Sri Lanka pledges mutual ties with Kenya
President Uhuru Kenyatta and First Lady Margaret Kenyatta share a light moment wit Sri Lanka President Mahinda Rajapaksa and First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa during a State banquet they hosted in honour of them at State House, Nairobi. Photo/PSCU
What you need to know:
- President Rajapaksa, who is in the country for a state visit, said Kenya and Sri Lanka have identified and will sign agreements on several areas of cooperation during his visit.
- He said he was convinced that there was considerable potential for the expansion of economic relations between Kenya and Sri Lanka.
- President Kenyatta said the lasting legacy of the Sri Lankan President is his victory against retrogressive forces including terrorism.
- President Kenyatta on Sri Lanka: "Over 750,000 internally displaced persons (in Sri Lanka) are now settled and living a dignified life while positively contributing to their societies and economy in a safe environment for the first time in a lifetime.”
Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa has pledged his government’s commitment to work with Kenya in building a dynamic partnership that will benefit the people of the two countries.
President Rajapaksa, who is in the country for a state visit, said Kenya and Sri Lanka have identified and will sign agreements on several areas of cooperation during his visit.
The Sri Lankan President commenced his state visit by joining Kenyans in celebrating the 50th anniversary of Kenya’s independence at the Safaricom Stadium at Kasarani on Thursday.
“We will sign formal agreements and establish a Kenya-Sri Lanka Joint Commission, graduating our relationship to greater heights,” President Rajapaksa said.
The Sri Lankan President was speaking on Friday evening during a state banquet hosted in his honour by President Uhuru Kenyatta and First Lady Margaret at State House, Nairobi.
President Rajapaksa said he was convinced that there was considerable potential for the expansion of economic relations between Kenya and Sri Lanka.
“It is for this reason that leading business persons of my country, with keen interested in developing partnerships with their Kenyan counterparts, have accompanied me on this visit,” President Rajapaksa said.
He said there was also room for Kenya and Sri Lanka to be effective partners for international peace and stability, adding that the two countries should join hands in ensuring that the fruits of globalisation are shared equitably.
“It is important that global economies are just and meet the aspirations of the developing world. Let us make it a common course to work towards this,” President Rajapaksa said.
He expressed confidence that in the years ahead the two countries would continue to build deeper ties for the benefit of their people.
Speaking during the occasion, President Kenyatta said the Sri Lankan President’s state visit reaffirmed the longstanding and thriving friendship between Kenya and Sri Lanka.
“Our two fraternal countries, neighbours across the Indian Ocean have always enjoyed special ties and a traditional friendship,” President Kenyatta said.
He said the relations between the two countries are rooted by shared values, aspirations, mutual trust, strong partnership and common interest to overcome the challenges of development.
President Kenyatta commended President Rajapaksa’s transformational leadership that has enabled Sri Lanka to overcome phenomenal obstacles and remained steadfast on the path to progress and prosperity.
“Sri Lanka has achieved almost all Millennium Development Goals well before the target of the year 2015,” President Kenyatta said.
He said the lasting legacy of the Sri Lankan President is his victory against retrogressive forces including terrorism.
As a result, President Kenyatta said, Sri Lanka is now firmly focused on improving the economy and bringing prosperity to its people.
INTERNALLY DISPLACED
“Better still, over 750,000 internally displaced persons are now settled and living a dignified life while positively contributing to their societies and economy in a safe environment for the first time in a lifetime,” President Kenyatta said.
He added: “Today, Sri Lanka is truly ‘the pearl of the Indian Ocean’ and indeed a pearl to the whole world.”
Deputy President William Ruto congratulated President Rajapaksa for being the first Sri Lankan Head of State in history to visit Kenya.
The Deputy President observed that Kenya and Sri Lanka have a lot in common and should strive to enhance the historical tie that binds them.
“We should build on our historical ties and transform them into a firm foundation for economic growth and cooperation for the benefit of our people,” the Deputy President said.
Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohamed said the Sri Lankan President’s state visit during the 50th anniversary celebration of Kenya’s independence was an indication that Sri Lanka is a true friend.
Noting that the President Rajapaksa was accompanied by the Sri Lankan business community, the Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary exuded confidence that the economic ties between Kenya and Sri Lanka would be taken to higher levels.
