Vijitha Herath says Sri Lanka and Belarus have signed an aviation agreement and two Memorandums of Understanding during his official visit to Belarus.
The agreements were announced during a joint press conference held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Belarus.
According to Minister Herath, the agreements are expected to strengthen bilateral relations and create a stronger foundation for long-term cooperation between the two countries.
The newly signed aviation agreement is expected to facilitate regular flight operations by Belavia to Sri Lanka, improving tourism, business exchanges, and overall connectivity.
Herath emphasized that Sri Lanka sees significant potential for tourism cooperation with Belarus and noted that improved air connectivity could unlock new opportunities in the sector.
The two sides also highlighted the importance of cooperation in higher education and healthcare under the newly signed MoUs.
Discussions reportedly focused on:
- Postgraduate education opportunities
- Specialized training programmes
- Continued educational access for Sri Lankan students in Belarus
Officials noted that more than 3,000 Sri Lankan students are currently studying at Belarusian universities, particularly in the field of medicine.
In the healthcare sector, both countries explored possible cooperation in:
- Medical technology
- Affordable pharmaceutical supplies
- Joint ventures in pharmaceutical manufacturing
- Medical training and healthcare management
Sri Lanka also expressed readiness to share expertise in Ayurveda and wellness practices.
