November 17, Colombo (LNW): A New Zealand delegation has returned home after a week in Sri Lanka that organisers describe as both eye-opening and promising for the future of bilateral cooperation.
The group of 14 emerging leaders, travelling under the auspices of the Asia New Zealand Foundation—a non-partisan organisation dedicated to enhancing New Zealanders’ understanding of Asia—spent several days engaging with Sri Lanka’s business community, cultural institutions and civil society.
The visit, which took the delegation from bustling Colombo to the mist-covered hills of Nuwara Eliya, was designed to give participants a closer look at Sri Lanka’s shifting economic landscape and its diverse cultural traditions. Through a series of meetings with policymakers, academics, entrepreneurs and community leaders, the group was offered a nuanced picture of a country charting a path forward after recent economic pressures.
Tim McCready, one of the delegates, said the immersive nature of the trip made a significant impression. He noted that while New Zealand and Sri Lanka enjoy long-standing ties—shaped by migration, education, and a mutual love of cricket—the full potential of the relationship becomes clearer when experienced on the ground. “You quickly realise there’s real appetite on both sides to do more together, whether that’s in trade, knowledge-sharing or people-to-people links,” he said.
Trade between the two nations continues to grow steadily. Last year, New Zealand sent goods valued at roughly US$335 million to Sri Lanka, dominated by dairy exports, while Sri Lankan imports into New Zealand—mainly tea, coffee, clothing and rubber-based products—were worth just over US$60 million. The opening of New Zealand’s High Commission in Colombo in 2021, and Sri Lanka’s new mission in Wellington earlier this year, has added fresh momentum to the relationship.
While in Colombo, the delegation was briefed by New Zealand High Commissioner David Pine and took part in a networking event that brought them into conversation with an eclectic mix of Sri Lankan professionals—from UN officials and journalists to policymakers, artists and corporate leaders. One delegate commented that the breadth of perspectives shed light on “a country buzzing with ideas and ambition”.
Among the most memorable moments of the trip was a visit to the Tea Leaf Trust in Nuwara Eliya, where the group met young people from tea-estate communities enrolled in the organisation’s one-year skills and personal development programme. Justine Roberts, another member of the delegation, described the experience as “deeply moving”, praising the programme’s impact on participants’ confidence and career prospects.
The group also spent time with Dilmah CEO Dilhan Fernando, who offered a candid look into the company’s long-standing commitment to ethical business and sustainable practice. Delegates said his emphasis on purpose-led leadership and long-term thinking resonated strongly in a global climate where corporate responsibility is under heightened scrutiny.
Another highlight was a visit to Hayleys, Sri Lanka’s largest conglomerate, where Chairman and Chief Executive Mohan Pandithage discussed how the company maintained its focus on staff welfare, community support and environmental goals during periods of national difficulty. Delegates noted the impressive scale of Hayleys’ operations and its consistent emphasis on sustainability across its business units.
As the group reflected on the week, several commented that the visit had not only broadened their understanding of Sri Lanka but also strengthened their conviction that the two island nations can build a more substantial and mutually beneficial partnership in the years ahead.
