Canberra: Sri Lanka and Australia have signed two Memoranda of Understanding for cooperation in development-related initiatives and sports.The agreements were signed in the presence of the Prime Ministers of Sri Lanka and Australia -- Ranil Wickremesinghe and Malcolm Turnbull - after bilateral talks held at the Parliament House here on Wednesday.
Addressing media, Turnbull said Australia and Sri Lanka enjoy a very deep relationship with a focus on maritime cooperation, economic development, trade and cooperation in sports.The Colombo Page web site quoted him, as further saying that as Indian Ocean neighbors, both have a shared interest in a secure, stable and prosperous region.
The Australian Prime Minister said that the economic relationship between Canberra and Colombo is growing and the trade between Sri Lanka and Australia was worth around a billion dollars last year.He said he was encouraged to hear that Australian companies are investing in Sri Lanka, taking advantage of that island-nation`s reforms.Prime Minister Wickremesinghe said Sri Lanka has no better friend than Australia."We have worked together, we have been together in the most difficult times, and have stood with us during the internal conflict in Sri Lanka," Premier Wickremesinghe said.
