Lanka, Maldives sign MoU:

Construction training for Maldivians in Lanka

Chandima Edirimanna

The construction sector can be considered as the foundation for a country’s economic growth, Construction, Engineering Services, Housing and Common Amenities Minister Wimal Weerawansa said when he signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Maldivian Housing and Environment Ministry at a ceremony in Colombo yesterday.

Under the terms of this MoU Maldivian students in the construction industry will receive training.

They will recieve training at the Institute of Construction Training and Development (ICTAD) affiliated to the Construction, Engineering Services, Housing and Common Amenities Ministry of Sri Lanka.

Minister Weerawansa said the Republic of Maldives is a longstanding friend and neighbour of Sri Lanka.

This friendship had strengthened under the tenure of President Mahinda Rajapaksa who is a true friend of the Maldives. The ICTAD is a leading construction training institute in the Asian Region and students undergoing training under it would be able to emerge as future leaders of their countries.

Maldivian Housing and Environment Minister Mohamed Aslam said people in Sri Lanka and the Maldives had close affinities in their physical features as well as their activities.

The Maldives would be ever grateful to Sri Lanka and its Construction Engineering Services, Housing and Common Amenities Ministry for providing training opportunities for its youth under the terms of the MoU.

Deputy Minister Lasantha Alagiyawanne and other officials were also present.