Prime Minister’s Media Division

Rumanian Ambassador Doamna Steluța Arhire called on Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena at the Temple Trees today (February 26).

Prime Minister Gunawardena and Romanian Ambassador held discussions on the long standing bilateral relations between the two countries and the steps to be taken to enter into economic cooperation and investment in new spheres. The Prime Minister urged Romania to consider investments and cooperation in education, agriculture, railways, IT, cyber security and tourism sectors.

Ambassador Arhire, expressing happiness over the four fold growth of bilateral trade to US$ 127 million last year added that her country would sign an agreement with Sri Lanka to avoid double taxation so that trade process could be smoothened. She added that another Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation on education, culture, sports and media could be signed once the draft is approved by both sides.

Romanian Ambassador said 40,000 Sri Lankans are employed in Romania and their contribution to the economy is highly appreciative and they also contribute to Sri Lanka with their remittances. The Prime Minister thanked the government of Romania providing employment to a large number of Sri Lankans in recent years.

The Prime Minister said that he is thankful for Romania’s support to Sri Lanka in the past and made a special mention about the Romanian oil supplies when there was a blockade to Sri Lanka due to nationalization of foreign companies in 1960s and the supply of railway compartments and rails to Sri Lanka.

Minister Vidura Wickremanayake. MP Yadamini Gunawardena and Secretary to the Prime Minister Anura Dissanayake were present on this occasion.