February 28, Colombo (LNW): The Dutch government has expressed its readiness to engage in significant port-related investments in Sri Lanka, marking a new phase in bilateral cooperation between the two nations.
This was announced by the Dutch Ambassador to Sri Lanka, H.E. Bonnie Horbach, following a meeting with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake at the Presidential Secretariat yesterday (27).
During the discussions, both parties focused on enhancing the long-standing relationship between Sri Lanka and the Netherlands, with particular emphasis on potential Dutch support in several key sectors, including tourism, port development, and investment opportunities within the island nation.
The Ambassador highlighted the Netherlands’ interest in contributing to the growth of Sri Lanka’s maritime activities, further cementing the Netherlands’ role as a key partner in regional trade and logistics.
The meeting also saw the formulation of an agreement for Dutch assistance in the preservation of Sri Lanka’s culturally and historically significant heritage.
Ambassador Horbach confirmed the Dutch government’s commitment to supporting research initiatives at the University of Colombo, alongside educational and training programmes aimed at fostering skills development for Sri Lankans.
President Dissanayake welcomed the Dutch proposal and expressed his hopes for the country’s support in enhancing Sri Lanka’s tourism sector, as well as its port operations and overall investment climate.
He underscored the importance of deepening collaborations in these areas to stimulate economic growth and create more opportunities for the Sri Lankan population.
Ambassador Horbach also acknowledged the key points raised by the President regarding the recent budget proposals, particularly those aimed at promoting sustainability and environmental responsibility.
She discussed potential Dutch contributions to elevate the “Clean Sri Lanka” initiative, a government programme designed to improve the country’s cleanliness and waste management systems, which aligns with broader environmental goals.
The meeting was attended by several senior officials, including Senior Additional Secretary to the President, Roshan Gamage, Deputy Ambassador of the Netherlands, Iwan Rutjens, and Namal Perera, the Policy Officer for Political Affairs at the Embassy of the Netherlands.
