Indonesia is ready to assist Sri Lanka in economic cooperation and development as well as in the strengthening of democracy and reconciliation through the exchange of experience and capacity building, Indonesia President Joko Widodo said today. President Maithripala Sirisena, who is on a state visit to Indonesia to attend the Indian Ocean Rim Association Leaders Summit, met with the Indonesian President Joko Widodo, today at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta. The Indonesian President warmly welcomed President Sirisena in a colorful ceremony with an honor guard and a 21 Gun Salute. The visit has a special significance since it was the first state visit to Indonesia by a Sri Lankan Head of State in 40 years and the two countries mark 65 years of bilateral relations. The two Presidents discussed a number of bilateral issues of concern to both countries. President Joko Widodo said Indonesia is ready to assist Sri Lanka in economic cooperation and development as well as in the strengthening of democracy and reconciliation through the exchange of experience and capacity building. “The visit will help to further strengthen close friendly relations and cooperation between our countries”, the Indonesia President said. It was discussed in detail regarding implementing a new plan to strengthen cooperation in the field of tourism between the two countries and further attention was focused on implementing a program to exchange the technical knowledge in the field of agriculture. Two leaders held discussions regarding collectively working on strengthening the regional security. Their attention was also drawn to the proposal for a free trade agreement between the two countries and further discussed to look into the possibility of this through the Foreign Ministries of the two countries. The Indonesian President stated that he would provide any required support for the development programs in Sri Lanka. The two leaders discussed to work with cooperation in the program carried out to strengthen the democracy as democratic countries. The President further stated that opportunities for Indonesian private and government investors could be opened. “The government is ready to provide required tax relief for them,” he said. President Sirisena also expressed his gratitude for the rice aid deliveries amounted to 5,000 metric tons from Indonesia to Sri Lanka recently. President Sirisena invited the Indonesian President for an official visit to Sri Lanka. He also requested to send a representative of the Indonesian government for the international Vesak festival to be held in Sri Lanka in May. The two Presidents witnessed the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding in the Field of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries and the Joint Communique Handling IUU Fishing by the Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries and the Sri Lanka State Minister of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Dilip Wedaarachchi. A Memorandum of Understanding for Industrial Cooperation between the Institute of Traditional Marketing Services and Small and Medium Enterprises (SME LLP) and the National Crafts Council of Sri Lanka to promote the traditional industrial cooperation was also signed following the discussions. A day earlier, President Sirisena attended the Leaders’ Summit in Commemoration of the 20th Anniversary of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA). President Maithripala Sirisena expressed support of Sri Lanka to Indonesia’s leadership in IORA.