Jakarta Post: Indonesia is set to give assistance to Sri Lanka in counter-terrorism measures as the two countries have agreed to strengthen bilateral relations in the security and defense sectors following a meeting between President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo and Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe in Jakarta on Wednesday.

Jokowi and Wickremesinghe met at the State Palace to discuss several issues such as security and economic partnership, Foreign Affairs Minister Retno LP Marsudi said.

Prime Minister Wickremesinghe considers Indonesia a role model in counter-terrorism efforts.

“Every time we talk about countering extremism, radicalism and terrorism, we’re invited to contribute. Indonesia is a country with the largest Muslim population in the world but at the same time it has pluralistic communities and has managed to spread tolerance and moderation,” Retno said after a bilateral meeting on Wednesday.

Wickremesinghe expressed his expectation that Indonesia could help his nation combat terrorism and radicalism.

Besides having a bilateral meeting with Jokowi, Wickremesinghe visited Indonesia to also attend the 12th World Islamic Economic Forum held from 2 to 4 August at the Jakarta Convention Center.

Indonesian President offers to help build SL railway system 

Jakarta: Indonesian President Joko Widodo has announced that Indonesia was ready to participate in developing the railway system in Sri Lanka.

During a bilateral meeting with Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe at the Merdeka Palace complex in Jakarta on Wednesday, Jokowi said the countries needed to boost their economic cooperation in the transportation sector, among others.

“Indonesia is ready to participate in developing the railway system in Sri Lanka,” Jokowi said, adding that PM Wickremesinghe had expressed interest in Indonesia’s passenger trains, a Jakarta Post report said.

Indonesia’s State-owned train manufacturer PT Industri Kereta Api (INKA) has shipped 15 passenger cars to Bangladesh in April.

“We have already sent passenger train cars from PT INKA to Bangladesh [...] Now we will take part in procurement in Sri Lanka. We hope we win the procurement [bid] and deliver it to Sri Lanka,” Jokowi said.