Sri Lanka-Sweden celebrate 75 year ties in Stockholm

Seventy-five years of diplomatic relations between Sri Lanka and Sweden were celebrated in an event at the Sri Lanka’s Embassy in Stockholm last week. The event was attended by a number of special invitees representing the Swedish Government including the Riksdag (Swedish Parliament) and Swedish Foreign Affairs Ministry; Business Sweden; Business Region Gothenburg; prominent Swedish companies that have partnered with Sri Lanka; Swedish institutions; Sweden-Sri Lanka Business Council as well as the Sri Lankan community representatives.

In a video message, Foreign Affairs Minister Vijitha Herath expressed appreciation for Sweden’s support for Sri Lanka’s development initiatives and reaffirmed the country’s commitment to strengthening bilateral relations with Sweden. The minister admired the deep bonds of friendship between the peoples of the two nations that serve as the foundation for the steadily growing multifaceted relationship. He also stated that relations in the political realm, the growing presence of Swedish companies in Sri Lanka, people-to-people connections, as well as the growing number of Sri Lankan students in Sweden are testimonial to the trust and collaboration between the two countries.

Delivering the congratulatory statement of Swedish Parliament Speaker Andreas Norlen, Swedish MP and Chair of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation of Europe (OSCR), Bjorn Soder highlighted that the longstanding relationship between Sri Lanka and Sweden is defined by friendship and partnership. He stated that Sri Lanka was one of the first countries to receive Swedish development assistance, including in the health and hydropower sectors. He assured Sweden’s commitment to face future challenges together, and continuing partnership with Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka’s Ambassador in Sweden Kapila Fonseka underlined the shared values, including Sri Lanka’s longstanding and sustained democratic tradition since independence that serves as the cornerstone of the steadfast bilateral relationship between Sri Lanka and Sweden. The ambassador underscored that the bilateral relations were intensified following the visit of Sri Lanka’s former Foreign Affairs Minister to Sweden in May 2023 and the first bilateral political consultations in November 2023. He reaffirmed Sri Lanka’s commitment to further strengthening the relationship.

A short video consolidating the facets of past and present Sri Lanka-Sweden relations was screened for the gathering. Sri Lanka established diplomatic relations with Sweden in 1949.

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