Foreign Minister of Sri Lanka and Myanmar hold talks to further strengthen bilateral relations

Minister of External Affairs Prof.G.L.Peiris has hold bilateral discussions with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Union of Myanmar Wunna Maung Lwin. The two ministers agreed to work together regarding bilateral issues both in international and regional level. The Myanmar minister also assured that his country will extend fullest support for the holding of the 150th anniversary of the Higher Ordination of the Ramanya Nikaya, to be held in Sri Lanka in June this year.

               Emphasis was placed in the talks on the promotion of Buddhist pilgrim tourism as a means of enhancing people to people interaction and direct airline connectivity was discussed as well. The Ministers agreed to establish a mechanism for bilateral political consultation led by the Foreign Secretaries to improve the understanding of the policy perspectives of the two countries.

              Minister Perris also conveyed to his Myanmar counterpart the interest shown by Sri Lankan banks to open branches in Myanmar. Attention was paid also to the expansion of trade and investment and in particular, to the relaxation of import and export procedures. To facilitate all these matters an early meeting of the Joint Commission was agreed upon.