Ambassador Colombage, Indonesian Minister discuss tourism, security

Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to Indonesia Admiral Professor Jayanath Colombage paid a courtesy call on Minister of Home Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia Muhammad Tito Karnavian on Tuesday (2).

 

The Minister and the Ambassador had a cordial dialogue on the areas and opportunities available between two countries for trade, export, tourism, Maritime Security and Police cooperation.

 

The Indonesian Minister highlighted that the Indonesian National Police is more concerned about the training in riot control and the effectiveness of that experience in maintaining law and order in the country and shared some of his experiences during his period as the Chief of the National Police of Indonesia prior to being appointed as the Minister of Home Affairs in 2019.

 

Ambassador Colombage spoke about Sri Lanka’s growing interest in ASEAN, ASEAN Regional Forum ASEAN Outlook on Indo- Pacific and the recent Indonesian initiative of the ASEAN Maritime Outlook which is going to be a key area of discussion at the upcoming ASEAN Summit to be held under the Chairmanship of Indonesia in 2023.

 

While expressing concerns on the current economic challenges faced by the Government of Sri Lanka, the Minister expressed that the Government of Indonesia is impressed by the way Sri Lanka is addressing the key issues and recovering from the financial crisis and economic hardships.

 

The Minister also explained about the Government’s plan to shift the Capital City to Kalimantan in Borneo Island while Jakarta remains as an Economic Hub of the country.

 

Minister Muhammad Tito Karnavian instructed the Secretary General of the Ministry to work closely with the Embassy in order to strengthen bilateral relations.