Sri Lanka to establish diplomatic ties with Madagascar
[27 Mar 2001]  

Sri Lanka will send a delegation to Madagascar with the aim of establishing diplomatic relations with the country.

The delegation is scheduled to leave in May.

The establishment of diplomatic relations with Madagascar is important to Sri Lanka as a considerable number of Sri Lankans are engaged in the gem trade there.

In addition, both Sri Lanka and Madagascar are members of the Indian Ocean Rim Association for Regional Cooperation (IOR-ARC), which has been established to enhance regional cooperation of Indian Ocean Rim countries.

The process of establishing diplomatic relations with Madagascar was first initiated in 1999. Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar discussed the issue with his Madagascar counterpart Madame Lila Ratsifandriamanana last September.

After the establishment of diplomatic relations, Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner for Pretoria will be concurrently accredited as Sri Lankan Ambassador for Madagascar.

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