Sri Lanka is committed to national security as well as regional security: President

Sri Lanka is totally committed to safeguarding national security as well as regional security, President Maithripala Sirisena said when a German South Asia Parliamentary group called on him Thursday at the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo.

The President told the delegation of German Parliament that the foreign policy of the Government was based on the principle that the relationship with one country should not have any adverse impact on another country. He said this in reply to questions asked by the delegation on Sri Lanka’s foreign policy and relations with giant neighbors.

The German delegation comprising Spokesman of Foreign Affairs of the Social Democratic Party (SPD) of Germany Niels Annen, Parliamentary Members Michael Donth, Caren Lay and Prof. Egon Juttner, was accompanied by the German Ambassador in Sri Lanka Dr. Jürgen Murhad.

Speaking to the delegation, President Sirisena said Sri Lanka’s special friendship with India went back many centuries and was built on the firm foundation of the message of the Buddha received from India. He added that China was an important economic giant whose investments were sought all over the world and Sri Lanka had strong ties with China in many fields.

The President thanked the German Parliamentary Delegation for the assistance received from their country for the development in Sri Lanka for decades.

When the delegation asked about areas requiring further assistance, President Sirisena replied that technology training, water purification and other programs launched by the Government to prevent Chronic Kidney Diseases would require foreign assistance.

The German Parliamentary Delegation extended fullest support to President Sirisena’s policies to strengthen reconciliation, democracy and develop the country. They congratulated the President on his successful implementation of several important programs since forming the new Government. They said Sri Lanka was a vibrant nation strategically situated in the center of the fastest growing region.

The German delegation said that President Sirisena’s Government had generated tremendous enthusiasm in the international community.

President Sirisena said his intention was to get the approval of Parliament for the proposed new constitution that would ensure all the communities live in peace and contentment. He said there was immense potential for expansion of bilateral cooperation and the forthcoming visit of German investment delegation would be a boost to bilateral economic ties.

Referring to his recent visit to Germany, President thanked Chancellor Angela Merkel, and the Government and the people of Germany for the warm hospitality and friendship extended to him.