The newly appointed Egyptian Ambassador to Sri Lanka Maged Mosleh called on the Minister of Foreign Affairs Prof. G.L. Peiris on 19 March, 2022 at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Colombo.

Minister Peiris extended a warm welcome to Ambassador Mosleh and stated that he looks forward to working closely with him during his tenure in Sri Lanka. Minister Peiris and Ambassador Mosleh also held wide-ranging discussions related to the multi faceted bilateral cooporation between the two countries and exchanged views on important global contemporary issues. Minister Pieris also appraised the Egyptian Ambassador on the progress being made by the Government of Sri Lanka with regard to reconciliation and human rights.

Minister Peiris expressed his deep appreciation to the Egyptian Ambassador on the intervention of the Republic of Egypt in support of Sri Lanka at the Interactive Dialogue on Sri Lanka at the 49^th session of the UN Human Rights Council. He stated that Sri Lanka valued the bilateral cooperation and solidarity between the two countries in multilateral fora. Minister Peris also discussed Sri Lanka preparations for the 51^st session of the UNHRC.

Foreign Minister further stated that Sri Lanka would continue its decades – long policy of engagement with the UN as well as with the international community in a spirit of cooperation and dialogue with regard to the promotion and protection of human rights and added that Sri Lanka would abide by its human rights obligations guaranteed by its constitution and the international obligations it has voluntarily undertaken.

Minister Pieris requested the continued cooperation and support of Egypt to Sri Lanka in the Human Rights Council in the future particularly during the 51^st session. Ambassador Maged Mosleh assured Egypt’s continuous support to Sri Lanka at the UNHCR including its upcoming 51^st session.

Appreciating the longstanding cordial relations, both sides discussed and were in agreement to organise commemorative events to mark the 65^th anniversary of the establishment of Sri Lanka – Egypt diplomatic relations in 2022.

During the meeting expediting the conclusion of the pending draft agreements and MoUs, enhancing cooperation on combatting extremism, promoting tolerance and mutual understanding, de-radicalisations, interfaith dialogue through Egypt’s prestigious cultural and religious institutions and holding the second session of Bilateral Political Consultations between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs in Colombo in 2022 were  also discussed.

The discussions also covered regional and international developments of mutual interest and enhancing coordination with likeminded regional blocks.

Officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Embassy of Egypt in Colombo were associated with the meeting.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Colombo

21 March, 2022

The India – Sri Lanka Foundation (ISLF) was established by a Memorandum of Understanding between the governments of India and Sri Lanka in 1998 in order to foster India – Sri Lanka relations through the enhancement of economic, scientific, technical and cultural cooperation and to promote greater understanding between the people of the two countries.

India- Sri Lanka Foundation invites project proposals, in the areas of Art & Culture Education, Agriculture, Research, Science & Technology, Health, Social Works and Developmental Studies.

Under the above thrust areas, proposals could be submitted for research projects and other educational activities at recognised institutions of learning located in India and in Sri Lanka, visits and exchanges involving students, scholars, academics, artists, professionals and performing artistes, to participate in conference/seminar, symposia, art exhibition, film festival, cultural events and training workshops etc, publication of research works on India-Sri Lanka relations in the specified fields and translating literary works in Indian languages to Sri Lankan languages and publishing them, and vice-versa.

Individuals, institutions and groups are invited to submit proposals which would be considered during the next meeting of the Board of Directors of ISLF scheduled in April 2022.

A duly filled application form which could be downloaded from the High Commission of India website (www.hcicolombo.gov.in) along with the proposal may be e-mailed or forwarded to our address given below to reach us before 4^th April 2022.

India Sri Lanka Foundation

The National Economic Commission appointed by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa comprised of 16 leading business leaders and economists has tendered five recommendations for immediate implementation to troubleshoot the prevailing economic crisis in the country.

• Immediate appointment of a Technical Committee consisting of officials representing the Central Bank of Sri Lanka and the Treasury to propose international financial assistance.
• Immediate appointment of a financial advisor and a legal advisor.
• The Technical Committee should expeditiously come up with a restructuring initiative to propose international financial assistance.
• An expert team to assist the Finance Minister should be identified.
• Building trust should be focused by avoiding supply barriers.

The Commission further recommended that short and long term measures be taken to strengthen financing to stabilise the economy and steer it in the right direction.

Sri Lanka too is experiencing the repercussions of the impact on the economies of many countries around the world and among them is the forex crisis at the forefront. It is the Commission’s observation that the prevailing economic meltdown be avoided in the short term by properly managing the challenges faced.