Successful conclusion of Bhutan - SL Secretary level Consultations

The  Second  session  of the Bilateral Political Consultations between Sri Lanka and Bhutan led by the  Foreign Secretaries concluded its deliberations successfully in Thimphu marking an important milestone in Sri Lanka’s engagement with Bhutan.

Secretary to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism of Sri Lanka, Aruni Ranaraja,  who undertook the official visit to Bhutan from 27 to 28 May 2025, Co- chaired the Second session of the bilateral dialogue with Bhutanese Foreign Secretary Pema Choden. The first  session  was held in Colombo in November 2015.

Tuesday's discussions in Thimphu covered a  range of areas of mutual interest, including education and human resource development, connectivity, trade and investment, climate change, tourism, culture, and people-to-people engagement. The two sides reviewed progress on existing cooperation and explored avenues for further strengthening bilateral collaboration.

The consultations also included discussions on current developments in regional and multilateral fora in which both countries are members. Sri Lanka and Bhutan reaffirmed their commitment to work together to promote shared interests and address common challenges.

During the visit, Foreign Secretary Ranaraja paid courtesy calls on the Prime Minister of Bhutan, Lyonchhen Dasho Tshering Tobgay, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs and External Trade, Lyonpo D.N. Dhungyel. She briefed the Bhutanese leadership on current developments in Sri Lanka and discussed measures to deepen bilateral relations.

Secretary Ranaraja also engaged in  discussions with the Minister of Health, Tandin Wangchuk; Secretary of the Ministry of Education and Skills Development, Tshewang C. Dorji; and Commissioner of the Royal Civil Service Commission, Babu Ram Sherpa. These meetings focused on enhancing cooperation in the fields of education, human resources, and health.

The Sri Lankan delegation included Sri Lanka’s Ambassador  to Bhutan, Dharmapala Weerakkody, Director General South Asia and SAARC Niluka Kadurugamuwa, and Diana Perera, Assistant Director South Asia & SAARC of the Ministry. The Bhutanese delegation  led by Foreign Secretary Pema Choden,  included senior officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade, as well as several other Bhutanese  Ministries and institutions.

Sri Lanka and Bhutan established formal diplomatic relations in 1987  and  have nurtured a vibrant relationship founded on Buddhist values, mutual respect and good cooperation.   The Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay met with Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya during the April 2025 BIMSTEC Summit in Bangkok. He had also undertaken an Official visit to Sri Lanka in April 2015, during which, on a request made by the  Government  of Bhutan, 

Sri Lanka gifted a sapling of the sacred Sri Maha Bodhiya to Bhutan , which is now placed in the north eastern district of the Kingdom, the ancestral home of the Royal Family.