Joint Statement by New Zealand and Sri Lanka
on the Occasion of the Official Visit to New Zealand by
the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka Hon. Ranil Wickremesinghe,
1-3 October 2016
At the invitation of Rt. Hon John Key, Prime Minister of New Zealand, Hon. Ranil
Wickremesinghe, Prime Minister of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, is paying
an official visit to New Zealand from 1-3 October 2016, accompanied by Hon. Sagala
Ratnayaka, Minister of Law and Order and Southern Development; Hon. Harin Fernando,
Minister of Telecommunication and Digital Infrastructure; Hon. Dr. Sudarshini Fernandopulle,
State Minister of City Planning and Water Supply; and Hon. Dr. Harsha de Silva, Deputy
Minister of Foreign Affairs.
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Prime Minister Wickremesinghe’s visit reciprocates a visit by Prime Minister Key to
Sri Lanka in February 2016. The two Prime Ministers released this joint statement following
official talks at Government House on 1 October in Auckland.
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Having welcomed the deepening of the New Zealand–Sri Lanka relationship, the two
leaders reaffirmed their commitment to further enhance bilateral relations in the years ahead.
The two leaders noted that the reciprocal Prime Ministerial visits in 2016 reflected the
importance that both countries placed on their bilateral relations. In this regard, the two
leaders agreed to facilitate the holding of regular meetings at the political and senior officials’
levels, including the commencement of Foreign Ministry Consultations.
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Prime Minister Key and Prime Minister Wickremesinghe expressed their happiness
on the progress made on the opening of resident High Commissions in Wellington and
Colombo in the near future.
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The two Prime Ministers underscored the desire of the Governments of New Zealand
and Sri Lanka to further strengthen the bilateral commercial and trade ties, including
investment promotion between the two countries. The two leaders noted the potential for
trading in quality products such as Sri Lankan tea and cinnamon and New Zealand dairy
products. During the visit, Prime Minister Wickremesinghe will deliver a speech at an event
hosted by the Sri Lanka New Zealand Business Council in Auckland to encourage greater
New Zealand commercial interest in Sri Lanka.
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The two Prime Ministers noted that agricultural cooperation was an important
component of the bilateral commercial relationship. Prime Minister Wickremesinghe
welcomed the role that New Zealand’s dairy industry has played in Sri Lanka for around half
a century. In this regard, Prime Minister Wickremesinghe was pleased to be meeting with
Hon Nathan Guy, Minister for Primary Industries, and experience first-hand New Zealand’s
leading agricultural technology and approach towards dairy farming by visiting relevant
plants and farms in Waikato. The Prime Ministers reaffirmed the importance of the bilateral
Dairy Cooperation Arrangement between New Zealand and Sri Lanka and announced the
trial of Farm IQ technology being provided to Sri Lankan farmers by the New Zealand
Ministry for Primary Industries.
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Prime Minister Key welcomed the progress that Sri Lanka had made since his visit to
Colombo in February 2016 in reducing dairy tariffs and thanked Prime Minister
Wickremesinghe for his leadership in this area. The Prime Ministers discussed the further
steps that Sri Lanka planned to take in the period ahead toward full compliance with WTO
tariff rates. The Prime Ministers discussed the consequences of Brexit for New Zealand and
Sri Lanka and the broader importance of trade liberalisation and the effective functioning of
the WTO rules-based trading system. Prime Minister Wickremesinghe described the
potential for Commonwealth countries to have more regular discussions on trade and
economic issues, as outlined in the ‘Kotte Statement on International Trade and Investment’,
2013.
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The two Prime Ministers noted that both countries shared many similarities, being
multi-ethnic island nations with a Commonwealth heritage, and as strong supporters of the
global multilateral system which underpinned the ability of small states to promote and
preserve their interests. Prime Minister Wickremesinghe expressed appreciation for New
Zealand’s important contribution as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security
Council. With regard to the candidature of Helen Clark for the post of the Secretary-General
of the United Nations, Prime Minister Wickremesinghe wished her success.
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Prime Minister Key welcomed the Government of Sri Lanka’s continued progress in
national reconciliation, including through constitutional reform. Prime Minister Key reiterated
New Zealand’s willingness to provide practical support. Prime Minister Key also commended
the Sri Lankan Government’s active engagement in regional and international fora. During
his visit, Prime Minister Wickremesinghe will deliver a speech on “Sri Lanka’s Place in the
World” at an event hosted by the Asia New Zealand Foundation at the Parliament in
Wellington.
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The two leaders also noted the contribution made by tourists, students and
approximately 12,000 Sri Lankans settled in New Zealand towards strengthening relations
between the two countries.
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Prime Minister Key welcomed the ongoing cooperation between Sri Lanka and New
Zealand in the areas of animal health and conservation. The two Prime Ministers also noted
their governments’ shared commitment to the conservation of their native flora and fauna
and to animal welfare. Prime Minister Wickremesinghe will visit Auckland Zoo, which houses
the Sri Lankan elephant “Anjalee”, as well as the Zealandia Ecosanctuary in Wellington.
Accompanied by the New Zealand Conservation Minister Maggie Barry, the Zealandia visit
will provide an opportunity for Prime Minister Wickremesinghe to learn more about New
Zealand’s approach to conservation.
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Prime Ministers Key and Wickremesinghe noted the shared love of sports between
New Zealanders and Sri Lankans, especially in cricket and rugby. They welcomed current
bilateral cooperation in rugby development, with New Zealand Rugby delivering coaching
skills and standards workshops in Sri Lanka this month, and hosting Sri Lankan coaches in
New Zealand for training courses in late 2016.
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Prime Minister Wickremesinghe thanked Prime Minister Key and the Government
and people of New Zealand for the generous hospitality afforded during his official visit.