His Excellency, Dr. Perks M. Ligoya, Malawi High Commissioner to Sri Lanka presented his letters of credence to the President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka His Excellency Mr. Mahinda Rajapaksa on 9 July 2013.

H.E. Dr. Ligoya conveyed fraternal greetings and a message of goodwill from Her Excellency Dr. Joyce Banda, President of the Republic of Malawi. He also discussed with the President, a wide range of bilateral issues of mutual interest to both countries.

The High Commissioner congratulated the President for ending the civil war which ravaged the country for almost thirty years. He observed that as a result of the ceasefire, the country was enjoying peace and tranquillity which he said had led to noticeable economic growth for the country.

The High Commissioner, then, informed the President that during his tenure of office, he would do everything possible to strengthen and deepen the already cordial relations that exist between the two countries. He further said he would like to enhance cooperation in health, education and agriculture sectors. He noted that the volume of trade and investment between the two countries was relatively small. He therefore, pledged to do everything possible to ensure that the volume of trade between the two countries expand to significant levels over a period of time.

With regard to the forthcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), the High Commissioner delivered a message of solidarity from Her Excellency President, Dr. Joyce Banda. The High Commissioner assured the President that Her Excellency Dr. Joyce Banda would attend the Commonwealth Summit in the Month of November 2013.

In his remarks, the President of Sri Lanka welcomed the High Commissioner to Colombo and congratulated Dr. Ligoya on the beginning of his diplomatic term of office. He said he was confident that the High Commissioner’s accreditation to Sri Lanka would further consolidate equitable and mutually beneficial cooperation between Malawi and Sri Lanka.

The President further said, his Government valued the relationship with Africa because Africa and Sri Lanka share a lot in common. The President informed the High Commissioner that he was an ardent believer of the south-south cooperation and that his Government was ready to enhance cooperation with the Government of Malawi. He thanked President Joyce Banda for her message of solidarity and goodwill, vis â vis the hosting of CHOGM.