Delivering the keynote address, Ambassador Shobini Gunasekera highlighted the significance of the United Nations International Tea Day in recognizing tea not only as one of the world’s most consumed beverages, but also as a vital source of livelihood for millions of people globally. Further, she underscored the importance of supporting smallholder farmers, ensuring fair wages, promoting women and youth participation in the tea industry, and addressing the challenges posed by climate change in sustaining tea-growing communities. In addition, it was highlighted the long history of the Ceylon tea industry and recognized the tea verities grown in different agro-climatic regions.

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Vijitha Herath concluded a successful official visit to the Republic of Belarus from May 12-15, 2026. A key highlight of the visit was the signing of a bilateral Agreement on Air Services and two Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) on Cooperation in the Field of Higher Education and in the Field of Health Care, between Sri Lanka and Belarus.

This visit will be an important step toward strengthening collaboration between Sri Lanka and Russia in the health sector including in pharmaceuticals.

Acclaimed film director Prasanna Vithanage was appointed as Chairman of the Jury at the 48th Moscow International Film Festival, one of the world’s oldest and most prestigious film festivals.

The discussions focused on advancing bilateral relations through several key initiatives, including the proposed visit of the Minister of Foreign Affairs , Foreign Employment and Tourism of Sri Lanka to Belarus, the convening of Political Consultations between the two Ministries of Foreign Affairs, and the holding of the Intergovernmental Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation later this year.