Sri Lankan president calls for regional cooperation to eradicate drug menace

Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena has called for regional cooperation in several areas to eradicate drug menace and narcotics smuggling, a Foreign Ministry statement said here on Tuesday.

In his discussions with Maldivian President Abdulla Yameen during his state visit to the Maldives over the weekend, Sirisena said that the future priorities for Sri Lanka are in food security and sustainable domestic food production, eradicating the drug menace including narcotics smuggling and environmental protection and conservation. He emphasized the need for regional cooperation in these areas as well.

Sirisena was in the Maldives to attend the Golden Jubilee commemorations of the 50 years of independence of the Maldives. He returned back to the island nation on Monday after successfully concluding his first state visit to the Maldives. He was accompanied by his Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake and other senior government officials.

In the Maldives, the Sri Lankan President assured continued support for the socio-economic development of Maldives. The discussions he had there placed particular emphasis on strengthening the economic engagement between the two countries including in investments and tourism, the Foreign Ministry said.

Having discussed various aspects of regional and international issues of concern, President Sirisena articulated Sri Lanka's approach of working with the international community adhering to the objectives and principles of the United Nations, Commonwealth and SAARC.

President Sirisena also emphasized the need to invigorate the economic development in the region with the sustainable use of natural resources, use of innovation and technology to be the catalyst in the region's development.