Belarus and Sri Lanka Strengthen Diplomatic and Economic Ties During High-Level Minsk Summit

On February 4, 2026, the city of Minsk served as the backdrop for a series of high-level diplomatic consultations, signaling a robust intensification of bilateral relations between the Republic of Belarus and the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka. These pivotal discussions featured Mikhail Kasko, who has served as the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Belarus to India and concurrently to Sri Lanka since 2024, while also holding the specialized role of Ambassador for Integration in Sri Lanka. Representing the Sri Lankan side was Vidura Wickramanayaka, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Trade, and Investment, highlighting the multi-faceted nature of the current diplomatic engagement.

The primary agenda centered on several strategic pillars, most notably the acceleration of cooperation within the educational sector and the formalization of regularized air travel protocols. A significant point of interest was the potential implementation of a visa-free regime for Belarusian citizens, a move designed to catalyze both humanitarian exchange and economic synergy. Furthermore, the diplomats finalized the logistical framework for an upcoming official visit by Sri Lanka’s top diplomat to Belarus, underscoring a deepening political rapport. This follows a trajectory established in October 2025, when Ambassador Kasko engaged with Minister Herath to address the streamlining of visa processes and the inauguration of direct flight paths.

In a concurrent session held on the same day, Ambassador Mikhail Kasko convened with Janisha Ruwankumara Kodituwakku, Sri Lanka’s Deputy Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation. The dialogue emphasized the urgent necessity of ratifying a comprehensive Air Transport Agreement, which remains the foundational requirement for establishing sustainable, scheduled direct flights. This initiative builds upon the momentum generated in late 2025 with the launch of the Minsk–Mattala direct route. Such aviation advancements are perfectly synchronized with Belarus’s broader 2026 strategic objectives, which include the significant expansion of its national aircraft fleet and the broadening of its international flight network.

The enduring partnership between these two nations traces back to the formal establishment of diplomatic ties on November 20, 2000. Over the past quarter-century, the relationship has matured into a stable alliance characterized by shared perspectives on the global stage. Both Minsk and Colombo maintain aligned positions on various international imperatives, including the United Nations 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, and frequently provide reciprocal support during elections for various UN bodies. A tangible manifestation of this growing bond is the increasing number of Sri Lankan students choosing to pursue higher education within the Belarusian academic system.

Turning toward economic integration, both delegations reaffirmed their commitment to revitalizing the joint Belarusian-Sri Lankan commission for trade and economic cooperation, a proposal that has been under active consideration since October 2024. The scope of this partnership is broad, targeting key industrial sectors such as agriculture, heavy machinery, scientific research, technology, and pharmaceuticals. These recent negotiations in Minsk serve as a testament to the shared ambition of both governments to translate high-level policy goals into practical, mutually beneficial outcomes that facilitate easier movement and deeper collaboration between their respective citizens.