Ambassadors of Norway, Turkey and Italy called on Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa at the Ministry of Finance today (19).
The focus was on how to strengthen mutual understanding and strengthen bilateral relations in the future.
Norwegian Ambassador to Sri Lanka Hilde Berg-Hansen told Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa that she fully supports Sri Lanka’s active renewable energy program. She stated that research work in this regard has already been successfully initiated in collaboration with local universities.
Speaking on the occasion, Turkish Ambassador R. Demet Sekercioglu said that as soon as the epidemic subsided, representatives of the Turkish Business Council would be sent to Sri Lanka to identify the investment opportunities available there. The Ambassador further said that there is already a high demand for Sri Lankan tea in their country and the necessary facilities will be provided to further promote it in the future.
Italian Ambassador Rita Giuliana Mannella told Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa that despite the current COVID epidemic, a large number of Sri Lankan garments have been exported to Italy. She added that she is working to further expand the opportunity in the Sri Lankan apparel market. The Ambassador said that Italians prefer to visit Sri Lanka and requested the Minister of Finance to take steps to start direct flights between Sri Lanka and Italy.
Minister Rajapaksa said that Sri Lanka hopes to pursue a non-aligned policy in good faith with all countries, adding that he appreciated the support extended by those countries to Sri Lanka despite the current epidemic.
