Canada looks forward to SL engagement

Canada has said it looks forward to constructive engagement with Sri Lanka, according to the Sri Lankan Embassy in Manila.

Sri Lanka’s State Minister of Foreign Affairs Vasantha Senanayake had a bilateral meeting with Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada Chrystia Freeland on the sidelines of the 24th ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) in Manila and exchanged views on measures to strengthen relations and enhance cooperation between the two countries.

The Canadian Foreign Minister said it was the first high level interaction she had with Sri Lanka since her appointment in January 2017 and looked forward to further constructive engagement on all aspects of the bilateral relationship.

State Minister Senanayake briefed the Canadian Minister on the political developments and progress on all aspects of the reconciliation process underway in Sri Lanka. He mentioned Sri Lanka’s ongoing consideration of acceding to several international instruments.

The interactions also delved into areas which could benefit from Canadian development assistance, training, capacity building and support livelihood generation, humanitarian assistance and in this regard, the State Minister requested Canada’s continued support.

The State Minister also said Sri Lanka was keen to enhance its contribution to UN peacekeeping operations and looks forward to the Ministerial Meeting on Peacekeeping to be hosted by Canada in November 2017.

The meeting took place on the sidelines of the grand celebration of the 50th anniversary of the ASEAN and 24th ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) at which the State Minister is representing Sri Lanka. (Colombo Gazette)