Sept 12, Colombo: Indonesian President Joko Widodo and Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe have focused attention on a joint program to secure the free navigation and peace in the Indian Ocean while strengthening the friendly ties between the two countries.

The two leaders, who are attending the World Economic Forum ASEAN summit in Hanoi, today held bilateral discussions at the Melià Hotel in Hanoi on the sidelines of the summit.

At the discussion, the Indonesian President and Sri Lankan Premier also focused on launching a common strategy to secure a fair portion from the European market.

The two leaders also agreed to prepare a timeframe by a committee comprising representatives from both countries in order to enhance trade, investment and business opportunities between Sri Lanka and Indonesia. This is expected to lay the foundation for a free trade agreement in the future between the two countries.

Indonesian President and Sri Lankan Premier also exchanged ideas on promoting tourism between the two countries and exchange of defense programs between the armies of the two countries,

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe presented the greetings of President Maithripala Sirisena to the Indonesian President.

Development Strategies and International Trade Minister Malik Samarawickrama, Secretary to the Prime Minister Saman Ekanayake, and Sri Lanka's Ambassador in Vietnam Hasinthi Dissanayake were also present at the discussion.