Dar, Colombo forge bilateral trade relations

BERNARD LUGONGO

Sri Lankan Minister for Tourism Development, Christian Religious Affairs and Lands, John Amaratunga

SRI LANKAN Minister for Tourism Development, Christian Religious Affairs and Lands, John Amaratunga, has tasked the business chamber of his country here in Tanzania to build strong trade relations between the two countries.

Amaratunga, who left yesterday after his official four-day visit in the country, said there were many areas that the business community in his country could enter into joint venture with Tanzania.

“Sri Lankan and Tanzanian businesspeople should explore investment opportunities available in these two countries,” he urged. He noted this on Saturday evening after he officially launched a residential building for Buddhist monks in the city.

The modern building was built by the Sri Lakan businessman in Tanzania, Thangavelu Nallavan, who donated the building as dedication to his late father, Nallavan Valli, who died nine years ago in Sri Lanka.

“I hope that this Buddhist temple would not be for religious ceremonies only but also for education purposes,” he said. During his visit in the country, Amaratunga held talks with Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa over bilateral relations between the two countries.

He also met Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism, Prof Jumanne Maghembe, Tourism Board as the two countries ponder opportunities for joint venture in the sector.

He assured that investors from his country would be coming to Tanzania after he had talks with Tanzania Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture. Meanwhile, the Sri Lankan minister appealed for religious unity and cooperation, saying that was pivotal for building a peaceful nation.

“I am glad that the Chief Monk for the African Continent, Dr Ilukpitiye Pannasekara, has always been preaching religious harmony in this region,” he said.

Dr Pannasekara commented: “I think that the visit of Minister Amaratunga is very good beginning for the development cooperation between the two countries.”

He noted that despite religious activities, the Buddhists in the country have been helping the orphans. The Buddhist temple spends at least 6000 US dollars every month for supporting orphans at its orphanage located at Chanika which accommodates 96 orphaned children.