ASEAN celebrates 59th anniversary and strengthens ties with Sri Lanka

ASEAN member states with diplomatic representation in Sri Lanka celebrated the 59th anniversary of the association's founding in Colombo. The event marked the launch of the ASEAN Gastronomy Week 2026, themed ‘Tasting the Flavors of Southeast Asia’.

Trinh Thi Tam, the Vietnamese Ambassador to Sri Lanka and president of the ASEAN Committee in Colombo, noted that ASEAN has evolved into a solid 11-member community with a GDP of $3.8 trillion, making it the world's fifth-largest economic zone.

Discussions highlighted strengthening ties between ASEAN and Sri Lanka through culture, tourism, trade, and people-to-people exchanges. Sri Lanka has expressed interest in becoming an ASEAN sectoral dialogue partner, a commitment reflected by Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath's participation in the 33rd ASEAN Regional Forum ministerial meeting in the Philippines.