The High Commissioner of South Africa to Sri Lanka, H.E. Sandile Edwin Schalk, paid a courtesy call on the Speaker of Parliament of Sri Lanka, Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne, yesterday (June 18) at the Parliament premises.
During the discussion, the Speaker stated that Sri Lanka established diplomatic relations with South Africa in 1994 and emphasized the importance of further strengthening bilateral relations in the fields of trade, tourism, as well as people-to-people ties. The Speaker also noted that South Africa's reconciliation mechanism serves as a prominent message to the world on the importance of peace and expressed gratitude to the Government of South Africa for its continued support to Sri Lanka.
H.E. Sandile Edwin Schalk, the High Commissioner explained the ongoing reconstruction and development efforts of the Government of South Africa, which are aimed at uplifting the living standards of its people while advancing reconciliation mechanisms. The High Commissioner also emphasized the importance of reviving the Sri Lanka - South Africa Parliamentary Friendship Association to further strengthen parliamentary and bilateral interactions between the two countries.
Furthermore, cordial discussions between the High Commissioner and the Speaker focused on several matters of mutual interest.The Secretary General of Parliament, Mrs. Kushani Rohanadeera, was also present at the meeting.
