Solid base for a lasting partnership

The year 2011 marked turned out to be yet another period of consolidation of the ever expanding bilateral ties between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka

As we are all aware that the firm foundation for the solid friendship between the two countries was laid during the three day official visit of His Excellency President Mahinda Rajapaksa to Iran from 25-27 November 2007. Eight Memorandum of Understanding were signed during the visit and several important steps were taken last year to expedite the implementation of the provisions in the agreements.

The MOUS signed included a maritime shipping agreement, a bilateral agreement on mutual administrative assistance for the proper application of customs law and for the prevention, investigation and combating of customs offenses : Construction of lthe Umaoya multi-purpose development project in Sri Lanka, expansion of oil refining capacity in Sri Lanka, cooperation between the Sri Lankan Ministry of Mass media and information and the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting, MOU between the Iranian Board of Investment, the BOI of Sri Lanka and the Mostazafan Foundation of Iran to facilitate financial and technical cooperation, MOU between the Iranian Chamber of Commerce and Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Sri Lanka and an MOU between the Iranian Chamber of Commerce and the National Chamber of