Minister of External Affairs G.L. Peiris this week invited academics and intellectuals to contribute towards enhancing the government’s foreign policy objectives and reiterated his intentions of establishing a ‘think tank’ at the Ministry on foreign policy issues. Addressing academics, intellectuals and former senior officials of Ministry, Prof Peiris said contributions by a ‘think-tank’ towards achieving the government’s long term foreign policy objectives would be of significant value to the Ministry.
According to a press release by the Ministry, Prof Peiris also stated that the External Affairs Ministry would establish links with universities, academics and intellectuals in their areas of expertise and identify disciplines which are relevant to the Ministry. He stated that the work connected to a ‘think-tank’ would be a consistent one and the process would continue.
During his address, the External Affairs Minister also stated that Sri Lanka would take over the Chair of the G-15 Summit to be held in Iran. He said that when President Mahinda Rajapaksa takes over the chairmanship of this regional grouping, Sri Lanka would be able to explore opportunities prevailing in the region, work towards maximizing benefits to all the members and address the aspirations of the developing world.
The Minister also stated that the inclusion of the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) and the Sri Lanka Foreign Employment Agency (SLFEA) under the responsibilities of the Ministry of External Affairs has opened a vista of opportunities to utilize the reservoir of skills which are available in Sri Lanka. Prof Peiris said the remittances by expatriate workers to the country’s economy was only second to the revenue brought in by the apparel sector and pointed out that with the SLBFE and the SLFEA coming within the purview of the External Affairs Ministry, more opportunities for Sri Lankan nationals to work abroad would be further explored. |
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