Count on Uganda’s continuing support
*President appreciates
Uganda’s backing at UNHRC
*Five bilateral trade
pacts signed
Sri Lanka and Uganda look forward to enhancing bilateral trade
between the two countries, with potential for a significant increase in
many sectors.
During bilateral discussions with Ugandan President Gen. Yoveri
Kaguta Museveni at the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo this morning
President Mahinda Rajapaksa pointed out the need to significantly
enhance trade between the two countries.
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President Mahinda Rajapaksa held
bilateral discussions with Ugandan
President Gen. Yoveri Kaguta
Museveni at the Presidential
Secretariat in Colombo yesterday.
Pictrue by Sudath Silva |
Sri Lanka has a vibrant private sector and we welcome them to
participate in investment in Uganda, which is rich in mineral and other
natural resources, President Museveni said.
“After 30 year conflict, Sri Lanka is finally enjoying durable peace
and political stability,” President Rajapaksa said adding that Sri Lanka
overcame the most ruthless terrorist outfit in the world in 2009, which
assassinated democratic leaders of Sinhala, Tamil and Muslim people.
“They killed a President of Sri Lanka and a Prime Minister of India,”
President Rajapaksa added.
President Rajapaksa appreciated the support extended to Sri Lanka by
Uganda in the international fora, particularly at the UN Human Rights
Council and pre-CHOGM Foreign Minister’s meeting in Perth last year.
The Ugandan President congratulating President Rajapaksa for bringing
peace to Sri Lanka said those alleging human rights violations in Sri
Lanka talk without proper understanding and were superficial.
“We will continue to support for Sri Lanka at international fora, he
said.
Pointing out that there are three mini hydro power projects in Uganda
run by Sri Lankan investors, President Museveni sought more Sri Lankan
investment and expertise to set up further hydro power projects in his
country.
He also expressed willingness to share Sri Lanka’s knowledge and
experience in the apparel sector, and was looking forward to seeing the
development in this sector.
President Rajapaksa said Sri Lanka is happy to assist Uganda in
developing human resources through establishing a vocational training
and technical training institute in Uganda.
“We have allocated over USD 1 million to carry out renovation and do
other infrastructure facilities. We will also upgrade your trainers,” he
said.
The two leaders also discussed air connectivity between the two
countries.
President accepted the proposal made by the Ugandan President to open
a Sri Lankan mission in Uganda .
President Museveni looks forward to visit Sri Lanka at the next CHOGM
in 2013.
Following bilateral discussions, five agreements covering technical
training, economic, commercial and technical cooperation, tourism
cooperation, bilateral political consultation and culture between Sri
Lanka and Uganda were signed by International Monetary Co-operation
Senior Minister and the Finance and Planning Deputy Minister Dr. Sarath
Amunugama, External Affairs Minister Prof. G. L. Peiris, Culture and
Arts Minister T. B. Ekanayake and First Lady and Minister of Karamoja
Affairs Janet Kataha Museveni respectively.
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