Diplomatic ties established with Sri Lanka

GRENADA and Sri Lanka are now officially diplomatic friends, although both countries are members of the Commonwealth as former colonies of Britain.

Sri Lanka and Grenada established formal diplomatic relations recently. Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the United Nations, Dr. Palitha Kohona, signed the Memorandum of Understanding on
behalf of Sri Lanka, while Permanent Representative of Grenada to the United Nations, Dessima M. Williams, signed on behalf of Grenada.

Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the United Nations,
Dr. Palitha Kohona, and Permanent Representative of Grenada
to the United Nations, Dessima M. Williams, shake hands
after signing the Memorandum of Understanding.

Dr. Kohona spoke of the similarities in history between Grenada and Sri Lanka as spice producers and members of the Commonwealth.

A news release from the UN Mission said that the two countries share similar goals as developing countries, both internationally and domestically, especially in the areas of cultures and their love for cricket.

Williams expressed Grenada’s interest in learning more about Sri Lanka and building on the existing relations. She also said that the establishment of diplomatic ties would enhance existing close relations and co-oper-ation in the political, socio-economic and cultural fields.

The release said that both Permanent Representatives expressed their expectation that this Memorandum of Understanding will significantly contribute to the consolidation of bilateral relations, particularly the promotion of economic and cultural relations and people-to-people contact between the two countries.

Known until 1972 as Ceylon, Sri Lanka has maritime borders with India to the northwest and the Maldives to the southwest. Sri Lanka’s documented history spans three thousand years. Its location and deep harbours provide great strategic importance from the time of the ancient Silk Road through to World War II.

Sri Lanka is home to many religions, ethnicities and languages. The country’s recent history has been marred by a three-decade inter-ethnic conflict, which decisively but controversially ended in a military victory in 2009. Sri Lanka is a republic and a unitary state governed by a presidential system. (LS)