Assisting Lanka’s development, a pleasure - Singapore PM

Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong appreciated the fast development achievements of Sri Lanka after facing a three decades long menace of terrorism. He said he is happy about the opportunity available for Singapore to assist in the efforts made by Sri Lanka.

He made this statement when President Mahinda Rajapaksa, who is on a two-day official visit to Singapore met him yesterday at Singapore President’s official residence Istana Palace. At this meeting, special attention was focused on the need to consolidate the trade and investment opportunities between the two countries.

The President who explained matters relating to the provision of infrastructure facilities provided throughout the country including the North and the East, gave a detailed account of the progress made after defeating terrorism in the resettlement of displaced persons.

Singapore Prime Minister who responded positively to the request made by President Rajapaksa for assistance in areas including Higher Education and Information Technology, to make Sri Lanka the hub of knowledge as spelt out in the Mahinda Chintana - Idiri Dekma, pledged to provide his maximum support and that of his country. The two leaders further discussed the course of action that can be taken by their respective countries in extending co-operation in various aspects in the tourist industry.

Singapore Prime Minister who said he was happy about the opportunity afforded to Sri Lanka to host the Commonwealth Summit in 2013 pledged to provide technological and management facilities on this occasion.

Prime Minister Lee Loong said that increased training facilities could be provided to Sri Lankan Public Servants in Singapore.

Trade, Industries and Home Affairs Senior Minister in Singapore S Eswaran, Singapore External Affairs Minister K Shanmugam, External Affairs Minister Prof G L Peiris, Parliamentarian Sajin Vass Gunawardena, Secretary to the President Lalith Weeratunga, High Commissioner for Sri Lanka in Singapore, Ferial Ashraff and Central Bank Governor Ajith Nivard Cabral participated.