Telephone Call Between SFA Locsin, Sri Lankan Foreign Minister on the occasion of the PH-Sri Lanka 60th Diplomatic Relations Anniversary
Left photo: Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro L. Locsin, Jr. (DFA-OPCD photo)
Right photo: Minister of Foreign Relations Dinesh Gunawardena of Sri Lanka. (Photo courtesy of Sri Lankan Embassy)
MANILA 26 January 2021 — On the occasion of the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Sri Lanka this year, Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro L. Locsin, Jr., and Minister of Foreign Relations Dinesh Gunawardena of Sri Lanka exchanged felicitations and best wishes in a phone conversation on 22 January 2021.
The two Foreign Ministers welcomed the excellent state of overall relations since diplomatic ties were inaugurated on 11 January 1961.
Secretary Locsin conveyed the Philippines’ satisfaction over the substantial gains attained in fostering bilateral dialogue and cooperation, as well as in realizing high-level visits, recalling in this regard the State Visit of then-President Maithripala Sirisena in 2019.
Minister Gunawardena cited the good relations between the two countries, and conveyed Sri Lanka’s interest in exploring exchanges and cooperation with the Philippines on agriculture, the upskilling of workers, and combating illicit drugs.
Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to further intensifying engagement between the two countries, especially in the fields of defense, trade, labor, and people-to-people exchanges. Along these lines, they also agreed to work towards the early convening of the next round of the Philippines-Sri Lanka Political Consultations. END
Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro L. Locsin, Jr. during the telephone call with Minister of Foreign Relations Dinesh Gunawardena of Sri Lanka. (Photos by DFA-OPCD Charlyn Lau)