Lanka turning to Africa, GL tells Cameroon’s PM

The new thrust in Sri Lanka’s foreign policy, giving greater weight to relations with countries in the African continent and enhancing mutual benefit from this focus, is exceedingly welcome, Cameroon’s Prime Minister Philemon Yang n told Sri Lanka’s visiting External Affairs Minister G.L. Peiris, at their meeting on Monday, the Foreign Ministry said.

Dr. Peiris, who was on a two-day official visit to Cameroon explained to Mr. Philemon the eagerness of the Government of Sri Lanka to re-orient the country’s diplomatic representation overseas so as to reflect emerging priorities. A wide range of shared values and largely overlapping approaches to current international issues underline the usefulness of this development, the visiting Minister said. Mr. Yang expressed appreciation of Sri Lanka’s consistent positions which had been of value to Cameroon over the years.

Dr. Peiris pointed out this has a long history: Sri Lanka had suppor ted the Resolution for Cameroon to become an independent State from 1st January 1960, at the United Nations General Assembly.

Mr. Yang and Dr. Peiris also discussed co-operation in the field of information technology where significant progress had been achieved in recent years in both Sri Lanka and Cameroon.minister Peiris comprehensively briefed the Prime Minister about current issues in Sri Lanka after the eradication of terrorism.

He explained in detail the contents of the Repor t of the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission and the government’s initiatives with regard to systematic implementation.prof. Peiris also had discussions with Mr. John Ngute, Acting Foreign Minister of Cameroon, prior to his depar ture to Congo for a series of official meetings.