President expresses satisfaction about improved cooperation with Turkey

President Maithripala Sirisena thanked Turkey for the steps taken to strengthen bilateral relations and cooperation. He said Turkish construction companies have partnered in several construction projects including a housing project in Mannar where 100 houses were built.

He made this comment when the outgoing Turkish Ambassador Iskender Kemal Okyay paid a farewell call on President Sirisena at the President’s official residence today (August 4).

Ambassador Okyay said that Turkish construction companies are also engaged in several projects implemented in Sri Lanka by the European Union. A Turkish company has won the award to build the new Embassy of the United States in Colombo.

President thanked him for the services rendered during her tenure to promote bilateral relations between Sri Lanka and Turkey. He made a special mention about the support extended by Turkey to Sri Lanka at various international forums. 

Turkish envoy, on behalf of is government, invited President Maithripala Sirisena to pay a state visit to Turkey as early as possible. Accepting the invitation, President Sirisena recalled his fond memories of visiting Turkey in 1996 as a member of Sri Lankan delegation to the Inter Parliamentary Union (IPU).