Sri Lankan PM Welcomes Uzbekistan’s First Ambassador, Highlights Central Asian Ties

Sri Lankan Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya has met with newly accredited foreign ambassadors, including Alisher Tukhtaev -Uzbekistan’s first envoy to Sri Lanka -congratulating him on his appointment and highlighting Uzbekistan’s importance as a key partner in Central Asia.

She expressed her government’s readiness to develop robust and constructive dialogue at all levels, The Caspian Post reports, citing Uzbek media.

The prime minister lauded Uzbekistan’s ongoing reforms, highlighting achievements in digital transformation, modernization of governance, education, and investment in human capital.

In her concurrent role as Minister of Higher Education and Vocational Training, Amarasuriya proposed expanding collaboration in workforce development, academic exchanges, and joint scientific research initiatives.

Both sides supported the creation of an intergovernmental commission dedicated to enhancing trade, economic, and investment cooperation. They also agreed on conducting regular political consultations between their foreign ministries.

The discussion paid special attention to transport and logistics, with plans to establish an Uzbek-Sri Lankan trade and logistics hub to facilitate access to South Asian and Oceanian markets.

Further cooperation was encouraged in sectors including the digital economy, e-commerce, pharmaceuticals, medical tourism, and general tourism.

Amarasuriya also advocated for the establishment of direct, regular flights between Tashkent and Colombo, emphasizing that such connectivity would significantly boost political, economic, and humanitarian relations.

The meeting concluded with a reaffirmation of mutual commitment to aligned approaches on international and regional cooperation, as well as coordinated efforts within the United Nations and other global organizations.