New Zealand Parliament Speaker Gerry Brownlee MP praised Sri Lanka’s quick economic recovery and ensured his country’s continuous support and cooperation. He said Sri Lanka has vast potential in many sectors including tourism, ports and shipping, fisheries and agriculture.
The New Zealand Speaker said this when he met Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena at Temple Trees on Wednesday (10)
The discussions covered potential cooperation in the dairy sector, public sector reforms and land reforms.
The Prime Minister, referring to longstanding friendship between the two countries, called for an increase in bilateral economic cooperation between New Zealand and Sri Lanka and also enhancing support under the Colombo Plan.
He recalled that the two countries share a proud record of early introduction of universal franchise – New Zealand in 1893 and Sri Lanka in 1931 – and absolute commitment to Parliamentary democracy.
He thanked New Zealand for establishing Sri Lanka Dental College in Maharagama under a Colombo Plan grant in 1958 and requested assistance for its upgrading.
The New Zealand delegation included MPs Carlos Cheung, Andy Foster, Cushla Tangaere – Manuel, Lawrence Xu- Nan, Nico Henneveld, Adviser New Zealand Parliament and High Commissioner David Pine.
State Minister Ashoka Priyantha, MPs Sudarshana Denipitiya, Yadamini Gunawardena and Prime Minister’s Secretary, Anura Dissanayake were also present.
