On arrival visa for Lankans in Philippines
Direct flights between Manila, Colombo:
Rasika Somarathna
The Philippines has agreed to provide visas on arrival for Sri
Lankans following a request by Prime Minister D M Jayaratne who ended a
brief visit to the Philippines yesterday, the Premier’s office said.
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Prime Minister D M Jayaratne meeting Philippines President
Benigno Aquino III. |
The two countries also agreed to resume direct commercial flights
between Manila and Colombo.
Sri Lanka and Philippines are also set to exchange defence related
experiences and enhance bi-lateral economic ties following talks between
Premier Jayaratne and President Benigno Aquino III. The Prime Minister’s
office said that a MoU would be signed between the two countries within
a month. Premier Jayaratne during the tour had also conveyed a formal
invitation by President Mahinda Rajapaksa requesting President Benigno
Aquino III to visit Sri Lanka. The Philippine President told Premier
Jayaratne that his visit could be the beginning of a long journey of new
and friendly ties between the two nations.
He had added that the existing friendly ties between the two
countries had further enhanced with the Premier’s visit.
The Philippine President also said that Sri Lanka was heading towards
rapid development since defeating terrorism and enhanced bi-lateral ties
would help further improve the economic prospects of both countries.
He added that he was happy to receive the invitation extended to
visit Sri Lanka.
Prime Minister Jayaratne had said that more robust bilateral ties
would help both countries in the long run. He said that diplomatic
relations were established between Sri Lanka and the Philippines as far
back as 1951.
He had also extended an invitation to Philippine investors to visit
Sri Lanka to explore investment opportunities. |
