Sri Lanka’s newly elected President Anura Kumara Dissanayake kicked off his first Middle East trip on Monday, heading to Dubai to participate in the World Governments Summit 2025. Dissanayake, who took office in September, is navigating the fallout from the country’s devastating economic crisis of 2022—the worst since gaining independence in 1948—alongside stringent austerity measures tied to an International Monetary Fund bailout.
This journey marks Dissanayake’s third foreign trip since assuming the presidency. He previously visited India in December, where he held discussions with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, President Droupadi Murmu, and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, as well as a visit to China for talks with President Xi Jinping.
During the Dubai summit, leaders, policymakers, and global experts will convene to explore themes of governance and public policy. Dissanayake, accompanied by Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath, is expected to engage in bilateral meetings with UAE officials and witness the signing of several key agreements.
“Sri Lanka is poised to enter into agreements concerning fuel and gas purchases, power and energy projects, and trade and investment,” the Sri Lankan foreign ministry stated. A joint commission between Sri Lanka and the UAE is also anticipated, along with government-to-government projects and memoranda of understanding.
Key priorities for the Sri Lankan government include negotiating favorable terms for fuel and gas imports and enhancing job opportunities for expatriate workers. The ministry highlighted plans to promote tourism and education, as well as the export of Sri Lankan tea and gems, while attracting visitors from the UAE.
With over 350,000 Sri Lankans residing and working in Dubai, Dissanayake is also expected to meet with the diaspora, further strengthening ties with the Sri Lankan community abroad. As he embarks on this pivotal visit, the president aims to bolster economic cooperation and investments from the UAE.
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