Kenyan Deputy President, Kalonzo Musyoka welcomed Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama to Kenya on the 20^th of August and congratulated the Sri Lankan Government for laying a solid economic and political foundation for sustainable peace having defeated the LTTE terrorism.  Deputy President Musyoka  briefed the Sri Lankan delegation on the severe drought and the consequent food shortages affecting Kenya and the surrounding African countries and explained that Kenya was taking steps to overcome this situation.

Deputy President Musyoka referred to the importance of improving trade relations between Sri Lanka and Kenya and thanked the Sri Lankan business community who are already engaged in business activities in Kenya.

Minister Bogollagama elaborated on the post conflict development of Sri Lanka in  particular the resettlement program undertaken by the Government of the IDP’s in the North. He further stated that Sri Lanka and Kenya have maintained cordial relations during the last 38 years and assured the full support of Sri Lanka to improve the relations further.

He also said that the air and navel links between the two countries should be developed and outlined the assistance that can be extended by Sri Lanka for educational and agricultural development in Kenya. The Deputy President and the Foreign Minister agreed on the need to establish a permanent Kenyan Embassy in Sri Lanka.

The Sri Lankan High Commissioner in Kenya, Mr. Jayantha Dissanayake, Deputy High Commissioner, Mr. K. Mahesan and Co-ordinating Secretary of the Hon. Minister, Nihal Samarasekera were present at the meeting.

Sri Lanka High Commission 

Nairobi 

Kenya  

20^th August 2009