Sri Lanka’s FM to join ASEAN forum as Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath travels to the Philippines for high-level regional meetings, where he is also expected to inaugurate Sri Lanka’s Office of the Honorary Consul in Mindanao.
Sri Lanka’s FM to join ASEAN forum while opening honorary consul office in Mindanao
Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath will visit Manila from July 23 to 24 to participate in the 33rd ASEAN Regional Forum and the 50th Anniversary Commemoration of the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation, according to Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
During the two-day visit, Herath is scheduled to address both events, which bring together foreign ministers and senior representatives from ASEAN member states, dialogue partners and regional organizations to discuss security, political and economic cooperation across the Asia-Pacific region.
The visit marks Sri Lanka’s continued engagement with ASEAN, one of the world’s most influential regional groupings, as Colombo seeks to strengthen diplomatic ties and expand cooperation with countries across Southeast Asia.
On the sidelines of the meetings, Vijitha Herath is expected to hold a series of bilateral discussions with foreign ministers from participating countries. He will also meet with the Secretary-General of ASEAN as well as senior officials from the European Union and the Asian Development Bank to discuss areas of mutual interest and opportunities for enhanced collaboration.
The Foreign Minister is also scheduled to hold bilateral talks with Philippine Secretary of Foreign Affairs Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro. The discussions are expected to focus on strengthening bilateral relations, expanding economic cooperation and exploring new avenues for collaboration between Sri Lanka and the Philippines.
A key highlight of the visit will be the official opening of the Office of the Honorary Consul of Sri Lanka in Mindanao. The new honorary consular office is expected to enhance Sri Lanka’s diplomatic presence in the southern Philippines while facilitating stronger business, trade, tourism and people-to-people links between the two countries.
The establishment of the honorary consul office also reflects Sri Lanka’s broader efforts to deepen engagement with Southeast Asian partners and improve consular services for Sri Lankan nationals and businesses operating in the region.
The ASEAN Regional Forum remains one of the region’s leading multilateral platforms for dialogue on political and security issues, bringing together ASEAN members and key international partners to promote regional peace, stability and cooperation.
Sri Lanka has maintained close relations with ASEAN member states over the years and continues to pursue stronger diplomatic and economic partnerships through active participation in regional forums and bilateral engagements.
The visit by Vijitha Herath underscores Colombo’s commitment to expanding its diplomatic outreach while reinforcing cooperation with regional and international partners on trade, investment, development and regional security.