Sri Lanka and Türkiye Sign Two Bilateral Instruments to Strengthen Cooperation in Agriculture and Air Transport

Sri Lanka and Türkiye signed an agricultural cooperation memorandum and a protocol amending their air transport agreement in Ankara on 27 October 2026, according to the Sri Lankan Embassy.

The instruments were signed during Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Employment Arun Hemachandra’s official visit to Türkiye from 26 to 28 October.

Hemachandra and Türkiye’s Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Forestry, Ahmet Bağcı, signed the Memorandum of Understanding on Agricultural Cooperation. It establishes a framework for exchanging knowledge, technical expertise and farming practices between the two countries.

The embassy identified agricultural research, modern farming technologies, capacity-building and sustainable agricultural development as areas for potential collaboration. Cooperation between relevant institutions is intended to help Sri Lanka draw on Turkish agricultural experience and technology while developing partnerships between the countries.

A separate protocol was signed by Hemachandra and Türkiye’s Deputy Minister of Transport and Infrastructure, Enver İskurt. It amends the bilateral Air Transport Agreement signed on 2 December 2008 and updates the framework governing aviation relations.

The embassy expects the amended framework to support closer civil aviation cooperation and opportunities to develop air connectivity. It linked these prospects to tourism, trade, investment and exchanges between the countries’ communities.

Türkiye’s role as an international aviation hub also offers potential connections between Sri Lanka, Europe and other destinations, the embassy noted.

The two instruments address distinct areas of cooperation: agricultural knowledge and institutional partnerships under the memorandum, and the bilateral aviation framework under the protocol.

The embassy described the signing as part of efforts to turn bilateral understandings into practical cooperation. Hemachandra’s programme also included engagements with senior Turkish government officials on other areas of mutual interest.

The visit forms part of Sri Lanka’s diplomatic engagement with Türkiye, with agriculture and aviation among the sectors identified for developing closer working relationships.