Malaysian King extends State visit invitation to President RW in early 2024

The King of Malaysia has extended a formal invitation to Sri Lanka’s President Ranil Wickremesinghe, for a State visit to Malaysia in early 2024. 

The President graciously accepted the invitation, expressing his intent to undertake the visit during either January or February of the upcoming year. 

This significant invitation was personally conveyed by Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, during bilateral discussions held on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York on Wednesday. 

During their meeting, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim emphasised Malaysia’s strong desire to bolster economic ties with Sri Lanka. 

He underlined Malaysia’s eagerness to facilitate increased investments from Malaysian companies in Sri Lanka, recognising the potential for mutual economic growth through such collaborations.  

Furthermore, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim expressed positivity towards Sri Lanka’s proposal to initiate negotiations for a free trade agreement (FTA) between the two nations. Such an agreement could open up new avenues for trade and economic cooperation, benefiting both countries.

In a demonstration of Malaysia’s commitment to regional cooperation and engagement, it was revealed that the Malaysian Foreign Minister is set to attend the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) meeting in Colombo next month. This participation underscores Malaysia’s dedication to fostering collaboration within the region. 

In a show of support and solidarity, Malaysia has also committed to endorsing Sri Lanka’s application for membership in the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), a major regional trade agreement that encompasses a significant portion of the global economy. 

This State visit invitation and the ensuing discussions mark a significant stride in fortifying the diplomatic and economic relationship between Malaysia and Sri Lanka. The visit holds the promise of enhancing cooperation across various domains, ultimately leading to mutual prosperity. 

Foreign Affairs Minister Ali Sabry, Secretary to President Saman Ekanayake, Foreign Secretary Aruni Wijewardane, UN Permanent Representative Mohan Peiris, along with other senior officials from both Sri Lanka and Malaysia attended the meeting.