Sri Lanka-Portugal affirm commitment to further strengthen bilateral ties

Portugal's Minister of State and Foreign Affairs, Paulo Rangel, made a working visit to Sri Lanka on February 24, where he met with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment, and Tourism, Vijitha Herath. This meeting took place at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Colombo. Foreign Minister Herath welcomed Rangel, emphasizing the importance and timely nature of the visit. Rangel also highlighted the opportunity for the two nations to enhance cooperation based on their rich cultural heritage. During their discussions, the two ministers covered various topics of shared interest, such as trade and investment, tourism, consular matters, cultural exchanges, and current global issues. They expressed their dedication to strengthening their bilateral relationship and collaborating in international platforms. Both ministers hoped this visit would help elevate their ties beyond historical connections and foster greater economic collaboration through regular discussions. Later that day, Rangel paid a courtesy visit to Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya. His program included visits to notable sites such as Colombo Port, St. Anthony’s Church in Kochichikade, the National Museum in Colombo, and the Gangarama Temple. Foreign Minister Herath was joined by the Foreign Secretary and other senior officials during the talks, while Rangel was accompanied by the Ambassador of Portugal to Sri Lanka and senior officials from the Portuguese Foreign Ministry.