Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano Holds Bilateral Meeting with Sri Lanka’s State Minister of Foreign Affairs Vasantha Senanayake

05 August 2017, Manila – Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter S. Cayetano met Sri Lanka’s State Minister of Foreign Affairs Vasantha Senanayake on Saturday 05 August 2017 and discussed improving trade, tourism and labor cooperation between the two countries.

During the meeting, Secretary Cayetano expressed his appreciation for Sri Lanka's support for the Philippine government’s fight against terrorism. The State Minister offered to share Sri Lanka’s counterterrorism experience, as well as their experience in the reconciliation process.

On defense cooperation, State Minister Senanayake said that Sri Lankan military officers who received post-graduate degrees in the Philippines went on to excel after their training in the country. The State Minister also acknowledged Philippine assistance for the rehabilitation of Cyclone-hit areas in Sri Lanka. 

The two sides took the opportunity to also discuss South-South cooperation and Sri Lanka’s partnership with ASEAN, with Secretary Cayetano encouraging Sri Lanka's further engagement in the region. END