Prime Minister of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka Ranil Wickremesinghe received a ceremonial welcome at the Istana this morning. He called on President Tony Tan Keng Yam and met Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. Prime Minister Lee also hosted an official lunch in honour of Prime Minister Wickremesinghe. During their meetings, the leaders reaffirmed the warm and growing ties between the two countries.
President Tan and Prime Minister Wickremesinghe highlighted the longstanding friendship between Singapore and Sri Lanka, undergirded by strong people-to-people links. They also discussed global political and economic challenges. In their meeting, Prime Minister Lee and Prime Minister Wickremesinghe exchanged views on deepening cooperation in a number of areas, including tourism, business promotion and capacity building. They also discussed Prime Minister Wickremesinghe’s economic vision for Sri Lanka, as well as recent developments in South Asia.
The two Prime Ministers witnessed the signing of four Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs), and a Joint Statement between the Ministry of Trade and Industry of Singapore and the Ministry of Development Strategies and International Trade of Sri Lanka to launch negotiations on a bilateral free trade agreement. The MOUs covered culture cooperation, capacity-building for government officials, technical and vocational education and training, and urban solutions. In addition, the National Library Board will donate another 500 books to update the Jaffna Public Library’s (JPL’s) collection, as part of its longstanding collaboration with the JPL. The list of MOUs signed is at Annex A.
In addition, Prime Minister Wickremesinghe delivered the Special Address at the Third South Asia Diaspora Convention, and visited PSA to better understand Singapore’s port management.
On 19 July 2016, Prime Minister Wickremesinghe will visit the Civil Service College, where he will be briefed on capacity-building and training programmes. He will also tour the National Gallery Singapore and Singapore River waterfront to learn about Singapore’s conservation and urban rejuvenation efforts. Prime Minister Wickremesinghe will also participate in a business dialogue with a group of Singapore companies, chaired by Minister for Trade and Industry (Industry) S Iswaran.
Prime Minister Wickremesinghe will depart Singapore for Sri Lanka tomorrow night.
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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
SINGAPORE
18 JULY 2016
ANNEX A
LIST OF MEMORANDA OF UNDERSTANDING (MOUs)
SIGNED AT THE ISTANA ON 18 JULY 2016
1. |
MOU on Cooperation in the Field of Culture between the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Wayamba Development and Cultural Affairs of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka and the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth of the Republic of Singapore
To facilitate greater cultural exchange.
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2. |
MOU on Collaboration for Western Region Megapolis Development Activities between the Ministry of Megapolis and Western Development of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka and International Enterprise Singapore Board of the Republic of Singapore
To collaborate on urban solutions and connectivity, in support of the development of Sri Lanka’s Western Region Megapolis.
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3. |
MOU between Civil Service College (CSC) of the Republic of Singapore and the Ministry of Public Administration and Management of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka on Cooperation and Exchange in the Area of Capacity Building of Government Officials
To encourage cooperation on, among others, the exchange of working or study visits and customised capacity building programmes in the areas of leadership, public governance, public administration, and public service development for Sri Lankan government officials. Under this MOU, CSC will conduct two runs of a Public Service Leadership Programme for Sri Lankan officials.
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4. |
MOU on Collaboration in the Field of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) between ITE Education Services (ITEES) and the Ministry of Skills Development and Vocational Training of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka
ITEES will train 60 senior participants in total in Singapore and Sri Lanka over three years, starting in August 2016. This will be partially funded by the Temasek Foundation.
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