The Sri Lanka–South Africa Parliamentary Friendship Association held its inaugural Executive Committee meeting in Parliament recently, with both countries pledging to strengthen parliamentary diplomacy, trade, investment and people-to-people relations.

The meeting was chaired by the Association’s President, Minister of Women and Child Affairs Saroja Savithri Paulraj, and attended by South African High Commission Chargé d’Affaires (Counsellor–Political) Nthabiseng Ramatshela, who reaffirmed South Africa’s commitment to further enhancing bilateral ties and parliamentary engagement with Sri Lanka.

Addressing the meeting, Paulraj said Parliamentary Friendship Associations played a key role in promoting bilateral relations through parliamentary diplomacy by providing legislators with opportunities to exchange knowledge, share experiences and foster cooperation in areas of mutual interest.

She said the inaugural Executive Committee meeting of the Association in the Tenth Parliament marked the beginning of its activities and represented another milestone in strengthening the longstanding friendship between Sri Lanka and South Africa.

Recalling that the two countries established diplomatic relations in 1994, the Minister said bilateral ties had continued to flourish on the basis of shared democratic values, peace, mutual respect and sustainable development.

During discussions, members stressed the importance of maintaining regular dialogue between legislators of the two countries to further strengthen parliamentary and diplomatic relations while promoting greater people-to-people exchanges. They also underscored the need to enhance cooperation between women parliamentarians of the two countries to encourage greater female participation and leadership in political decision-making.

Trade and investment featured prominently in the deliberations, with members noting the untapped potential for expanding bilateral cooperation in agriculture, mining, tourism, renewable energy, manufacturing and other emerging sectors. South Africa was identified as a gateway to African markets, while Sri Lanka was recognised as a strategic link to South Asia and the Indian Ocean region.

The South African delegation also expressed its intention to bring a business delegation to Sri Lanka in January next year in connection with Expo 2027.

The meeting further explored avenues for strengthening sports diplomacy through cricket and rugby, while discussions also focused on expanding cooperation in education and skills development through university partnerships, scholarship programmes and academic exchanges.

The South African delegation expressed its willingness to share the country’s experience in reconciliation and nation-building in support of Sri Lanka’s ongoing efforts to strengthen national unity.

The meeting concluded with an interactive discussion among Executive Committee members, followed by a vote of thanks delivered by the Association’s Secretary, MP Sunil Rajapaksha.