Colombo: Maithripala Sirisena, President of Sri Lanka, received on Friday UAE Foreign Minister Shaikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan who is currently on a visit to Sri Lanka.
Shaikh Abdullah conveyed to President Sirisena the greetings of President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, and their wishes for further progress and prosperity to the people of Sri Lanka.
Shaikh Abdullah emphasised the importance of enhancing economic and commercial cooperation between the two countries and to tap investment opportunities in the fields of tourism, food security, fisheries and energy.
The President of Sri Lanka welcomed Shaikh Abdullah and reciprocated the greetings to Shaikh Khalifa, Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid and Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed.
He expressed his country’s keenness to develop its relations with the UAE. The meeting was attended by the UAE Ambassador to Colombo, Abdul Hamid Abdul Fattah Kazim Al Mulla.
The Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, Ranil Wickremesinghe, also met Shaikh Abdullah.
The meeting touched on bilateral relations and ways to enhance them, particularly in economic and investment areas. They also discussed regional and international issues of mutual interest.
Shaikh Abdullah said during the meeting that the UAE was keen on strengthening its cooperation with Sri Lanka in all fields. He also said he was proud of the progressive relations between the two countries.
Shaikh Abdullah also expressed appreciation of the effective role played by the Sri Lankan labour force in the UAE and their contribution to the country’s development projects. He stressed the importance of exchanging visits by officials in the two countries to open new avenues for cooperation.
The Sri Lankan Prime Minister praised the attractive investment environment in the UAE which made it a key regional hub and a prime destination for international companies.
He also expressed gratitude to the UAE for the excellent care given to the members of the Sri Lankan community and the support given to his country during times of difficulties.
Shaikh Abdullah also met on Saturday with his Sri Lankan counterpart, Mangala Samaraweera, and discussed with him bilateral relations and ways to boost cooperation between the two countries.
They also exchanged views on current regional and international developments, as well as issues of mutual interest.
The meeting was attended by Al Mulla.
