FM calls on Malaysian King, PM

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Rohitha Bogollagama who is on an official visit to Malaysia was a special guest at the 50th Independence Anniversary celebrations held at Merdeka Square in Kuala Lumpur on Friday.

The Foreign Minister called on the King of Malaysia at the "Melawati Palace" in Putrajaya. Foreign Minister Bogollagama also met with the Prime Minister of Malaysia, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmed Badawi who acknowledged the presence of over 150, 000 Malaysians of Sri Lankan origin and recognized their contribution towards the development of the country.

It was noted that Sri Lanka and Malaysia were celebrating 50 years of diplomatic relations this year, with Sri Lanka being one of the first countries to have established diplomatic relations with Malaysia at the dawn of independence.

He also visited the Buddhist Maha Viharaya and participated in religious observances led by the Maha Nayake of Malaysia, the Most Venerable K. Sri Dhammaratana. The Foreign Minister also presented the proposals for the establishment of the International Buddhist Zone in Piliyandala, which was duly accepted by the Maha Nayake Thera, who gave assurances of Malaysia 's support in the project.

The Foreign Minister met with several leading Malaysian investors including the Chief Executive and Managing Director Dato Krishnan Tan Boon Feng of IJM Corporation Berhad, Chief Executive of the Construction Industry Development Board of Malaysia, Datuk Ir. Hamzah Hasan, the Chairman of Tritel Pvt. Ltd. Tan Sri Arumugam and Malaysia Telecom Chairman, Tan Sri Radzi Mansor and had wide ranging discussions with emphasis on the development of the East.