SL calls for early inclusion as an ASEAN Sectoral Dialogue Partner
Foreign Secretary Ravinatha Aryasinha called for an early decision by ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) to include Sri Lanka as an ASEAN Sectoral Dialogue Partner, in order to strengthen engagement with ASEAN and its member countries.
In a statement, the Foreign Affairs Ministry said this follows the submission to the ASEAN of Sri Lanka’s dossier for Sectoral Dialogue Partnership in March 2019.
The Foreign Secretary made the request, when he addressed the ASEAN Day commemoration event held at the Indonesian Embassy in Colombo on Thursday, where he conveyed felicitations of the Government of Sri Lanka on the auspicious occasion.
The event hosted by the Indonesian Ambassador Gusti Ngurah Ardiyasa, was attended by the Ambassadors and High Commissioners of Malaysia, Myanmar, Vietnam, Thailand, as well as members of the Diplomatic Corps, Government officials, the business community and wellwishers. Mr Aryasinha pointed out that the significant importance Sri Lanka placed on relations with the ASEAN region is evidenced by the fact that Foreign Minister of Sri Lanka had just returned from the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) in Thailand, while the
The Foreign Affairs Ministry said this follows the submission to the ASEAN of Sri Lanka’s dossier for Sectoral Dialogue Partnership in March 2019
President is currently on a State visit to Cambodia.
Tracing Sri Lanka’s historical events and engagements with the ASEAN countries including through Buddhism, maritime connections, economic activity, people to people contact and other means since the early times, Foreign Secretary Aryasinha said Sri Lanka’s keenness to be integrally associated with the ASEAN region, has been evident even before Independence.
Foreign Secretary said Sri Lanka’s as a sectoral dialogue partner will provide the necessary mechanism to “continue the historical legacy of partnership we have had with your region and your people,” and that Sri Lanka looks forward to working with the respective ASEAN countries to pursue Sri Lanka’s application with a view to further strengthen and cement Sri Lanka’s solidarity and partnership with ASEAN.