Sri Lanka (Commonwealth Union)_ In a significant diplomatic engagement underscoring the growing importance of EU-Sri Lanka relations, Poland’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Radosław Sikorski, arrived in Sri Lanka on May 28 for a three-day official visit. Representing the Presidency of the Council of the European Union, which Poland currently holds, Minister Sikorski met with key Sri Lankan officials to discuss strengthening bilateral cooperation, particularly in the economic sphere. Minister Sikorski’s visit marks a pivotal moment in Sri Lanka’s international outreach, as the country seeks broader support to navigate complex global economic dynamics.
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Upon his arrival at Bandaranaike International Airport, the Polish Foreign Minister began a packed agenda, which included high-level talks with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment, and Tourism, Vijitha Herath. During his meeting with President Dissanayake at the Presidential Secretariat on May 29, both parties emphasized the importance of deepening ties between Sri Lanka and the European Union. The President highlighted the urgent need for sustained EU engagement, especially as Sri Lanka faces economic headwinds triggered by shifting global trade policies and fiscal constraints imposed by international financial institutions.
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Specifically, President Dissanayake noted the challenges posed by a new tariff regime introduced by the United States and emphasized Sri Lanka’s strategic interest in enhancing economic collaboration with the EU to counterbalance these developments. He expressed sincere appreciation for the EU’s continued support through the GSP+ trade concession, which remains a cornerstone of Sri Lanka’s export economy. Minister Sikorski reaffirmed both Poland’s and the EU’s commitment to strengthening ties with Sri Lanka. He noted that his visit reflects the shared priority placed on the island nation and underscored the EU’s readiness to increase trade cooperation, encourage investment, and offer technical and financial support to assist Sri Lanka’s economic recovery and development efforts.
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Sikorski further acknowledged recent legislative reforms initiated by the new Sri Lankan government that aim to ensure non-discriminatory governance. Sikorski commended Sri Lanka’s progress in promoting political stability, human rights, and equal treatment for all ethnic communities, areas of longstanding concern to the European Union. Additionally, the discussions also touched on expanding people-to-people ties. Sikorski cited Sri Lanka’s growing popularity as a tourist destination among Polish nationals, with over 40,000 Polish tourists visiting annually. He announced Poland’s intention to create more seasonal employment opportunities for Sri Lankan workers and expand access for Sri Lankan students pursuing higher education abroad.
Addressing visa-related challenges faced by Sri Lankans, Sikorski expressed his willingness to consider establishing an EU office in Sri Lanka to streamline the visa application process. This initiative would enhance accessibility for Sri Lankans traveling to EU countries for work, study, or tourism. Foreign Minister Sikorski also recalled five decades of economic and trade cooperation and three decades of development assistance between Poland and Sri Lanka, pledging closer collaboration with the current administration. Present at the discussions were EU Ambassador to Sri Lanka Carmen Moreno, President’s Secretary Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, and Senior Additional Secretary Roshan Gamage, among other dignitaries.
