SL, Iran sign MoUs

Iranian President Dr. Ibrahim Raisi and President Ranil Wickremesinghe on Wednesday (24) emphasised the need to bolster economic and trade ties while fostering political and cultural cooperation.

Raisi is here to attend the inauguration of the Uma Oya Multipurpose Development Project.

Wickremesinghe said diplomatic ties between Iran and Sri Lanka were established in 1962, predating formal recognition. Historical exchanges between the two nations date back to the Persian era, with trade conducted primarily through the Strait of Hormuz. Iran established its embassy in Colombo in 1975, while Sri Lanka reciprocated by opening its embassy in Tehran in January 1990. Both countries maintain robust cooperation across various sectors and engage in multilateral endeavours.

President Wickremesinghe also expressed his gratitude to President Raisi for the support extended by the Islamic Republic of Iran during Sri Lanka’s recent economic crisis and subsequent debt restructuring efforts.

Issuing a press release, the President’s Media Division (PMD) said uring their discussions, the leaders delved into key areas of mutual interest, emphasizing the need to bolster economic and trade ties while fostering political and cultural cooperation.

Five Memorandums of Understanding were signed between Sri Lanka and the Islamic Republic of Iran in the presence of both leaders.

Minister of Education Susil Premajayantha signed on behalf of Sri Lanka for the Memorandum of Understanding between the National Library and Archives of Iran and the National Library of Sri Lanka, with Minister of Cultural Affairs Mohammad Mehdi Esmaeili representing Iran.

The second Memorandum of Understanding was inked between the National Film Corporation of Sri Lanka and the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance of Iran, witnessed by Minister of Transport, Highways, and Mass Media, Dr. Bandula Gunawardena, and Iranian Minister of Cultural Affairs, Mohammad Mehdi Esmaeili.

The third Memorandum of Understanding was also sealed between Sri Lanka and Iran concerning cooperation in media and tourism. Dr. Bandula Gunawardena, Sri Lanka’s Minister of Transport, Highways, and Mass Media, along with Ali Akbar Mehra Biyan, Iran’s Minister of Energy, signed the agreement.

The fourth agreement encompassing cultural, scientific, and technical collaboration, as well as media, youth, and sports programs between Sri Lanka and the Islamic Republic of Iran, was signed. Foreign Minister Ali Sabri PC represented Sri Lanka, while Minister of Cultural Affairs Mohammad Mehdi Esmaeili represented Iran.

The fifth Memorandum of Understanding was established between the Iran Cooperative Board and the Sri Lanka National Cooperative Board. Chairman of the Sri Lanka National Cooperative Board, G.V. Sarath Weerasiri, and Iran’s Minister of Cultural Affairs, Mohammad Mehdi Esmaeili, signed the agreement on behalf of their respective governments.