Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment, and Tourism Minister Vijitha Herath led the Sri Lankan delegation to the 32nd ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) Foreign Ministers’ Meeting held on 11 July 2025 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
At the meeting, Minister Herath reaffirmed Sri Lanka’s strong commitment to the core priorities of the ARF, particularly in promoting peace, regional stability, and inclusive economic prosperity. He also expressed Sri Lanka’s readiness to engage more closely with ARF member states on peacekeeping initiatives during the 2025–2026 term.
As part of his official engagements, Minister Herath paid a courtesy call on Malaysian Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Dr. Anwar bin Ibrahim at the Prime Minister’s Office in Putrajaya on 10 July. Discussions focused on strengthening bilateral relations, including implementing visa-free travel for Sri Lankan nationals and allocating 10,000 job quotas for Sri Lankan workers in various sectors in Malaysia. Prime Minister Anwar instructed relevant Malaysian ministries to work out modalities in consultation with Sri Lanka to enhance labour cooperation.
Following this, Minister Herath met with the Secretary General of the Ministry of Human Resources and the Deputy Secretary General of the Ministry of Home Affairs of Malaysia to discuss operationalising the proposed employment quota and visa-free arrangements. It was agreed that a working group on employment for Sri Lankan workers will be established in the last quarter of 2025. Visa exemptions for diplomatic and official passport holders will be expedited, with reciprocal visa-free travel for ordinary passport holders to be considered later.
Sri Lanka Investor, Trade & Tourism Forum 2025
Minister Herath also delivered the keynote address at the “Sri Lanka Investor, Trade & Tourism Forum 2025” organised by the Sri Lankan High Commission in Kuala Lumpur on 11 July. The event was attended by over 60 key Malaysian investors, leading chambers of commerce representatives, and travel trade stakeholders. The Deputy Minister of Investment, Trade & Industry of Malaysia and His Highness Tunku Maha Kuniyan Diraja Tunku Saifan of the Selangor Royal Family were also present.
On 12 July, Minister Herath paid a courtesy call on Tun Seri Setia Dr. Haji Mohd Ali Bin Mohd Rustam, Governor of Malacca, and discussed enhancing tourism cooperation between Sri Lanka and the State of Malacca. He also visited UNESCO World Heritage sites in Malacca City.
On the sidelines of the ARF, Minister Herath held meetings with his counterparts from Australia, Bangladesh, China, Pakistan, Philippines, Russia, Thailand, and the First Vice Minister of South Korea to strengthen bilateral and regional ties. During his meeting with US Under Secretary of State Ms. Allison Hooker, he highlighted the need for further tariff negotiations to support Sri Lankan exports, particularly apparel.
Minister Herath was accompanied by Mrs. Chamari Rodrigo, Director General of the Southeast Asia and Central Asia Division of the Ministry, and Mr. M.I. Mohamed Rizvi, Sri Lanka’s Acting High Commissioner in Kuala Lumpur.
