On Monday, February 26, Romanian Ambassador Doamna Steluța Arhire visited Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena at the Temple Trees, engaging in discussions regarding the enduring bilateral relations between Romania and Sri Lanka. The meeting also focused on strategies to foster economic cooperation and investments in various sectors.
During the dialogue, Prime Minister Gunawardena encouraged Romania to explore opportunities for investments and collaboration in key areas such as education, agriculture, railways, IT, cyber security, and tourism. Emphasizing the potential for mutual benefits, he conveyed Sri Lanka’s keen interest in strengthening ties with Romania across diverse fields.
Ambassador Arhire expressed her satisfaction with the significant fourfold growth in bilateral trade, reaching USD 127 million last year. She announced Romania’s intention to sign an agreement with Sri Lanka aimed at preventing double taxation, facilitating smoother trade processes. Furthermore, she proposed the possibility of signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) covering cooperation in education, culture, sports, and media, pending approval from both sides.
Highlighting the valuable contribution of 40,000 Sri Lankan workers employed in Romania, Ambassador Arhire underscored their positive impact on both economies, particularly through remittances. In response, Prime Minister Gunawardena expressed gratitude for Romania’s support in the past, citing instances such as the supply of oil during a blockade in the 1960s and the provision of railway components and rails to Sri Lanka.
The Prime Minister acknowledged Romania’s role in providing employment opportunities for a significant number of Sri Lankans in recent years and expressed appreciation for the enduring friendship between the two nations. The meeting concluded with a reaffirmation of the commitment to further strengthen the bilateral ties between Romania and Sri Lanka.
