Sri Lanka and Australia have signed a memorandum of understanding on scientific and technical cooperation aimed at building ties between the two countries’ geoscientific agencies.

The chairman of Sri Lanka’s Geological Survey and Mines Bureau W.M.A.S. Iddawela joined Dr James Johnson, CEO of Geoscience Australia, in Canberra this week to sign the MoU.

In remarks following the signing, Dr Johnson said that Geoscience Australia is looking forward to strengthening its relations with its Sri Lankan counterpart in pursuing scientific and technical cooperation in Earth Sciences.

The High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to Australia J.C. Weliamuna said that the new agreement would open new areas of trade and investment opportunities for both countries.

According to a release, cooperation under the agreement includes: Geoscientific investigations; Research work on on-shore and off-shore mineral occurrences; Geothermal energy potential; Geospatial analysis; Professional training and capacity building; Adoption of latest technology and sharing the technology for value addition of minerals; Exchanging scientific and technical information, study visits and scientists; Collaboration on individual research activities; Participation in training courses and jointly organizing geoscience related conferences; Exchanging professional geoscientists in areas of mutual interest; and Gaining geoscientific knowledge of the currently active geoscientific projects of both parties.