Sri Lanka’s foreign policy in relation to the African and Middle Eastern countries was taken up for discussion at the Parliamentary Sectoral Oversight Committee on International Relations.
According to a Parliament statement, the Sectoral Oversight Committee on International Relations convened recently (Aug. 22) under the Chairmanship of MP Namal Rajapaksa.
Accordingly, there was a discussion at length about the role of the divisions operating under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs pertaining to the African and Middle Eastern countries and the diplomatic policies related to those regions.
The officials representing the Ministry of Foreign Affairs mentioned that the states in these regions are maintaining a friendly policy with Sri Lanka. The Committee was of the view that these relations should be further strengthened. Therefore, the Committee instructed the officials to take necessary steps without delay in consultation with the relevant authorities.
Furthermore, the importance of providing accurate information about Sri Lanka through the websites of Sri Lankan embassies/high commissioners abroad and promoting Sri Lankan tourism was also emphasized.
The Committee pointed out that attracting tourists from Middle Eastern countries with more energy to Sri Lanka can contribute greatly to the advancement of the tourism sector in Sri Lanka and strengthen the economy of Sri Lanka and advised the officials to take steps to inform the relevant parties about it immediately.
The possibility of providing on arrival visa facility for Chinese nationals when they come to Sri Lanka and the possibility of providing visa applications through online methods in Mandarin language were also discussed. MP Rajapaksa instructed the officials who were present representing the Department of Immigration and Emigration to submit a report to the Committee on the said matters. In addition to the said, a review was made about the progress of the decisions made in the previous meetings.
Members of the Committee MPs (Prof.) G. L. Peiris, Niroshan Perera, S. M. M. Muszhaaraff, (Dr.) Kavinda Heshan Jayawardhana, Akila Ellawala, Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam, Yadamini Gunawardena, and Madhura Withanage were present at the Committee meeting held.
Officials representing the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Immigration and Emigration Department were also present at this meeting. (NewsWire)
