THE SUNDAY TIMES 2 24 Sunday, October 28, 2018 Message from The Ambassador of The Czech Republic Message from Hon. Consul Dear Sri Lankan the past century, I am and International Trade Mr. Malik Sri Lanka being the tiations was initiated by exporting locally manu- friends, I feel truly hon- pleased to note that the Samarawickrama to Prague which pearl of the Indian the support of Hon. factured pharmaceuti- oured and privileged to Czech Republic and Sri he paid only one week after Mr. Ocean, strategically Ravi Karunanayake cal products of their have the opportunity to Lanka have been suc- Stech´s successful stay in Colombo located linking east and which the final round member companies to address you on the occa- cessful in taking their and during which the two sides West of Asia and seeing would conclude the Czech Republic and to sion of the National Day bilateral relationship to focused on economic aspects of more than 300 ships negotiations. Long European Union coun- of the Czech Republic to the next level. their relations. passing in the southern pending economic cor- tries. celebrate the centenary of We do have a solid Addressing economic interac- horizon in the interna- poration agreement This was positively Independent basis of long-lasting tions between the Czech Republic tional maritime route between the two coun- taken up and further Czechoslovak State. history of friendly and Sri Lanka, I can only wish connecting all conti- tries was concluded discussed in Prague for One hundred years ago, relations to build on. they matched the quality and nents had been well early this year. The implementation. exactly on October 28th H.E.Mr.Milos Moreover, the Czech intensity of our political ties. The identified and recog- recent visit to Prague, All this good work has 1918, a jointly shared Zemen, Republic has tradi- potential, still untapped poten- nized as far as 1957 by the Development strate- to be planned and drive dream of so many Czechs President of tionally been a good tial, is huge and I believe that then the Czechoslovakia gies and International through a clear vision and Slovaks for life in a Czech Republic development partner both countries could gain a lot if and started its diplomat- Dr. Lohitha trade minister Hon. and dedication. common, sovereign state to help Sri Lanka pro- they work together with a view to ic ties and reinstated Samarawikrema Malik Samarawickrema At the consulate we do became a reality. A new gress with its democ- strengthening bilateral trade and the same again as the Hon. Consul reassured the trade ties our utmost to achieve independent republic ratization, restoring investment ties. A business mis- Czech Republic in 1993 even further with his the expectations of the appeared on the map of democratic govern- sion accompanying the President through their mission travelers, Tourism is counterpart Hon. two nations and its peo- Europe and soon won ance, advance pro- of the Senate of the Parliament in New Delhi. one of the main interest PetrOcko and decided to ple. international respect and cess of national rec- of the Czech Republic played an Ever since, ensuring we both nations have in appoint a joint commit- It is a must to mention recognition. onciliation and put important role along this path the goodwill of the two common. tee to follow up the pro- the support and courage A century has passed the country on the and contributed a lot to increase nations, there had been I must also acknowl- gress. of the Ambassador H.E. since this auspicious day path of solid growth. awareness of the existing oppor- many visits by the dele- edge that the Czech Minister Milan Hovorka and in our history. A lot has It has always been tunities and promote networking gates to and from Czech Republic is famous for Smarawickrema also Madam Jarmila and there to help Sri between the two countries´ busi- its gothic architecture had high level discus- this extends even some- changed over that period H.E.Mr. Republic and Sri Lanka. of time. Even the state- Lanka cope with nesses. In their efforts, our com- Especially the Czech in the 13th Century and sions with Czech times beyond their offi- MilanHovorka, hood of the country has emergency situations panies can count very much on Republic being a coun- is one of the highly authorities and met the cial capacities. changed on January 1st, The arising from natural the two Government´s systemic try with very advanced industrialized nation in State Secretary for Working as a team Mr. 1993, when Ambassadsor of disasters. Well known support. This support has been technologies, it was evi- the European Union Foreign affairs H.E. Roman Maserik – Czechoslovakia was peace- the Czech is the fact that the manifested yet again in February dently supported our and produces high qual- MiloslavStasek who is Deputy Head of mission fully and gently divided Republic Czech Republic stead- of this year, when the Agreement humanitarian mission ity products/engineer- closely monitoring the and Ms. Gabriella into two new, completely ily supported Sri between the Ministry of Industry in eradicating terrorism ing goods and services affairs of our countries. Benetkova – Head of sovereign states within an integrat- Lanka during the civil war and and Trade of the Czech Republic in Sri Lanka providing which Sri Lanka can By the invitation of Consular section are the ing Europe – the Czech Republic played important role in bring- and the Ministry of Development lots of military equip- benefit if the right syn- the Hon. Speaker of the main pillars leading the and the Slovak Republic. ing the long-lasting conflict to Strategies and International ment, devices, training ergy is established in Democratic Socialist Delhi team who are Today, the Czech Republic is a an end. Trade of Sri Lanka on Mutual and services. the appropriate fields. Republic of Sri Lanka assisting us with day to proud member of the European The two countries have been able Cooperation was signed. I am To symbolize the Czech Republic is also Hon. KaruJayasuriya, day activities. Union and North Atlantic Treaty to intensify their contacts at all lev- confident that the ongoing negoti- friendship further, Sri known for its strong the President of the I’m thankful to H.E. Organization. It belongs to the com- els, including visits at the highest ations on the double taxation Lanka exchanged two economy among the Senate of the Czech Jean Marin Schuh the munity of successful and prosper- political level. This year´s agreement will also be brought to elephants with Prague European Union coun- Republic H.E. Milan Ambassador of France ous nations that cherish values of September official visit of the a successful conclusion very zoo in 2012 and happy to tries and a friendly Stech and the senators and the Consular /Visa democracy, liberty, respect for President of the Senate of the soon. announce that the two nation who always sup- were in Colombo recent- staff of the French human rights and good govern- Parliament of the Czech Republic To conclude, let me highlight, elephants delivered two ported Sri Lanka with l y. embassy for their ance, and promote the vision of Mr. Milan Stech to Sri Lanka repre- once again, the importance of peo- babies which the names no hesitations. Meeting the Prime immense support issu- all-inclusive growth and sustaina- sents an important landmark in the ple-to-people contacts between our giving ceremony was Such a generous con- minister Hon. ing short term visas for ble development across the globe. regard. His talks with the Prime two countries. This is our major held in Prague with the tribution of 2.5 Million RanilWickramasinghe, travelers to Czech The Czech Republic is committed Minister of Sri Lanka Mr. Ranil assets. We have to cherish it and presence of Hon. CzK was made last year the President of the sen- Republic. to international peace and security Wickremesinghe, the Speaker of work hard with the objective of pro- MangalaSamaraweera. by the Czech humani- ate expressed his will- Let me also take this and plays an active role on the the Parliament Mr. Karu moting it through tourism, univer- It is the fact that these tarian aid program for ingness to support Sri opportunity to congrat- international area in searching Jayasuriya and the Minister of sity-to-university cooperation and Elephants are the big- the flood victims and to Lanka continuously. ulate my colleague Mr. appropriate answers to common Foreign Affairs Mr. Tilak cultural exchanges. In this respect, gest attraction in the renovate and rebuild During this visit The MahenKariyaasam - challenges and threats of today´s Marapana brought about a number I am pleased that Sri Lanka has Prague Zoo where there the Nilwala National Czech – Sri Lanka par- Honorary Consul for globalized world. It enjoys thriving of new ideas and suggestions emerged as one of the most pre- are more than 2.5 college of teacher train- liamentary friendship Slovakia for the Day of partnerships with most countries, regarding future orientations of ferred tourist destinations in South Million visitors are ing in Akuressa with Association was formed century celebrations of including with Sri Lanka. bilateral relations. Asia for fellow compatriots of mine. recorded annually and the coordination of the under the chairmanship Czechoslovakia this As the Ambassador of the Czech But I cannot omit the visit of the Long live the Czech Republic. rated as one of the best Education Minister of Hon. year together. Republic to the “Paradise Without Minister of Foreign Affairs of Sri Long live Sri Lanka. Long live bilat- zoos in the world.