Foreign Minister of Canada Stéphane Dion called on President Maithripala Sirisena yesterday and the president briefed him on Sri Lanka's progress on good governance, reconciliation and economic development.

Sirisena apprised the Canadian Foreign Minister of the steps taken in the past 18 months to promote democracy and reconciliation, such as adoption of the 19th Amendment, establishment of the Constitutional Council to appoint members of independent commissions, settlement of the displaced persons and institution of a committee to look into the issues pertaining to missing persons.

Foreign Minister Dion promised that Canada would provide every possible support to the steps taken by the government led by President Maithripala Sirisena to strengthen democracy, the rule of law, reconciliation and economic development.

Dion is the first Canadian Foreign Minister in the island in 13 years.