MFA Press Statement: Official Visit by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong to the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, 22 to 24 January 2018

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong made an Official Visit to the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka from 22 to 24 January 2018, at the invitation of Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena.

Prime Minister Lee met President Sirisena, and was hosted to an Official Lunch, where the Leaders discussed strengthening relations between Singapore and Sri Lanka, as well as ways to enhance economic cooperation and collaboration in capacity building. Prime Minister Lee and President Sirisena witnessed the signing of the Sri Lanka-Singapore Free Trade Agreement (SLSFTA). The Leaders underscored the importance of strengthening trade and investment cooperation, and expressed confidence that the SLSFTA will further deepen bilateral economic ties. President Sirisena also accepted Prime Minister Lee’s invitation to make a State Visit to Singapore.

Prime Minister Lee also met Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, and was hosted to a dinner. Both Prime Ministers had a broad-ranging discussion on regional and international issues, as well as ways to step up bilateral cooperation through trade and investments. Prime Minister Wickremesinghe accepted Prime Minister Lee’s invitation to be the keynote speaker for the Singapore International Water Week (SIWW), World Cities Summit (WCS), and CleanEnviro Summit Singapore (CESS) in July 2018.

Leader of the Opposition R Sampanthan paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Lee, where Prime Minister Lee reiterated Singapore’s support for Sri Lanka’s development and national reconciliation process. Prime Minister Lee attended a networking reception with Singaporean and Sri Lankan businesses at the Sri Lanka-Singapore Business Forum, which was jointly organised by the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, Sri Lanka-Singapore Business Council, Singapore Business Federation, and International Enterprise Singapore.

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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

SINGAPORE 

24 JANUARY 2018