Sri Lanka and the Philippines further cemented relations with the signature of Visa Waiver Agreement for Diplomatic and Official Passport Holders on Friday, 7th October 2016 at the Carlos P. Garcia Conference Room of the Department of Foreign Affairs in Manila.
The Agreement facilitates holders of Diplomatic and Official Passports of the two countries to enter and stay in the territory of either country up to thirty (30) days without having to obtain prior visa.
The signing of the Agreement is a significant milestone of the bilateral relations as the two countries reach 55 years of Diplomatic relations in 2016.
Philippines Secretary of Foreign Affairs, Hon. Perfecto R. Yasay,Jr., and Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to the Philippines Mrs. Aruni Ranaraja signed the Agreement on behalf of the two countries.
The Agreement shall enter into force when the two Parties inform each other of the completion of internal procedures and the respectivemechanisms being put in place.
This is the second successive Agreement concluded between the Governments of Sri Lanka and the Philippines during this year demonstrating inter-alia the strong, mutual desire and commitment of the two countries to further elevate the existing close and friendly relations.
Assistant Secretary Millicent Cruz-Paredes of the Office of Asian and Pacific Affairs, Ambassador Leah Basinag-Ruiz, Chief Coordinator, Office of the Secretary, Assistant Secretary Frank R. Cimafranca of Office of the Consular Affairs, Ms. Angelica C. Escalona, Executive Director of Consular Affairs, Mr. Raly L. Tejada, Executive Director of Protocol, Ms. Leah C. Rodriguez, Director of Public Diplomacy,Ms. Jaybee B. Arguillas, Principal Assistant of Visa Division, Office of Consular Affairs and Mrs. Sewwandi de Silva, Second Secretary & Head of Chancery of the Embassy of Sri Lanka, were present at the signing ceremony on Friday.
Embassy of Sri Lanka
Manila
07 October 2016
