Sri Lanka and Cambodia Deepen Bilateral Cooperation, Strengthen Consular Coordination and Engagement with Sri Lankan Community

Ambassador of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka to the Kingdom of Cambodia  with residence in Bangkok, E.A.S. Wijayanthi Edirisinghe, undertook a series of high-level  and community engagements in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, focusing on further strengthening  Sri Lanka–Cambodia bilateral relations, expanding cooperation in areas of mutual interest,  and promoting the welfare and interests of Sri Lankan nationals residing in Cambodia. 

During the visit, the Ambassador paid a courtesy call on Permanent Secretary of State of the  Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Cambodia, EAT Sophea. The  two sides expressed satisfaction with the longstanding and mutually beneficial relations  between Sri Lanka and Cambodia, sustained since the establishment of diplomatic relations  in 1952 and underpinned by shared cultural and religious heritage, particularly the Theravada  Buddhist tradition. 

The two sides discussed avenues to further expand bilateral cooperation in priority areas,  including trade and investment, tourism, culture, consular matters and people-to-people  connectivity. The Ambassador highlighted Sri Lanka’s interest in strengthening economic  engagement with Cambodia and promoting greater interaction between the business  communities of the two countries. The potential for enhanced cooperation in tourism,  including religious and cultural tourism, was also discussed. 

The Ambassador reiterated Sri Lanka’s interest in convening the First Round of Bilateral  Political Consultations between the two Foreign Ministries before the end of 2026, in  accordance with the Memorandum of Understanding on Bilateral Political Consultations  signed in 2019. The proposed consultations would provide a platform to identify new areas  of cooperation and further deepen bilateral relations. The two sides also discussed the  importance of strengthening high-level exchanges and institutional engagement. 

Permanent Secretary of State EAT Sophea briefed the Ambassador on the latest developments  concerning the Cambodia–Thailand border situation and reaffirmed Cambodia’s  commitment to resolving the matter through peaceful means, in accordance with  international law and existing agreements. 

Following the meeting, the Ambassador held discussions with officials of the Consular Affairs  Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Cambodia on  matters concerning Sri Lankan nationals in Cambodia, particularly those currently in  custody. The discussions focused on the status and welfare of the Sri Lankan nationals 

concerned, consular assistance, outstanding immigration matters, and continued  coordination between the relevant authorities to facilitate their repatriation, where  appropriate. 

The Ambassador subsequently met with Chief of Mission of the International Organization  for Migration (IOM) in Cambodia, Nellie Ghusayni, to discuss the situation of Sri Lankan  nationals stranded in Cambodia. The discussions focused on the welfare and immediate needs  of the affected Sri Lankan nationals and the importance of expediting their safe and timely  repatriation to Sri Lanka. The Ambassador also sought IOM’s support in coordinating with  the relevant Cambodian authorities, including resolving outstanding immigration matters and 

exploring the possibility of waiving fines arising from overstaying without the appropriate  visa, to facilitate their return to Sri Lanka. 

As part of her engagement with the Sri Lankan community in Cambodia, the Ambassador  met with members of the community at the newly established Honorary Consulate of Sri  Lanka in Cambodia. The gathering provided an opportunity for an open exchange of views  on the experiences and concerns of Sri Lankan nationals living and working in Cambodia, as  well as ways in which the community could contribute to Sri Lanka’s economic and national  development. 

The Ambassador encouraged the Sri Lankan community to strengthen its links with the  Embassy of Sri Lanka and make greater use of its knowledge, professional expertise and  business networks to promote trade, investment, tourism and other mutually beneficial linkages between Sri Lanka and Cambodia. The discussion also explored the establishment  of a Sri Lanka Business Chamber in Cambodia as a platform to bring together Sri Lankan  businesses and professionals, facilitate business-to-business engagement, and contribute to the  expansion of commercial relations between the two countries. 

The establishment of the Honorary Consulate was welcomed as an important step in  strengthening Sri Lanka’s institutional presence in Cambodia and facilitating closer  engagement with the Sri Lankan community and Cambodian stakeholders. Honorary Consul  of Sri Lanka in Cambodia, Pily Wong, the first Honorary Consul appointed by the  Government of Sri Lanka to Cambodia, is expected to play an important role in promoting  bilateral trade, investment, tourism, cultural exchanges and people-to-people connectivity,  while supporting the Embassy in matters concerning Sri Lankan nationals in Cambodia. 

The engagements undertaken by the Ambassador during her visit reflected Sri Lanka’s  continued commitment to deepening its longstanding friendship with Cambodia, expanding  practical cooperation in areas of mutual interest, and strengthening support and engagement  with the Sri Lankan community in Cambodia. 

The Ambassador was accompanied by Minister Counsellor/Head of Chancery of the  Embassy, Thilini Ihalage, and Honorary Consul of Sri Lanka in Cambodia, Pily Wong.