KUWAIT: Kuwait and Sri Lanka have enjoyed warm and enduring diplomatic relations since establishing ties in 1971. Over the past five decades, the relationship has evolved into a multifaceted partnership encompassing labor cooperation, trade, investment, development assistance and people-to-people exchanges. At the heart of these relations is a strong labor partnership. Today, around 175,000 Sri Lankans live and work in Kuwait, the majority employed in the domestic sector, making the Gulf nation one of the most important overseas destinations for Sri Lankan workers.
Leading Sri Lanka’s diplomatic mission in Kuwait is Ambassador Lakshitha Ratnayake, a career diplomat who assumed office on February 6, 2025. Since joining the Sri Lanka Foreign Service in 1998, Ratnayake has served in a range of key diplomatic assignments across Asia, Europe and Latin America. His distinguished career includes postings in Berlin, Mumbai, Shanghai and Seoul, as well as senior leadership positions within Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where he headed divisions responsible for public communication, consular affairs, overseas assets management, and Middle East and African affairs. Prior to his appointment to Kuwait, he served as Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to Cuba.
In an exclusive interview with Kuwait Times, Ambassador Ratnayake discussed the evolving dimensions of Kuwait-Sri Lanka relations, welcomed Kuwait’s recent measures to regulate domestic worker recruitment, and outlined opportunities for greater cooperation in trade, tourism, investment and regional diplomacy. “From the outset, Sri Lanka and Kuwait have enjoyed flourishing diplomatic relations that have continued to strengthen over the past five decades,” Ratnayake said. “As a result of these strong bilateral ties, Sri Lanka has maintained a significant presence in Kuwait’s foreign employment sector, particularly in domestic work, while also contributing professionals in other fields.”
He noted that Kuwait remains an important market for Sri Lankan exports, thanks to the quality and competitiveness of Sri Lankan products. He also highlighted the longstanding role of the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development, which has supported development projects in Sri Lanka since 1975. According to Ratnayake, both countries are now exploring new mechanisms to deepen cooperation further. A bilateral consultation framework is expected to identify priority areas and facilitate enhanced collaboration across multiple sectors.
Lakshitha Ratnayake
A positive step
Commenting on Kuwait’s recent regulations restricting the recruitment of domestic workers to ten approved countries, including Sri Lanka, Ratnayake described the move as a positive step toward improving professionalism and efficiency in the sector. “Currently, around 175,000 Sri Lankans live in Kuwait, of whom approximately 120,000 are domestic workers,” he said. “As a labor-sending country, Sri Lanka views the new regulations introduced by Kuwait’s Ministry of Interior as a commendable initiative to streamline domestic worker recruitment and maintain professional standards within the sector.”
He emphasized that labor cooperation between the two countries continues to be managed through mutual understanding and close coordination. At the same time, both countries are working toward signing a healthcare cooperation agreement, which is expected to create new opportunities for Sri Lankan healthcare professionals while addressing workforce requirements in Kuwait. “We believe this process will be beneficial for both countries,” he added.
Bilateral trade and investment
Turning to economic cooperation, Ratnayake acknowledged that bilateral trade remains below its full potential but said both countries are taking steps to strengthen commercial ties. With the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on the Establishment of Political Consultations between Sri Lanka and Kuwait, both governments are exploring the possibility of convening joint committee discussions aimed at expanding trade and economic partnerships. The ambassador noted that enhanced air connectivity has contributed significantly to economic activity between the two countries. Kuwait Airways, Jazeera Airways and SriLankan Airlines currently operate regular flights between Kuwait and Sri Lanka, supporting labor mobility, tourism and business exchanges.
The envoy also highlighted Sri Lanka’s efforts to attract greater foreign investment as the country continues its economic recovery and development agenda. “The Colombo Port City project and a number of investment zones are open to Kuwaiti investors,” he said. He also praised the longstanding contribution of the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development (KFAED), which has financed numerous infrastructure and educational projects across Sri Lanka. “The Kuwait Fund has already invested in several important development sectors in Sri Lanka, including infrastructure and academic-related projects,” he said.
Tourism potential
Ratnayake pointed out that Sri Lanka’s tourism and real estate sectors have attracted growing international interest in recent years, creating fresh opportunities for foreign participation. Tourism has emerged as one of the key pillars of Sri Lanka’s economic recovery, and Kuwaiti travelers are increasingly being viewed as an important market. Highlighting efforts to attract more visitors from Kuwait, Ratnayake said Sri Lanka offers Kuwaiti nationals the convenience of an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) facility free of charge.
The Sri Lankan Embassy in Kuwait has also intensified promotional efforts through newspaper articles, media interviews and public outreach initiatives designed to showcase the country’s diverse tourism offerings. “Kuwait is among the countries that enjoy the ETA visa facility with zero fee,” he said. The embassy is planning to organize a tourism roadshow in Kuwait later this year as part of its broader campaign to increase visitor arrivals. “We intend to provide extensive publicity on the many attractions Sri Lanka has to offer, including crystal-clear beaches, wildlife, ancient heritage sites, traditional wellness treatments and many other unique experiences,” Ratnayake said.
Peace and stability
Addressing regional and global challenges, Ratnayake stressed that both Kuwait and Sri Lanka share a common commitment to peace, stability and sustainable development. “Kuwait and Sri Lanka play a cooperative role in promoting peace, stability and sustainable development at both regional and international levels,” he said. According to the ambassador, both countries recognize that peace and stability are essential prerequisites for economic growth and social progress. “Sri Lanka always stands with Kuwait in supporting peace and stability in the Gulf region.
This is important not only for the people of the region but also for global prosperity and security,” he said. Ratnayake noted that economic disruptions in the Middle East can have far-reaching consequences across the world, affecting trade, energy markets and economic growth. “Any economic disturbance in this region can affect the entire world. Our collective objective should be to improve human well-being and ensure a better life for all people regardless of their backgrounds and identities,” he said.
Referring to recent regional tensions, the ambassador said Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs had expressed deep concern over the evolving situation. “The safety, well-being and security of more than one million Sri Lankans living and working across the region remain a paramount priority for the Government of Sri Lanka,” he said. Ratnayake reaffirmed Colombo’s commitment to working closely with Kuwait in bilateral and multilateral forums to advance peace, dialogue and international cooperation. “Both countries firmly support peace, stability and coexistence among nations,” he concluded.
