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Embassies and consular services for Sri Lanka
| Location | Service areas |
|---|---|
| High Commission for the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka | |
| New Zealand High Commission to Sri Lanka | Maldives |
Our relationship with Sri Lanka
New Zealand's relationship with Sri Lanka is warm and growing. We have many commonalities as island nations and Commonwealth members. We enjoy a strong rivalry on the cricket pitch, and we’re making more sporting connections through rugby, which is growing in popularity in Sri Lanka.
New Zealand and Sri Lanka share strong people-to-people links. There are approximately 16,000 Sri Lankans living in New Zealand, representing an important part of our multicultural society.
New Zealand opened a new High Commission in Sri Lanka in 2021.
Trade
2020 statistics
| Total trade in goods | $496 million | |
| Exports to Sri Lanka |
$436 million | Top exports: milk powder, butter and dairy spreads, machinery |
| Imports from Sri Lanka | $60 million | Top imports: tea, clothing, rubber |
| GDP (2020) | US$81 billion | |
| GDP per capita (2020) | US$3,697 | |
|
GDP growth (2020) |
1.3% |
Aid
New Zealand has funded three agricultural assistance activities in Sri Lanka. Since 2013, New Zealand has provided more than $10.5 million towards these activities. The private sector also supports dairy sector initiatives.
New Zealand also supports development in Sri Lanka by providing funds to the United Nations and partner NGOs delivering agricultural activities in Sri Lanka.
Embassies
- New Zealand is represented in Sri Lanka by the New Zealand High Commission to Sri Lanka in Colombo
- Sri Lanka is represented in New Zealand by the High Commission for the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, Canberra, Australia(external link)
Recent official visits
New Zealand to Sri Lanka
- 2019: Minister of Justice Andrew Little attended the Commonwealth Law Ministers meeting
- 2017: Minister of Food Safety David Bennett visited Sri Lanka and met with a range of Ministers
- 2016: Prime Minister Key visited Sri Lanka accompanied by a large business delegation
- 2014: Minister for Primary Industries Nathan Guy visited Sri Lanka to promote New Zealand’s co-hosting of the Cricket World Cup
- 2013: Prime Minister John Key and Minister of Foreign Affairs Murray McCully visited Sri Lanka for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting
- 2013: Minister of Foreign Affairs Murray McCully visited Sri Lanka twice (June and August) to discuss a range of issues including bilateral trade and preparations for the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting
- 2012: Minister for Primary Industries David Carter visited Sri Lanka to discuss the bilateral economic relationship
Sri Lanka to New Zealand
- 2017: Minister for Rural Economic Affairs P. Harrison visited New Zealand
- 2017: Minister of Development Strategies and International Trade Malik Samarawickrama visited New Zealand and met with a range of New Zealand Ministers and stakeholders
- 2016: Prime Minister Wickremesinghe visited New Zealand accompanied by four ministers and a business delegation
- 2015: Minister for Tourism and Sports Dissanayake visited New Zealand for the opening of the Cricket World Cup. Minister Dissanayake was the first Minister from the new Sri Lankan government to visit New Zealand
- 2014: Minister of External Affairs Peiris visited New Zealand, the first ever visit by a Sri Lankan External Affairs Minister to New Zealand