Kuala Lumpur (VNA) – Leaders of Malaysia and Sri Lanka have reaffirmed thedetermination to raise the bilateral relations to a new level through seekingnew cooperation areas during Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena’s visitto Malaysia.

A joint statement issued on December 16 after the meeting between MalaysianPrime Minister Najib Razak and Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisenastressed that the two countries will boost collaboration in new areas relatingto politics, trade, investment, education, tourism, human resource, training,culture and people-to-people exchange.

They also agreed to increase visits by government leaders as well as privatebusinesses to further expand bilateral ties.

Anti-terrorism and non-traditional security issues were raised at the leaders’talks as they agreed that Sri Lanka and Malaysia need to continue sharinginformation and experience in this field.

They held that international issues should be settled by peaceful talks anddiplomatic measures. Concerned parties need to build trust and mutualunderstanding for regional and international stability.

Prime Minister Najib and President Sirisena witnessed the signing of fivememoranda of understanding on tourism, youth, culture-art-heritage, agricultureand scientific research.

The President of Sri Lanka is on his three-day visit to Malaysia from December16.-VNA