The Ambassador of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka to Jordan, Priyanga Wijegunasekara, emphasized the depth of the strong bilateral relations between Jordan and Sri Lanka, noting the expansion of cooperation over the past decades across various sectors.
اضافة اعلان
During a celebration held by the Sri Lankan Embassy in Jordan on the evening of Tuesday, marking the 77th Independence Day of the country and the 60th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations between Sri Lanka and Jordan, Wijegunasekara pointed out the importance of exploring untapped areas for joint cooperation and further strengthening economic ties.
The Ambassador stated during the event, attended by Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Nancy Namrouqa, several Arab and foreign ambassadors, diplomats, and media representatives, that Jordan and Sri Lanka share a strong and enduring friendship based on mutual respect, cultural ties, and people-to-people connections.
She added that the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding for the establishment of a political consultation mechanism in 2024 is a significant milestone in enhancing their diplomatic engagement.
The Sri Lankan Ambassador also highlighted the completion of a defense cooperation agreement, which is ready for signing, while several other memoranda of understanding are in progress.
She expressed pride in seeing the Sri Lankan community, which numbers 15,000 in Jordan, including 11,000 Sri Lankans in the apparel sector, continue to contribute to the economies of both countries. She commended the Jordanian government for its care and support for Sri Lankan citizens and expressed deep gratitude to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan for providing job opportunities for Sri Lankans.
The Ambassador mentioned that bilateral trade between Sri Lanka and Jordan amounted to 90.26 million USD in 2023, reaching 73.02 million USD by November 2024.
Sri Lanka's exports to Jordan reached 66.45 million USD, with the Ambassador noting that "Jordan is the seventh largest destination for Sri Lankan exports, and Sri Lanka remains one of the largest exporters of tea to Jordan."
She confirmed that Sri Lanka was one of the first countries to recognize the State of Palestine, welcoming the recent ceasefire agreement in Gaza, and expressing hope that it would pave the way for a sustainable peace process.
"We remain optimistic that these developments will contribute to long-term stability in Palestine and the region," she added.
She continued, "This year holds special significance as Sri Lanka and Jordan celebrate 60 years of diplomatic relations.
" She pointed out that the embassy, which opened in Amman in 1996, is planning to organize several events throughout the year to highlight their close relationship.
On behalf of the Government of Sri Lanka, the Ambassador expressed deep appreciation for the support provided by the Jordanian government and the international community in various global forums.
She also invited tourists from around the world to visit Sri Lanka and experience the country's hospitality, culture, and natural beauty.
The Ambassador explained that Sri Lanka has a rich history spanning over 2,500 years, including 443 years of foreign rule, noting the vital role of "our ancestors," representing Sinhalese, Tamil, Muslim, Malay, and bourgeois communities, in the independence movement and the nation’s journey toward freedom. Today, we honor their immense contributions with deep gratitude.
Sri Lanka gained independence on February 4, 1948, and, like any other country, has faced challenges and triumphs on its post-independence journey, according to the Ambassador.
She spoke about this journey, stating, "We have succeeded in overcoming natural disasters and man-made crises, including the devastation caused by the 2004 tsunami, the 26-year armed conflict, and the COVID-19 pandemic.
These are some of the major challenges that tested our resilience, but we overcame them."
Economically, the Ambassador noted that while Sri Lanka has faced setbacks in the past, it has recovered and remained resilient and encouraging.
In the third quarter of 2024, Sri Lanka’s economy grew by 5.5% year-on-year, marking its fastest expansion since 2017, as the country continues to recover from its worst financial crisis in decades.
Inflation, which reached 70% in 2022, decreased to -2.10% in November 2024. Meanwhile, the Sri Lankan rupee stabilized, appreciating by 10.7% against the US dollar in 2024, continuing its upward trend with a 12.1% increase in 2023.
The Ambassador confirmed that remittances from overseas workers remain one of Sri Lanka’s most important sources of foreign exchange, reaching 6.57 billion USD in 2024, a 10.1% increase from the previous year.
The tourism sector in Sri Lanka has also rebounded impressively, with more than two million tourists visiting last year, generating over 3.2 billion USD in revenue, a notable 52.38% year-on-year increase.
The interest of Jordanian travelers has also risen again, thanks to various promotional initiatives.
Sri Lanka continues to emerge as a world-class travel destination, receiving multiple awards. In 2024, Sri Lanka was named the most desirable island in the world at the Wanderlust Reader Travel Awards in London and ranked ninth among the top 10 destinations to visit in 2025 by the BBC Travel’s inaugural guide.
Despite challenges, Sri Lanka has excelled in social indicators, making remarkable progress on par with developed countries, thanks to significant investments in education and healthcare.
I am proud to mention that Sri Lanka's literacy rate stands at 92%, the highest in South Asia, reflecting our ongoing commitment to education.
