Türkiye, Sri Lanka make strides in developing ties: Ambassador

Over the past year, Sri Lanka and Türkiye have taken  meaningful strides to deepen bilateral engagement, Turkish Ambassador  Semih Lutfu Turgut said. Delivering his remarks at the national day reception of his  country in Colombo on October 29, he said the parliamentary friendship  associations had been set up both in Türkiye and Sri Lanka at the respective  parliaments.   

In July 2025, a high-level dialogue, the 3rd Joint Economic  and Trade Commission Meeting, was convened in Colombo, bringing  together senior representatives from both governments to chart a  strategic roadmap for bilateral trade, investment, and sectoral  cooperation, he said.   

On the global stage, Türkiye has continued to play a  proactive role and has demonstrated a notably principled stance on  international relations, balancing diplomacy with strategic engagement  across regions. In remarkable acts of diplomacy, we have helped to solve  some, not all, problems in our region, proving once again that our  coffee may be strong, but our mediation skills are even stronger.  Türkiye has taken principled stances, including the suspension of trade  with Israel in response to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

Türkiye, together with Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan,  Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Jordan, and Indonesia, welcomed U.S.  President Donald Trump’s proposal to end the war in Gaza. We, I mean the international community, should provide relief to the war-torn Gaza and hope for the Palestinian people. Our decisions reflect our enduring commitment to justice, sovereignty, and human dignity. As we look ahead, Türkiye remains focused on economic reform, technological innovation, and inclusive governance. Our engagement with the European Union and European  countries in general continues to be both constructive and candid. Like  any long-term relationship, it has its ups and downs, but we are still  talking, and that is what counts. Here in Sri Lanka, we are proud of the growing partnership  between our two nations; from trade and tourism to education and  cultural exchange, our cooperation continues to expand.   

We look forward to building new bridges, figuratively, and perhaps even literally, if infrastructure cooperation allows. Over the past year, our two nations have taken meaningful strides to deepen bilateral engagement. In the realm of defence, the visit of the Turkish Navy’s  TCG Büyükada to the Port of Colombo marked a significant maritime  cooperation.   

The ship’s arrival was warmly received by Sri Lankan  officials and underscored the importance of naval engagement in  fostering mutual understanding and regional security.   

Equally important has been the cultural dimension of our relationship.  In May, we hosted the Anadolu University Symphony Orchestra  String Quartet for a chamber music concert, where pieces by Russian  composer Alexander Glazunov and Turkish composer Ulvi Cemal Erkin were  performed. Moreover, we organised the Turkish Breakfast Day event in June at my residence.   

And, I am confident that most of you have already been  convinced that Turkish cuisine is not just food, it is a diplomatic  tool. Last year, our National Day reception highlighted Istanbul; this year, we turn to Cappadocia.   

Renowned for its surreal landscapes, ancient cave  dwellings, and centuries-old churches carved into volcanic rock,  Cappadocia embodies Türkiye’s timeless heritage and cultural depth.  It also reflects the spirit of coexistence and historical continuity that defines our nation. As a historic crossroads of cultures, faiths, and trade  routes, much like Sri Lanka, Cappadocia symbolises the shared legacy of  tolerance and resilience of our nations.   

This connection was commemorated in the joint stamp issue marking the 75th anniversary of our diplomatic relations. By bringing the essence of Cappadocia to Sigiriya, we  invite our friends living in Sri Lanka to explore Türkiye’s richness  beyond its metropolitan centres,” he said.