(INDONESIA, LANKAPUVATH) – President Maithripala Sirisena, who is on a State visit to Indonesia to attend the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) Leaders’ Summit, making a statement after holding bilateral discussion with the Indonesian President Joko Widodo stated that his Government and he himself totally committed to further enhancing the relations in all areas of mutual interest between the two countries.
“Sri Lanka and Indonesia share close people to people contacts. We have been partners in many international initiatives such as the Colombo Powers Conference, The Bandung Conference of 1955 and the Non-Aligned Movement”, the President further said.
Following is the full text of the statement made by President Maithripala Sirisena:
His Excellency Joko Widodo, the President of the Republic of Indonesia,
Honourable Ministers,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I am deeply touched by the warm welcome and generous hospitality accorded to me and my delegation. I wish to convey warm greetings from the people of Sri Lanka to the people of Indonesia with whom we share a close and abiding friendship. Your Excellency President Joko Widodo, thank you for the opportunity for me to undertake this historic State visit, which is taking place after several decades, Sri Lanka and Indonesia share close people to people contacts. We have been partners in many international initiatives such as the Colombo Powers Conference, The Bandung Conference of 1955 and the Non-Aligned Movement. We are common inheritors of the Indian Ocean, I congratulate President Joko Widodo on Indonesia’s leadership of IORA and its first ever Leader’s Summit, which has just concluded.
Sri Lanka is deeply grateful for the recent gift of rice from Indonesia, which President Joko Widodo, on my appeal, donated 5,000 metric tonnes to the people of Sri Lanka to meet the shortfall in rice supply. I thank the Government of Indonesia for the hand of friendship to Sri Lanka at this time of need. As His Excellency President Joko Widodo pointed out we had fruitful discussions this morning on several areas of mutual interest. I am pleased with the outcome of our bilateral meeting today.
We have agreed on several concrete initiatives to enhance our relations and partnership, my Government and I personally are committed to further enhance our relations in all areas of mutual interest.
Our two countries will work together to strengthen our economic engagement, cooperate in the areas of food security and agricultural, marine and fisheries, disaster management, development assistance, health sector, technology transfer on railways, aviation, tourism, health, education and research, skills development and vocational training, rubber industry, defence and security as well as other areas of mutual interest.
I have extended an invitation for His Excellency the President Joko Widodo to visit Sri Lanka at an early date. I look forward to receive him in Sri Lanka and to carry forward our discussions in order to further consolidate our relations in the years ahead. Let me conclude by expressing my firm belief that this visit would lead to new and more fruitful chapter in our long standing relations. I am carrying with me very fond memories of this historic visit and your beautiful country.
Thank You.
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