Sri Lanka (Commonwealth Union)_ A New Zealand delegation that undertook a weeklong visit to Sri Lanka described it as both productive and encouraging for future ties between the two countries. The 14-member group, travelling under the Asia New Zealand Foundation’s emerging leaders programme, spent the week meeting local entrepreneurs, community organizations, policymakers, and cultural figures. They aimed to gain a wide understanding of how Sri Lanka is navigating economic pressures and shaping new opportunities. The trip, organizers said, offered a close look at a nation undergoing change while strengthening its long-standing links with New Zealand.
During the visit, the party traveled from Colombo’s crowded streets to the misty hills of Nuwara Eliya, learning about the country’s diverse social and economic realities. Meetings with academics, business leaders, and governmental officials shed light on Sri Lanka’s efforts to rebuild its economy and regain public trust after a tough period. Several delegates remarked that direct interactions allowed them to identify alternatives that official reports and data typically overlook. The group also attended a networking event hosted by the New Zealand High Commission, where Sri Lankan professionals from journalism, public policy, the arts, and international agencies shared frank observations about the country’s changing priorities and its appetite for deeper cooperation with New Zealand.
Trade has been a steady anchor in the relationship, and several delegates remarked that seeing Sri Lanka’s export industries up close gave greater meaning to the numbers. Last year, New Zealand’s exports to Sri Lanka were valued at roughly US$335 million, largely in dairy products, while Sri Lankan goods entering New Zealand, mainly tea, coffee, garments, and rubber-based items, totalled just over US$60 million. With New Zealand establishing its High Commission in Colombo in 2021 and Sri Lanka opening its mission in Wellington this year, officials on both sides believe there is room for broader collaboration. Delegates said that repeated conversations during the week reinforced the sense that both countries are ready to expand beyond traditional areas of engagement and consider joint efforts in education, innovation, and cultural exchange.
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One of the most memorable stops for the group was the Tea Leaf Trust in Nuwara Eliya, where they met young people enrolled in a year-long skills and personal development program. Delegates stated that the interactions with children highlighted the resilience and desire that are often forgotten in tea-growing communities. Another memorable experience occurred during a conversation with Dilmah CEO Dilhan Fernando, who gave an honest appraisal of the company’s commitment to ethical business and long-term sustainability. Delegates noted that his emphasis on responsible leadership resonated at a time when global attention to corporate accountability is growing. Many people stated that the visit gave them a better understanding of how Sri Lankan businesses are attempting to balance profitability with societal benefit.
In addition, the delegation was given a presentation at Hayleys, an investment firm and the largest conglomerate in Sri Lanka, by Chairman and CEO Mohan Pandithage regarding the firm’s response to the country, employee wellness, service to the community, and the environment during challenging national circumstances. The delegates highlighted the important contribution that large corporations in Sri Lanka make to its economy, with the firm spanning manufacturing, agriculture, logistics, and service sectors. At Hayleys, the delegates observed similar themes throughout the entire trip: that Sri Lankan firms are working toward restoring trust, long-term growth, and keeping a future focus, in light of the challenges the country has faced recently. Toward the end of the week, some delegates stated that this visit deepened their view that New Zealand can find ways of enhancing its relationship with Sri Lanka through “hands-on practical” collaboration, mutual respect, and shared missions. There was optimism from both parties for continued collaborations.
