Reconciliation through poverty elimination and economic progress: President

Saturday, 23 July 2016 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

President Maithripala Sirisena says Sri Lanka’s policy is to achieve development and eliminate poverty from the country. He said it was the way to ensure reconciliation in the country.

He was speaking after accepting credentials from the new ambassadors of Portugal, Ireland, Mexico and Greece.

Melba Pria Olavarriet, the Mexican Ambassador to Sri Lanka, said that while Sri Lankan tea was famous throughout the world, Sri Lankan cinnamon was equally popular in Mexico and 80% of the country’s cinnamon requirement came from Sri Lanka.

“Sri Lanka and Greece have been continuing trade relations for a long time. The two countries should further strengthen cooperation on naval and maritime affairs,” the new Greek Ambassador Panos Kalogeropoulos said.

Portuguese Ambassador Joado Carmo Ataide da Camara stated that Portugal and Sri Lanka should improve their friendship and cooperation.

Irish Ambassador Brian McElduff said that there were similarities between the education systems of Ireland and Sri Lanka and the two countries could enhance their cooperation in education. “We can share our experience in this regard,” he said.

Responding to the new diplomats, the President said Sri Lanka was friendly to all countries. “Our objective is to provide every good thing to our people, offered by foreign countries,” he said.

Speaking at the occasion, Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera said that while Sri Lanka was considering trade agreements with India and Pakistan, it would expand its cooperation with China as well in the future.

Secretary to the President P. B. Abeykoon and Secretary to the Foreign Ministry Chitranganee Wagiswara were also present at the event.