Sri Lanka and the UAE discussed enhancing security cooperation in Abu Dhabi during the recent visit by Sri Lankan Public Security Minister Rear Admiral (Rtd) Dr Sarath Weerasekera.
The Minister met the UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Saif Bin Zayed Al Nahyan and discussions were held on the threats to the region after the return of the Taliban in Afghanistan. They also discussed how to counter cascading extremist ideologies and disrupt the flow of narcotics.
Minister Weerasekera also met the UAE Minister of State Ahmed bin Ali Al Sayegh at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation in Abu Dhabi. “Sri Lanka is primed for tourism, trade and investment after having vaccinated 80% of its citizens and secured the country from threats” Minister Weerasekera said. He told the UAE officials that President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s untiring efforts and commitment has created the environment for Sri Lanka to move from stability to prosperity.
Minister Ahmed has assured that Sri Lanka’s economy would grow with the government having mitigated the pandemic risk and secured from security threats. In response to Minister Weerasekera’s call for investments in Sri Lanka, Minister Ahmed said a UAE trade delegation will visit Sri Lanka shortly. He also said the UAE looks forward to the signing of eight agreements including the Bilateral Security Cooperation Agreement.
The Sri Lankan delegation led by Minister Weerasekera discussed the security cooperation with the Interior Ministry and the Dubai Police.
The Sri Lankan delegation met Dubai Police Commander-in-Chief Lt. Gen. Abdullah Khalifa Obaid Al Marri at the Dubai Police HQ on December 14.
The Minister and his delegation were also accorded with a guard of honour.
The Sri Lanka delegation consisted of the Minister’s Senior Advisor Narada Samarasinghe, Minister’s Private Secretary Maduranga Perera and the Minister’s Coordinating Secretary on Middle Eastern Affairs Seyed Ansar Maulana.
Prof Rohan Gunaratna, Director General of the Institute of National Security Studies, State Ministry of National Security and Disaster Management also joined the Public Security Ministry delegation.
