Sri Lanka, Swaziland leaders hold bilateral talks, sign agreements

Sri Lanka and Swaziland Tuesday signed an agreement on Economic, Commercial and Technical Cooperation between the two countries following bilateral discussions held between Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa and the visiting King Mswati III of Swaziland.

King Mswati III accompanied by Queen Inkhosikati LaMahlangu and his delegation arrived in the island yesterday for a three-day State visit at the invitation of President Rajapaksa.

The President and First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa welcomed the visiting King and Quees at the Presidential Secretariat today. The King was received with a guard of honor and introduced to the Sri Lankan delegation.

During bilateral discussions held at the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo, the two leaders have emphasized the importance of exploring possibilities to enhance economic cooperation, diversify products in trade and encourage building private - public partnerships between the two countries, the Sri Lankan government media said.

President Rajapaksa has offered Sri Lanka’s assistance in promoting education and health sectors in Swaziland.

The Swaziland ruler has commended the government’s efforts towards a sustainable development in the country through the reconciliation programme.

“Sri Lanka has demonstrated high resilience to economic shocks which paralyzed many economies of the world during the recent fiscal crisis,” the King has said during the meeting and added that Swaziland hopes to learn from Sri Lanka’s experience.

“Our country was not spared from this crisis and we therefore hope to learn from your experience for the future,” the King has said.

President Rajapaksa has appreciated the support Swaziland extended to Sri Lanka in the international fora, particularly for protecting the territorial integrity and the image of the country.

Minister of External Affairs Prof. G. L. Peiris and Swaziland’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Relations Mmtiti Fakudze have signed the agreements on behalf of the two countries.

The King and his entourage were hosted to a state banquet at the President’s House as well. The Swaziland leader and his delegation are scheduled to take a tour of Diamond Cutting and Polishing of precious stones at the World Trade Centre.

They will also tour a tractor plant in Colombo and observe the developments taking place in Colombo City, Swaziland media reported.

The Swaziland delegation comprises ministers of commerce and trade, foreign affairs, natural resources and energy and officials from the Swaziland Investment Promotion Authority (SIPA), Swaziland Tourism Authority and the Swaziland Aviation Authority.