HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani and Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena witness the signing of an agreement in Colombo yesterday.
QNA/Colombo
HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani held a round of official talks with Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena here yesterday.
President Sirisena expressed his happiness at the visit of the Emir and the accompanying delegation. The president praised the strength of bilateral relations between Qatar and Sri Lanka. Sirisena said that the talks will focus on enhancing bilateral co-operation in the economic fields.
The Emir expressed delight at visiting Sri Lanka and stressed that both sides are looking to enhance co-operation in the economic and investment fields. The Emir thanked the president of Sri Lanka for the reception.
During the talks, the two countries focused on enhancing bilateral relations in all fields. They also reviewed regional and international developments.
Members of the official delegation accompanying the Emir and ministers of the Sri Lankan cabinet attended the talks.
According to the Sri Lankan media, the two sides signed three agreements for co-operation in sports, youth affairs and media sectors.
The memorandums of understanding (MoU) for strengthening co-operation in the field of sports will focus on the development of sports for handicapped persons and sports facilities.
During the official talks, the Emir pledged to widen the investment opportunities in Sri Lanka for Qatari investors.
The Emir has pledged financial assistance to resolve the drinking water problem of the people in the north and east.
The Qatar government has also expressed willingness to support the gas and oil exploration activities in Sri Lanka.
Earlier on arrival at Bandaranaike International Airport in Colombo on a one-day visit, the Emir was received by Sri Lankan Minister of Foreign Affairs Mangala Pinsiri Samaraweera, Minister of Highways, Higher Education and Investment Promotion Kabir Hashim, Minister of Ports and Shipping Arjuna Ranatunga, Ambassador of Qatar to Sri Lanka Rashid Shafie Almerri and Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Qatar Jayantha Palipane.
The Emir congratulated President Sirisena on being elected for the post. The Emir expressed his hopes for further prosperity and development for Sri Lanka in the future.
The Emir also stressed the keenness of Qatar to advance bilateral co-operation in all fields to serve the interests of the people of both countries.
Later in the evening, the Emir left Colombo heading to India concluding his visit to Sri Lanka.
He was seen off by the Minister of Highways, Higher Education and Investment Promotion Kabir Hashim, Ambassador of Qatar to Sri Lanka Rashid Shafie Almerri and Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Qatar Jayantha Palipane. The Emir was accompanied by a high-ranking delegation.
The Emir sent a message to the Sri Lankan president thanking him for his hospitality. The Emir added that the visit contributed to exchanging views on current issues of joint interest and enhancing bilateral co-operation in different fields. HH the Emir concluded by wishing further prosperity for the people of Sri Lanka.
