Switzerland backs reforms in Sri Lanka

Switzerland today extended support to Sri Lanka?s reforms process including the 19^th Amendment to the constitution, the Ministry of Industry and Commerce said.

The Swiss Ambassador to Sri Lanka Heinz Walker-Nederkoorn has said that he was impressed with the democratic process Sri Lanka displayed at the January election.

?Passing of 19-Amendment shows that the spirit of reform is very much alive in Sri Lanka. We, the Swiss, would like to support this Lankan reform spirit? he said.

The Swiss Ambassador was addressing the first ever Swiss-Sri Lanka Business Discussion Roundtable held in Colombo today. The Minister of Industry and Commerce Rishad Bathiudeen also attended the discussion.

Walker-Nederkoorn, addressing the event, said: ?Sri Lanka?s potential is high. I am pleased to share the first Swiss?Sri Lanka Business Roundtable in Colombo today. After the January Presidential polls, Sri Lanka started a comprehensive reforms process. As a representative of one of the oldest democracies in the world, I am very much impressed by the democratic process Sri Lanka displayed on 08 January. It is a unique event, and a very good start and passing of 19 Amendment shows that the spirit of reform is very much alive in Sri Lanka. We, the Swiss, would like to support this Lankan reform spirit.?

He also noted that significant economic and political changes are taking place in Sri Lanka under the leadership of President Maithripala Sirisena. (Colombo Gazette)