Minister for Foreign Affairs and Law K Shanmugam, who had been visiting Sri Lanka, said reconstruction efforts in the country's north and eastern areas are substantive and clearly visible

Shanmugam visited the same area two years ago as a new foreign minister.

This time round, he said it was good to see that economic activity there had increased and more children were in schools.

Shanmugam hoped the provinces will overcome the challenges they are facing.

Speaking to Singapore media at the end of his visit, Shanmugam said the recent UN Human Rights Council's resolution against Sri Lanka is best addressed by the country's ministers.

He said: "Our own position has been that there has to be a way of finding closure that is just, that is equitable, and that is acceptable to all the communities -- Sinhalese, Tamils, Muslims, others," CNA/ec said.