අමාත්‍යාංශයේ මාධ්‍ය නිවේදන

The good offices of New Zealand, a major supporter of UN peacekeeping operations, to increase Sri Lanka’s contribution to these operations and greater engagement with New Zealand to expand the scope for Sri Lanka’s involvement in this area were discussed at the meeting of the Foreign Ministers of the two countries in Auckland on Thursday, 8^th May 2014. 

External Affairs Minister Professor G L Peiris held bilateral discussions with Mr Murray McCully, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Sports, at the Foreign Ministry in Auckland, during his official visit to New Zealand.

The Sri Lankan Minister expressed a wish to explore New Zealand’s excellent technology in the production of geothermal energy for power generation.  As Sri Lanka seeks to diversify its energy sources and become less dependent on fossil fuels, it was suggested that this could be one option that could lead to a productive partnership with New Zealand. 

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     Turning a new chapter in the history of Sri Lanka – Africa relations, the Commission of the African Union granted Sri Lanka Accreditation Status in the African Union (AU) with effect from April 2014 as a non-A ...

Australia’s Defence Minister Senator David Johnston expressed appreciation of the role played by Sri Lanka in combating people smuggling and other illegal activities and underlined Australia’s resolve to work closely with Sri Lanka in this area.

He made these remarks at a meeting with Professor G L Peiris, Minister of External Affairs, in Parliament in Canberra on Tuesday.

The two Ministers discussed the work of the Joint Working Group and declared their satisfaction with the progress made. They considered the priorities for the future.

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The second round of talks between India and Sri Lanka on comprehensive civil nuclear cooperation was held on 5-6 May 2014 in Colombo.  The two delegations were led by senior government officials of the respective countries. The talks were held in a warm and cordial atmosphere, on the draft text of a comprehensive Agreement on Bilateral Civil Nuclear Cooperation.

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The 9th Round of the bilateral political consultations between Sri Lanka and China was convened at the Ministry of External Affairs on 24th April 2014, co-chaired by His Excellency Liu Zhenmin, the Vice Minister of Fo ...

The Government of Sri Lanka strongly condemns the twin blasts that took place at the Chennai Central Railway Station this morning, (1st May 2014) on a train that had arrived from Bengalooru. The people of Sri Lanka shar ...

Sri Lanka and Bahrain have agreed to further broaden and deepen their bilateral engagement in diverse fields of mutual interest. This outcome was reached at the official talks that President Mahinda Rajapaksa held with His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa of Bahrain, during his State visit to the Kingdom of Bahrain on 28-30 April 2014, the first State visit to Bahrain by a Head of State of Sri Lanka. Both leaders agreed on the importance of enhancing   high-level political exchanges, trade and economic relations and people-to-people linkages.

President Rajapaksa was accorded a ceremonial welcome on arrival in the capital, Manama on 28^th April and hosted to an official banquet in his honour by the King of Bahrain, which was preceded by official discussions.

On the same day, President Rajapaksa was awarded the prestigious Order of Al-Khalifa Medal, the highest State honour in the Kingdom of Bahrain. During the ceremony, the King of Bahrain, His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa said the medal was being presented to President Rajapaksa “in appreciation of your Excellency and your friendly country, and in recognition of the efforts you are personally exerting to move with bilateral ties to a higher level of development and progress.”

The Order of Al-Khalifa was founded in 1940 and revived in the 1970s. The medal honours the dedication of the late Amir Sheikh Isa bin Salman Al-Khalifa to humanitarianism. Upon receiving the medal, President Rajapaksa said, “I am humbled and honoured,” and said, “With Bahrain, we seek to build an enhanced dynamic partnership. The kind words, gracious hospitality and warm interactions will leave enduring and fond memories of this state visit, for me and my delegation, which undoubtedly will translate into active cooperation.”

Other bilateral engagements included a meeting with the Prime Minister, His Royal Highness Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa. During the official meetings, the two sides underlined their close bilateral ties, entrenched in their shared history and rich cultures, sustained by the growing economic linkages and close people-to-people contacts. The wide-ranging discussions were held in a sincere, friendly and forward-looking atmosphere with a useful exchange of views on bilateral, regional and multilateral issues of mutual interest.

President Rajapaksa was accompanied by a high-level delegation including Minister of External Affairs, Prof. G. L. Peiris, high ranking senior government officials and business leaders from Sri Lanka.

The Joint Statement issued at the end of President Rajapaksa’s State visit to the Kingdom of Bahrain is attached.

Ministry of External Affairs
Colombo
 
30 April 2014

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