ASEAN Heads of Missions Strengthen Cooperation with Central Province

The ASEAN Heads of Mission in Sri Lanka have concluded a two-day field visit to Nuwara Eliya on March 8-9, 2024, fostering deeper ties and exploring avenues for strengthening cooperation between ASEAN countries and Sri Lanka.

“A two-day field visit, co-organized by the Embassy of Indonesia and the High Commission of Malaysia, was attended by the respective Heads of ASEAN Representatives in Sri Lanka, namely H.E. Dewi Gustina Tobing, the Ambassador of Indonesia, H.E. U Han Thu, the Ambassador of Myanmar, H.E. Ho Thi Thanh Truc, the Ambassador of Viet Nam, H.E. Badli Hisham Adam, High Commissioner of Malaysia, and the representative of the Thailand Embassy” disclosed Heru Prayitno, Minister Counsellor of the Embassy of Indonesia.

A significant meeting with the Honourable Jeeven Thondaman, Minister of Water Supply and Estate Infrastructure Development of Sri Lanka, highlighted the delegation’s activity. This engagement discussed practical steps towards enhancing collaboration between the ASEAN and Sri Lanka, particularly in areas of mutual interest such as water supply and infrastructure development.

The meeting with Minister Thondaman was not only productive but also shed light on the shared goals and challenges faced by both ASEAN nations and Sri Lanka. It also paved the way for future cooperation on some areas of common concern, including trade, investment in infrastructure, technology and knowledge sharing, people-to-people, and sustainable development.

In addition to the diplomatic engagements, the ASEAN delegation embraced the opportunity to explore Nuwara Eliya’s renowned sites, including the Ambawela Dairy Farm and the Moon Plains, symbolic of Sri Lanka’s rich agricultural and natural heritage. These visits underscored the potential for ASEAN countries to learn from Sri Lanka’s experience in these sectors, potentially leading to collaborative projects in the future.

The field visit also included a leisurely Golf session at the Nuwara Eliya Golf Course, allowing the delegation to engage in informal discussions and strengthen the bonds of friendship and understanding that form the bedrock of ASEAN-Sri Lanka relations.

A two-day field visit to Nuwara Eliya represents a significant step forward in fostering the ASEAN-Sri Lanka partnership, emphasizing shared interests and exploring new opportunities for cooperation.

ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) is a regional intergovernmental organization comprising ten Southeast Asian countries. It promotes intergovernmental cooperation and facilitates economic, political, security, military, educational, and sociocultural integration among its members and other Asian countries.