President holds bilateral talks with Tajikistan counterpart

COLOMBO (News 1st): President Maithripala Sirisena met with the President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon today (June 14). President Sirisena is in Tajikistan to attend the 5th Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA). President Sirisena met the President of Tajikistan at the Presidential residence in Dushanbe. The two heads of state held bi-lateral discussions thereafter. The Presidential media division stated that discussions were held on strengthening bilateral ties between the two nations for economic development and the development of international trade. President Sirisena had stressed that his intention is to maintain close and cordial relations with the countries to assist in the process of rejuvenating Sri Lanka's economy. Discussions were held on a programme to identify and pursue investment opportunities, and an initiative to strengthen regional security and dent drug smuggling operations in the region. The president also visited the national museum in Tajikistan today (June 14). An ancient reclining Buddha statue caught the attention of the president during his visit. The Sri Lankan delegation then visited the NUREK hydropower plant, the main power plant in Tajikistan.