Ceylon became independent from Britain on 4 February 1948 and was renamed Sri Lanka in 1972.
The Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka
Sri LankaSouthern Asia+1:30Hours ahead of the UAE
About the Country
General Information
National Identity
Official Language(s)Sinhala, Tamil
National CurrencySri Lankan Rupee (LKR)
National Day(s)4 February (Independence Day)
Capitals
Political / Administrative CapitalSri Jayawardenepura Kotte
Economic CapitalColombo
Cultural CapitalKandy
Transport & Connectivity
Flight Duration from the UAE≈ 4 – 4.5 h
Direct flights
Primary AirportBandaranaike International Airport, Colombo (CMB)
Primary PortPort of Colombo
Geography
Land Area-
Length of the Coastline~1,340 km
Highest PointPidurutalagala (Mount Pedro) (2,524 m)
Primary Inland Water Body / RiverMahaweli River (longest river, critical for hydroelectric power and irrigation)
ClimateTropical
Border Countries
None (island)
0Last Updated: September 2026Source: Internal Research
Key Facts
Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa were great ancient and medieval capitals of Sinhalese kingdoms.
Theravada Buddhism has shaped the island’s institutions since the third century BCE.
A civil war between the state and the Tamil Tigers ended in 2009.
Tea harvested from the central highlands remains a highly prized export, renowned worldwide for its exceptional quality and unique flavor.
The Temple of the Tooth in Kandy houses a relic central to Buddhist kingship.
Adam’s Peak is a pilgrimage mountain revered in Buddhist, Hindu, Muslim and Christian traditions.
A severe debt and currency crisis in 2022 led to mass protests and a change of president.
Galle Fort, a colonial harbour town on the south-west coast, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The island sits on busy Indian Ocean sea lanes between the Gulf and East Asia.
Sigiriya, a fifth-century rock fortress, is among South Asia’s most striking archaeological sites.
Sri Lanka elected the world’s first female prime minister, Sirimavo Bandaranaike, in July 1960.
Last Updated: September 2026Source: Internal Research
Economic Overview
Macroeconomic Snapshot
GDP, current prices-USD Billions
Real GDP growth-Annual percent change (%)
GDP per capita, current prices-USD per capita
Population-Millions of people
General government gross debt-% of GDP
Income levelWorld Bank classification-
Economic Comparison
| Indicator |  UAE | Sri LankaUAE | |
|---|---|---|---|
| GDP, current pricesUSD Billions | - | - | |
| GDP, PPPCurrent int$ | - | - | |
| Real GDP growthAnnual percent change (%) | - | - | |
| GDP per capita, current pricesUSD per capita | - | - | |
| PopulationMillions of people | - | - | |
| Unemployment rate% of total labor force | - | - | |
| Inflation rate (avg. consumer prices)Annual percent change (%) | - | - | |
| General government gross debt% of GDP | - | - | |
| Income levelWorld Bank classification | - | - |
Foreign Trade
No data available for this section yet.
Political Overview
Leadership
H.E. Anura Kumara Dissanayake
Since September 2024
H.E. Dr. Harini Amarasuriya
Since September 2024
H.E. Vijitha Herath
Since September 2024
H.E. Anura Kumara Dissanayake
Since September 2024
H.E. Wasantha Samarasinghe
Since November 2024
H.E. Wasantha Samarasinghe
Since November 2024
H.E. Anura Kumara Dissanayake
Since November 2024
Political Summary
Political System
Democratic Socialist Republic
Executive power is held by a directly elected Executive President, who serves as both Head of State and Head of Government. The Prime Minister leads the Cabinet of Ministers. Legislative power rests with a unicameral Parliament.
Ruling Party
National People’s Power (NPP): Left-wing
Main Opposition Force(s)
United People’s Power (SJB): Centre to centre-right
Next Presidential Election
Expected in 2029
Next Legislative Election
2030
Last Updated: May 2026Source: Internal Research
Membership in Key Organizations and Blocs
48Organizations
26Member
6Founding Member
5Partner, Observer or Participant
11Not a Member
No organisation matches.
Last Updated: July 2026Source: Official websites of the respective organizations
Competitiveness Indexes
| Index | Year | Rank Out of | Sri Lanka | UAE |
|---|
No index matches.
Bilateral Relations
Diplomatic Relations and Representation
Date of Establishment of Diplomatic Relations1 Jul 197947 years of relations
UAE Ambassador
H.E. Khaled Nasser Sulaiman Naseer Al AmeriUAE Ambassador to Sri Lanka · ResidentForeign Ambassador
H.E. Dr. Arusha Vinodhini CoorayAmbassador of Sri Lanka to the UAE · ResidentLast Updated: June 2026Source: MoFA; Internal Research
Flights by UAE Carriers
Passenger Flights
October 2026 figures63Total Weekly Passenger Flights
EYEtihad Airways20
EKEmirates20
FZflydubai11
G9Air Arabia12
Cargo Flights
October 2026 figures0Total Weekly Cargo Flights
EYEtihad Cargo0
EKEmirates SkyCargo0
Last Updated: October 2026Source: GCAA
Consular Information
Tourists | Residents | Students | Golden Visa Holders | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Sri Lanka Nationalsin the UAE | - | - | - | - |
UAE Citizensin Sri Lanka | - | - | - | - |
Main Agreements and MoUs
| Agreement / MOU | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
CEPAComprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement | Not Signed | - |
IPPAInvestment Protection and Promotion Agreement | Signed | Signed on 12 Feb 2025. |
DTADouble Taxation Avoidance Agreement | Ratified | Signed on 24 Sep 2003.Entered into force on 4 Jul 2004. |
ASAAir Services Agreement | Signed | Signed on 6 Mar 2000. |
Ratified— Signed and entered into force
Signed— Signed, but entry into force or ratification is pending
Not Signed— No signed agreement exists
Last Updated: April 2026Source: Internal Research
UAE Foreign Assistance
| UAE Aid to Sri Lanka | Total Amount |
|---|---|
| Amount (USD Mn) | - |
Bilateral Visits
Official Visits from the UAE
- H.E. Saeed bin Mubarak Al HajeriMinister of StateNov2025
- H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al NahyanDeputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign AffairsApr2025
- H.E. Ahmed bin Ali Al SayeghMinister of StateOct2023
- H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al NahyanMinister of Foreign Affairs and International CooperationNov2017
Official Visits to the UAE
- H.E. Vijitha HerathMinister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism of Sri LankaSep2026
- H.E. Wasantha SamarasingheMinister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development of Sri LankaJan2026
- H.E. Chathuranga AbeysingheDeputy Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development of Sri LankaJan2026
- H.E. Anura Kumara DissanayakePresident of Sri LankaFeb2025
- H.E. Manusha NanayakkaraMinister of Labour and Foreign Employment of Sri LankaJan2023
- H.E. Gamini Lakshman PeirisMinister of Foreign Affairs of Sri LankaDec2021
The officials’ titles shown reflect the positions held at the time of the visit.
Last Updated: October 2026Source: Internal Research
Trade
Non-Oil Bilateral Trade
-
Rank Among UAE's Trade Partners
-Non-oil trade partner of the UAE
-Source of UAE imports
-Destination for UAE exports
-Destination for UAE re‑exports
Key Trade Commodities
-
Foreign Direct Investment Flows
Jan 2021 – Sep 2026
FDI Inflows (Into the UAE)75.4USD Millions
Jan 2021 – Sep 2026
FDI Outflows (UAE Abroad)164.2USD Millions
Capex and jobs data include estimated values.
Last Updated: November 2026Source: fDi Markets
Major Companies and Investments
Major Sri Lankan Companies in the UAE
John Keells HoldingsConglomerate and hospitality
Hayleys PLCDiversified conglomerate and logistics
Dilmah - MJF GroupTea and fast-moving consumer goods
Expolanka FreightLogistics and freight forwarding
Major UAE Companies in Sri Lanka
Mubadala Investment Company-
DP World-
Masdar-
Last Updated: October 2026Source: Internal Research
Business Support
Dubai Chambers
Business Council(s)Sri Lankan Business Council
International Office(s)-
UAE-Sri Lankan Joint Business Council
Joint Business Council(s)Established in 2025; no meetings held since.
Last Updated: September 2026Source: Various UAE Chambers
Cooperation Opportunities
Priority level: HIGH / MEDIUM / EMERGING, based on overall attractiveness to the UAE.
Last Updated: September 2026Source: Internal Research