Sri Lanka’s Foreign Minister M.U.M. Ali Sabry visited the Islamic Republic of Iran from August 4 to 7, 2023, on an invitation from Iranian Foreign Minister Dr. Hossein Amir-Abdollahian.

During his visit, Minister Sabry met with President Ebrahim Raisi, Foreign Minister Amir-Abdollahian, and Central Bank Governor Dr. Mohammad-Reza Farzin. He discussed ways to strengthen bilateral relations in a number of areas, including trade, investment, energy, and tourism.

Minister Sabry expressed Sri Lanka’s appreciation for Iran’s assistance in a number of development projects, including the Uma Oya Multi-Purpose Project and the Rural Electrification Project. He also thanked Iran for its support to Sri Lanka in the international arena.

Minister Sabry and his Iranian counterparts also discussed the IMF-led debt restructuring process that Sri Lanka is currently undergoing. Iran has agreed to consent to the process, which will help Sri Lanka to secure the necessary funding to address its economic challenges.

The Sri Lankan delegation also met with representatives of the Iranian private sector to discuss investment opportunities in Sri Lanka. Minister Sabry invited Iranian businesses to invest in Sri Lanka’s tourism, infrastructure, and technology sectors.

The visit was a success in strengthening bilateral ties between Sri Lanka and Iran. The two countries agreed to further cooperation in a number of areas, and Minister Sabry expressed confidence that the relationship between the two countries will continue to grow in the years to come.

The Sri Lankan delegation to Iran included Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Iran Wishvanath Aponso, Director, the Department of External Resources Samantha Bandara, and Deputy Director, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mohamed Rizvi.