Sri Lanka and Türkiye are exploring opportunities to expand labour cooperation, including sector-specific and seasonal employment opportunities for Sri Lankan workers.
The matter was discussed when Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Employment, Arun Hemachandra, met Türkiye’s Deputy Minister of Labour and Social Security, Prof. Dr. Lutfihak Alpkan, in Ankara today (27).
The discussions focused on identifying mutually beneficial employment opportunities while ensuring safe, orderly and sustainable arrangements for Sri Lankan workers seeking employment in Türkiye.
Deputy Minister Hemachandra is on a two-day official visit to Ankara aimed at strengthening bilateral relations and expanding cooperation between the two countries.
He began his official programme today with a bilateral meeting with Türkiye’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Berris Ekinci, at the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The visit marks the first official visit to Ankara by a Sri Lankan Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and is expected to contribute to further strengthening the longstanding friendship between the two countries.
During the meeting, the two Deputy Ministers discussed ways to enhance political dialogue, facilitate high-level exchanges and expand cooperation in areas of mutual interest.
As part of the visit, Deputy Minister Hemachandra is scheduled to sign two bilateral agreements: a Memorandum of Understanding on Agricultural Cooperation between Sri Lanka and Türkiye and a protocol amending the existing Air Transport Agreement between the two countries.
The proposed agreements are expected to strengthen the institutional framework for bilateral cooperation and create further opportunities for collaboration in agriculture and aviation.
In addition, Deputy Minister Hemachandra is scheduled to meet the President of the Ankara Chamber of Commerce to explore opportunities to strengthen commercial ties and business partnerships between the two countries.
The visit reflects the shared interest of Sri Lanka and Türkiye in deepening bilateral relations and developing practical areas of cooperation for mutual benefit, according to a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
