NewsSri Lanka was handed over the Chairmanship of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multisectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC), at the conclusion of the 4th BIMSTEC Summit held in Kathmandu yesterday,Ministry of Foreign Affairs said. Sharma Oli, President Maithripala Sirisena, thanked all Member States for the trust and confidence placed in Sri Lanka, and said that Sri Lanka looks forward to implementing the ambitious agenda set forth by the Kathmandu Summit. Accordingly, the 5th BIMSTEC Summit will be held in Sri Lanka. The Declaration also welcomed Sri Lanka as the new Chair of BIMSTEC. The Summit Declaration also expressed appreciation to Ambassador Sumith Nakandala of Sri Lanka, the first Secretary-General of BIMSTEC for his valuable contribution in advancing the work of the organization during his tenure.

Source: Sunday Times September 03, 2018 14:37 UTC