Press briefing of Cabinet Decision taken on 2011-10-19

Establishment of Diplomatic Relations with the Republic of Mali

- Mali is located in the interior of Western Africa, South West of Algeria. The country is highly dependent on gold mining and agricultural exports for revenue. The proposal made by Hon. (Prof.) G.L. Peiris, Minister of External Affairs, for the establishment of Diplomatic Relations with the Republic of Mali, was approved by the Cabinet. It was observed that out of 54 African Countries, Sri Lanka has diplomatic relations only with 32 States.