NZ Foreign Minister meets Minister Basil Rajapaksa

A meeting between New Zealand Foreign Minister Murray McCully and Minister of Economic Development Basil Rajapaksa took place on 5 June.

At this meeting, the two Ministers discussed the friendship and diplomatic relations between the two countries which have prevailed over a long period and emphasises on strengthening economic, investment, tourism and trade affairs between the two countries.

The New Zealand Foreign Minister declared that action would be taken to provide conceptual and technical knowledge required to Sri Lankans in order to construct international modern farms with high standards.

Topics such as broadening export and investment opportunities between the two countries, commencement of small markets and broadening the tourism industry were also discussed.

Minister Basil Rajapaksa outlined the development activities being implemented in the northern areas, adding that infrastructure in the north eastern areas had been rapidly developed and that an array of livelihood development programs for the people in those areas had been implemented.

He pointed out that demining and resettlement of displaced people was done successfully during the period of one-and-a-half years after the war. Even though countries like Cambodia confronted issues in demining, Sri Lanka is proud of successfully implementing the task, he added.

The Minister, who noted that the United Nations Organisation office of the United Nations High Commissioner gave assistance for this, touched on the areas given priority at that time. He added that action was taken to provide food and sanitary facilities through organisations such as the World Food Programme (WEP) and United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).

High Commissioner of New Zealand Jan Handersan, Deputy High Commissioner Wendy Mathivus, Secretary to Ministry of Botanical Gardens and Public Recreation Willie Gamage and Government officers participated.