Following the US decision to move a second resolution on Sri Lanka at the upcoming UN sessions, Foreign and Commonwealth Office Minister for South Asia Alistair Burt arrived here on Thursday morning for what is tipped to be a crucial meeting with government officials.

The British embassy reported Burt's second visit to the country in the statement.

It further added that during his two-day visit, the minister will meet senior members of the government and opposition parties, the business community and International Non-governmental Organizations.

According to the embassy he will also visit Sri Lanka's former war-torn Northern Province.

On Monday a visiting US delegation headed by Deputy Assistant Secretary of State James Moore, announced that a fresh resolution on Sri Lanka would be moved at the UN Human Rights Council sessions next month.

Moore insisted that this was due to the government dragging its feet on crucial human rights and reconciliation measures, which the government has vehemently denied.

On Wednesday Sri Lanka's External Affairs Minister Prof G.L. Peiris protested the US decision to move a second resolution at the UN insisting that it would undermine local processors for reconciliation.

He had charged at a meeting with Moor that the government has consistently cooperated with UN agencies and voluntarily participated in the Universal Periodic Review and as such did not merit such action.

Burt's visit also comes ahead of Commonwealth Secretary General Kamalesh Sharma's visit to Sri Lanka in February.

Earlier this month Canada began to push for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) to be withdrawn from being hosted by Sri Lanka through the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG).

CHOGM is the highest decision making body for the Commonwealth.

The Sri Lankan government is expected to raise the issue with Sharma during his visit.