COLOMBO : Minister of Foreign Affairs Foreign Employment & Tourism, Vijitha Herath, hosted a special dinner reception in honour of the President, Vice President, and distinguished members of the International Federation of Consular Bodies and Associations (FICAC), following the opening of the South Asia Conference of FICAC earlier in the day. The dinner was held on 02 February 2026 at Shangri-La Colombo.
Welcoming the distinguished gathering, Minister Herath underscored the importance of such engagements in strengthening international cooperation. He highlighted that FICAC conferences provide a vital platform for mutual learning, exchange of best practices, and building durable professional and personal connections.
Minister Herath further made the reception an opportunity to reflect on the evolving responsibilities of the consular corps, and their growing significance in today’s interconnected global environment. He noted that consular representatives, as trusted first points of contact for people, wield considerable soft power that complements traditional diplomacy. Their role now extends beyond assistance and protection to encompass economic diplomacy, cultural engagement, crisis response, and people-to-people connectivity.
Minister further recalled the recent devastation caused by Cyclone Ditwah and highlighted Sri Lanka’s national effort to rebuild lives and infrastructure. He urged the consular community to act as ambassadors for Sri Lanka tourism, noting the country’s target of 3 million tourist arrivals in 2026. During the speech, the Minister also encouraged all the members of the FICAC to enjoy the warmth and hospitality of Sri Lanka.
The President of FICAC Nikolaos Margaropoulos also spoke at the event. He thanked Sri Lanka for organizing the reception and extended his assurances and solidarity on the efforts to rebuilding Sri Lanka and expanding trade investment, tourism and people to people contacts.
