TNAG-1338-FCO40-1770-Visit-by-Margaret-Thatcher--UK-Prime-Minister--to-Beijing-fo-1984 — Page 27

Dear Charles,

CONFIDENTIAL

1

SEAO

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

London SW1A 2AH

23 November 1984

Prime Minister's Visit to Sri Lanka

You will wish to know that, when our High Commissioner at Colombo, Mr Stewart, presented his Credentials to President Jayewardene on 19 November, the President referred to his conversation with the Prime Minister in New Delhi about her visit to Sri Lanka. The President said he hoped that the Prime Minister would stay for "three, or better four, days" adding that "there is so much for her to see." The President clearly assumed that Easter was a firm commitment.

In thinking ahead about possible dates it is also worth noting that the Buddhist new year will fall on 12-13 April. Almost all members of the Sri Lankan Government will be pre-occupied with the celebrations. These are clearly dates to be avoided.

Your ever,

Len Appleyard

(L V Appleyard) Private Secretary

C D Powell Esq 10 Downing Street