The Ambassador sees a big potential in close cooperation in the tourism sector “since both countries are tourist destinations”, stated Times of Oman.

“We can both learn from each other on how to develop tourism. I would be meeting the Sultanate’s minister responsible for tourism to take this forward,” the Ambassador said.

“I am also planning to meet outbound tourism agents so that the embassy can give them accurate information about Sri Lanka and suggest packages and destinations,” he said.

Last year, around 1,500 Omani citizens travelled to Sri Lanka. “We hope to improve upon these numbers,” the Ambassador added.

Relations between Sri Lanka and Oman are going from strength to strength and the new Sri Lankan Ambassador hopes to do his bit to further boost the already robust ties, stated the news paper.

“While my primary objective is to strengthen relations between Sri Lanka and Oman, I have a list of objectives that I hope to accomplish,” the Ambassador said.

Among the first is to facilitate an exchange of visits between heads of the states of the two nations. Secondly, I plan to work out exchange of ministerial and official level visits,” he said.

“We share very close bilateral ties. Our relationship goes back to so many decades. Besides, Oman and Sri Lanka are dealing at the international level since we are members of organizations such as Non-Aligned Movement (NAM),” he added.

Talking about trade figures, the Ambassador said that in the year 2010 exports from Sri Lanka to Oman stood at $ 9.3 million. Exports from Oman to Sri Lanka stood at $ 93 million. 

Stating that Oman can invest in different sectors in Sri Lanka, the Ambassador said, “After conclusion of our war against terrorism in May 2009, some regions are being developed by the Government of Sri Lanka with the support of international community. There are lots of development projects taking place. For example, many roads and bridges are being developed.

Oman can invest in the country through infrastructure and agricultural projects, the Ambassador further said.

Mr.Girihagama explained that the northern and eastern parts of the country which have been devastated by the 30-year war need to be rebuilt from the scratch.

Informing that there are around 25,000 Sri Lankans living in Oman, the ambassador said he hopes to work closely with the community members. 

“As part of the process I shall be interacting with members of Sri Lankan Social Club and Sri Lankan School’s board of directors.”

Considering that a majority of the Sri Lankans living in Oman fall in the blue collar category, he said the Sri Lankan government conducts pre-departure awareness programmes for citizens travelling to Middle East countries.

 “Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) is the government’s legal body to look after everything concerning the Sri Lankan expatriate community,” he said.

The ambassador wants to conclude agreements in the manpower sector, foreign affairs, tourism and trade during his tenure.