The Cabinet has granted approval to establish diplomatic relations with the Republic of San Marino, a small independent enclave near central Italy.

Acting Minister of External Affairs Neomal Perera has submitted the proposal in this regard.

San Marino an Independent republic has the world's oldest written Constitution enacted in 1600 AD.

The tiny nation with 32,140 people is one of the wealthiest democracies with a per capita income of US$ 37,830.

According to the government, there is potential for Sri Lanka to promote tourism and to export as it has an annual tourists arrival of 3.5 million.