Lord Malloch-Brown was expected to discuss progress of the APRC and ways of strengthening human rigths monitoring mechanisms

Lord Malloch-Brown has made the remarks as he met President Mahinda Rajapaksa at Temple Trees, the government information department said.

The Minister told President Mahinda Rajapaksa that Sri Lanka had achieved something remarkable and impressive in establishing a process for the resolution of human rights issues Sri Lanka information department

“The Minister told President Mahinda Rajapaksa that Sri Lanka had achieved something remarkable and impressive in establishing a process for the resolution of human rights issues,” according to the department website.

Lord Malloch-Brown has expressed the willingness of the international community to help Sri Lanka in achieving success "along the lines intimated by the President".

Meeting with CM Pillayan

The British minister for Africa, Asia and the United Nations, who already met Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, is expected to meet several other political and religious leaders.

	The minister was earleir highly critical of Sri Lanka's rights record

Eastern Province Chief Minister, Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan (Pillayan) told BBC Tamil Service that he is expected to meet the minister in Trincomalee on Tuesday.

The minister was earlier highly critical of Sri Lanka’s human rights record.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa has explained to the minister of action taken to defeat the terrorism and establishing democracy in the east.

“Lord Malloch-Brown declared that there was room for much optimism considering the actions taken by the Government to implement the Thirteenth Amendment to the Constitution, as well as the changes initiated in the East,” the government said.

Army commander accused

Lord Malloch-Brown is expected to encourage implementation of the 13 amendment to the constitution that envisages delving power to the provinces, according to the government.

The British minister's visit occurs nearly two weeks after a British High Commission official, Mahendra Ratnaweera and journalist Namal Perera were assaulted by an unidentified group in Colombo.

Former speaker and Chief Opposition Whip, Joseph Micheal Perera, told parliament that the assault was carried out by a "special team" controlled by Army Commander, Lt Gen Sarath Fonseka.