PM seeks economic diplomacy from new 16 Sri Lankan envoys in different capitals

• Urged them to work towards attracting investments, promoting exports, tourism   
• PM asked the envoys to extend the fullest cooperation to the investment and export promotion committees established by President

Prime Minister stresses to new SL envoys the importance of innovative diplomacy to promote exports, tourism and attract investments.   

Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena said traditional diplomacy has changed and today’s top priority is economic diplomacy. 

 Addressing 16 newly appointed ambassadors and high commissioners at the Temple Trees yesterday, he urged them to work towards attracting investments, promoting exports, tourism and enhance the image of Sri Lanka as a non-aligned neutral country with friendship towards all.  

 “We have not deviated from that policy and our ports are open to everybody, and it is your duty to get this message across to the world,” he told the envoys.  

Referring to the unprecedented economic challenges and debt restructuring, the Prime Minister asked the Sri Lankan missions to work on investments, joint ventures and bilateral partnerships so that Sri Lanka could increase production, exports and develop rapidly rather than depending on aid and loans.  

He asked the missions to work in close cooperation with the expatriate community and their associations to obtain more investments, employment opportunities and development assistance.  

Pointing out that Sri Lanka is making a rapid economic recovery, he said the friendly nations could cooperate with the country’s efforts to be self-sufficient in food and develop agriculture, industry, IT and tourism.  
Prime Minister Gunawardena asked the envoys to extend the fullest cooperation to the investment and export promotion committees established by President Ranil Wickremesinghe.  

• We have not deviated from that policy and our ports are open to everybody, and it is your duty to get this message across to the world