A Sri Lankan delegation headed by the Minister of Energy Udaya Gammanpila visited the Islamic Republic of Iran from 24-27 September 2021 at the invitation of the Minister of Petroleum of Iran. The Embassy of Sri Lanka in Tehran facilitated a number of meetings and events for the Minister and the accompanying delegation from the Ministry of Energy of Sri Lanka.
Minister Udaya Gammanpila met Minister of Petroleum of Iran Dr. Javad Owji and discussed issues of mutual interests and agreed to study the ways and means to further strengthen energy cooperation between the two countries. The Sri Lankan delegation also met Governor of the Central Bank of Iran Dr. Akbar Komijani, and discussed modalities to establish a mechanism between the two countries for the settlement of outstanding payments.
The Sri Lankan delegation met Deputy Foreign Minister for Economic Diplomacy of Iran Mahdi Safari. During the meeting, the two sides underscored the importance of convening Joint Commission for Economic Cooperation between the two countries at a mutually convenient date.
The delegation also had a fruitful discussion with the Ambassador of Turkmenistan Gurbanov Ahmet Kakabayevich in Tehran. During the discussion, the need of boosting the relations in the fields of trade, investment, energy and tourism between Sri Lanka and Turkmenistan were highlighted.
The Embassy of Sri Lanka in Tehran arranged several productive meetings with private sector prominent businessmen and heads of tourist sector associations in Iran during the Minister’s visit to the Embassy premises in Tehran. At the discussions, Minister Gammanpila outlined the steps being taken by the Government of Sri Lanka to retain and re-boost specially economic, trade and tourism sectors in the country which are adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Iranian Petroleum Ministry arranged site visits to Tehran Oil Refinery and Gas Station Museum in coordination with the Embassy. The delegation was warmly welcome by the respective heads.
Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Iran G.M.V. Wishwanath Aponsu participated during the meetings with Sri Lankan delegation led by Minister Udaya Gammanpila, Secretary K.D.R. Olga and Deputy General Manager of Ceylon Petroleum Corporation Mahendra Gurusinghe formed the rest of delegation.
Embassy of Sri Lanka
Tehran
30 September 2021
