News

Lanka and Turkey renew commitment to boost ties with fresh moves

Published

3 years ago

2022/02/1

Sri Lanka and Turkey last week renewed commitment to boost bilateral ties with fresh moves with the visit of latter’s Foreign Minister Mevlüt Cavusoglu.

In a significant move aimed at expanding cross-border trade and investment, the two Ministers signed an Agreement on the Avoidance of Double Taxation (DTAA) during the visit.

Foreign Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris underscored the “warm, cordial and mutually supportive partnership” existing between Sri Lanka and Turkey at a bilateral meeting with the Foreign Minister Cavusoglu on Friday.

In this regard, Minister Prof Peiris welcomed the desire demonstrated by Turkey to forge even closer cooperation with Sri Lanka in the framework of its ‘Asia Anew Initiative’.

Turkish Foreign Minister Cavusoglu highlighted the importance placed by Turkey in its bilateral relations with Sri Lanka “as a friend, ally and valued partner”.

Foreign Minister Prof Peiris acknowledged with appreciation the principled position maintained by Turkey with regard to the process of reconciliation in Sri Lanka, and the solidarity demonstrated in regional and multilateral fora. Elaborating further, the Minister emphasised the necessity to address residual issues of reconciliation through a credible, inclusive domestic process, while safeguarding the rights of all communities and people living in Sri Lanka.

The two Foreign Ministers discussed the furtherance of political, economic and cultural relations between the two countries. Highlighting the importance of economic cooperation, they identified the need to further diversify trade and work steadily towards the achievement of the $ 500 million per annum trade volume target, as identified at the second session of the Sri Lanka-Turkey Joint Committee on Economic and Technical Cooperation (JCETC) held in June 2021. The promotion of investment and business-to-business linkages, enhancement of tourism and connectivity, and potential new areas of collaboration were discussed. Minister Peiris appreciated the role of Turkish Airlines in enhancing connectivity between Sri Lanka and European destinations, thus leading to the promotion of trade and tourism.

The two Minsters also deliberated on other areas of mutual interest comprising of defence, security and counter-terrorism cooperation, and looked forward to the exchange of high-level visits in the future.

Minister Peiris expressed Sri Lanka’s deep appreciation to the Government of Turkey for the medical aid donated through the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA) in 2021 to mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the humanitarian assistance extended in terms of housing construction in southern Sri Lanka in the aftermath of the 2004 tsunami.

The State Minister for Regional Cooperation Tharaka Balasuriya, Foreign Secretary Admiral Prof. Jayanath Colombage and senior officials of the Foreign Ministry were present at the bilateral meeting.

Foreign Minister Cavusoglu was accompanied by the Ambassador of Turkey to Sri Lanka and Advisors to the Foreign Minister.

The Turkish Foreign Minister also paid a courtesy call on President Gotabaya Rajapaksa during the visit.

This was the second visit to Sri Lanka by Foreign Minister Cavusoglu, who previously visited in June 2016.

All News Advertisement

Latest News

Heat index is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in Eastern and North-central provinces and Monaragala, Hambantota, Jaffna, Mullaittivu, Kilinochchi, Vavuniya and Kurunegala districts

Published

12 hours ago

2025/04/27

Priyan

Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre of the Department of Meteorology at 3.30 p.m. 26 April 2025, valid for 27 April 2025.

The public are warned that the Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in Eastern and North-central provinces and Monaragala, Hambantota, Jaffna, Mullaittivu, Kilinochchi, Vavuniya and Kurunegala districts.

The Heat Index Forecast is calculated by using relative humidity and maximum temperature and this is the condition that is felt on your body. This is not the forecast of maximum temperature. It is generated by the Department of Meteorology for the next day period and prepared by using global numerical weather prediction model data.

Effect of the heat index on human body is mentioned in the above table and it is prepared on the advice of the Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services.

ACTION REQUIRED

Job sites: Stay hydrated and takes breaks in the shade as often as possible.
Indoors: Check up on the elderly and the sick.
Vehicles: Never leave children unattended.
Outdoors: Limit strenuous outdoor activities, find shade and stay hydrated. Dress: Wear lightweight and white or light-colored clothing.

Note:
In addition, please refer to advisories issued by the Disaster Preparedness & Response Division, Ministry of Health in this regard as well. For further clarifications please contact 011-7446491.

Latest News

Minister of Foreign Affairs pays his last respects to Pope Francis

Published

12 hours ago

2025/04/27

Priyan

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Vijitha Herath represented Sri Lanka at the funeral of Pope Francis on Saturday [26]

News

RW to visit CIABOC on Monday

Published

13 hours ago

2025/04/27

Thilina Walpola

Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe will appear before the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery and Corruption (CIABOC) tomorrow (28) over the statement he had made on MP Chamara Sampath Dassanayake, his lawyers have informed the Commission.

Accordingly, the former President will appear before the commission at 9.30am on Monday.

Wickremesinghe was initially summoned by the Commission to CIABOC on April 17 in relation to a statement he had made about the corruption case filed against NDF (gas cylinder) MP Dassanayake.

In response to the previous summons, Wickremesinghe had indicated that he is prepared to appear before the commission but requested a different date citing that his lawyers will not be available in Colombo during the New Year holiday period.

Accordingly, a new was provided and Wickremesinghe requested to appear before the commission at 09.30 a.m. on Thursday (April 25).On April 7, Wickremesinghe had said that MP Dassanayake withdrew the fixed deposits belonging to the Uva Provincial Council, over which he is now facing corruption charges, in accordance with a circular issued during Wickremesingher’s tenure as Prime Minister.

The former President questioned whether the MP’s arrest over the matter was in response to Dassanayake’s vocal criticism of the government in parliament.

The sitting MP is currently in remand custody for allegedly misappropriating a sum of Rs. 1 million of the Uva Provincial Council in 2016.

He was taken into custody on March 27, over three separate corruption-related cases.

The Colombo Magistrate’s Court previously granted bail in the cases filed against him but he remains in remand custody due to an order issued by the Badulla Magistrate’s Court.

According to the CIABOC, Dassanayake had solicited funds from three state banks, claiming they were intended to provide bags for preschool children in the province.

Two banks complied, granting him Rs. 1 million and Rs. 2.5 million, which were later transferred to his foundation account.

However, when a third bank refused to provide funds, Dassanayake reportedly retaliated by withdrawing the Uva Provincial Council’s fixed deposits from that institution.The CIABOC filed a case against the MP, citing the government incurred a financial loss of Rs. 17.3 million due to his actions.