President Jokowi in Sri Lanka for State Visit
President Jokowi receives Rajavarothiam Sampanthan, Leader of the Opposition in Sri Lanka Parliament at Hilton Colombo Hotel, Sri Lanka
President Joko Jokowi Widodo on Wednesday (24/1) undertook an official visit to Sri Lanka in his series of working visits to Sri Lanka, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan.
The visit is aimed at enhancing concrete and mutually beneficial cooperation for the two countries.
For the record, diplomatic relations between Indonesia and Sri Lanka has been established for more than six decades.
During this visit, I want to promote the strengthening of cooperation on various sectors, particularly on the economy, President Jokowi said, adding that one of the cooperation to be discussed is the establishment of Free Trade Agreement and cooperation on capacity building.
President Jokowi also expressed his hope that Sri Lanka can give Indonesia opportunity to participate in the economic development in that country.
I expect Sri Lanka Parliament to give us support in the strengthening of Indonesia-Sri Lanka ties, including by enhancing strong cooperation among both parliaments, the President said.
Futhermore, President Jokowi also said that Indonesia is ready to share experience with Sri Lanka on nation-building sector considered Sri Lankas strong commitment to post-conflict resolution in 2019.
Like Sri Lanka, Indonesia, a country of diversity which upholds Pancasila (five principles) as the national philosophy, also continues to strengthen the national building process, the President added.
During state visit in India, President Jokowi is slated to attend the ASEAN-India Summit as well as the 25th anniversary of ASEAN-India bilateral ties and after visiting India, the President will head to Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan.
President Jokowi hopes that all these visits can bring concrete benefits for the people not only in Indonesia but also in those five countries.
Accompanying President Jokowi in the visit were Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi, Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung, and Indonesian Ambassador to Sri Lanka I Gusti Ngurah Ardiyasa. (BPMI/EN)(ES) (RAS/EP/YM/Naster)
