Lankan Parliamentary delegation visits Romania

A five-member delegation of the Sri Lanka-Romania Parliamentary Friendship Association headed by Deputy Minister of External Affairs Neomal Perera who is also the President of the Association, visited Romania from March 25 - 27 at the invitation of Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Romanian Parliament, Chamber of Deputies Attila Korodi.

The Sri Lankan delegation comprised Deputy Speaker and Chairman of Committees Chandima Weerakkody, Chief Opposition Whip John Amaratunga, Vijitha Herath, MP (JVP) and Lohan Ratwatte, MP (SLFP).

Welcoming the delegation, Korodi said Romania has enjoyed a warm and friendly relations with Sri Lanka and was looking forward to strengthen this relationship. Referring to the visit of Deputy Minister Perera with a business delegation in May 2011, he mentioned that since then trade between the two countries has increased by 33 percent.

Deputy Minister Perera briefed the Committee of Foreign Affairs on the economic and political developments in Sri Lanka.

He said less than 6,400 displaced persons are to be resettled. Explaining the efforts of the Government to resettle them and the reconciliation efforts, he said, dialogue is taking place with representatives of Tamil political parties and religious representatives to find a lasting solution for the grievances of the people.

The Deputy Minister said Sri Lankans have been enjoying the peace dividends that resulted in economic development and inflow of tourists.

He said Sri Lanka has become the hub of the Indian Ocean.

He invited a parliamentary delegation from Romania to Sri Lanka to see the developments in Sri Lanka as it would enable them to gather first-hand information.

Korodi expressed the desire that efforts would continue for national reconciliation. He said he was glad that Sri Lanka was trying its best and Romania would support Sri Lanka in this regard.

He said economic cooperation between Sri Lanka and Romania will be strengthened for their mutual benefit.

The delegation also met with Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs Luminita Odobescu who was briefed on the economic and political situation in Sri Lanka.

The Secretary of State said that bilateral relations between the two countries are traditional and warm. She stated that they were planning a high-level visit to the island in 2013.