GL discusses targets, time frames with Lankan Heads of Mission in Asean

External Affairs Minister Professor G.L. Peiris participates in the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore on security in the region, to have comprehensive discussion with Sri Lankan Heads of Mission in Asean capitals on priorities with regard to their work in the next six months.

Minister Peiris, in his remarks to the Heads of Mission, emphasised the need to define objectives dearly and to work towards their accomplishment within a specified period, to achieve optimal results.

Among the objectives stressed by the Minister were the exploitation of market potential in trade, investment and tourism, the promotion of scientific, cultural and intellectual exchanges, while encouraging people to people contacts, facilitating the protection of Sri Lanka's political and security interests, and the devising of strategies for a collective approach to Asean, as well as individual bilateral approaches in respect of each member State.

Minister Peiris also touched on the energy sector, promotion of migrant labour and knowledge transfer.

Those participating were Ambassador in Indonesia Major General (Retired) Nanda Mallawarachchi, High Commissioner in Malaysia Dr D.D. Ranasinghe, Ambassador in Myanmar Newton Gunaratne, Ambassador in the Philippines Bennet Cooray, High Commissioner in Singapore I.R. Samarakone, Ambassador in Thailand Prof J.B. Dissanayake and Ambassador in Vietnam Dr K.G. Ivan Amarasinghe.

The priorities identified for Indonesia were investment, trade and tourism promotion.

For Myanmar, emphasis was placed on the promotion of Buddhist culture and tourism, as well as the projection of Sri Lanka as a destination for higher education for Myanmar students.

The appropriate areas identified for the Philippines were increased training opportunities for Sri Lankans at the International Rice Research Institute and the Colombo Plan Staff College, especially in the information technology and the vocational training fields, and systematic training facilities for Sri Lankan migrant workers.

For Thailand, the objectives spell out were the promotion of Buddhist pilgrimages to Sri Lanka, training facilities and the use of advanced technology in the field of gems and jewellery, value addition for agricultural exports and higher education opportunities for Sri Lankan students in universities like Chulalonkom and Thammasat.

The main activity for Vietnam was follow up action after the recent official visit of President Mahinda Rajapaksa to Hanoi and Ho Chi Min City, and in particular arrangements regarding the visit of a business delegation from Vietnam to Sri Lanka.

The priorities for Singapore were investment and trade, and the securing of training opportunities for Sri Lankans in the fields of law, IT, policy studies and technical disciplines.

For Malaysia, in addition to foreign direct investment, the areas of IT services, logistics, education, health services and the pharmaceutical sector were identified.

In response to the Minister's invitation, each of the Heads of Mission made presentations with the focus on a results oriented approach.