Seychelles-Sri Lanka-Bilateral ties get big boost |23 August 2012

This took place on Tuesday after President Michel, who is on his first official visit to Sri Lanka, had held a tête à tête with Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa, followed by bilateral discussions.

The first agreement was signed with a view to establishing and strengthening exchange and cooperation in the field of health between the two countries.

The second is for various forms of co-operation in education, such as teacher recruitment, training and student exchanges.

The third seeks to regulate the employment of Sri Lankan manpower in Seychelles, in accordance with relevant laws and procedures applied in the two countries and through applications made between the two governments.

The fourth concerns bilateral cooperation in the field of legal affairs, particularly legal drafting and the recruitment of legal experts from Sri Lanka.

The agreements were signed by the Seychelles Minister for Foreign Affairs, Jean-Paul Adam, the Sri Lankan Minister for External Affairs, Professor G. L. Peiris, as well as the Sri Lankan Minister for Education, Bandula Gunawardane and the Sri Lankan Minister for Foreign Employment and Welfare, Dilan Perera.

The signing was witnessed by both President Michel and President Rajapaksa.
Commenting on his visit to Sri Lanka, President Michel said it will provide impetus for further development of cooperation of the already excellent relationship between the two countries.

“We are both Indian Ocean countries, we need to build and expand our circle of friendship in our ocean. It is our ocean, let us ensure that we assume our ownership and protect our resources.... We need to reinforce our cooperation in fisheries, maritime security, education and health as well as increase trade and investment between our countries,” said President Michel during his meeting with President Rajapaksa.

President Michel noted the strong historical links between Seychelles and Sri Lanka, especially as a large number of Sri Lankan teachers have contributed to the Seychelles education system in the last thirty years, as well as the current important contributions to society being made by Sri Lankan legal experts.

President Michel also commended President Rajapaksa on the progress that has been made to resolve conflict in Sri Lanka after 30 years of war, and the steps taken for reconciliation between aggrieved parties.

Besides Minister Adam, the other members of the delegation accompanying President Michel on his visit include the Minister for Natural Resources and Industry, Peter Sinon; the Seychelles high commissioner to India who is accredited to Sri Lanka, Waven William; the acting director general for Trade in the Ministry of Finance, Trade and Investment, Charles Morin; the chairperson of the Seychelles Civil Aviation Authority, David Savy; as well as the chairperson of the Fishing Boat Owners Association, Beatty Hoareau.