The new Ambassador of Turkey to Sri Lanka Demet Sekercioglu called on Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa at Temple Trees yesterday (12).

The discussions of the duo have focused on expanding bilateral relations beyond economic interests to a number of other sectors including culture and education.

“There are so many areas where we can enhance our relations,” Ambassador Sekercioglu has said.

The statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office said Sri Lanka and Turkey have maintained formal diplomatic relations since independence and that these relations were elevated during PM Rajapaksa’s term as President. In 2008, then-President Mahinda Rajapaksa was the first Sri Lankan President to visit Turkey. In 2012, Sri Lanka opened its resident mission in Ankara, and in 2013 Turkey opened its resident mission in Colombo, the statement noted.

The Premier has requested Turkey to consider assisting Sri Lanka in the tourism sector. Turkish Airlines flying daily to Sri Lanka is a good opportunity to attract tourists not only from Turkey but other parts of the world as well, the Premier has mentioned.

PM Rajapaksa and Ambassador Sekercioglu have discussed the defence sector and agreed that intelligence sharing is of mutual importance in fighting terrorism.

Ambassador Sekercioglu noted that Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan is keen on visiting Sri Lanka again. President Erdoğan previously arrived in Sri Lanka in 2005 during his tour of countries affected by the 2004 Asian tsunami. Turkey contributed to tsunami relief by building a village consisting of 450 houses in Southern Sri Lanka, the statement read further.