Sri Lanka's Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath will visit the Philippines from 23 to 24 July to participate in the 33rd ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) and the 50th Anniversary Commemoration of the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation (TAC), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced.
During the visit, Minister Herath is scheduled to address both high-level meetings, reaffirming Sri Lanka's commitment to regional dialogue, peace, security, and cooperation with ASEAN member states and partner countries.
On the sidelines of the forum, the Foreign Minister will hold a series of bilateral meetings with his counterparts from participating countries, as well as discussions with the Secretary-General of ASEAN and senior officials from the European Union (EU) and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to strengthen diplomatic and economic cooperation.
Minister Herath is also expected to meet Philippine Secretary of Foreign Affairs Ma Theresa P. Lazaro to discuss ways to further enhance bilateral relations between Sri Lanka and the Philippines.
As part of the visit, the Foreign Minister will officially inaugurate the Office of the Honorary Consul of Sri Lanka in Mindanao, marking an important step in expanding Sri Lanka's diplomatic and consular presence in the Philippines while strengthening services for Sri Lankan nationals and promoting trade, investment, and people-to-people ties between the two countries.
Sri Lanka’s Services Exports Rise 3.75% in June 2026, Led by Financial Services and ICT
Sri Lanka's services exports increased by 3.75% year-on-year to US$344.52 million in June 2026, supported by strong growth in the ICT/BPM and financial services sectors, according to the Export Development Board (EDB).
The ICT and Business Process Management (ICT/BPM) sector remained the largest contributor to services export earnings, generating US$150.49 million during the month, an 11.31% increase compared to June 2025.
The EDB said high-value service industries—including ICT/BPM, construction, financial services, and transport and logistics—continue to play a vital role in diversifying Sri Lanka's export basket, increasing value addition, generating foreign exchange earnings, and creating high-skilled employment opportunities.
Among other sectors, financial services recorded the strongest growth, with export earnings rising 29.56% year-on-year to US$3.21 million.
Meanwhile, transport and logistics, the country's largest services export segment, generated US$184.89 million, a marginal 0.79% decline from the corresponding period last year. Construction services exports also contracted, falling 26.14% year-on-year to US$5.93 million.
The EDB also reported that Sri Lanka's combined exports of goods and services reached US$1.66 billion in June 2026, representing a 12.53% increase compared to the same month in 2025, reflecting continued momentum in the country's overall export performance.
Sri Lanka’s Foreign Minister to Attend ASEAN Forum, Open Consular Office in the Philippines
