TEHRAN : Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Iran, Fazeeha Azmi, met with Sri Lankan expatriates and persons of Sri Lankan origin in Iran at her official residence in Tehran on 07 August 2026. The meeting focused on bilateral relations between Sri Lanka and Iran, the 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries, to be celebrated in 2027, and the Embassy’s work plan for 2026–2028 to further strengthen political, economic, energy, agriculture, tourism, education and cultural cooperation, as well as people-to-people ties. The meeting also highlighted ways in which the contribution of the Sri Lankan expatriate community in Iran could support Sri Lanka’s development process and the upcoming activities of the Embassy in Tehran.
Welcoming the participants to her residence, the Ambassador of Sri Lanka underscored how the present Government, under the leadership of President Anura Kumara Disanayaka, was working to create a new political culture, promote economic development and foster communal harmony under the national policy framework. She expressed the Embassy’s expectation of continued support from the Sri Lankan community for trade, investment, tourism, education and cultural promotional programmes scheduled for 2026–2028.
During the meeting, Sri Lankan national Dr. Fahrudeen Muhamed was appointed as the interim President of the Sri Lanka Expatriates Association in Iran with the agreement of the Sri Lankan community members present. On behalf of the Sri Lankan community in Iran, the President of the Sri Lanka Expatriates Association extended best wishes to the new Sri Lankan envoy and appreciated the opportunity provided by the Ambassador and Embassy staff for productive discussions.
While appreciating the assistance provided by the Embassy of Sri Lanka during the volatile situation in Iran and the Middle East region in March 2026, members of the Sri Lankan expatriate community welcomed the Ambassador’s work plan for 2026–2028 and assured their continued support to the Embassy in Tehran. In response, Ambassador Fazeeha Azmi expressed her appreciation to the participants for their presence and contribution towards strengthening Sri Lanka–Iran relations.
The meeting with the Sri Lankan diaspora was the Ambassador’s first engagement with the Sri Lankan community in Iran since the presentation of her letter of credence to the President of Iran in July 2026. The meeting provided an opportunity to exchange ideas on enhancing collaboration between the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Tehran and the Sri Lankan expatriate community in Iran. The event was followed by a Sri Lankan dinner buffet and concluded with an agreement to conduct regular meetings of the Sri Lanka Expatriates Association of Iran once every three months.
