By Sachin Hassim
Sri Lanka and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have maintained
strong diplomatic and economic ties since the establishment of formal relations
in 1979. Over the decades, both nations have engaged in high-level visits and
signed numerous agreements and MOUs, fostering collaboration across various
sectors. The UAE has consistently supported Sri Lanka during critical periods,
such as the conflict with the LTTE and the tsunami aftermath, providing
emergency aid and assistance to strength Sri Lanka's economic resilience.
Impact of the New Leftist Government
Sri Lanka elected Anura Kumara Dissanayake as its 9th President on 21st September 2024, ushering in a new chapter in Sri
Lanka, which would undoubtedly impact foreign relations. As the first leftist
President, he has tried to be saner and more prudent in foreign policy, such as
expansion of strategic alliances, economic recovery and partnerships. Regarding the
UAE as a key player in Sri Lanka’s development journey, his administration
sought to expand diplomatic and commercial relations beyond conventional
partners.
President Dissanayake visited the United Arab Emirates on
the invitation of President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan from February 10–13,
2025. The visit included attending the World Government Summit 2025 which provided him a significant opportunity to discuss
high-level bilateral issues, highlight Sri Lanka's economic vision, and look
into new investment prospects.
The focus of discussions with the UAE leadership was trade,
tourism, and investments, to align with the country's broader strategy of
attracting foreign direct investment and forging economic partnerships. The
visit put a spotlight on renewed engagement with Middle Eastern economies in
highly desirable sectors, ranging from infrastructure, energy, and financial
services. Sri Lanka, within the new government, views the ongoing diplomatic
outreach to the UAE as a pragmatic, forward-looking effort ensuring that
bilateral ties are reinforced in support of the country’s longer-term
development objectives.
Key Highlights of President Dissanayake’s UAE Visit
· Speech at the World Government Summit
Dissanayake’s speech at the World Government Summit 2025 was
a pivotal moment in reestablishing Sri Lanka on the international stage under
the new leftist administration. In a speech to world leaders, policy makers and
industry experts, he stressed the importance of multilateral governance to the issues
of global economic disparities, climate change and technological change.
Dissanayake highlighted that it is imperative that countries
work together across borders as they tackle significant global issues. Whether
it was climate change or economic instability or the disruption of rapid
technological advancement, he argued persuasively for nations working in unison
rather than isolation. His vision illuminated that in an interconnected world,
no country, large or small, can afford to do it alone.
The importance of equal economic policies that empower
developing countries was a major focus of his speech. According to Dissanayake,
rising economies need fair access to financial resources, trade opportunities,
and technical breakthroughs in order to achieve true global stability. He urged
world leaders to make sure that the base of global economic frameworks
continues towards sustainable growth.
·
High Level Bilateral Meetings
An important turning point in Sri Lanka-UAE ties was
reached when Dissanayake met with Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the
UAE's vice president and prime minister, beginning in a new era of diplomatic
and economic cooperation. Dissanayake encouraged investors based in the United
Arab Emirates to take advantage on Sri Lanka's new leftist government's
economic recovery plan during the discussions, which centered on economic
regeneration. A major item on the agenda was trade and export clients, with
both presidents looking into strategies to increase Sri Lanka's exports of tea,
clothing, seafood, and gemstones to the United Arab Emirates.
The discussions also focused on the growth of tourism, utilizing Sri Lanka's natural beauty and rich cultural legacy to attract more tourists from the United Arab Emirates. The signing of the Sri Lanka-UAE Investment Protection Agreement on February 12, 2025, was a significant outcome of this summit. Stronger legal protection for investors from both nations is provided by this agreement, which is anticipated to increase trust in important areas like digital economy initiatives, renewable energy, and tourism infrastructure. This renewed cooperation creates a solid foundation for mutual prosperity and sustainable progress by cultivating long-term business partnerships.
· Strengthening Relations across the World via Bilateral Meetings
In addition to the relations between Sri Lanka and UAE, Dissanayake met prominent world leaders at the World Government Summit 2025 to bring attention to economic growth and diplomatic relations strategy of Sri Lanka. During their meeting, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Dissanayake concentrated on the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), the Organization for Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and member nations bilateral trade relationships and how to enhance these economic relations.
In the meeting with the Kuwaiti Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmed Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, Dissanayake brought attention to the need for better regulation of over 120,000 Sri Lankan expatriate employees in Kuwait and discussed with Al-Sabah how to improve social welfare and job opportunities for participants. Similarly, his discussion with Vietnam’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister focused on expanding trade in agriculture, seafood, and textiles, promoting tourism through direct flight connectivity, and deepening investment partnerships for mutual economic progress.
The meeting with former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair, revolved around technical knowledge in agriculture, climate resilience, and governance changes. Blair emphasized international support for Sri Lanka's progressive policy agenda by pledging to send a team of experts to the country to help with sustainability and economic development projects. Through these meetings, Sri Lanka maintains its position as an active participant in international diplomatic and economic issues, guaranteeing sustained expansion and strategic partnerships.
· Partnerships in Business and Technology: Bringing International Investments
Dissanayake met the CEOs from global tech companies
such as Roblox, Oracle, Alibaba, and Dow Jones, highlighting Sri Lanka's
dedication to innovation-driven development and digital transformation. He
acknowledged the transformative impact of technology in propelling economic
progress. In the meantime, talks with Roblox centered on digital innovation
projects and AI-driven education initiatives, establishing Sri Lanka as a
potential participant in the digital economy. Dissanayake discussed the
implementation of AI-powered public sector reforms in his discussions with
Oracle, with the goal of improving efficiency and governance via technology.
By establishing these partnerships, Sri Lanka is actively establishing its future as a regional center for technology, utilizing innovation to provide job and economic possibilities and promote long-term digital development.
A Milestone Visit for Sri Lanka’s New Foreign Policy
A significant change in Sri Lanka's foreign policy under
the new leftist government happened with Dissanayake's visit to the United
Arab Emirates. This visit adopted a bold, varied approach, bolstering
relationships with the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and international business
leaders, in contrast to previous strategies that mostly relied on traditional
alliances. The message was obvious: Sri Lanka welcomes investment, cooperation,
and innovation.
What’s Next?
By using foreign relationships to stabilize the economy,
draw in investors, and open up new opportunities for its citizens, this visit
has established a strong foundation for Sri Lanka's economic recovery. Sri
Lanka is forging a new direction in diplomacy under Dissanayake's guidance, one
that promotes innovation, inclusivity, and sustainability. The world is
currently watching as Sri Lanka reshapes its destiny on the international scene
due to the inspiration provided by this historic visit.
