Sri Lanka eyes oil imports from Iran

Minister of Science, Technology and Research Susil Premajayantha said that Sri Lanka is still interested in purchasing oil and related products from the Islamic Republic, Iran’s MNA news agency reported.

Visiting Tehran at the invitation of Iran’s Vice-President for Science and Technology Sorena Sattari, Sri Lanka’s Minister of Science, Technology and Research Susil Premajayantha held a meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif in Teheran on Sunday morning.

During the meeting, Zarif noted the long-standing friendly ties between the two countries, adding “based on its foreign policies, the Islamic Republic of Iran holds expansion of relations and cooperation with Asian countries, including Sri Lanka, in high regard.”

Zarif noted the lift of international anti-Iranian sanctions following the implementation of the nuclear deal, expressing hope for further development of bilateral ties with the removal of the remaining financial obstacles affecting Iran-Sri Lanka’s relations.  

Premajayantha, for his part, expressed his satisfaction with the positive view of the Islamic Republic toward his country, highlighting further efforts for removing some small obstacles to boost the two countries' cooperation on energy.

The senior Sri Lankan official further extended to Zarif the message of President Maithripala Sirisena addressed to Iranian President Hassan Rouhani.