Finland has acknowledged the steps being taken by the Government of Sri Lanka to strengthen democratic institutions, advance reconciliation, and achieve economic development.
Sri Lanka’s active and progressive engagement with the international community was also noted with appreciation by the Finnish delegation, during bilateral consultations in Colombo.
Both countries also reaffirmed their shared commitment in working towards intensifying engagement at multilateral fora on issues of mutual interest, Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.
The First Session of the Sri Lanka-Finland Bilateral Consultations at senior officials’ level was successfully concluded on 1 October at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Colombo.
The Sri Lanka delegation to the Bilateral Consultations was led by Sumith Nakandala, Additional Secretary (Bilateral Affairs) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Sri Lanka, while the delegation of Finland was led by Ambassador Kimmo Lähdevirta, Director General for the Americas and Asia of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland.
The visiting delegation also included Roving Ambassador of Finland for South Asia, concurrently accredited to Sri Lanka, Harri Kamarainen. Senior officials of both Foreign Ministries participated in the discussions, with several line Ministries and agencies representing Sri Lanka also contributing actively.