President Ranil Wickremesinghe, currently on a state visit to Australia, met with the Sri Lankan Diaspora in Perth to provide updates on the nation’s recovery efforts and discuss plans for economic modernization.
During the interaction, President Wickremesinghe outlined his vision, and the Diaspora expressed their willingness to collaborate with the Sri Lankan government, particularly in sectors such as climate change and tourism, to contribute to economic development.
The President, on Thursday morning (Feb. 8), commenced his visit to Australia at the invitation of India Foundation and the Government of Australia to participate in the 7th Indian Ocean Conference (IOC) in Perth.
The President’s Media Division (PMD) stated that President Wickremesinghe will play a pivotal role in shaping discussions at the conference, emphasizing its significance as a vital forum for dialogue and cooperation within the Indian Ocean Region.
Themed “Towards a Stable and Sustainable Indian Ocean,” the conference aims to foster cooperation among 40 participating nations. President Wickremesinghe’s participation reflects Sri Lanka’s proactive stance towards regional stability and development.
Foreign Minister Ali Sabry, accompanying the President, will address the plenary session titled “Our Blue Future: How can the Indian Ocean region work with island states to safeguard the health of our shared ocean resources,” highlighting Sri Lanka’s commitment to protecting shared ocean resources.
Organized by the India Foundation in collaboration with India’s Ministry of External Affairs and the Australian Government, with support from the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, Singapore, and Perth-US Asia Centre, the conference seeks to chart a roadmap for the region’s future.
President Wickremesinghe’s presence underscores Sri Lanka’s commitment to regional diplomacy and active engagement in addressing common challenges for the collective benefit of Indian Ocean nations, as stated by the PMD.
On the sidelines of the IOC, President Wickremesinghe also held discussions with Australia’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Penny Wong, and the Premier of Western Australia, Roger Cook, earlier today.
