Sri Lanka-Turkiye relations date back to Ottoman Empire – Ambassador

COLOMBO (News 1st); Turkish Airlines commencing direct flights to Colombo will make a significant contribution to the Sri Lankan tourism market at a very crucial time and contribute to further developing our economic relations, said Ambassador of the Republic of Türkiye to Sri Lanka R. Demet Şekercioğlu.

She was speaking on the occasion of the celebrations of the 100th Anniversary of the proclamation of the Republic of Türkiye held on Monday (30).

Turkish Airlines’ first direct flight landed in Colombo on Monday (30) morning, with over 260 passengers.

“2023 also marks the tenth anniversary of the launch of our national flag carrier, Turkish Airlines’ flights between Istanbul and Colombo with a stopover in Male,” said the Ambassador.

Speaking on Sri Lanka Turkiye relations, the Ambassador said that “It is well-known that relations between Turks and Sri Lankans go back long before the establishment of diplomatic ties between the Ottoman Empire and Ceylon in 1864 when the First Honorary Consul of the Ottoman Empire was appointed in Colombo.”

The Republic of Türkiye celebrated the 100th Anniversary of the proclamation of the Republic over the weekend, and the Embassy of the Republic of Türkiye held a celebration in Colombo to mark the event.

The celebration was graced by Sri Lankans Ministers, MPs, and well-wishers.