On 10 July 2024, the first political consultations between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of Latvia and Sri Lanka took place in Colombo, Sri Lanka. The Head of the Latvian Delegation, Head of the Bilateral Relations Directorate at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Katarina Plātere, and the Additional Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Sri Lanka, Yasoja Gunasekera, stressed the need to develop a bilateral legal framework in areas of mutual interest. Information and communication technologies, pharmacy and higher education, as well as strengthening contacts between entrepreneurs of both countries were mentioned as promising directions in economic cooperation. Special emphasis was placed on the contribution by the Honorary Consul of Latvia in Sri Lanka, Vernon Manil Fernando, to strengthening bilateral relations.
In the context of regional and global security challenges, the interlocutors had an in-depth discussion on Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. Katarina Plātere underlined the impact of this aggression on Latvia’s vital security interests.
The officials also discussed cooperation in international organizations.
During her visit, Katarina Plātere also met with colleagues in the European Union Delegation, the High Commission of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the French Embassy, as well as researchers from Sri Lankan think-tanks.
The next consultations are planned for 2026 in Riga.
