Sri Lanka–United Arab Emirates relations
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United Arab Emirates |
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Sri Lanka–United Arab Emirates relations are the bilateral diplomatic, economic, and cultural relations between the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
History
Diplomatic relations between Sri Lanka and the United Arab Emirates were established in 1979. Sri Lanka opened its embassy in Abu Dhabi the same year.[1]
The Consulate of Sri Lanka in Dubai was established in 1993 and later upgraded to a Consulate General in 1999.[2]
Visits
In February 2025, Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake visited the UAE to attend the World Government Summit and held meetings with senior UAE leaders to discuss cooperation in investment, tourism, and trade.[3]
In April 2025, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the UAE, paid an official visit to Sri Lanka.[4]
Economic relations
The UAE is the largest of Sri Lanka's trading partners in the Middle East. Major Sri Lankan exports are tea, apparel, and gems, while exports from UAE largely consist of petroleum products and machinery.[5] Bilateral trade in 2018 was worth USD 2.13 billion. [6]
UAE is the largest source of investments into Sri Lanka from the Middle East with 65% of Middle Eastern investment in Sri Lanka originating from the UAE, mainly in the construction, hospitality, manufacturing, logistics, communications and information technology. [6]
In 2025, Sri Lanka and the UAE signed an Agreement on the Promotion and Protection of Investments.[7]
Labour migration and diaspora
300,000 Sri Lankans work in the UAE as foreign workers with one third doing white-collar jobs.[8][6]
Aid
During Cyclone Ditwah, UAE sent C-17 Globemaster aircafts to supply aid including food, gear and temporary housing, to those affected by the disaster. UAE Search and Rescue Team affiliated with the Abu Dhabi Civil Defence Authority, helped recover the dead and treat the injured. [9][10]
See also
References
- ^ "The Embassy". Embassy of Sri Lanka, Abu Dhabi. Retrieved 11 January 2026.
- ^ "Our Consulate General". Consulate General of Sri Lanka, Dubai. Retrieved 11 January 2026.
- ^ "President Anura Kumara Dissanayake successfully concludes visit to UAE". Embassy of Sri Lanka, Abu Dhabi. Retrieved 11 January 2026.
- ^ "Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the UAE visits Sri Lanka". Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Sri Lanka. Retrieved 11 January 2026.
- ^ "UAE Market Profile" (PDF). Export Development Board of Sri Lanka. Retrieved 11 January 2026.
- ^ a b c "UAE Embassy in Colombo-Economic Cooperation". www.mofa.gov.ae. Retrieved 11 January 2026.
- ^ "Sri Lanka and UAE strengthen economic ties with investment protection agreement". Embassy of Sri Lanka, Abu Dhabi. Retrieved 11 January 2026.
- ^ "The Embassy". Embassy of Sri Lanka, Abu Dhabi. Retrieved 11 January 2026.
- ^ "7th aid plane from the UAE arrives in Sri Lanka". Newswire. 8 December 2025. Retrieved 11 January 2026.
- ^ "UAE's Giant C-17 Relief Flight Lands in Sri Lanka with Food, Rescue Gear". english.newsfirst.lk. Retrieved 11 January 2026.