MFA Press Statement: Minister George Yeo's Bilateral Visit to Sri Lanka

During his bilateral visit to Sri Lanka, Minister had wide-ranging discussions with Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa, Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama and Leader of Opposition Ranil Wickremesinghe. Minister Yeo also visited Hambantota in southern Sri Lanka to officiate at the reopening of the three schools that Singapore upgraded and refurbished in the aftermath of the 2004 tsunami disaster.

Minister Yeo called on Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa at the Temple Trees (the President's official residence) on 15 October 2009. President Rajapaksa welcomed Minister Yeo to Sri Lanka and affirmed the strong bilateral relations between Sri Lanka and Singapore. He noted that Singapore was an important investor in Sri Lanka. President Rajapaksa also briefed Minister Yeo on Sri Lanka's current national reconciliation efforts. Minister Yeo welcomed the Sri Lanka Government's moves to assist the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Sri Lanka and expressed his hope that the international community's humanitarian concerns about the IDPs would be adequately addressed. Minister Yeo also conveyed Singapore's readiness to extend its cooperation programme with Sri Lanka. He wished the Sri Lankan Government success in its endeavours to heal the divisions within Sri Lanka and create conditions for economic development.

Minister had an hour-long bilateral meeting with Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama today and was hosted to a dinner at his residence in the evening. FM Bogollagama expressed interest in expanding bilateral relations with Singapore. He acknowledged Singapore's contributions to Colombo's urban development, in particular, the design of several high-rise buildings in the city, including the World Trade Centre. He hoped that in the post-conflict phase, many Singapore companies will consider participating in development projects throughout Sri Lanka. He highlighted opportunities in urban planning, services, tourism, education, trade and infrastructure. Minister welcomed Sri Lanka's interest and suggested that Sri Lanka send a business delegation to Singapore and meet up with representatives of Singapore's corporate sector with expertise in these areas. Both Ministers also agreed to explore the possibility of a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) or a Free-Trade Agreement. Minister Yeo pointed out to FM Bogollagama that once the ongoing national reconciliation process is completed, many more development opportunities are bound to open up. Sri Lanka would then in a position to realise its enormous potential. FM Bogollagama welcomed Minister Yeo's interest in contributing to the development of Jaffna and supported Singapore's proposal to build links with the Jaffna Library.

Minister met Leader of Opposition Ranil Wickremesinghe at his office this evening. After briefing him on his visit to Sri Lanka, Minister and Mr Wickremesinghe discussed possible areas of cooperation between Sri Lanka and Singapore. Mr Wickremesinghe noted that Minister's visits to Jaffna and Trincomalee will give him a clear-eyed view of the developments in these districts.

As part of Singapore's post-tsunami assistance to Sri Lanka, Minister Yeo and Sri Lankan Minister of Ports and Aviation Chamal Rajapaksa jointly inaugurated three upgraded and refurbished schools in Southern Sri Lanka today. They are Tangalle Primary School in Hambantota, Vijitha Central College in Matara and Rewatha National College in Galle. These schools, whose designs are based on a Singapore model, cost a total of S$5.6 million. The money was jointly raised by the Singapore Government and the Singapore Red Cross Society. Many Singaporeans contributed through the Tidal Waves Asia Fund managed by the Singapore Red Cross Society. The intake of the three schools is now more than 6,400 students. To continue supporting the development of these schools, Minister Yeo announced training programmes for principals and teachers of these three schools. He invited the principals to attend the 10-day "Leaders in Education Programme" in Singapore where the participants will be exposed to various aspects of the Singapore education system. As for the teachers, two courses on Pedagogy will be conducted in Singapore for them. He also distributed stationery from Popular Book Shop to the children at the inauguration ceremony. The Sri Lankan Minister, the principal and teachers of the Tangalle Primary School commented that Singapore's assistance had given them better facilities which have enhanced the educational environment for many children.

Tomorrow, Minister Yeo will visit an Internally Displaced Persons camp and the historic Jaffna Library where he will donate books from Singapore's National Library. He is also scheduled to travel to the port city of Trincomalee before returning home.

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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
SINGAPORE
16 OCTOBER 2009