Sri Lanka, Aug. 17 -- The UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief, Ahmed Shaheed, commencing his official visit to Sri Lanka, called on Foreign Affairs Minister Tilak Marapana Friday at the Ministry.

The Special Rapporteur is undertaking this visit in response to the standing invitation extended to all thematic UN special procedures mandate holders by Sri Lanka in 2015.

This is the 10th such visit by a special procedures mandate holder to the country in the past four years.

The Special Rapporteur while thanking the Government for the invitation, acknowledged the difficulties and sensitivities faced by the country particularly in the aftermath of the Easter Sunday incidents.

He particularly appreciated the manner in whic...