The Deputy Director General of the Foreign Ministry of Israel Ms. Ruth Kahanoff, who was on a working visit to Sri Lanka from 18-19 June, paid a courtesy call on Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama and had bilateral talks with Foreign Secretary Dr. Palitha Kohona at the Foreign Ministry.

The Foreign Minister and Foreign Secretary thanked Israel for its consistent support to the Government of Sri Lanka in its effort towards eradicating terrorism in the country. With the defeat of the LTTE by the Sri Lanka Security Forces, the Foreign Minister said, a new era has dawned for Sri Lanka under the leadership of President Mahinda Rajapaksa, to promote national integration and economic development.

The Minister said the two countries should work together to further strengthen the good relations between them to their mutual benefit.

The visiting Israel Officials donated a consignment of medical supplies as a gesture of goodwill, for the use of IDPs in the Vanni.

At the bilateral talks, which were chaired by Foreign Secretary Kohona, in addition to officials from the Foreign Ministry, officials from the Ministries of Agriculture, Tourism and Investment Promotion were associated with the discussions.

Foreign Secretary Palitha Kohona recalled the excellent cooperation extended to the Government of Sri Lanka by Israel in the areas of defence, agricultural development water management, health, labour, tourism, culture and sports. There would be greater focus on new areas where there was potential, which were identified for greater cooperation, especially in the areas of agriculture and tourism.

The two sides also discussed regional and international issue of interest.

Deputy Director General Kahanoff complemented Sri Lanka on its victory over terrorism and expressed the view that it was time that Sri Lanka and Israel further expanded their bilateral cooperation to the benefit of both countries.

During her visit she also paid courtesy calls on Hemakumara Nanayakkara, Minister of Agriculture, Mahinda Bandusena, Secretary to the Prime Minister, and George Michael, Secretary of Tourism.

The visiting Israel Deputy Director General was accompanied by Eliav Belotsercovsky, Deputy Chief of Mission in the Embassy of Israel in News Delhi.