Dr. Palitha Kohona, the Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the United Nations, and  Ali’ioaiga Feturi Elisaia, the Permanent Representative of Samoa to the United Nations, signed the Joint Communique on behalf of their respective Governments.

Both Ambassadors expressed great pleasure at having finally formalized diplomatic ties and hoped that this would further enhance the existing friendly relations and close co-operation between the two nations.

Dr. Kohona noted that the signing of the Joint Communique will significantly contribute to the promotion of cultural relations and further cooperation in the political and socio-economic fields. Many of the challenges faced by both Sri Lanka and Samoa as developing island countries were similar.

Both Ambassador Kohona and Ambassador Elisaia agreed that formalizing relations will be mutually beneficial for both Sri Lanka and Samoa.(KH)