Foreign Minister calls on Malaysian King and Prime Minister

Lanka, Malaysia celebrate 50 years of diplomatic relations this year:

MALAYSIA:Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama who is on an official visit to Malaysia was a special guest at the 50th Independence Anniversary celebrations at Merdeka Square, Kuala Lumpur yesterday.

The Foreign Minister who was among the Heads of State, Government and Special Envoys invited to Malaysia for the ceremonies, represented the Sri Lanka Government at the celebrations which included independence parades, cultural performances and special commemorative events.

Later in the afternoon, the Foreign Minister called on the King of Malaysia at the Melawati Palace in Putrajaya.

Bogollagama also met Malaysian Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmed Badawi who acknowledged the presence of over 150, 000 Malaysians of Sri Lankan origin and recognised their contribution towards the development of the country.

It was noted that Sri Lanka and Malaysia were celebrating 50 years of diplomatic relations this year, with Sri Lanka being one of the first countries to have established diplomatic relations with Malaysia at the dawn of independence.

Bogollagama also visited the Buddhist Maha Viharaya and participated in religious observances conducted by over 70 Buddhist monks led by the Maha Nayake of Malaysia, the Most Venerable K. Sri Dhammaratana.

The Foreign Minister also presented the proposals for the establishment of the International Buddhist Zone in Piliyandala, which was accepted by the Maha Nayake Thera, who gave assurances of Malaysia’s support in the project.

The Foreign Minister met with several leading Malaysian investors including the Chief Executive and Managing Director Dato Krishnan Tan Boon Feng of IJM Corporation Berhad, Chief Executive of the Construction Industry Development Board of Malaysia, Datuk Ir. Hamzah Hasan, Chairman of Tritel Pvt. Ltd.

Tan Sri Arumugam and Malaysia Telecom Chairman, Tan Sri Radzi Mansor and had discussions with emphasis on the development of the Eastern Province.

Bogollagama also met second Foreign Minister of Brunei, Pehin Dato Lim Jock Seng and the French Minister of Immigration, Integration, National Identity and Co-development, Brice Hortefeux.

Bogollagama explored the prospects of enhancing ties between Brunei and Sri Lanka for further economic and investment promotions. Brunei second Foreign Minister offered scholarships to Sri Lankan students to study in Brunei and Bogollagama said this would particularly benefit the children of the Eastern province.

During the discussions with the French Minister, the two sides reviewed issues of common interest, while Hortefuex informed Bogollagama of the possible employment opportunities available for Sri Lankans in the Services and Information Technology sectors in France.