Sri Lanka and Türkiye strengthen bilateral ties at second round of political consultations

The Second Round of Political Consultations took place between Sri Lanka and Türkiye at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Ankara. This meeting occurred on May 5, 2026, and was co-chaired by Sugeeshwara Gunaratna, the Director General of the Europe and North America Division of Sri Lanka's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, and Ambassador Cihad Erginay, the Director General for South Asia in Türkiye's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This event marked an important step in the friendly relationship between Sri Lanka and Türkiye, showing both countries' dedication to enhancing cooperation based on mutual respect and shared values. Both delegations highlighted the need for regular political talks to assess progress and find new ways to work together, building on their strong historical ties. During the consultations, the two teams held in-depth discussions on various topics, including political relations, trade and economic partnerships, defense collaboration, connectivity, maritime issues, education, science and technology, as well as regional and multilateral concerns. They also looked into possibilities for increasing investments and joint ventures in areas like pharmaceuticals, renewable energy, tourism, logistics, and technology. Additionally, Sri Lanka expressed gratitude for the humanitarian aid provided by Türkiye following Cyclone Ditwah, and both parties discussed how to further their cooperation in reconstruction and development efforts. The consultations also noted the ongoing progress in defense and security partnerships, with both sides reaffirming their commitment to strengthening institutional ties and building capacity. Conversations included enhancing connectivity and maritime cooperation, utilizing existing direct flights between Istanbul and Colombo, and exploring partnerships in maritime services and the blue economy.