Visiting Prime Minister of Australia Malcolm Turnbull and his Sri Lankan counterpart Ranil Wickremesinghe held discussions on improving the bi-lateral co-operation mechanisms between the two countries, at the Temple Trees today (2).

Prime Minister Turnbull admired the decision taken by the Sri Lankan Government towards establishing a Parliamentary Budgetary Office and assured Sri Lanka of Australia’s support towards the initiative, the PM’s Office said.

Premier Wickremesinghe informed his counterpart that the preliminary steps towards this have been taken and that the Speaker of the Sri Lankan Parliament would handle co-ordination with the Australian Government in this regard.

PM Wickremesinghe further explained his vision towards making Sri Lanka a hub in the Indian Ocean, stressing on the need to maintain freedom of navigation in the Indian Ocean. He pointed out that India, Japan, Singapore and Indonesia have already expressed their co-operation towards it.

Prime Minister Wickremesinghe added that China and India have extended support towards the development of Mattala and Hambantota while reiterating Sri Lanka’s participation in the One Belt One Road initiative of China. 

The two Prime Ministers discussed the current status of affairs in the Maldives while laying emphasis on the support that could be extended towards holding free and peaceful elections in the country.

Premier Wickremesinghe also briefed his counterpart on the current status of the planned constitutional amendments in Sri Lanka.

Following a breakfast that the Australian Prime Minister highly commended, the two leaders discussed enhancing trade and investment potential between Sri Lanka and Australia. Ms Chandani Wijewardena Secretary – Ministry of Development Strategy and International Trade signed on behalf of Sri Lanka while the Australian High Commissioner in Sri Lanka Brian Hutchison signed on behalf of Australia.