Nov 01, Colombo: Sri Lanka and Oman have held discussions to promote and expand the political and trade relations between the two countries further.

During an official visit to Sri Lanka the Minister Responsible for Foreign Affairs of Oman, Yusuf bin Alawi bin Abdullah has held meetings with a number of Sri Lankan officials Tuesday (October 30), the External Affairs Ministry said Wednesday.

Minister Alawi, accompanied by his delegation, met with the Sri Lankan Minister of External Affairs Prof. G.L. Peiris at the Ministry.

During his meeting with Prof. Peiris, the Omani Minister has signed a memorandum of understanding related to political talks between the Sultanate and Sri Lanka and discussed ways of promoting the Omani-Sri Lankan relations in various aspects.

Among the matters the two ministers discussed were trade relations, with particular reference to tea and oil, investment opportunities and exchange of trade delegations, the proposed opening of a Resident Mission of Oman in Colombo, employment opportunities for Sri Lankans in Oman, and cultural co-operation.

Meanwhile, the Minister Responsible for Foreign Affairs has also held separate meetings with Susil Premajayantha, the Minister of Petroleum Industries and Basil Rajapaksa, Minister of Economic Development.

"The visit of the Foreign Minister of Oman takes place against the backdrop of Sri Lanka's initiatives to expand its historical ties with the Arab world," the External Affairs Ministry said in a release.