Sri Lanka President as the Keynote Speaker at the 7th Indian Ocean Conference in Perth, Australia
February 21, 2024
The 7th Indian Ocean Conference on the theme “Towards a stable and sustainable Indian Ocean” was held in Perth, Australia from 9-10 February 2024.
President, Ranil Wickremesinghe was a special invitee to deliver the keynote speech at the inauguration.
The President’s keynote speech highlighted the Geopolitical complexities, challenges and strategies for stability and cooperation. He also spoke of enhancing the need for connectivity, the climate change crisis and called for collaborative action to create an overarching regional architecture for the Indian Ocean region.
Foreign Minister Ali Sabry was also invited to speak at the plenary session on the “Our Blue Future”. The Foreign Minister’s presentation touched on the blue-green economic opportunities and the need to work towards collective action on shared ocean resources.
During the conference, the Foreign Minister of Australia Penny Wong called on the President and, both leaders expressed their commitment to work towards further enhancing the bilateral links between Sri Lanka and Australia. They shared insights on the evolving dynamics on the Indian Ocean region.
The meeting between the Indian External Affairs Minister and the President provided an opportunity for both sides to review the ongoing projects between the two countries and the way forward.
An important discussion was held when the Western Australia Premier, Roger Cook called on the President. They focussed on the renewable energy sector, agriculture development, aviation connectivity and investment opportunities in Sri Lanka.
The President’s presence in Perth also provided an opportunity for the Honorary Consul of Sri Lanka in Western Australia to organize a meeting for the President to engage with the Sri Lanka diaspora in Western Australia.
The President conducted media interviews with WION Television, the Hindu and India Foundation.
The President made a brief inspection visit to the Honorary Consulate and was welcomed by the Honorary Consul in Western Australia, Dr. Rosh Jalagge and Staff.
The delegation to IOC included the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ali Sabry, Senior Advisor to the President of National Security and Chief of Staff Sagala Ratnayake, Sri Lanka High Commissioner to Australia, Chitranganee Wagiswara, Members of Parliament Chinthaka Mayadunne and Ishak Rahuman, International Affairs Directors Dinouk Colombage and Rishan de Silva, Private Secretary, Sandra Perera and from the Foreign Ministry Chief of Protocol, Majintha Jayasinghe, Rifa Wadood, Director, Indian Ocean and from the High Commission Deputy High Commissioner, Chamari Rodrigo and Minister Counsellor Comde S.P. Kathriarachchi.
Sri Lanka High Commission
Canberra
21/02/2024