PM MEETS WITH SRI LANKAN HIGH COMMISSIONER
May 4, 2013
PRESS RELEASE
Courtesy Call on Hon. Peter O’neill, Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea by His Excellency Admiral Thisara Samarasinghe, the High Commissioner for Sri Lanka in Australia and concurrently accredited to Fiji, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and Vanuatu
On completion of Presentation of Credentials, His Excellency Admiral Thisara Samarasinghe had the opportunity of calling on Hon. Peter O’neill at the Prime Minister’s Office. The High Commissioner was warmly welcome by the Hon. Prime Minister and at the outset Hon. Prime Minister recalled the friendly and cordial interaction the Prime Minister had with His Excellency Mahinda Rajapaksa during the visit to CHOGM 2011 in Perth.
Having explained the post conflict development work and the reconciliation initiatives, the High Commissioner briefed on the progress made with the CHOGM 2013-Sri Lanka and the challenges aired by certain quarters who are attempting to create an environment with false and unsubstantiated information.
The Prime Minister very strongly denounced such attempts and indicated support of his government for the CHOGM 2013 Colombo. He specifically indicated his keen interest to visit Sri Lanka to attend the major Commonwealth event and also to travel in Sri Lanka in order to get firsthand knowledge of the new harbor and airport development as well as on water reservoirs and climate change issues. The Prime Minister has taken a further step forward in releasing a special media release after the High Commissioner’s visit highlighting the conduct of Sri Lankan government and acknowledging that it would be good example for other Commonwealth countries to follow.
The meeting was attended by the Chief Staff of the Prime Minister and Mr. Wasantha Kumarasinghe, Hony. Consul for Sri Lanka in PNG.
Admiral Thisara Samarasinghe presented with two special gifts signifying gems and tea of Sri Lanka to Hon. Prime Minister.
In addition His Excellency called on the following :-
1. Foreign Minister and Immigration Hon. Rimbink Pato, LLB, OBE,
2. Deputy Chief of PNG Defence Force Captain Tim Orr,
3. Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry Hon. Richard Maru,
4. High Commissioner of Malaysia and Dean of the Diplomatic Corps Her Excellency Madam Datin Blench Olbery.
Hony. Consul Mr. Wasantha Kumarasiri hosted a dinner reception to all Head of Missions which was attended by Head of Missions of USA, Australia, Indonesia, France, Japan, China, EU, Fiji, Malaysia, New Zealand and Secretary of Foreign Affairs of PNG, Chief of Protocol.
Hon. Peter O’Neill issued a special Media Press Release covering the meeting with the High Commissioner.
High Commission of Sri Lanka
Canberra
4th May 2013
MEDIA RELEASE
PM MEETS WITH SRI LANKAN HIGH COMMISSIONER
For Release – Wednesday 1st May, 2013
The new Sri Lankan High Commissioner H.E. Admiral Thisara Samarasinghe today (01/05/13) paid Prime Minister Peter O’Neill a courtesy call at his Parliament office.
Issues discussed during the meeting included bilateral, trade and investment relations, development and technical cooperation and various regional and international issues.
Mr O’Neill congratulated and welcomed Mr Samarasinghe as Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner Designate to Papua New Guinea.
“I hope that your appointment will further deepen the existing relations between our two countries,” Mr O’Neill said.
He said although PNG and the Diplomatic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka formalized diplomatic relations in 1992 and have since maintained cordial relations, there has been minimal contact made in the areas of mutual cooperation.
“Our countries should explore better avenues to expand our bilateral relations through increasing visits either at political or officials levels, to forge mutually beneficial relations,” Mr O’Neill said.
He also said that trade and investment has been minimal since the establishment of diplomatic relations.
“Both countries have abundant natural resources and can learn from each other’s experiences through mutual cooperation; specifically in the agricultural sector and downstream processing,” he said.
Mr O’Neill further congratulated the Sri Lankan Government on its ability to deal with and contain its domestic situation for the last three decades and acknowledged that it would be a good example for other Commonwealth countries to follow.
“I support and encourage our countries to exchange views in the areas of comparative advantages like agriculture,” Mr O’Neill said.
On regional and international issues, the Prime Minister said PNG seeks support and cooperation from Sri Lanka in pursuing its interest in climate change issues through the Coalition of Rainforest Nations especially in the area of Carbon Trade and Clean Development Mechanisms.
“Our Government stands ready to render necessary assistance to enable you to implement responsibilities during your tenure in PNG,” Mr O’Neill said.
HON. PETER O’NEILL, CMG MP
Prime Minister