PM hopes to reach agreements with New Zealand benefitting Sri Lanka, during visit

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and his team left for New Zealand yesterday on an official state visit at the invitation of New Zealand Prime Minister John Key. Prime Minister Wickremesinghe will visit New Zealand from 1-3 October.

The Premier said his goal during the visit is to engage in bilateral discussions covering the development of Economic, Social and Political relations between the two nations.

“Together with our long-term ally New Zealand, we hope to obtain technical assistance with regards to improving the game of Cricket in Sri Lanka.,” the Prime Minister Wickremesinghe said in a statement.

“While I hope to attend the special gathering in Auckland organised by the New Zealand Sri Lanka Foundation’ (an Organisation founded by Sri Lankan’s living in New Zealand), I also look forward to attending a meeting which is scheduled in the New Zealand Parliament, by Asian experts residing in the Country,” he added.

The PM said he intends to hold the primary discussions necessary to reach agreements that would benefit the country during this tour, which is a special one, as it is the first time a Sri Lankan Prime Minister will participate in an official state tour of New Zealand.

Announcing the Sri Lankan PM’s visit his New Zealand counterpart said that under Prime Minister Wickremesinghe’s leadership, Sri Lanka has entered a new phase in its post-civil war development.

“New Zealand is keen to support the important steps the country is making towards reconciliation and rebuilding through increased political and economic contact,” Key said.

Prime Minister Wickremesinghe will be accompanied by his wife, Professor Maithree Wickremesinghe, four Sri Lankan Ministers, and a Sri Lankan business and media delegation.

Wickremesinghe and his delegation will be formally welcomed in a ceremony at Government House in Auckland on 1 October, to be followed by bilateral talks.