Ambassador of Sri Lanka calls on the Chairman of Sri Lanka – Türkiye Parliamentary Friendship Association

Media Release

Ambassador of Sri Lanka calls on the Chairman of Sri Lanka – Türkiye Parliamentary Friendship Association

Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Türkiye, Ms. Hasanthi Urugodawatte Dissanayake called on the Chairman of Sri Lanka – Türkiye Parliamentary Friendship Association, Mr. Ahmet Hamdi Çamlı at the National Assembly in Ankara recently. The Chairman warmly welcomed the Ambassador and congratulated on her appointment as Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Türkiye.

Ambassador expressed her condolence on the recent devastating earthquake that shook Türkiye and support rendered by Sri Lanka to assist much affected people. Ambassador also recalled the assistance provided by Türkiye when Sri Lanka was hit by Tsunami in 2004 and continued support to Sri Lanka particularly during extreme weather events.

Mr. Çamlı appreciated the role played by the Embassy of Sri Lanka in mobilizing the diplomatic corps in Ankara to make a donation in solidarity with the victims of the earthquake.  

Discussions were focussed on the role of Parliamentary Associations in strengthen bilateral relations in the field of socio, economic and political between Türkiye and Sri Lanka.

Mr. Çamlı recalled the struggle and the period of colonization that Türkiye had gone through in the past and now the country is to celebrate 100^th Anniversary of Republic Day of Türkiye.

Ambassador Dissanayake appreciated the role played by Türkiye on Grain Deal Diplomacy and set off an example for soft diplomacy. Further, Ambassador also appreciated the role of Türkiye for hosting nearly 04 million refugees and Türkiye continue to support them for their livelihood in the country which also illustrates that people should unite regardless of ethno-cultural differences but come together and show solidarity as one human race.

Ambassador also indicated that the trajectory of development of Türkiye with ensuring food security, then developing industries and growth of SMEs are fine examples to developing countries including Sri Lanka.

She also recalled that the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the offices of Ombudsman of Sri Lanka and Türkiye in early January 2023 to promote the focus on the role of the two institutions in Sri Lanka and Türkiye for protecting citizens from injustice and discrimination was also discussed during the meeting.

In addition, possible exchange of visits of delegations representing Sri Lanka – Türkiye parliamentary friendship Association marking 75^th Anniversary of diplomatic relations between Sri Lanka and Türkiye and 100^th Anniversary of Republic Day of Türkiye too was discussed.

Embassy of Sri Lanka

Ankara

07 March 2023