Sri Lanka High Commission in Ottawa

Pakistan Foreign Minister Qureshi calls for optimising bilateral economic linkages

2019-12-03

Pakistan Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mehmood Qureshi who arrived in Sri Lanka on a two day visit, called on Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena at the Foreign Ministry on Monday (02/12) and discussed the growing bilateral relations that could be further diversified and developed in the main sectors.

The visiting Foreign Minister congratulated Minister Gunawardena on his new assignment and stated that Pakistan looks forward with much enthusiasm in working with Sri Lanka and invited the Minister to visit the country in the near future. Minister Qureshi commended the Sri Lankan government of its efforts in eradicating terrorism and defeating the LTTE and thereby restoring peace in the region which was of vital importance.

The Minister emphasized that the two countries having held longstanding trade ties need to reach a higher level of economic cooperation, which at present has not been fully optimised and there is much potential for economic linkages to be strengthened. He highlighted that Sri Lanka is presently not fully utilizing its credit line of USD 200 million with Pakistan and invited Sri Lanka to make use of the opportunity, especially in the animal husbandry area, which would be beneficial for the country. The Minister also informed that both countries must look towards strengthening the Pakistan-Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement (PSLFTA) which was the first bilateral free trade agreement (FTA) of Pakistan.

He requested the Foreign Ministry to identify potential areas of trade and investment and plan a programme which would introduce the Sri Lankan business sector to visit Pakistan and form linkages with suitable counterparts in Pakistan. He further commended the Sri Lankan government's efforts in strengthening defence cooperation and looked forward to further intelligence sharing to help each other as committed neighbours.

Minister Gunawardena welcomed his Pakistan counterpart and conveyed Sri Lanka’s sincere appreciation for Pakistan’s partnership in multifaceted cooperation including the steadfast support for the country’s development process. The Minister stated that this visit is the first to be made of a Foreign Minister to Sri Lanka following the formation of the Cabinet, after the election of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa. Minister Gunawardena informed his counterpart that Sri Lanka is committed to continuing our partnership in all possible areas of cooperation and looked forward to engaging in the fields of tourism and higher education, in addition to the growing bilateral economic partnership.

Minister Qureshi invited a delegation of Buddhist clergy from Sri Lanka to visit Pakistan and witness the beautiful Buddhist religious sites and travel the country in an effort to invigorate the growing cultural relations.

During the visit, Foreign Minister Qureshi also called on President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa.

The Foreign Minister of Pakistan was accompanied by Director General of South Asia and SAARC of the Pakistan Foreign Ministry Dr . Muhammad Faisal, Acting High Commissioner of Pakistan Tanvir Ahmad, Defence Attache’ Col. Sajjad Ali and Second Secretary of Pakistan High Commission Ayesha Abubakar Fahad.

Foreign Secretary Ravinatha Aryasinha and senior officials of the Ministry were also present at the meeting.

Ministry of Foreign Relations

Colombo

2 December 2019

MEDIA STATEMENT

The attention of the Ministry of Foreign Relations has been drawn to remarks made by Member of Parliament Udaya Gammanpila over media on 3 December 2019 in connection with the reference to Sri Lanka in the election manifesto of the Conservative Party in the run up to the general election in the United Kingdom scheduled for 12 December 2019.

In this regard, the Ministry of Foreign Relations wishes to state that a paragraph on page 53 of the Conservative party manifesto which refers to Sri Lanka is worded as follows:

'We will continue to support international initiatives to achieve reconciliation, stability and justice across the world, and in the former conflict zones such as Cyprus, Sri Lanka and the Middle East, where we maintain our support for a two-state solution;'

Following publication of the manifesto, the High Commission of Sri Lanka in the UK in consultation with the Ministry of Foreign Relations took immediate steps to make strong representation to the Co-Chair of the Conservative Party The Rt. Hon. James Cleverly with regard to the distortion contained in the manifesto in its reference to Sri Lanka. This was conveyed through letter by Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner in the UK Manisha Gunasekera on 27 November 2019 addressed to the Co-Chair of the Conservative party.

The High Commissioner affirmed that the reference to Sri Lanka as a country which requires a two-state solution is unacceptable, and has never been the position of any party in the UK. She reaffirmed that successive British Governments led by all parties have always supported peace and reconciliation in a united Sri Lanka. The High Commissioner therefore requested that the paragraph be suitably amended to accurately reflect the Conservative party position on Sri Lanka. A copy of the letter is annexed herewith for perusal (Annex I)

Subsequent to representation by the High Commissioner through the above submission as well as through outreach to senior representatives of the Conservative party, the Deputy Chair of the Conservative Party Paul Scully issued the following clarification on the subject to the High Commissioner by his email communication of 27 November 2019:

STATE MINISTER THARAKA BALASURIYA DISCUSSES POTENTIAL FOR ENHANCING TOURISM AND ECONOMIC TIES WITH UKRAINIAN COUNTERPARTS

State Minister of Regional Co-operation Tharaka Balasuriya undertook an official visit to Ukraine from 8 – 10 September 2021, to participate in a Sri Lanka tourism promotion campaign and to discuss the potential for enhancing economic cooperation between the two countries.

During the visit, the State Minister participated at a media and tour operator networking session. The event, organized by the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau, attracted representatives from leading media and travel organizations in Ukraine and provided an important opportunity to highlight Sri Lanka’s tourist attractions, particularly emerging sights and travel experiences the country had to offer tourists from Ukraine.

State Minister Balasuriya also met Deputy Foreign Minister of Ukraine Dymtro Senik, Deputy Minister of Economic Development, Trade and Agriculture Taras Kachka and the President of the Ukraine Chamber of Commerce and Industry Gennediy Chyzhykov and members of the Chamber and discussed means of further enhancing economic relations between the two countries, particularly in areas such as agriculture, ICT and tourism.

The State Minister was accompanied by Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Ukraine Rizvi Hassen, Director General of the State Ministry of Regional Cooperation Savitri Panabokke, and Media Secretary of the State Minister Deshan Gonawela,

State Ministry of Regional Cooperation

15 September, 2021

(https://mfa.gov.lk/sm-ukrain/)

H.E the President's interview to The Hindu during the recent visit to #India

H.E the President's interview to The Hindu during the recent visit to #India :https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/need-more-coordination-between-delhi-colombo-says-gotabaya-rajapaksa/article30125809.ece

STATE MINISTER THARAKA BALASURIYA PARTICIPATES IN TOURISM PROMOTION CAMPAIGN IN MOSCOW

State Minister of Regional Co-operation Tharaka Balasuriya undertook an official visit to Russia from 5– 8 September 2021, to participate at the opening of the Sri Lanka pavilion at the “OTDYKH Leisure Fair” and a Sri Lanka tourism promotion campaign in Moscow. Sri Lanka’s participation at these events were organized by the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau targeting the winter season tourists from Russia.

During the visit, the State Minister participated at the opening of the Sri Lanka pavilion at the Leisure Fair, which is the largest travel fair in the country. This year, despite the pandemic situation, the Fair attracted over 6,000 visitors, indicating the strong interest of Russian tourists to travel abroad.

Addressing the media and travel representatives during the tourism promotion event, the State Minister highlighted that beyond the traditional tourist sites, Sri Lanka now offered new experiences and sites for the discerning Russian tourist, from idyllic beaches ideal for surfing to scenic villages in the central mountains. State Minister Balasuriya also highlighted the health measures adopted by the country to ensure the safety of visitors from abroad.

State Minister Balasuriya also held discussions with prominent social media influencers in order to promote Sri Lanka as a tourist destination, as they have a strong impact on young travelers across the world. He also encouraged Russian investments in the tourism sector in Sri Lanka.