Sri Lanka and Türkiye Sign Agricultural MoU and Air Transport Protocol During First-Ever Deputy Minister Visit to Ankara
The meeting took place at Türkiye’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on 27 October 2026. Photograph: Colombo Times.
Sri Lanka’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Employment, Arun Hemachandra, has described his Ankara visit as a significant step in the development of Sri Lanka–Türkiye relations. In his own account of the visit, he said it offered an opportunity to build on the longstanding friendship between the two countries and to advance a more comprehensive, practical and forward-looking partnership.
This is a diplomacy story, but one with consequences that reach well beyond the diplomatic table: a first-of-its-kind visit, two signed instruments, and discussions spanning trade, employment and connectivity.
Sri Lanka and Türkiye have signed two bilateral instruments covering agricultural cooperation and air transport during a landmark official visit to Ankara by Sri Lanka’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Employment, Arun Hemachandra.
The visit, which took place from 26 to 28 October 2026, included a meeting with Türkiye’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, H.E. Ambassador A. Berris Ekinci. It was the first-ever official visit to Ankara by a Sri Lankan Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and provides a new opportunity to advance political dialogue and practical cooperation between the two countries.
The agreements establish frameworks for closer work in agriculture and civil aviation. Discussions also addressed trade, investment, Ceylon tea market access, foreign employment, tourism, education, renewable energy and defence cooperation.
At a glance
- Visit: 26–28 October 2026, Ankara
- Milestone: First-ever official visit to Ankara by a Sri Lankan Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs
- Meeting: 27 October with Türkiye’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, H.E. Ambassador A. Berris Ekinci
- Signed instruments: Memorandum of Understanding on Agricultural Cooperation; protocol amending the Air Transport Agreement
- Air transport protocol signed with: Türkiye’s Deputy Minister of Transport and Infrastructure, Enver İskurt
- Discussion areas: Trade, including Ceylon tea market access; investment; foreign employment; agriculture; tourism; education; renewable energy; and defence cooperation
- Other meetings: Deputy Ministers of Labour and Social Security, Trade, and Culture and Tourism; President of the Ankara Chamber of Commerce
- Sri Lankan delegation: Ambassador Niluka Kadurugamuwa and Embassy Minister Nilusha Dilmini
First-ever deputy foreign minister visit to Ankara
Hemachandra met Ekinci at the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs on 27 October. According to the official visit report, the two Deputy Ministers discussed ways to advance bilateral relations, with an emphasis on political dialogue, high-level exchanges and cooperation in areas of mutual interest.
The meeting formed part of a broader effort to give fresh momentum to Sri Lanka–Türkiye relations. The two countries have a longstanding friendship, and the visit placed a range of practical areas for cooperation on the agenda.
In his own account, shared on eLanka’s Facebook page, Hemachandra said the discussions covered trade, investment, foreign employment, agriculture, tourism, education, renewable energy and defence cooperation. He described the visit as an opportunity to build a more comprehensive and forward-looking partnership.
An AI-generated editorial illustration of a diplomatic meeting setting. It does not depict the officials or the actual meeting. Image: eLanka.
The meeting was attended by Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to Türkiye, Niluka Kadurugamuwa, and Minister at the Sri Lankan Embassy in Ankara, Nilusha Dilmini.
Officials at the meeting in Ankara. Photograph: Colombo Times.
Trade, investment and Ceylon tea
Expanding bilateral trade and improving market access for Sri Lankan products were among the matters raised by Hemachandra. He highlighted Ceylon tea as a product with potential for wider reach in the Turkish market, while the discussions also considered opportunities to encourage Turkish investment in key sectors of Sri Lanka’s economy.
The talks point to areas for further engagement rather than confirming new trade agreements, export deals or investment commitments. Improved access for Sri Lankan goods would depend on follow-up by businesses and relevant institutions in both countries.
For readers following Sri Lankan export prospects more broadly, eLanka has also reported on a UK–Sri Lanka trade mission focused on women entrepreneurs and export potential.
An AI-generated illustration of tea exports and international trade. Image: eLanka.
Two agreements set out practical areas for cooperation
The first instrument is a Memorandum of Understanding on Agricultural Cooperation between Sri Lanka and Türkiye. It aims to support collaboration in modern agricultural technologies, research, knowledge sharing, capacity building and agricultural productivity, as well as work related to food security.
The agreement provides an institutional framework for cooperation. Its practical impact will depend on how the two countries develop future programmes, exchanges and joint activities under the MoU.
The second instrument is the Protocol Amending the Air Transport Agreement between Sri Lanka and Türkiye. Hemachandra and Türkiye’s Deputy Minister of Transport and Infrastructure, Enver İskurt, signed the protocol in Ankara on 27 October.
As reported by Daily Mirror, the amendment is intended to strengthen cooperation in civil aviation and improve connectivity between the countries. Better air links could support tourism, trade, investment and people-to-people exchanges. The signing does not, by itself, announce a new route or flight schedule.
An AI-generated illustration symbolising air connectivity. It is not an image of a specific airline or route. Image: eLanka.
Employment and people-to-people connections
Foreign employment was another area of discussion. During his Ankara programme, Hemachandra met Türkiye’s Deputy Minister of Labour and Social Security, Prof. Dr Lutfihak Alpkan. According to Ada Derana, the officials explored sector-specific and seasonal employment opportunities for Sri Lankan workers, with attention to safe, orderly and sustainable arrangements.
These discussions are exploratory: they do not amount to a confirmed recruitment programme or a notice of available jobs. Any future opportunities would require further agreement and clear information on eligibility, working conditions and application procedures.
The officials also discussed ways to strengthen people-to-people relations through tourism, education, cultural exchanges and institutional partnerships. For Sri Lankan families and professionals living abroad, such links can help sustain connections with Sri Lanka while building wider relationships between the two countries.
An AI-generated still life pairing Turkish tea culture with Ceylon tea. Image: eLanka.
Wider programme and shared interests
The official programme included meetings with Türkiye’s Deputy Ministers of Labour and Social Security, Trade, and Culture and Tourism. The discussions were intended to explore cooperation in employment, trade, investment and tourism. Hemachandra also met the President of the Ankara Chamber of Commerce to consider commercial and business links.
In his account, Hemachandra said the discussions extended to climate change, sustainable development, disaster preparedness and resilience. He also referred to parliamentary diplomacy, defence cooperation and engagement in regional and multilateral forums.
On international affairs, he said the two sides emphasised the importance of a rules-based international order, respect for international law and national sovereignty, the principles of the United Nations Charter and the peaceful resolution of disputes.
A platform for stronger Sri Lanka–Türkiye relations
The first-ever official visit to Ankara by a Sri Lankan Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs brought together diplomatic discussions and two signed instruments focused on practical cooperation. The agricultural MoU and amended air transport agreement provide formal structures for continued engagement, while trade, employment and cultural ties remain areas for further discussion.
In his account, Hemachandra expressed Sri Lanka’s appreciation for Türkiye’s longstanding friendship and support. He said the aim was to turn renewed engagement into concrete outcomes and lasting benefits for people in both countries.
For Sri Lanka, the visit signals an effort to broaden diplomatic and economic relationships through dialogue and institutional cooperation. The next step will be translating the agreements and discussions into sustained work between the relevant government bodies, businesses and communities.
Sources
- Daily Mirror: Sri Lanka and Türkiye sign protocol to amend bilateral air transport agreement
- Ada Derana: Sri Lanka and Türkiye explore employment opportunities for Sri Lankan workers
- The Morning: Bilateral talks on air transport protocol amendment
- Deputy Minister Arun Hemachandra’s account, shared by eLanka
- Original source: Colombo Times. Sri Lanka’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Meets His Counterpart in Türkiye
