Dinesh and Ranil discuss SL-UK investment ties

• Ministers Gunawardena and Jayawardena have agreed on the need for close  cooperation to address the challenges facing bilateral trade and  investment as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic

Foreign Relations Minister Dinesh Gunawardena and Britain’s International Trade Minister Ranil Jayawardena have discussed stepping up bilateral trade and investment and expanding the areas of cooperation, during a teleconference on Thursday.   

The Foreign Relations Ministry in a statement said yesterday it was the first official meeting between the two ministers.   

The statement said both Ministers have welcomed further consolidating the longstanding bilateral engagement through increased trade, security, research and training, science and technology and cultural cooperation, including people-to-people contacts.   

“In particular, Ministers Gunawardena and Jayawardena have agreed on the need for close cooperation to address the challenges facing bilateral trade and investment as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.   
Both identified the importance of moving the supply chains and opening travel and tourism sectors to address pressing economic issues.   

Opportunities for new export products to the British market from Sri Lanka were also discussed.   

Recalling the shared values and interests between Britain and Sri Lanka as members of the Commonwealth, Minister Gunawardena reaffirmed Sri Lanka’s commitment to continue its active participation in the organisation.   
Foreign Relations Minister Gunawardena extended an invitation for Minister Ranil Jayawardena to visit Sri Lanka at the earliest opportunity,” it said.   

Blurb
***-- Both Ministers have welcomed further consolidating the longstanding bilateral engagement through increased trade, security, research and training, science and technology and cultural cooperation, including people-to-people contacts 
***