Strengthening Ties: Minister Samarasinha Elected President of Sri Lanka-New Zealand Parliamentary Friendship Association
Colombo, Sri Lanka – November 21, 2025
Sri Lanka’s Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security, and Cooperative Development, Wasantha Samarasinha, has been elected as the President of the Sri Lanka-New Zealand Parliamentary Friendship Association for the 10th Parliament.
The inaugural meeting to formally establish the Association for the current parliamentary session was held yesterday (November 20) within the Parliament complex, presided over by the Speaker, Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne.
The establishment of the Friendship Association underscores the mutual commitment by both nations to deepen and expand the long-standing bilateral relationship across multiple sectors.
High-Level Attendance Marks Launch
The gathering saw high-level participation from both the Sri Lankan and New Zealand sides. His Excellency David Gregory Pine, the New Zealand High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, attended the event as the Guest of Honour.
The meeting was also attended by several Sri Lankan Cabinet Ministers, Deputy Ministers, Members of Parliament, and the Secretary-General of Parliament, Kushani Rohanadeera.
The appointments for the other key office-bearer positions were also confirmed during the session:
- Secretary: Member of Parliament Thanura Disanayake
- Treasurer: Member of Parliament and Attorney-at-Law Geetha Herath
Focus on Mutual and Long-Term Cooperation
The meeting served as a platform for both the Sri Lankan parliamentarians and the New Zealand High Commissioner to reiterate the importance of the mutually beneficial and long-term bilateral relationship between the two island nations.
Discussions focused heavily on the need to expand cooperation in several key strategic areas, including:
- Trade and Commerce: Exploring avenues to boost two-way trade and create new commercial links.
- Labour: Discussing cooperation on labour migration and skills development.
- Tourism: Enhancing visitor exchange and promoting tourism between the two countries.
- Education: Strengthening academic ties and facilitating educational opportunities.
- Sports: A significant area of focus, with specific emphasis on collaboration in cricket and rugby.
Speaker Dr. Wickramaratne conveyed his gratitude to the Government of New Zealand for the continuous support extended to Sri Lanka over the years.
New Zealand Commits to Further Engagement
New Zealand High Commissioner David Gregory Pine expressed his country’s commitment to further strengthening cooperation, particularly in the areas of tourism, trade, and sports. He specifically highlighted an interest in enhancing partnerships in women’s cricket and men’s rugby, two disciplines where both nations share a strong passion and competitive spirit.
Both sides expressed confidence that the reactivation of the Parliamentary Friendship Association for the 10th Parliament will be instrumental in increasing cooperation across various sectors and in advancing mutually beneficial initiatives between Sri Lanka and New Zealand.
Bilateral Talks Precede Inauguration
Prior to the formal association meeting, High Commissioner Pine held a separate discussion with Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne. This meeting focused on strengthening bilateral relations, with particular attention paid to enhancing cooperation at the parliamentary level, signaling a commitment to deeper institutional engagement between the two democracies.
The establishment of the Parliamentary Friendship Association marks a crucial step in ensuring sustained and structured engagement, providing a dedicated forum for dialogue and collaborative action on issues of mutual interest for both the Sri Lankan and New Zealand legislatures.
