Federal Councillor Sommaruga signs migration agreement with Sri Lanka
Bern, 4.10.2016 - Federal Councillor Sommaruga signed on Tuesday in Colombo, together with Sri Lankan Interior Minister Seneviratne Bandara Nawinne, a bilateral migration agreement. The agreement establishes a foundation for strengthening cooperation with the Sri Lankan authorities on migration matters. It also outlines procedures for the repatriation of persons who will be returned, and thus improves legal security. Before the signing ceremony, Ms. Sommaruga visited the former conflict area in the north of the country, where she met, among others, with Sri Lankan returnees from Switzerland, human rights activists, as well as other representatives of the civil society. On Wednesday, Federal Councillor Sommaruga is scheduled to meet with Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena before travelling to the Indian capital of New Delhi for further talks.