Sri Lanka, Seychelles sign three agreements :
We can be a role model to the world - Seychelles President
Sri Lanka and Seychelles signed three agreements yesterday (30)
following bilateral discussions between President Mahinda Rajapaksa who
is currently on a two-day state visit to Seychelles and his Seychelles
counterpart James Alix Michel. The agreements signed were bilateral
air-service agreement, MOU on vocational training and youth development
and MOU on defense cooperation between the two countries, states a
release from the Presidential Spokesman and International Media Unit.
The release adds: "Bilateral discussions between the leaders of Sri
Lanka and Seychelles were held at the State House in Seychelles. "May
the cooperation between our two countries be an example to the world.
Both our countries are island nations.
"Therefore we must make sure our voice is heard. We have already set
an example in the area of climate change. We can be a role model to the
world," President of Seychelles James Alix Michel said during the
discussion.
"President Rajapaksa's visit laid a solid foundation to the bilateral
relation between Sri Lanka and Seychelles; President Michel said adding
that President Rajapaksa is an exemplary leader.
While commending Sri Lanka for progressing on the path of
reconciliation under the leadership of President Rajapaksa, the
Seychelles President said there is an immense opportunity for economic
and trade relations between the two countries at a time Africa is
opening up.
"Visit to Sri Lanka by President Michel was a landmark in bilateral
relations between Sri Lanka and Seychelles, President Rajapaksa said. It
is a great honor to be the first Sri Lankan leader to visit Seychelles,
he added. President Rajapaksa was of the view that visits of this nature
will further enhance south-south cooperation.
President while noting a positive growth in trade between the two
countries announced that a branch of Bank of Ceylon will be open in
Seychelles. Commencing direct flights between Sri Lanka and Seychelles
is specially important because it paves the way to consolidate the
friendship between peoples of two the countries.
"Apprising his Seychelles counterpart of the current situation in Sri
Lanka, President Rajapaksa said "now the 30-year long war is over. Sri
Lanka now enjoys durable peace and stability."
He explained the activities relating to resettlement of the
Internally Displaces Persons in the North of Sri Lanka, restoration of
infrastructure facilities destroyed by terrorists, rehabilitation and
reintegration of combatants, releasing child soldiers just after a month
with the end of the conflict and various ongoing development projects
after the end of the conflict.
"President Rajapaksa also elaborated on the progress made in
implementing the recommendations of the Lessons Learnt and
Reconciliation Commission. The government had so far spent USD 300
million only for the development of North. "Elections to the Northern
Provincial Councils will be held this year. I have made the promise to
the people of my country, not to the international community," he added.
The discussion also focused on several other areas of mutual interest
including fisheries, education, culture, tourism, health and renewable
energy. President Michel commended the assistance of Sri Lanka in
recruiting teachers and said Sri Lanka provides "best teachers."
"When President Rajapaksa said Sri Lanka awaits to welcome Seychelles
to CHOGM 2013, President Michel said "Sri Lanka is a true and sincere
friend. We will continue to support you at international fora."
Vice President of Seychelles Danny Faure and several other ministers,
External Affairs Minister Prof. G. L. Peiris, Sports Minister
Mahindananda Aluthgamage, Public Relations and Public Affairs Minister
Mervyn Silva, Monitoring MP of the Ministry of External Affairs Sajin De
Vaas Gunawardene, Members Parliament Lohan Ratwatte and Lakshman
Wasantha Perera, Secretary to the President Laith Weeratunga and Central
Bank Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal are accompanied the President. |