Professor Arusha Cooray, the newly appointed Ambassador-designate of Sri Lanka to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), assumed duties at the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Abu Dhabi on 21 May 2025.
In her remarks to the Embassy staff, Ambassador-designate Cooray highlighted the deep-rooted and expanding relations between Sri Lanka and the UAE, underpinned by strong economic, cultural, and people-to-people ties. She emphasized the importance of further advancing cooperation in trade, investment, labour relations, education, renewable energy, and innovation, while continuing to build on the enduring friendship between the two nations.
Ambassador-designate Cooray also underlined her commitment to ensuring a high standard of consular services and community engagement, particularly for the large Sri Lankan expatriate community residing across the Emirates. She reaffirmed the Embassy’s role in promoting Sri Lanka’s interests and fostering greater bilateral collaboration with the UAE.
Professor Cooray is a distinguished economist and senior academic, with a career spanning over two decades in teaching, research, and international development. Prior to her appointment, she served as a Professor of Finance and Head of Discipline at the James Cook University, and held senior advisory roles with international institutions.
She holds a PhD in Economics from the University of New South Wales and has published widely in the fields of development economics, financial markets, governance, and macroeconomic policy.
Embassy of Sri Lanka to the United Arab Emirates
Abu Dhabi
21 May 2025
