May 21, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka has taken a step towards strengthening its engagement with the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) following high-level discussions between Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath and SCO Secretary-General Nurlan Yermekbayev during the latter’s official visit to Colombo.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the visit marks the first occasion on which an SCO Secretary-General has travelled to Sri Lanka, signalling growing diplomatic and economic engagement between the island nation and the Eurasian regional bloc.
Talks held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism focused on expanding cooperation in several strategic sectors, including tourism, agriculture, transport connectivity and logistics. Both sides reportedly explored opportunities for greater collaboration between Sri Lanka and SCO member and partner countries in areas linked to trade, investment and regional development.
Minister Herath highlighted Sri Lanka’s interest in participating more actively in SCO-related initiatives and programmes, while also promoting the country as an emerging destination for tourism, maritime services and foreign investment.
Discussions also touched on Sri Lanka’s geographical advantage as a key shipping hub in the Indian Ocean and the potential for enhanced regional connectivity through ports and aviation partnerships.
During the visit, Secretary-General Yermekbayev additionally met several senior government representatives, including Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation Anura Karunathilaka, Agriculture Minister K.D. Lal Kantha and Deputy Tourism Minister Professor Ruwan Ranasingha. The meetings reportedly centred on strengthening economic cooperation, food security initiatives and tourism promotion.