The leaders of the both countries agreed to take forward the strong relations between the Sri Lanka and Seychelles in the fields of trade and tourism.

This was discussed in detail when President Maithripala Sirisena, who is on a two-day official visit on the invitation of Seychelles President Danny Faure, met him, yesterday (08), stated President’s Media Division.

President Sirisena was warmly received by the Seychelles President Dannu Faure when he arrived at the  State House.

President Maithripala Sirisena was received with a Guard of Honour at the State House.

After a cordial meeting between the leaders, the bilateral discussions were commenced.

During this meeting, the President said that he will give instructions to the relevant sectors to improve the relations between the business forums of both countries.  

The President also noted that it is expected to get more Sri Lankan businessmen to participate in trade fair to be held in Seychelles at the end of this year. 

The two parties were discussed regarding the mutually important bilateral and regional issues.

The Seychelles President praised President Maithripala Sirisena’s initiative to eradicate drug abuse and requested his assistance to find a solution to the drug menace which is a threat to his country too.

Seychelles President expressed his gratitude to President Sirisena for providing assistance to improve the health sector in Seychelles and requested to provide training opportunities to  Seychelles doctors in Sri Lanka.  

Also, requested President Sirisena to assist in granting military training opportunities to Seychelles security force members in Sri Lanka.

Furthermore, it was requested to assist in obtaining training for judicial and legal drafting sectors.

The President, paying his attention to these requests said that he will speedily take actions to make necessary arrangements in this regard and promised to award ten scholarships annually to the Seychelles students in the field of vocational trainings.

Expressing his views Seychelles President Danny Faure said that he will be grateful for the assistance given by Sri Lanka not only as a friend but like a brotherly state.

The President of Seychelles also stressed that they are ready to provide any support to Sri Lanka to develop the fields of economic and trade sectors as well as to provide any support to Sri Lanka at any time the assistance is needed.

This tour of President Sirisena taking place at the time of completion of 30 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries, will mark a new milestone in the bilateral relationship between the two countries, the Seychelles President said. 

Diplomatic relations between Seychelles and Sri Lanka commenced on 3rd October 1988. The Sri Lankan High Commission in Seychelles established in 2013. The President of Seychelles also stated that a permanent place will be allocated for the construction of the Sri Lankan High Commission, which is currently functioning in a leased building.

Nearly, 2400 Sri Lankan workers are serving in Seychelles and the President also extended his thankfulness to the Seychelles President for the support given to the welfare of those employees.

Both countries are also signed new two Memorandums of Understanding for further expansion of bilateral cooperation.

The new agreement on advancement of information technology was signed between the University of Moratuwa and the Information Technology University of Seychelles and the agreement relating to the expansion of bilateral cooperation in the field of vocational training was signed between Sri Lanka Vocational Technology University and Seychelles Technology Institute.