Sri Lanka and Palestine have signed two agreements today during the state visit of Palestinian President Mahmould Abbas.
One of the agreements is on avoidance of Double Taxation & the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with respect of Taxes on Income.
The second agreement is on Protocol on Political Consultations.
The Agreements were signed by Prof G.L. Peiris, Minister of External Affairs on behalf of Sri Lanka and Dr. Riad N.A. Malki, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Palestine witnessed by President Mahinda Rajapaksa and President Abbas.
Later in the evening, the Minister of Foreign Affairs Riad Malki called on Prof Peiris, and had detailed discussions on bilateral issues of mutual interest.
Prof Peiris reiterated Sri Lanka’s commitment and support to the Palestinian cause and also recalled the President’s message at various international fora on Palestine issue conveying Sri Lanka’s firm and unequivocal support for the Palestinian peoples’ struggle, including the right to Statehood.Sri Lanka has supported the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people and their right to an independent state based on the UN Security Council Resolution 242, 338, 1397 and 1515 and other relevant resolutions, the External Affairs Ministry said.
Prof. Peiris also highlighted that visits at the high level between the two countries would strengthen the existing warm and cordial relations and that the Government is very much pleased to receive a high level delegation from Palestine. The Minister also recalled the recent visit of Hon. Namal Rajapaksa to Palestine and the visit of the Palestinian Minister of Tourism and Antiquities to Sri Lanka to attend the EXPO 2012 exhibition.
The Palestinian Foreign Minister thanked the Government of Sri Lanka for its continuous support to the Government and the people of Palestine and that the relations between the two countries have reached to the highest from the time President Rajapaksa assumed office. He also stated that there is much potential between the two countries, particularly in the field of trade, investment, economic and tourism for further cooperation and that the signing of the Agreement on Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion and the Protocol on Political Consultation between the two countries during the current State Visit would further strengthen the existing friendly relations between the two countries.
The Palestinian Foreign Minister also extended an invitation to the External Affairs Minister to visit Palestine on a date that could be mutually agreed upon. He also stated that he was very glad to witness the remarkable economic development achieved by the Government of Sri Lanka following the defeat of terrorism two years ago and stated that he was happy to witness the stability and the economic prosperity prevailing in this country and the amicable co-existence of all sections of people of Sri Lanka.
