MANILA : Sri Lanka reaffirmed its commitment to the objectives and principles of the ASEAN Regional
Forum (ARF) as an important platform for dialogue, confidence-building, preventive diplomacy
and practical cooperation, at the ARF Senior Officials’ Meeting (SOM), held in Manila,
Philippines, last week.
While recalling Sri Lanka’s active role in the ARF since 2007, Sri Lanka delegation reiterated
the country’s interest in further deepening engagement with ASEAN, including through its
pursuit of ASEAN Sectoral Dialogue Partnership.
While highlighting Sri Lanka’s active contribution to the ARF process during 2023–2026,
including through the hosting and co-hosting of several key ARF meetings in the areas of nonproliferation and disarmament, defence education and disaster relief, Sri Lanka welcomed the
development of the ARF Manila Plan of Action 2026–2036 at this meeting. It also recalled its
interest in co-hosting the ARF Peacekeeping Experts Meeting during the Inter-Sessional Year
2026–2029, based on its experience in conflict management and peace building.
The delegation to the ARF Senior Officials’ Meeting was led by Additional Secretary, M.R.K.
Lenagala of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism.
