High Commissioner Senarath Dissanayake met Singapore’s Senior Minister Tan Kiat How to discuss cooperation in national development, urban planning, and ICT
Singapore, 3 December 2024 – The High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to Singapore, Senarath Dissanayake, held a significant meeting with Tan Kiat How, the Senior Minister of State for the Ministry of National Development and Ministry of Communications and Information on 19th November 2024. The meeting, which took place in Singapore, centred on strengthening bilateral ties between the two countries in key areas such as national development, urban planning, and technological collaboration.
During the discussion, High Commissioner Dissanayake reiterated Sri Lanka’s commitment to enhancing cooperation with Singapore, particularly in supporting the nation’s national development agenda. He also provided an update on the recent Presidential and Parliamentary elections in Sri Lanka, outlining the new government’s vision. The government’s key priorities, including housing development, efficient land use management, and the digital economy, were highlighted as essential components for Sri Lanka’s sustainable growth.
Minister Tan Kiat How shared insights into Singapore’s integrated approach to planning and development, addressing the challenges the city-state faces due to limited land resources. He emphasised the importance of aligning urban planning and land use policies with national objectives to optimise efficiency and ensure long-term sustainability.
Further discussions focused on the potential for collaboration in the ICT sector. The High Commissioner outlined Sri Lanka’s progress in technological advancements, particularly in artificial intelligence, and expressed interest in expanding cooperation with Singapore in this domain. Both sides explored opportunities for sharing expertise in land use, urban planning, construction management, national park management, and policymaking to address emerging challenges.
Minister Tan welcomed the proposals and expressed enthusiasm for further collaboration between the two nations. He also extended an invitation for a Sri Lankan ministerial delegation to visit Singapore for more in-depth discussions on joint initiatives. The meeting was attended by Ahamed Razee, Minister and Head of Chancery at the Sri Lanka High Commission in Singapore.
