State Minister of Foreign Affairs Vasantha Senanayake at a meeting with Malaysian Foreign Minister Dato' Sri Anifah Haji Aman this week reiterated a keen desire to build on the outcomes of the recent highest-level engagements and to achieve concrete progress on the decisions taken.

Both Ministers agreed to convene, at an early date, the bilateral dialogue mechanisms focusing on trade, investment, tourism, culture, and enhance business collaboration. It was also agreed to intensify efforts to finalize the several draft instruments which are being negotiated in time for the next highest political engagement.

State Minister Senanayake also conveyed Sri Lanka's desire to intensify closer cooperation with ASEAN including as a future Sectoral Dialogue Partner and sought Malaysia's support for this intended partnership. State Minister Senanayake represented Sri Lanka at the Grand Celebration of the 50th Anniversary of ASEAN and the 24th ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) in the Philippines.

During the meeting, State Minister Senanayake referred to the rich contribution the Malay community has made to Sri Lankan society and thanked Malaysia for the opportunities made available for Sri Lankans to work in Malaysia. These factors, he said, contribute economically and culturally to Sri Lankan and Malaysian societies and enhance people to people contacts.