Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif met with Sri Lanka’s President Maithripala Sirisena earlier today, where the two discussed expanding relations between Tehran and Colombo.
“There is no obstacle in the way of expanding ties between the two countries,” said Mr Sirisena, after the two met.
Mr Zarif also met with Karu Jayasuriya, the Speaker of Sri Lanka’s parliament, during his visit.
He is due to fly to Singapore next, where he will sign the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.
Sri Lanka reportedly owes Iran some $250 million of oil debts but has trouble with repayments, due to international sanctions on Iran. Earlier this month, a plan to repay the debt with tea shipments was dismissed as “impossible”.
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