SL and Netherlands agree to boost ties

The Ambassador of the Netherlands to Sri Lanka Tanja Gonggrijp paid a courtesy call on Foreign Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris on Wednesday 25 August at the Foreign Ministry in Colombo. Ambassador Gonggrijp extended her warm felicitations to Foreign Minister Peiris at the outset of the courtesy meeting. 

During discussions, Foreign Minister Peiris highlighted the long and fruitful relationship between Sri Lanka and the Netherlands which has influenced the legal system, architecture, cuisine, culture and lifestyle, as well as various facets of the socio-political system in Sri Lanka. Minister Peiris in this regard made specific reference to the legacy of Roman Dutch law which has contributed to the evolution of the Sri Lankan legal system. 

With regard to contemporary relations, Foreign Minister Peiris reiterated the strong resolve of the Government of Sri Lanka to reinforce areas of cooperation with the Netherlands in the political, economic and cultural spheres, enhance connectivity and people-to-people interactions, as well as to further strengthen collaboration in multilateral fora. 

Reciprocating the sentiments of Foreign Minister Peiris, Ambassador Gonggrijp elaborated on the many areas of synergy and cooperation existing between Sri Lanka and the Netherlands which are harnessed for mutual benefit. In this regard, Ambassador Gonggrijp referred to Dutch technical expertise in the fields of agriculture, dairy industry, culture, heritage management and restoration, which are being utilised in programmes of ongoing collaboration with Sri Lanka. 

Ambassador Gonggrijp also referred to value-added production and exports in the agriculture sector, capacity building in the dairy sector, and use of organic fertiliser and sustainable agriculture in Sri Lanka, as areas where there can be further collaboration with the Netherlands. There was agreement to further explore areas of synergy for mutual benefit.

State Minister for Regional Cooperation Tharaka Balasuriya, Foreign Secretary Admiral Prof. Jayanath Colombage and senior officials of the Foreign Ministry participated in the meeting.