A special meeting was held between Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa and Andreas Kravik, State Secretary at the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, during which a forward-looking strategy to strengthen bilateral relations between Sri Lanka and Norway was presented.
The Opposition Leader expressed his appreciation for Norway’s rapid humanitarian response of NOK 24 million through multilateral partners, including CERF, WFP, and the Red Cross, following Cyclone Ditva. He also acknowledged the support provided by the Norwegian government in post-war landmine clearance.
Highlighting Sri Lanka’s focus on a green industrial model, Premadasa discussed the World Bank’s US$150 million Clean Energy Program and invited Norwegian expertise in renewable energy, including floating solar power plants and wind energy projects. He emphasized that reducing dependency on fossil fuels is both an environmental priority and a structural economic imperative.
The discussions also focused on expanding blue economy cooperation, strengthening maritime governance, and enhancing collaboration on fisheries, maritime security, and sustainable port development. Premadasa further stressed the need for institutional reforms to meet the 2028 sovereign debt ceiling and sought technical cooperation in tax modernization, domestic resource mobilization, and anti-corruption frameworks.
Reaffirming Sri Lanka’s commitment to democratic governance, human rights, and gender equality, Premadasa emphasized these principles as the fundamental pillars of the nation’s future. The meeting concluded with an exchange of views on global developments, including the escalating war situation in the Middle East and its broader economic and geopolitical implications.
