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The discussions occurred at the Ministry of Economy and Tourism’s offices in Dubai between Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri and Sri Lanka’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Vijitha Herath, the Emirates News Agency reported. Al Marri stressed the UAE’s commitment to expanding economic and tourism relations with Sri Lanka while identifying tourism as an important driver for wider collaboration. He pointed to the strong foundation provided by existing connectivity, with both sides exchanging views on ways to ease travel procedures and share expertise in hospitality and hotel management.
Official data presented during the talks showed the UAE received more than 43,333 Sri Lankan visitors in the first five months of 2026, following a full-year total of 153,430 arrivals recorded in 2025. The ministers highlighted the 107 direct flights operating between the two countries each week as a clear indicator of robust trade and people-to-people links that can support further growth. The meeting took place as part of a broader effort to draw increased UAE investment into Sri Lanka’s key sectors amid the island nation’s ongoing economic recovery.
Speaking to Khaleej Times at the second edition of the Sri Lanka Beyond Your Dreams promotional event in Dubai, Sri Lankan Ambassador to the UAE Arusha Cooray outlined multiple opportunities for UAE investors ranging from tourism and agriculture to logistics, information technology and business process outsourcing. Cooray described Sri Lanka’s steady post-crisis progress, with inflation now stabilised and reforms under way to reinforce institutions while addressing governance challenges. “I see the potential for increased business opportunities in Sri Lanka,” Cooray said, adding that she had observed growing interest from UAE businesses in exploring the market.
Bilateral trade between the UAE and Sri Lanka stands at $1.7 billion, according to statistics Cooray provided to Khaleej Times, positioning the UAE as Sri Lanka’s seventh-largest export destination and its third-largest import source. The UAE further ranks as Sri Lanka’s sixth-largest investor while roughly 350,000 Sri Lankan nationals live and work in the Gulf state, forming an important part of the labour and remittance relationship. These overlapping areas of tourism, commerce, capital flows and human resources have steadily reinforced ties since the countries established diplomatic relations in 1972.
Herath concluded a two-day visit to the UAE that included the Dubai event and additional discussions with officials on trade facilitation, tourism development and labour cooperation, according to a Newswire report from Colombo. The Sri Lankan minister also held talks with UAE Minister of Foreign Trade Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi and met executives from the EMAAR Group to examine potential participation in projects such as Colombo Port City. Such engagements build on last year’s signing of an investment promotion and protection agreement that both governments view as a foundation for expanded capital commitments.
The promotional programme drew around 400 participants from government, business and diplomatic circles, reflecting sustained interest in positioning Sri Lanka as a gateway for South Asian trade and investment. UAE officials have repeatedly described Sri Lanka as an attractive long-term partner with potential in ports, renewable energy, high-tech farming and technology, according to statements carried by Gulf News. The ministerial exchanges this week signal continued momentum toward possible conclusion of a comprehensive economic partnership agreement that could open further avenues for services and goods flows.
