultants at the new Colombo South Harbour, or Mabey Bridge, helping to construct hundreds of new bridges in rural Sri Lanka.

“I believe that when you succeed, Britain succeeds," the Head of UK Trade and Investment (UKTI) said.