President Marcos has vowed to work on enhancing the economies of both the Philippines and Sri Lanka as he aims to continue developing the bilateral ties between the two Asian countries.

Marcos said this during the presentation of the Sri Lankan Ambassador to the Philippines, Dr. Chanaka Harsha Talpahewa's credentials in Malacañang on Tuesday, Oct. 10.

During their meeting, the two leaders vowed to strengthen the warm and friendly 62-year Philippine-Sri Lanka relations and take it to the next level to ensure mutual benefit.

"Both our countries are looking to the future to develop the economies of our countries and to make a better life for our people," Marcos said.

"I believe that we can find ways to work together to the mutual benefit of both our countries," he added.

For his part, Talpahewa said he is looking to consolidate further and strengthen the warm and friendly bilateral ties between the Philippines and Sri Lanka.

"During my tenure of office, I look forward to working towards further consolidating and strengthening the warm and friendly relations between our two countries and taking it to the next level," he said.

Talpahewa obtained his PhD in Politics and International Studies from the University of Cambridge, UK. As a sportsman, he was the first Sri Lankan rowing captain. He represented Sri Lanka at the Asian Games, won medals at the South Asian Games, and holds two Sri Lanka records.

He has presented papers at numerous Research Conferences and has contributed articles to many Research Journals.

The Philippines and Sri Lanka established formal diplomatic relations on Jan. 11, 1961.

According to the Presidential Communications Office (PCO), Sri Lanka ranked as the Philippines' 75th trading partner last year, with total trade reaching $29.29 million. Exports were valued at $20.49 million, while imports were valued at $8.80 million.

There are 677 Filipinos in Sri Lanka as of 2022, working as craft and related trade professionals, managers, plant and machine operators and assemblers, professionals, services and sales workers, skilled agricultural forestry and fishery workers, and technicians and associate professionals, among others.

OFW remittances from January to April 2023 amounted to $235,000. In 2022, remittances reached $760,000.

The Philippines has 15 bilateral agreements with Sri Lanka in the fields of consular or visa services, political consultations, air services, educational and cultural matters, trade, defense, higher education, agriculture and research, and tourism, among others.

In terms of tourism, the country recorded 1,706 tourist arrivals from Sri Lanka from January to August this year. In 2019, a total of 6,412 Sri Lankan tourists visited the country.