Sri Lanka and Belarus reaffirmed their longstanding friendship as Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath met President Aleksandr Lukashenko in Minsk during an official visit marking 25 years of diplomatic relations. 

According to the Foreign Ministry, the talks produced a roadmap for deeper cooperation across trade, industry, agriculture, tourism, education, and people‑to‑people ties, with Herath describing the visit as “a new chapter” in bilateral relations.

Minister Herath described the visit as an important step forward in advancing bilateral relations following a series of constructive discussions with Belarusian leaders, senior officials, business representatives, and stakeholders in the tourism sector.

Several agreements aimed at boosting trade and economic cooperation were reached during the visit, including plans to establish direct air services between Sri Lanka and Belarus by the end of the year. 

The discussions also explored opportunities for collaboration in tourism, education, gemstones, agricultural machinery, fertilizers, and other key sectors of mutual interest.

Minister Herath, speaking to reporters after the meeting, noted that the planned direct air connectivity would boost tourism and support Sri Lankan students in Belarus, while also highlighting opportunities for cooperation in gemstones, agricultural machinery, mechanical engineering, and fertilizers. 

The Minister emphasized that the agreements reached during the visit would further strengthen bilateral trade, tourism, and education ties between the two countries. (Newswire)

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Sri Lanka and Belarus moved to deepen economic ties during a Business Round Table organized by the Belarus National Export Promotion Centre.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Vijitha Herath, who led the Sri Lankan delegation, said the discussions focused on expanding bilateral trade, investment, and tourism cooperation.

Deputy Minister of Industry Leonid Ryzhkovchits and Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Food Aleksandr Yakovchits joined the talks alongside a distinguished Belarus business delegation, including representatives of the National Tourism Agency, Belavia, and leading travel agencies.

Sri Lankan entrepreneurs and professionals from the pharmaceutical, education, and tourism sectors also participated actively, exploring new export opportunities, partnerships, and joint ventures. (Newswire)

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Sri Lanka and Belarus have signed a bilateral Air Services Agreement aimed at enhancing air connectivity between the two countries. 

The agreement was signed by Sri Lanka’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Vijitha Herath and Belarus Transport Minister Alexei Lyakhnovich during Herath’s official visit to Minsk.

The Foreign Minister also called on Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko, with discussions focused on strengthening the longstanding friendship between the two nations and developing a roadmap for cooperation in mutually beneficial sectors, including trade, industry, agriculture, education, and people‑to‑people ties. 

Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to deepening relations as they mark the 25th anniversary of diplomatic ties.

Herath further held bilateral talks with Belarus Foreign Minister Maxim Ryzhenkov, where the two ministers agreed to expand cooperation across political, economic, educational, cultural, and social spheres. 

They also decided to convene regular political consultations and the Intergovernmental Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation later this year.

Sri Lanka and Belarus established diplomatic relations 25 years ago, a milestone both governments say reflects a longstanding friendship and shared commitment to deeper collaboration. (Newswire)

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Sri Lanka is set to sign several agreements and memoranda of understanding with the Republic of Belarus during an official visit by the Minister of Foreign Affairs Vijitha Herath from May 12 to 15.

The Cabinet has granted approval for the signing of three key documents aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation in air services, higher education, and health.

• An Air Services Agreement between the Government of Sri Lanka and the Government of Belarus.
• A Memorandum of Understanding on Higher Education Cooperation between Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education and Belarus’s Ministry of Education.
• A Memorandum of Understanding on Health Services Cooperation between Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Health and Mass Media and Belarus’s Ministry of Health. (Newswire)

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Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Vijitha Herath will pay an official visit to Belarus from May 12 to 15, 2026, on the invitation of Belarusian Foreign Minister Maxim Ryzhenkov.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the visit marks a milestone in bilateral partnership, following last year’s commemoration of the 25th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Sri Lanka and Belarus.

During his stay in Minsk, Minister Herath will call on Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko and hold bilateral discussions with the Foreign Minister. He is also scheduled to meet the Ministers of Education and Health.

Several MoUs and agreements across sectors are expected to be signed during the visit. In addition, Minister Herath will address a business and tourism roundtable organized by the National Export Centre of Belarus.

He will also meet Sri Lankan students pursuing studies in Belarus. (Newswire)

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The Ambassador of Sri Lanka to the Russian Federation, with concurrent accreditation to the Republic of Belarus, Shobini Gunasekera, presented Letters of Credence to the President of Belarus, Aleksandr Lukashenko, at a ceremony held at the Independence Palace in Minsk.

According to the Sri Lanka Embassy in Moscow, the ceremony brought together ten newly appointed Ambassadors from Algeria, Bangladesh, Egypt, Ghana, Japan, North Korea, Palestine, Sri Lanka, Somalia and Tanzania who formally assumed their diplomatic functions, reflecting Belarus’ continued engagement with the international community. 

The proceedings were conducted in accordance with established diplomatic protocol and marked the official commencement of the Ambassador’s duties in Belarus.

In his address to the assembled Ambassadors following the presentation of credentials, the President of Belarus underscored his government’s readiness to work closely with all countries represented. He stressed the importance of constructive dialogue, mutual respect, and collaboration in addressing global and regional challenges.

Notably, the President highlighted the longstanding educational ties between Sri Lanka and Belarus, observing that approximately one in five doctors in Sri Lanka have received their medical education in Belarus. In this regard, he encouraged the Ambassadors present to consider Belarus as a competitive and reputable destination for higher education, particularly in the field of medicine.

On the sidelines of the ceremony, Ambassador Gunasekera discussed with the Foreign Ministry officials of Belarus about proposed high-level visits, convening of the Intergovernmental Commission on Trade in the latter half of 2026 and the establishment of possible regular flights between the two countries upon the signing of the proposed Air Services Agreement and further strengthening education co-operation.  

Such prospective engagements are expected to further enhance bilateral relations and provide an opportunity to explore cooperation in areas such as education, trade, tourism and people-to-people exchanges.

Ambassador Gunasekera also conveyed warm greetings and best wishes of the President and the people of Sri Lanka to the President and the people of Belarus and reaffirmed Sri Lanka’s commitment to strengthening its longstanding and friendly relations with Belarus.

The Sri Lanka Embassy added that the presentation of Letters of Credence marks an important step in advancing diplomatic ties and further consolidating cooperation between Sri Lanka and Belarus at both bilateral and multilateral levels. (Newswire)

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The Sri Lanka – Belarus and Sri Lanka – Bangladesh Parliamentary Friendship Associations have been established for the Tenth Parliament of Sri Lanka, further strengthening Sri Lanka’s parliamentary diplomacy and fostering international cooperation.

The two meetings to establish the associations were held last week (09) at the Parliament premises under the patronage of the Speaker Jagath Wickramaratne. Several Ministers, Deputy Ministers, and Members of Parliament, along with the Acting Secretary General of Parliament, Chaminda Kularatne, participated.

At the meeting convened to inaugurate the Sri Lanka – Belarus Parliamentary Friendship Association, Minister of Environment Dammika Patabendi was elected as the President. MP Pathmanathan Sathiyalingam was elected as the Secretary, while MP Sena Nanayakkara was elected as the Treasurer of the Association. The Ambassador of the Republic of Belarus to Sri Lanka, Mikhail Kasko, graced the occasion as the Guest of Honour. 

Meanwhile, at the revival meeting of the Sri Lanka – Bangladesh Parliamentary Friendship Association, Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs Hiniduma Sunil Senevi was elected as the President of the Association. Deputy Minister Arkam Ilyas was elected as the Secretary, and MP Padmasiri Bandara was elected as the Treasurer. The event was attended by the High Commissioner of Bangladesh to Sri Lanka, Andalib Elias, who participated as the Guest of Honour.

During both meetings, discussions were focused on the importance of strengthening bilateral cooperation and expanding collaboration between Sri Lanka and the respective countries.

It was emphasized that the establishment of these Friendship Associations marks a significant milestone in enhancing parliamentary diplomacy, promoting mutual understanding, and creating new avenues for cooperation in areas such as trade, education, culture, environment, and people-to-people ties. (Newswire)

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The Police in Belarus have commenced investigations into the death of a 24-year-old Sri Lankan medical student of the Grodno State Medical University in Belarus.

According to Daily News, the Sri Lankan student was found dead inside his university hostel room on 30th April 2023.

Fellow students of the Sri Lankan found the latter’s body after they had visited his hostel room as he had not answered their phone calls. 

As per reports, the students had observed a bandage tied around the deceased’s neck and that the other end of it had been tied to a cupboard inside the room. 

The Belarus Police are carrying out investigations to find out whether the Sri Lankan medical student had died by suicide or if there was another cause of death.

The deceased has been identified as Thishan Kularatne, an old boy from a leading boy’s school in Kandy and a fourth-year student at the Grodno State Medical University in Belarus. (NewsWire)

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