The opportunities Malaysia’s Melaka Region provides for collaboration with Sri Lanka was part of an extensive discussion Sri Lanka’s Envoy to Malaysia High Commissioner Dharshana M Perera had with H.E. Tun Seri Setia Dr. Haji Mohd Ali bin Mohd Rustam, Governor of Melaka at the Istana Melaka (Melaka Palace) in the historic City of Melaka. The High Commissioner also had discussions with the Chairman and Executive Committee of the Chairman of the Melaka Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCCI) Chamber Mr. Sai Swee Seong on economic and business initiatives. These add yet another layer to the High Commissions regional engagement initiatives underway in Malaysia.
During the extensive and wide ranging discussions with the Governor of Melaka, the High Commissioner shared how Sri Lanka has recalibrated its future direction through focused policy implementation in the sphere of governance, economic orientation and social stability which has already seen concrete results in the last two years. He sought the support and partnership of the Governor and the Melaka institutions for the initiatives including leadership, economic and cultural engagement, trade and investment collaboration as well as tourism. The Governor, while strongly endorsing the multifaceted initiatives being proposed, encouraged Sri Lanka to closely collaborate with Melaka Government and its institutions. Governor Dr. Haji Mohd Ali bin Mohd Rustam - an eminent figure in Malaysia and in Melaka - has over the years nurtured close connections with Sri Lanka and visited Sri Lanka several times. As a symbol of the visit to Melaka, the High Commissioner was invited to plant a sapling of the Melaka Tree - Phyllanthus Emblica - in the garden of the Istana Melaka – an honour accorded by the Governor Tun Seri Setia Dr. Haji Mohd Ali.
The discussion was followed by economic collaboration discussions with the Melaka MCCCI which constitutes over 2000 Business establishments and individuals in Melaka. High Commissioner presented to the Chairman of the MCCCI Chamber Mr. Sai Swee Seong opportunities for engagement with Sri Lanka including trade and investment proposals in several sectors such as Manufacturing, Tourism IT, Shipping & Logistics, Energy and others.
Following High Commissioner’s invitation, the MCCCI is expected to join the EXPO 2027 to be held in January next year and for the Economic and Investment Summit of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce (CCC) in October 2026.
High Commission of Sri Lanka
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
07 August 2026
