Visiting New Zealand Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Winston Peters has engaged in bilateral talks with his Sri Lankan counterpart, Vijitha Herath, covering the areas of defence, trade, education, health, tourism, and sport.
Issuing a statement on the bilateral talks, Deputy PM Winston Peters announced that discussions had been held on cooperation in tourism research between New Zealand’s University of Otago and the University of Colombo.
He further announced the Sustainable Water and Livelihoods project, which he said will support farming households to improve their health and income generation.
New Zealand’s Deputy PM also assured that they remain committed to their cooperation across immigration, customs, police and defence.
“We reiterated that Sri Lanka’s application to accede to the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement is very welcome. We are pleased to confirm that places on short-term training courses in trade policy will be offered to Sri Lanka officials under the Manaaki New Zealand Scholarship Programme,” he said.
Commenting on the success of the recent tour by the New Zealand men’s under-85 kg rugby team, playing against Sri Lanka’s Tuskers, he added, “We look forward to further future battles between the New Zealand and Sri Lankan teams on the rugby pitch and the cricket field.”
New Zealand Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Winston Peters, concludes his official state visit to Sri Lanka on 28 May 2025.
Also commenting on the discussion, Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath said, Deputy PM Winston Peters’ visit marks the highest-level engagement from New Zealand since the establishment of a resident diplomatic mission in Colombo in 2021 and the opening of the Sri Lanka High Commission in Wellington early this year.
Minister Herath said that discussions were held on working towards the establishment of a Trade and Economic Dialogue with New Zealand, through which they hope to streamline collaboration across multiple sectors and promote growth and prosperity for Sri Lanka and New Zealand.
“We also explored expanding trade links, especially in high-potential sectors such as dairy, processed food, and fresh produce, and discussed improving market access for Sri Lankan products. We expressed keen interest in expanding vocational training collaboration, with a focus on industry-aligned skills development for youth,” he said.
Minister Herath further said that Sri Lanka also expressed interest in establishing direct cooperation between Sri Lanka’s Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) and New Zealand’s anti-corruption agencies.
“Today’s discussions reaffirmed the depth and diversity of the Sri Lanka–New Zealand partnership, and we are committed to advancing our cooperation across all spheres. Sri Lanka values its partnership with New Zealand and will continue to work closely, bilaterally, regionally and multilaterally to promote shared values, enhance regional cooperation, and foster a peaceful, rules-based international order,” he added.
Full statement of New Zealand Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Winston Peters: Remarks Made by Rt Hon Winston Peters, NZ Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, 26 May 2025
Full statement of Sri Lanka’s Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath : Media Statement by Hon. H. M. Vijitha Herath, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment (Newswire)