Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath emphasized the importance of Sri Lanka and India collaborating on pressing global challenges such as terrorism and climate change, highlighting the need for regional and multilateral approaches.

Addressing a reception hosted by the India Foundation at the India Habitat Centre in New Delhi yesterday, Minister Herath stressed that the close partnership between the two nations would continue to flourish. He expressed gratitude for the warm responses received during the ongoing visit, calling them “extremely encouraging and pleasing.”

The Minister noted that President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s first overseas visit to India underscores the strong bilateral ties between the two countries, which are built on deep historical, civilizational, and cultural bonds extending back over 2,500 years.

“India gifted Buddhism to Sri Lanka, which led to the growth of a Buddhist civilization on the island over two millennia ago, while Hinduism also enriched our socio-cultural fabric through centuries of interaction and movement of people,” he said.

Herath underscored the shared heritage in literature, languages, architecture, and economic practices, emphasizing how these historical and cultural connections have shaped modern Sri Lanka-India relations.

Highlighting tourism as a key area of partnership, he noted that the largest number of tourists to Sri Lanka are from India. He also acknowledged the enthusiasm for Sri Lanka among Indian intellectuals and think tanks.

In a broader political context, the Minister remarked on the unprecedented two-thirds majority achieved by the current administration under the present electoral system, which he described as a “people’s mandate” cutting across provinces, ethnicities, and communities.

India Foundation President Dr. Ram Madhav chaired the session, with former Indian Minister of State for External Affairs Dr. Rajkumar Ranjan Singh also addressing the gathering.

Minister Herath’s remarks reinforced the commitment to deepening ties between the two nations while seeking collective solutions to shared challenges.

The Sri Lanka Convention Bureau (SLCB) recently organized two transformative MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) awareness sessions in Jaffna on November 26 and 27, 2024. 

These full-day training programs brought together over 100 participants, including hoteliers, university students, and hospitality management professionals, to boost the region’s presence in the thriving MICE tourism industry.

These sessions represented a fresh approach, positioning the events as innovative platforms that emphasized creativity, sustainability, and collaboration. The training aimed to equip Sri Lankan MICE entrepreneurs with the tools to seize business opportunities, gain industry knowledge, and elevate the country’s competitive edge in the global MICE sector.

Dheera Hettiarachchi, Chairman of the SLCB, emphasized the critical role of MICE tourism in strengthening Sri Lanka’s economy amid financial challenges. In his welcome speech, he stated, “MICE tourism is crucial as we face economic constraints while the pressure to deliver more value and return on investment rises. 

This program inspires and motivates participants while improving the quality of the MICE industry to significantly benefit the economy and society.”

The event was built around three core themes: Knowledge Exchange, Business Exchange, and Experience Exchange. These themes were tailored to highlight Sri Lanka’s capabilities in hosting world-class MICE events and to strengthen the Northern region’s tourism potential.

One of the highlights of the program was a group activity based on organizing an event themed “Ramayanaya,” which explored innovative strategies to position the Northern Province as a unique tourist destination. Participants worked on creative approaches to draw travelers while celebrating the cultural and historical richness of the region.

The sessions signified a bold step toward revitalizing MICE tourism in Sri Lanka, offering a sustainable path to economic recovery while establishing the Northern region as a hub for innovative and impactful events.

The sessions were aimed at hoteliers and students in the Northern region who are studying tourism, hospitality, and event management. The sessions focused on business opportunities, industry knowledge, and providing a platform for MICE entrepreneurs. 

Jaffna MICE Expo 2023

The SLCB organized the inaugural Jaffna MICE Expo from November 30 to December 3, 2023. The event featured a press briefing, business forum, welcome dinner, opening ceremony, B2B meetings, gala dinner, and Jaffna Familiarization Tour. The event’s goal was to showcase the Northern Province as a MICE destination to the South and Indian MICE travelers. 

MICE tourism is a lucrative part of the global tourism industry and is also known as Business Tourism or Business Events. MICE events provide opportunities to generate leads, connect with potential clients, boost sales, and strengthen relationships with existing customers.

Anne-Marie Descôtes, Secretary General of the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, visited Sri Lanka from December 10-11 to participate in the inauguration of the Regional Centre for Maritime Studies at the General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University (KDU) on December 11.

 The Regional Centre for Maritime Studies is a collaborative initiative between Sri Lanka and France aimed at bolstering expertise in maritime safety and security. This partnership reflects the mutual commitment of the two nations to enhance maritime cooperation in the Indian Ocean, particularly as members of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA).

During her brief visit, Secretary General Descôtes met with Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Both sides acknowledged the growing strength of the Franco-Sri Lanka partnership, which has been enriched by high-level exchanges and emerging collaborative initiatives.

On December 11, bilateral discussions were held between Secretary General Descôtes and Foreign Secretary Aruni Ranaraja. Both reaffirmed their dedication to deepening the long-standing partnership between the two countries. The dialogue encompassed a variety of potential areas for collaboration, including economic and development cooperation, maritime initiatives, climate change mitigation, and joint efforts in multilateral forums.

Secretary General Descôtes also met with Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, where the importance of expanding cooperation in education, vocational training, and sustainable tourism was emphasized. Additionally, France extended an invitation for Sri Lanka to participate at the highest level in the Third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3), scheduled to take place in June 2025 in Nice, France.The French delegation accompanying Secretary General Descôtes included officials from the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs and the French Embassy in Colombo. Senior representatives from Sri Lanka’s Prime Minister’s Office, the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Defence, and the Kotelawala Defence University also participated in the meetings