Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Türkiye Meets President of IMEAK Chamber of Shipping

Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Türkiye Meets President of IMEAK Chamber of Shipping

Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Türkiye, Niluka Kadurugamuwa, met with the President of the IMEAK Chamber of Shipping, Tamer Kıran, at the Embassy premises in Ankara on 21 January 2026.

The discussion focused on strengthening bilateral cooperation in the maritime sector between Sri Lanka and Türkiye. During the meeting, the Ambassador highlighted the advantage of Sri Lanka’s strategic geographical location in the Indian Ocean, its efficiency as a maritime hub, and the country’s well-established boat- and shipbuilding industry, and Sri Lanka’s potential as a key partner for regional and international maritime operations.

The Ambassador further stressed the importance of considering the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the IMEAK Chamber of Shipping and the relevant organizations in Sri Lanka, with a view to expanding maritime services and institutional collaboration between the two countries. In addition, he invited IMEAK membership to consider offering cadetship opportunities for Sri Lankan seafarers onboard Turkish vessels, promoting the Sri Lankan flag for Turkish vessels, and exploring possible collaborations with Sri Lankan maritime, boat, and shipbuilding sector stakeholders.

Acknowledging Sri Lanka’s strategic importance for maritime operations, IMEAK President expressed the Chamber’s strong interest in exploring potential collaborations with Sri Lankan counterparts.

The IMEAK Chamber of Shipping (Istanbul and Marmara, Aegean, Mediterranean and Black Sea Regions) is Türkiye’s most established and influential professional organizations in the maritime sector. Representing more than 11,000 members, it operates across maritime transportation, port management, shipbuilding, and logistics sectors. With its nine branches, IMEAK maintains a strong nationwide presence and actively contributes to the development of maritime trade at both national and international levels.