High Commissioner for Sri Lanka in Pretoria Shehan Ratnavale presented credentials to H.E. the President Hifikepunye Pohamba concurrently accrediting him as the new High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to the Republic of Namibia.
Relations between Namibia and Sri Lanka go back to the days of Namibia’s armed struggle for independence against South African apartheid rule. During the visit the former Prime Minister and current Minister of Defence Hon. Nahas Angula expressed gratitude for the educational training provided at Sri Lankan institutes for Education officers of the South West African Peoples Organization (SWAPO) which now constitute Namibia’s Government.
During the High Commissioner’s visit he had several other meetings, and in view of the long standing links, there are plans to explore training for Namibian personnel in areas such as engineering, medicine and defence. Additionally in view of Namibia’s 1570 KM coastline, trade and cooperation in relation to marine research, maritime security, fishing crafts and ship building were amongst the areas discussed.
Both Namibia and Sri Lanka are members of the Commonwealth but in addition to the CHOGM, it was proposed that independent high level visits between the countries would also serve to enhance bilateral relations.
