Secretary of State for Defence of the United Kingdom, Dr. Liam Fox said that his visit to Sri Lanka has only been postponed because he is staying longer than expected on another visit to the Gulf.
According to him it is not due to criticism of the country's human rights record.
Dr Fox has cancelled his planned visit to Sri Lanka at the last minute but in a statement to Channel 4 News the defence secretary said it is not because of criticism of the country's human rights record, Channel 4 reported.
Fox would no longer visit Sri Lanka this weekend but would now be conducting an official visit next year, AP reported quoting his spokesman.
"Dr Fox has postponed his private visit to Sri Lanka due to an extension to his scheduled official visit to the Gulf," the spokesman said.
"He intends to carry out an official visit to Sri Lanka next year during which he proposes to fulfil the speaking engagement that he had planned," Press Association reported.
The Defence Secretary was due to make a speech in honour of the former Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar on Saturday.
The Ministry of External Affairs in a statement yesterday said that all arrangements will be made to provide the necessary protocol assistance and facilitation to Dr. Fox during his stay despite the private nature of the visit, due to the status of the visitor.
These same arrangements will be afforded, in the event of the Foundation rescheduling the Oration by Dr. Fox for a future date, the Ministry added.
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