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MALAYSIA and Sri Lanka have agreed to deepen their bilateral cooperation across various sectors including trade, tourism, education, and skilled labour, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has announced.
The matter was discussed during a courtesy call by Sri Lanka’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Vijitha Herath, held on the sidelines of the 58th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (AMM) currently underway in Kuala Lumpur.
“This close relationship not only benefits both countries but also contributes to regional stability and development,” Anwar stated in a post on Facebook.
He also expressed his gratitude for Sri Lanka’s ongoing contributions towards shaping a more inclusive, peaceful, and prosperous future for the region.
Malaysia remains committed to working closely with Sri Lanka to achieve shared progress, not only for the peoples of both nations but also to strengthen a more united, prosperous, and resilient ASEAN community.
The 58th AMM and related meetings, held under Malaysia’s ASEAN Chairmanship for 2025 with the theme “Inclusion and Sustainability,” include 24 ministerial-level meetings involving ASEAN Dialogue Partners and Sectoral Dialogue Partners.
Bernama cited that the four-day summit brings together some 1,500 delegates, including ASEAN Foreign Ministers, representatives from Timor-Leste, ASEAN Dialogue Partners, the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), Sectoral Dialogue Partners, and senior officials from the ASEAN Secretariat.
Separately, Anwar received a courtesy visit from a member of the National Cultural Council (MAKEN), an independent advisory body established by the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture to provide guidance on the nation’s arts, culture and heritage affairs.
“As I have often stressed, the development of a nation must not merely depend on physical achievements or mega projects,” Anwar said.
“On the contrary, it must also be enriched with values, identity as well as cultural elements that reflect the unique image of Malaysia and is rooted in the history and soul of its people.”
During the meeting, discussions also focused on broadening society’s understanding of cultural concepts, which should not be viewed narrowly as merely music or traditional attire but as a value system encompassing a nation’s way of life, thought and heritage. - July 10, 2025
