Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywar-dena said that Turkey was one of the first countries to recognize Sri Lanka after its independence and ever since Turkey had stood by Sri Lankans in many exigency situations.

The Speaker was grateful to Turkey for medical donations dispatched to Sri Lanka recently to fight the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Speaker said this at the Sri Lanka – Turkey Parliamentary Friendship Association meeting held in Parliament recently. Rakibe Demet Sekercioglu, Ambassador of the Republic of Turkey to Sri Lanka and several Cabinet Ministers, State Ministers and Members of Parliament were present at the meeting.

State Minister Susil Premajayantha, was appointed as the President of the Sri Lanka – Turkey Parliamentary Friendship Association and Parliamentarians J. C. Alawathuwala, Rishad Bathiudeen, and Mohamed Muzammil were appointed as the Vice Presidents of the Association.

MP Harshana Rajakaruna was appointed as the Secretary and MP Ishak Rahuman, was appointed as the Treasurer.

Before the election of the officer-bearers of the Sri Lanka – Turkey Parliamentary Friendship Association the Speaker made the welcome speech.

Speaker Abeywardena said: “On behalf of the Parliament of Sri Lanka, I warmly welcome this distinguished gathering present here today at this meeting to revive the Sri Lanka – Turkey Parliamentary Friendship Association for the 9th Parliament.

Sri Lanka and Turkey relations have a deep history dating back to the 19th century and the ties have been further strengthened and consolidated subsequent to the opening of resident diplomatic representations of the two countries: in Ankara in 2012 and in Colombo in 2013.

Sri Lanka – Turkey relations expanded to Trade, Economic, Defence, Tourism and Educational cooperation and currently enjoy extremely friendly and brotherly relations which continue to flourish and strengthen day-by-day.

I must not forget to mention here that Sri Lankans always admire friendship of Turkey as a true friend and Turkey stood by Sri Lankans in many exigency situations. With much gratitude, we remember that President Recep Erdogan, when he was Prime Minister in 2005 visited Sri Lanka after the tsunami in 2004 and gifted a housing settlement in “Midigama”, South of Sri Lanka for the families affected by the disaster.

Sri Lanka and Turkey have also worked closely in various international fora including at the United Nations in relation to Counter Terrorism Conventions. Although the two countries have already strengthened Economic and technical cooperation with each other by signing several agreements, I believe that there is still much room for enhancement of bilateral cooperation.

At the conclusion, I wish the success for future activities of this Association, and hope that the Sri Lanka – Turkey Parliamentary Friendship Association will further enhance the cordial relationship that exists between our two countries for many decades to come.’’

MPs Lasantha Alagiyawanna, Dayasiri Jayasekara, Vijitha Berugoda, Mayadunna Chinthaka Amal, A. Aravindh Kumar, Ashok Abeysinghe, Sivagnanam Shritharan, Chandima Weerakkody, S.M.M. Muszhaaraff, A.L.M. Athaullah, Charles Nirmalanathan, Imthiaz Bakeer Markar, Ali Sabri Raheem, W.H.M. Dharmasena, Velu Kumar, Niroshan Perera and Yadamini Gunawardena participated in the meeting.