Bilateral Relations
Common bonds of friendship date back many centuries: The two countries share civilizational, cultural and religious links which date back several centuries ;are founding partners/in the conceptualizers of the Non Aligned Movement (NAM), preceded by the Colombo Powers Summit and the historic Bandung Conference of 1955 and remain firmly committed to the ten core principles of Bandung and advancing NAM solidarity; remain vibrant multi-ethnic, multi-religious societies. Indonesia is the largest Muslim country and Buddhism is the religion of majority of Sri Lankans.
The historic ties between Indonesia-Sri Lanka dates back to many centuries. Sri Lanka established Diplomatic Relations with Indonesia gaining its independence in 1948. The initial representation was at the level of a Consulate General in 1950. Sri Lanka’s father of free education and former Education Minister ,Dr. C.W.W.Kannangara was appointed Sri Lanka’s (Ceylon ) first Consul General. On 06th August 1952, both countries decided to raise the status of their Missions to Legation level.
Following the Conference of Asian Leaders convened in New Delhi 1947, Indonesia and Sri Lanka joined hand at the Colombo Powers Conference of Asian Prime Ministers in 1954, which paved the way for the historic Conference of Asian and African leaders in 1955, in Bandung.
Both countries share, strong commitment to democratic values, good and clean governance and respect and adherence for the rule of law, human rights, genuine reconciliation and eradication of corruption.
High Level interactions has elevated the relationship to greater heights: Recent high level interaction between HE President Maithripala Sirisena’s interactions at G7 in Japan with HE Joko Widodo on May 25 2016 and the bilateral discussion between the Indonesian President and Prime Minister Hon Ranil Wickeremsinghe at the Merdeka Palace on 3 August 2016 lays an important foundation to elevate the relationship to greater heights.
HE President Maithripala Sirisena’s interactions at G7 in Japan with HE JokoWidodo on May 25 2016.