Seychelles President in town today

President of Seychelles James Michel will arrive in Sri Lanka today for a three-day official visit.

During his visit from August 20-23, President Michel will meet President Mahinda Rajapaksa and hold bilateral discussions.

On Tuesday (21) President Michel will deliver a lecture on ‘The Role of the Small Island State in the Global Tapestry’ at the Lakshman Kadirgamar Institute for International Relations.

He is also scheduled to meet Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa, External Affairs Minister Prof. G. L. Peiris, and several other key leaders of the Government.

Preceding President Michel’s visit, Foreign Minister of Seychelles Jean Paul Adams visited Sri Lanka and held discussions with his counterpart Prof. Peiris on a multitude of issues that are of mutual interest to both countries.

During his discussions Minister Adams has expressed his desire to start direct air links with Sri Lanka and establish a shipping hub in the country as Seychelles is using many ships built in Sri Lanka.

Seychelles and Sri Lanka have been working very closely as Members of the Indian Ocean Rim Association for Regional Cooperation (IORARC) and as members of the Commonwealth Group.