Foreign Minister Dr. AK Abdul Momen is on a two-day visit to Colombo upon invitation from his Sri Lankan counterpart Mohamed Uvais Mohamed Ali Sabry to participate in the celebration of the 75th Independence Day of Sri Lanka as “Honoured Guest”.
On the first day of his visit, he called on Sri Lankan Prime Minister Dinesh Gunewerdana on Friday at the Temple Trees, the foreign ministry said.
On the second day, he called on President Ranil Wickremeshinghe.
During his meeting with the Prime Minister, the foreign ministry said, they reiterated the importance of further enhancing on-going sectoral collaboration between the two South Asian neighbours.
They especially focused on trade facilitation, business and investment, cooperation in tourism and connectivity.
He also attended a lunch hosted in his honour by Ali Sabry.
In the evening, Foreign Minister delivered the prestigious "Lakshman Kadirgamar Memorial Lecture” titled "Shared Prosperity: A vision for South Asia”.
In his deliberations, paying his deep tribute to Late Kadirgamar, the Foreign Minister shared his perspective of the collective aspiration of the South Asian community and the goals that South Asia could collectively pursue for the sake of shared prosperity.
Mrs Kadirgamar who is the life member of the Lakshman Kadirgamar Institute delivered the welcome remarks.
Sri Lankan Foreign Minister also spoke on the occasion and reflected on the life and works of Late Kadirgamar.
The Lecture, instituted in the memory of Sri Lanka's most renowned foreign minister and statesman late Lakshman Kadirgamar, had been delivered earlier by various world leaders and is considered a great honour conferred upon foreign dignitaries.
The lecture was attended by high dignitaries of Sri Lanka including Ministers, Chief Justice, Judges, Attorney General, Forces Chiefs, academia, business entrepreneurs as well as the diplomatic community based in Colombo.
In the evening, Foreign Minister graced a cultural festival “LankaraLanka” at the historic Independence Hall featuring traditional performing arts of Sri Lanka. It was also graced by Sri Lankan President and visiting South Asian Ministers.
He attended the main event “Independence Day Parade” on February 4.
Both foreign ministers also sat in a bilateral meeting.