New Zealand has assured to provide expertise for Sri Lanka’s public sector reforms programme, Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena said today.

The assurance was given during a meeting between Prime Minister Gunawardena and New Zealand High Commissioner Michael Appleton at Temple Trees today.

A team headed by the former Public Service Commissioner of New Zealand will visit Sri Lanka shortly to assist in this process.

The Prime Minister also asked the High Commissioner to share New Zealand’s experience in solving the land-holding issues of indigenous people as Sri Lanka plans to amend the outdated Lands Ordinance.

They held discussions on the bilateral relations between the two countries and the steps Sri Lanka is taking to overcome the current economic challenges, debt restructuring, trade and investment, electoral reforms etc.

The High Commissioner recalled that the Sri Lanka Dental College in Maharagama was established under a Colombo Plan grant by New Zealand and asked for further support to the institution. High Commissioner Appleton agreed to pay a visit to the Dental College and explore the support his country could provide.

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