Sri Lanka's Representative to Palestine met with the Governor of Ramallah this week to reaffirm bilateral ties and announce plans to expand economic, educational and humanitarian collaboration between the two countries.
Sri Lanka's Representative to Palestine, Farook Mohamed Fawzer, held discussions with Dr. Laila Ghannam, Governor of Ramallah and Al-Bireh, on 7 September, according to the Representative Office of Sri Lanka in Ramallah. The meeting focused on strengthening cooperation across multiple sectors including diplomacy, trade, education and humanitarian assistance.
Fawzer underscored Sri Lanka's five-decade commitment to supporting the Palestinian cause and its backing for international efforts to resolve the conflict through lawful channels. He announced plans to revive the Sri Lanka Vocational Training Institute Project in Ramallah, positioning it as a youth development initiative. Additionally, he reaffirmed Sri Lanka's ongoing support for the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) and humanitarian efforts in the Gaza Strip.
On the economic front, Fawzer outlined Sri Lanka's strategy to deepen trade relations through Sri Lanka Expo 2027, proposing increased engagement with PalTrade and Palestinian business chambers to facilitate commercial partnerships, tourism opportunities and expanded market access. Governor Ghannam welcomed these initiatives and expressed appreciation for Sri Lanka's political and humanitarian support, referencing historical ties established during the late President Yasser Arafat's era. Both sides concluded the meeting with a commitment to advancing bilateral cooperation in trade, skills development, cultural exchange and people-to-people connections.