Sri Lanka and Seychelles to jointly fight drug menace

The President of Seychelles Danny Faure praised President Maithripala Sirisena’s campaign against illegal drugs and said his country would extend its fullest cooperation to Sri Lanka’s endeavour to stop drugs and narcotics smuggling. He said this when he called on President Sirisena at the President’s Official Residence today on Monday.

Two leaders discussed the whole range of bilateral relations, especially about close cooperation in tourism, fisheries and agriculture.

President Faure said Seychelles also faced the menace of drug smuggling and said the two countries could share intelligence on drugs smuggling in their joint fight against drugs.

President Sirisena, referring to the powerful drug cartels, said that even many political leaders also fear to talk against the drug mafia and said he was glad that President Faure fearlessly spoke against drug smugglers. “I consider you a dear friend with a common cause,” President Sirisena said and President Faure replied: “I am strongly with you in our common fight against the drug menace.”

President Faure thanked Sri Lanka for providing high professionals to Seychelles and said: “Our students learn from Sri Lankan teachers, your doctors look after our health and your legal experts provide us excellent judiciary services.” He said former Attorney General of Seychelles Anthony Fernando is also a Sri Lankan and he is now a respected judge. “Now we do not go to Europe for legal expertise, we come to Sri Lanka,” Seychelles President said.

President Faure invited President Sirisena to be the chief guest at a function to be held in October 2018 to mark the 30 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

Seychelles Minister of Fisheries and Agriculture Michael Benstrong, Presidential Secretary Aude Labaleine, Sri Lankan Foreign Secretary Esala Weerakoon and Seychelles Ambassador David Pierre also participated in the discussions.