Sunday Nov 25, 2007
KAMPALA, Nov 25 -- In an effort to further strengthen bilateral relations with Malaysia, Sri Lanka wants to expand two-way trade and investment links with Malaysia, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said today.

The Prime Minister said Colombo's intention was conveyed to him in a bilateral meeting with Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa on the sidelines of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) here.

The two leaders are in this east African nation for the three-day CHOGM.

"They want trade and investment between the two countries increased. Rajapaksa also told me he was satisfied with the performance of the Malaysian companies operating and undertaking projects in Sri Lanka.

"They want more Malaysian companies to take up development projects in Sri Lanka based on our good track record," Abdullah told Malaysian journalists covering the three-day CHOGM which ends today.

Abdullah also congratulated 66-year-old Indian career diplomat Kamalesh Sharma who has been picked to succeed New Zealander Don McKinnon as the Commonwealth's secretary-general.

McKinnon officially announced Sharma's election to the post yesterday.

Sharma was elected by the Commonwealth Heads of Government attending CHOGM.

Sharma has an illustrious career including as India's permanent representative to the United Nations in New York and Geneva.

"Sharma is an exceptional diplomat and his election is good. I had congratulated him and Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh over the election to coveted post," said Abdullah.

Sharma, who will assume office on April 1 next year, is the first secretary- general from an Asian Commonwealth country in more than 40 years.

The appointment is timely as India -- the largest member state in the 53-member grouping of former British colonies -- prepares to host the next Commonwealth Games in 2010.

Sharma, who is currently India's High Commissioner to Britain, will take over from McKinnon who completes his second four-year term, the maximum allowed.

Meanwhile, Malaysia, alongside seven other Commonwealth nations, has been elected to the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG) for the 2007-2009 term.

-- BERNAMA

Source: BERNAMA.COM