He stated this when three new Ambassadors presented credentials to him at the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo, yesterday (11th Sept.).

Mr. Riho Kruuv presented credentials as the Ambassador of the Republic of Estonia, Mr. Jorge Juan Castaneda Mendez as the Ambassador of Peru, and Mrs. Chulamanee Chartsuwan as the Ambassador of Thailand.

President Sirisena pointed out that Sri Lanka wants to have strong economic and investment relations with friendly countries.

The President, referring to close bilateral relations with Sri Lanka and the countries represented by the new envoys expressed confidence that they would strive to further strengthen bilateral friendship and cooperation in many areas including trade, investment and tourism.

While the Ambassadors of Thailand will be based in Colombo, other two will function as non-resident concurrently accredited Ambassadors with residence in New Delhi.