President Maithripala Sirisena said he would take steps to increase the welfare of Sri Lankans living in the Philippines while resolving their concerns with the assistance of improved Sri Lanka-Philippines relations following his state visit to the Philippines.

He said this when he met the Sri Lankan community living there.

A group of people, including students receiving higher education, professionals and persons who are engaged in different fields attended this meeting.

The President advised the Sri Lankan ambassador to the Philippines to discuss the problems faced by the students of higher education and issues related to visas presented by Sri Lankans living in the Philippines and resolve their problems.

The President appreciated the progress made by the Philippines in economic development and praised the Philippine Presidentand the Government’s commitment to the effort against drug trafficking in the Philippines.

The President also briefed the Sri Lankans living in the Philippines about the extensive programmes to prevent drug trafficking in Sri Lanka.