New Zealand Parliament Speaker confident of support to Sri Lanka

New Zealand Parliament Speaker Gerry Brownlee expressed confidence of his country’s support to Sri Lanka.

High Commissioner of Sri Lanka in Wellington Prasanna Gamage called on MP, Speaker of Parliament of New Zealand Gerry Brownlee at the Parliament of New Zealand in Wellington.

During the exchange, MP Brownlee congratulated the High Commissioner on his appointment as Sri Lanka’s first resident envoy to New Zealand and expressed hope that the establishment of resident diplomatic Missions in both capitals will enhance bilateral relations.

The Speaker recalled his successful official visit to Sri Lanka in 2023 and the generous hospitality accorded to him and his parliamentary delegation by the Sri Lankan government.

High Commissioner Gamage thanked the Speaker for receiving him warmly and briefed the Speaker on the recent political and economic developments in Sri Lanka as well as the new initiatives being undertaken by the government such as the “Clean Sri Lanka” project.

He expressed his confidence that Sri Lanka would receive the support of New Zealand in these endeavours. High Commissioner Gamage outlined the future activities envisaged by the High Commission in New Zealand, including the promotion of Sri Lanka as a tourist destination, boosting agriculture, trade and investment, and supporting people-to-people contacts. MP Brownlee joined High Commissioner Gamage in his praise of Sri Lanka as a tourist destination given its natural beauty, renowned hospitality and excellent services. He also noted the potential for agricultural cooperation.

Both MP Brownlee and High Commissioner Gamage voiced the importance of cooperation between parliaments and exchanges of parliamentary delegations. The Speaker pledged his commitment to work towards enhancing relations between New Zealand and Sri Lanka.