Ambassador of Sri Lanka meets the Director General for Foreign Relations at the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources of Türkiye

PRESS RELEASE

Ambassador of Sri Lanka meets the Director General for Foreign Relations at the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources of Türkiye

Ms. Hasanthi Urugodawatte Dissanayake, Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Türkiye met with Mr. Öztürk Selvitop, Director General for Foreign Relations at the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources of Türkiye recently to discuss on mutually beneficial collaborations between the two countries.

Following general discussions on the current situation of the energy and natural resources sectors of both     Sri Lanka and Türkiye, as well as the global trends of sustainability and renewable energy were discussed, in the context of responsibilities of nations to adhere to best practices which would minimize the impact of climate change.

Ambassador briefed on opportunities for investment in renewable energy sector in Sri Lanka particularly noting that Sri Lanka has committed to generate 70% of its electricity requirement by 2030 from renewable energy sources as well as having certain elements, such as graphite which is also used for manufacturing solar batteries.

She also mentioned that Sri Lanka is well-endowed with industrial minerals, including Graphite, Ilmenite, Rutile, Zircon, Quartz, Feldspar, Clay, Kaolin, Apatite (Phosphate Rock), Silica Sand, Garnet sand, Mica, Calcite and Dolomite, which could be used for a range of industries and that Sri Lanka welcomes investors for manufacturing industries that could utilize these minerals in a sustainable manner.

As suggested by the Director General Selvitop, Ambassador agreed to share the relevant legislations, laws and regulations regarding the energy sector in Sri Lanka that can be then shared with the related enterprises in Türkiye. Ambassador also confirmed that the embassy would share tenders and business proposals from Sri Lanka in the energy sector to be disseminated among the interested parties in Türkiye.

Moving forward, it was agreed to start with online meetings between the government and sector representatives to discuss the avenues of cooperation in the field of energy between the two countries.

Ambassador also explained during the meeting that the agreements such as on reciprocal promotion and protection of investments, avoidance of double taxation and customs cooperation between Sri Lanka and Türkiye are expected to be operationalized in the coming months, which will be an incentive for potential Turkish investors to invest in Sri Lanka, including in the energy sector. 

Possible collaboration on petroleum products and related activities too were discussed.

Ambassador also apprised the Director General on the recent visit of a private sector delegation from Türkiye to Sri Lanka, arranged by the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Ankara, to explore opportunities in the energy sector, including renewable energy.

Embassy of Sri Lanka - Ankara  

21 February 2023