Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Employment Arun Hemachandra will undertake an official visit to the State of Qatar from today (20) to 23 September 2026, leading the Sri Lankan delegation to the Sri Lanka–Qatar Joint Committee Meeting on labour and foreign employment cooperation.

The Joint Committee is being reconvened after a lapse of more than five years and will provide an important platform for the two countries to review existing cooperation and identify areas for further advancement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism said in a statement.

Discussions are expected to focus on expanding employment opportunities for Sri Lankan workers, promoting safe, transparent and responsible recruitment, strengthening worker welfare and protection, enhancing skills development, and improving institutional coordination between Sri Lanka and Qatar.

During the visit, Deputy Minister Hemachandra is scheduled to meet Dr. Ali bin Saeed bin Samikh Al Marri, Minister of Labour of the State of Qatar, and Sheikha Najwa bint Abdulrahman bin Nasser Al-Thani, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Labour, for discussions on further strengthening bilateral cooperation in the areas of labour and foreign employment, the statement said.

The Deputy Minister will also engage with members and representatives of the Sri Lankan community in Qatar, providing an opportunity to listen to their concerns and discuss matters affecting Sri Lankans living and working in the country, particularly those relating to employment and worker welfare.

Sri Lanka and Qatar enjoy longstanding and friendly bilateral relations, supported by cooperation across a number of areas, including labour and manpower cooperation.

The visit is expected to further strengthen this partnership while advancing Sri Lanka’s efforts to expand safe and dignified overseas employment opportunities and enhance the welfare and protection of Sri Lankan migrant workers, the statement added.