Speech
Minister of International Development
Anne Kristin Sydnes

Celebrating 50 years of diplomatic relations
between Sri Lanka and Norway

Your Excellencies,
Friends of Sri Lanka and Norway,

The pearl in the Indian Ocean.
The greenery of the East.
The smiling Nation.

As we say in Norwegian: a beloved one has many name s.
This is certainly true of the proud nation of Sri Lanka.

Thank you for inviting me to this reception and cultural program marking 50 years of diplomatic relations between Sri Lanka and Norway. Tonight we can look back on half a century of cooperation. We are celebrating the close and enduring friendship between our two nations and the thousands of interpersonal ties established across the oceans.

Norwegians associate your country with some of the very best tea in the world, but also with so much more. You were among the first of the former British colonies to gain independence and establish a democratic system of government. Many of your countrymen have settled in Norway. They have quickly integrated into Norwegian society all over the country. Around 20 Norwegian companies have also established operations and joint ventures in Sri Lanka. And our cooperation is growing.

Diplomatic relations between Sri Lanka and Norway were established in the fall of 1950. In 1977 Sri Lanka became a priority country for Norwegian development cooperation and the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD) established a resident representation in Colombo. It was upgraded to an embassy in 1996.

The focus of this cooperation has gradually shifted from commodity assistance towards programs linked to integrated rural development. According to the revised strategy for Sri Lankan-Norwegian cooperation of 1998, our future cooperation is to focus on peace, reconciliation and economic development, with an emphasis on rehabilitation, reconstruction and employment generation in war-affected areas.

Our two governments agree that the ongoing ethnic conflict in Sri Lanka must be regarded as the single greatest impediment to our development cooperation. Norway was honored to be requested both by President Kumaratunga and by the LTTE to assist in resolving this situation. We recognize the many obstacles involved. My ministry stands ready to be of any further assistance in this regard. We firmly believe a solution will be found.

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In 1949 the travel writer D.J.G. Hennessy wrote, "To me the beauty of Ceylon lies not so much in the blue seas and golden beaches, its jungles and mountain peaks, as in its ancient atmosphere." Your history and cultural heritage span more than 2000 years. I am delighted at this opportunity to get a glimpse of this rich heritage. I have been looking forward to seeing this exhibition of masks and enjoying the other programs here tonight.

In our next fifty years of diplomatic relations, we must aim to expand our cultural exchanges even more. We have a great deal to learn from each other.

Finally, I would like to thank the Consulate General of Sri Lanka and your collaborators in the four partner institutions involved for organizing this event.

Tusen takk, alle sammen.