By: Staff Writer
May 29, Colombo (LNW):Sri Lanka and Bhutan continue to strengthen their longstanding diplomatic and cultural ties, reaffirming their mutual commitment to regional cooperation in 2025.
With relations rooted in shared Buddhist values, the two nations have expanded collaboration over the decades since establishing formal diplomatic ties in 1987.
The April 2025 BIMSTEC Summit in Bangkok offered an opportunity for leaders of both countries—Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay and Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya—to reaffirm these bonds. Symbolic gestures such as Sri Lanka’s gifting of a sacred Sri Maha Bodhiya sapling to Bhutan in 2015 underscore the spiritual and cultural foundation of this partnership.
The Second Session of the Bilateral Political Consultations between Sri Lanka and Bhutan, held in Thimphu on 28 May 2025, marked a significant milestone in this growing partnership. The talks were co-chaired by Aruni Ranaraja, Secretary to the Sri Lankan Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, and her Bhutanese counterpart, Foreign Secretary Pema Choden. The session built upon the outcomes of the inaugural meeting held in Colombo in 2015.
The consultations covered a wide range of sectors, including education, human resource development, connectivity, trade and investment, tourism, culture, climate change, and people-to-people engagement. Both delegations reviewed ongoing initiatives and discussed new areas of collaboration. They also exchanged views on regional and multilateral issues, underscoring their shared commitment to promoting mutual interests and addressing global challenges.
During her visit, Secretary Ranaraja held high-level meetings with Bhutanese leaders, including Prime Minister Lyonchhen Dasho Tshering Tobgay and Foreign Minister Lyonpo D.N. Dhungyel. She provided updates on Sri Lanka’s current developments and explored further avenues for enhancing bilateral ties.
Secretary Ranaraja also met with Bhutanese Minister of Health Tandin Wangchuk, Education and Skills Development Secretary Tshewang C. Dorji, and Royal Civil Service Commission Commissioner Babu Ram Sherpa. These discussions focused on deepening cooperation in health, education, and capacity-building.
The Sri Lankan delegation included Ambassador Dharmapala Weerakkody, Director General for South Asia and SAARC Niluka Kadurugamuwa, and Assistant Director Diana Perera. The Bhutanese delegation comprised senior officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade, alongside representatives from other ministries and institutions.
With a shared vision for regional cooperation and cultural understanding, Sri Lanka and Bhutan continue to expand their bilateral relationship, reflecting the spirit of mutual respect and collaboration that has defined their ties for nearly four decades.
