Sri Lanka - Malaysia Relations

Trade and cultural relations between Sri Lanka and the Malay Peninsula can be traced back to the first millennium CE, when both regions were integrated into the extensive maritime trade networks of the Indian Ocean. Commercial exchanges, the transmission of Buddhist and Hindu religious traditions, and sustained diplomatic engagement played a significant role in fostering these early connections.

Sri Lanka and Malaysia have maintained strong and cordial Diplomatic relations since Malaysia gained independence in 1957. The Sri Lanka Mission in Kuala Lumpur was established in the same year, signifying the early beginnings of this enduring relationship. Notably, in1967, Prime Minister Dudley Senanayake made an official state visit to Malaysia, making a significant milestone as the first high-level visit by Sri Lanka to Malaysia

In 1997, President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga’s state visit to Malaysia further solidified the bilateral ties, resulting in the signing of several crucial bilateral agreements and MOUs. This visit was pivotal in enhancing the cooperative efforts between the two nations.

The establishment of the Sri Lanka and Malaysia Joint Commission in 1997 marked a significant step towards economic, scientific, and technical cooperation. This culminated in the inaugural meeting held in Colombo in 2006, paving the way for increased collaboration. In 2013, the Second Joint Commission Meeting between Sri Lanka and Malaysia, chaired by Minister of External Affairs, Hon. Professor G.L. Peiris and Hon. Deputy Minister of foreign affairs Hamzah Zainudeen, was held in Kuala Lumpur on 22nd October, further reaffirming the commitment to strengthen bilateral relations.

Former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Malaysia, His Excellency Dato’ Seri Diraja Dr. Zambry Abd Kadir undertook a visit to Sri Lanka to attend the IORA Conference and bilateral engagement with Hon. Ali Sabri P.C. Minister of Foreign Affairs of Sri Lanka from 8 to 12 October 2023. Furthermore, former President His Excellency President Ranil Wickramasinghe had a bilateral meeting with Hon. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in September 2023 in New York during UNGA Summit.

Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment, and Tourism Minister Vijitha Herath, led the Sri Lanka delegation to the 32nd ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, held on 11 July 2025 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. As part of his official engagements, Minister Herath paid a courtesy call on H.E. Dato’ Seri Dr. Anwar bin Ibrahim, Prime Minister of Malaysia, at the Prime Minister’s Office in Putrajaya on 10th July 2025. A productive discussion on matters of mutual interest was held aimed at strengthening the longstanding bilateral partnership between Sri Lanka and Malaysia.