Sri Lanka and Türkiye are working to turn recent diplomatic agreements into new opportunities for trade, investment and tourism. On November 13, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Employment Arun Hemachandra discussed next steps with Türkiye’s Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Semih Lütfü Turgut.
The meeting followed Hemachandra’s official visit to Türkiye in October. During that visit, the two countries signed agreements covering agricultural cooperation and air transport.
The latest discussions focused on putting those agreements into action. Both sides also agreed to follow up on other pending agreements and speed up their completion.
Trade and Investment Opportunities
Trade was one of the main areas discussed during the meeting. Both sides reviewed the recent growth in Sri Lankan tea exports to Türkiye. They also discussed ways to expand trade beyond existing products and encourage more direct business links between companies.
This could create opportunities for Sri Lankan exporters seeking access to the Turkish market. It could also help Turkish businesses explore trade and investment opportunities in Sri Lanka.
The two sides highlighted the need for more business-to-business exchanges. These discussions could help companies from both countries identify potential partners and commercial opportunities.
Aviation and Tourism Cooperation
Air connectivity was another area of discussion. Both sides explored the possibility of Turkish investment in domestic air services in Sri Lanka. However, this remains an opportunity under discussion, and no investment agreement was announced.
The talks also covered cultural tourism and the preservation of archaeological sites. Both countries see scope for closer cooperation in these areas.
The October visit also produced an amended air transport agreement. This provides an updated framework for cooperation in civil aviation and could support future connectivity between the countries.
From Agreements to Practical Cooperation
The October visit marked the first official visit to Ankara by a Sri Lankan Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs. It included discussions with Turkish officials responsible for foreign affairs, trade, agriculture, labour, tourism and transport.
The two agreements signed during the visit provide a basis for cooperation in agriculture and air transport. The November meeting now places attention on their implementation.
For businesses, the next stage will be to see how these discussions lead to trade links, investment projects and wider commercial opportunities.
Both countries have also agreed to continue working on pending bilateral agreements.
Bilateral Discussions Diplomatic Relations
Last modified: November 14, 2026
