Ambassador Jaliya Wickramasuriya (left) presented his credentials to Mexican President Felipe Calderón.

Ambassador of Sri Lanka to the United States of America Jaliya Wickramasuriya recently presented his credentials to President of the United Mexican States Felipe Calderón, as the non-residential ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka to the United Mexican States.

Ambassador Wickramasuriya presented letters of credence to President Calderón at Mexico’s National Palace.

The importance of deepening and strengthening the bilateral relationship, including the exchange of high level visits between Sri Lanka and Mexico, was discussed.

The Ambassador and President Calderon also discussed ways to further enhance the Sri Lanka-Mexico relationship in the fields of economic co-operation, cultural and educational exchanges and telecommunications.

Ambassador Wickramasuriya highlighted the potential trade opportunities between Sri Lanka and Mexico — trade, he said, has existed between the two nations for several centuries.

The ambassador also suggested that the current level of trade — $65 million – could grow. He stated that Sri Lanka would like to explore Mexican markets for Ceylon cinnamon and spices, tea, coconut and garments, while Sri Lanka would welcome Mexican interest in expanded trade. Currently, Mexico is the largest importer of Ceylon cinnamon.

“There is great potential,” the ambassador said, “for the private sector entrepreneurs of both countries to harnesses their synergies in exploiting other foreign markets.”