President expresses satisfaction over improved cooperation with Turkey

President Maithripala Sirisena has thanked Turkey for the steps taken to strengthen bilateral relations and cooperation. He said Turkish construction companies had partnered in several construction projects including a housing project in Mannar where 100 houses were built.

He made this comment when the outgoing Turkish Ambassador Iskender Kemal Okyay paid a farewell call on President Sirisena at the President’s official residence yesterday.

Ambassador Okyay said that Turkish construction companies were also engaged in several projects implemented in Sri Lanka by the European Union. A Turkish company has won the award to build the new Embassy of the United States in Colombo.

The President thanked him for the services rendered during his tenure to promote bilateral relations between Sri Lanka and Turkey. He made a special mention about the support extended by Turkey to Sri Lanka at various international forums.

The Turkish envoy, on behalf of his Government, invited President Maithripala Sirisena to pay a State visit to Turkey as early as possible. Accepting the invitation, President Sirisena recalled his fond memories of visiting Turkey in 1996.