History of diplomatic relations between Qatar and Sri Lanka
Diplomatic relations between the State of Qatar and the Republic of Sri Lanka began officially at the Ambassadorial level (Non-Resident) on 20/07/1976.
Sri Lanka opened its Mission in Doha in 1997 and Qatar opened its Mission in Colombo on 28/09/2004. Since then, the bilateral relations between the two countries witnessed great progress and development in various fields.
Both countries enjoy membership in the Non-Aligned Movement, and follow a non- aligned foreign policy. Qatar has participated at the Non-Aligned Movement Summit held in Colombo in 1976, and a Sri Lankan delegation headed by Minister of Foreign Affairs of Sri Lanka late Mr. Lakshman Kadirgamar participated in the Second South Summit of the Group of 77 held in Doha in June 2005, which was established on 15 June 1964 by seventy-seven developing countries.
The two countries also follow similar policy on international issues such as human rights, global warming, environment, issues related to the cooperation among the countries of the South (South-South Co-operation) and the dialogue between the North and the South (North-South Dialogue).
Several official visits have been exchanged between the senior officials of the Governments of the two countries in the past years with the aim of promoting and developing the existing bilateral relations between the two countries.
His Highness the Father Emir Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al-Thani paid an official visit to the Republic of Sri Lanka during 15 - 16 January 2012, during which Nine Agreements / MoUs were signed between the two countries.
His Highness the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani paid an official visit to the Republic of Sri Lanka on 24/3/2015, during which he held talks with H.E. Maithripala Sirisena, President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka and other senior officials of the Sri Lankan Government. Also, three MoUs for cooperation in the fields of sports, youth and news exchange were signed between the two countries.
His Excellency Maithripala Sirisena, President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka paid an official visit to the State of Qatar from 24-26 October 2017. Seven agreements / MoUs were signed between the two countries during this visit.
Mutual visits :
From Qatari side :
| Date | Visit |
| 24 March 2015 | His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Emir of the State of Qatar. |
| 15-16 January 2012 | His Highness the Father Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani. |
| 12 – 13 December 2011 | His Excellency Sheikh Hamad Bin Jassim Bin Jabor Al Thani, Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs |
| 30-31 October 2017 | His Excellency Sheikh Ahmed bin Jassim bin Mohammed Al Thani, Minister of Economy and Commerce. |
| 2 – 4 April 2009 | His Excellency Dr. Khalid bin Mohammad Al Attiyah, Minister of State for International Cooperation |
| 26 – 30 May 2008 | His Excellency Faisal Bin Abdullah Al- Mahmood, Minister of Endowment & Islamic Affairs |
| 7 – 10 January 2008 | His Excellency Dr. Sultan bin Hassan Al-Dhabit Al Dossari, Minister of Labour and Social Affairs |
From Sri Lankan side :
| Date | Visit |
| 24-26 October 2017 | His Excellency Maithripala Sirisena, President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka. |
| 06 – 10 April 2019 | Honorable Karu Jayasuriya, Speaker of the Parliament of Sri Lanka. |
| 08 -09 July 2017 | Honorable Ravi Karunanayake, Minister of Foreign Affairs. |
| 11 – 13 May 2015 | Honorable Kabir Hashim, Minister of Investment Promotion and Highways |
| 20 – 22 May 2012 | H.E. Mahinda Rajapakse, President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka |
| 9 -11 May 2011 | Honorable Dilan Perera, Minister of Foreign Employment Promotion |
| 14 February 2011 | Honorable Professor G. L. Peiris, Minister of Foreign Affairs |
| 3 -6 May 2009 | Honorable Rauf Hakeem, Leader, Sri Lanka Muslim Congress |
| 10 – 12 January 2009 | Honorable Rohitha Bogollagama, Minister of Foreign Affairs. |
| 18 -21 November 2008 | Honorable Champika Ranawaka, Minister of Environment and Natural Resources |
| 7 – 8 July 2008 | Honorable Mohamed Hanifa Mohamed, Minister of Parliamentary Affairs |
| 13 – 15 April 2008 | Honorable Hussain Bailah, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs |
| 8 – 12 March 2008 | Honorable Kehaliya Rambukwella, Minister of Foreign Employment Promotion and Welfare |
| 8 -12 February 2008 | Honorable Faizer Musthafa, Deputy Minister of Tourism |
| 26 -31 January 2008 | Honorable Rishard Badiudeen, Minister of Resettlement and Disaster Relief Services |
| 2 – 5 November 2007 | Honorable Professor G. L. Peiris, Minister of Export Development and International Trade Honorable Dr. Rajitha Senaratne, Minister of Construction and Engineering Services |
| 29 October – 1 November 2007 | Honorable Abdul Hameed Mohamed Fawzi, Minister of Petroleum and Petroleum Products Development |
| 7 – 9 May 2007 | Honorable Alavi Moulana, Governor of Western Province |
| 11 – 13 April 2006 | Honorable Jeyaraj Fernando Pulle, Minister of Trade and Economy |
Agreements and the Memoranda of Understanding signed between the State of Qatar and Sri Lanka
1. Air Services Agreement.
2. MoU to regulate matters of Air Services.
3. MoU between the civil aviation authorities in the State of Qatar and the Republic of Sri Lanka.
4. Agreement on the Avoidance of Double Taxation and Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with respect to taxes on income.
5. MoU between the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Qatar and the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce in Sri Lanka.
6. MoU between the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Qatar and the Chamber of Construction Industry of Sri Lanka.
7. Agreement between Doha Bank and the Hatton National Bank of Sri Lanka on Electronic money transfers via Internet from Qatar to Sri Lanka.
8. Agreement concerning the regulation of Sri Lankan manpower employment in the State of Qatar.
9. Cultural Cooperation Agreement.
10. MoU to establish a high joint committee.
11. Agreement on Economic, Commercial and Technical Cooperation.
12. Agreement on the cooperation in the legal field.
13. MoU for Cooperation on Education, Higher Education and Scientific Research.
14. MOU on Tourism Co-operation.
15. MoU on the real estate investment between Qatari Diar Real Estate Investment Company and the Board of Investment of Sri Lanka.
16. MoU for cooperation in the field of investment between Qatar Holding and the Board of Investment of Sri Lanka.
17. Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement.
18. MoU for cooperation in the field of sports.
19. MoU on Mutual Cooperation and Exchange of News.
20. MoU on Cooperation in the field of Youth.
21. MoU on Cooperation in the Field of Diplomatic Training and Research.
22. MoU in the field of Health and Medical Sciences.
23. MoU on Cooperation in Energy Sector.
24. MoU in the field of Waste Water Management.
25. MoU on Cooperation in the Field of Exchange of Financial Intelligence.
26. MoU on the Visa Exemption for Holders of Diplomatic Special and Official Passports.
27. Grant Agreement for the financial assistance of five hundred thousand (500) US$ as emergency financial assistance to the Government of Sri Lanka to cope with drought in Sri Lanka.
Economic Relations
Qatar and Sri Lanka enjoys excellent relations in the field of Economy for a long time. These relations witnessed significant progress during the State visit of His Highness the Father Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani to Sri Lanka during 15 to 16 January 2012, the State Visit of His Highness Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani, Emir of the State of Qatar to Sri Lanka on 24 March 2015 as well as the State Visit of His Excellency Maithripala Sirisena, President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka to the State of Qatar during 24-26 October 2017. These visits have contributed to strengthen the bilateral relations between the two friendly countries in all fields, including economic relations, as well as to sign several Agreements / MoUs between the two countries covering many vital areas.
The trade between the Qatar and Sri Lanka reached US $ 77.91 million at the end of 2017. There are about 210 Sri Lankan companies established in Qatar in partnership with the Qatari side with a capital of QR 45.5 million.
Balance of trade between Qatar and Sri Lanka
| Year | SL Export (Mil. US$) | SL Import (Mil. US$) | Deficit (Mil. US$) |
| 2017 | 22.80 | 55.11 | -32.31 |
| 2016 | 14.51 | 30.13 | -15.62 |
| 2015 | 13.31 | 35.58 | -22.27 |
| 2014 | 14.39 | 63.26 | -48.87 |
| 2013 | 10.50 | 55.44 | -44.94 |
The main items exported to Qatar from Sri Lanka
Banana (17.36%), Vegetables (6.05%), Tea (5.48%), Cloths (4.16%), New Pneumatic Tires (4.03%).
The main items imported from Qatar to Sri Lanka
Iron & Steel (50.06%), LPG (24.25%)
Following Agreements and MoUs were signed between the two countries in order to strengthen and develop the economic and trade relations between the two countries:
- Agreement on Economic, Commercial and Technical Cooperation (January 2012).
- Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement (May 2012).
- MoU on Tourism Co-operation (January 2012).
- MoU to regulate matters of Air Services (2010).
- MoU between the civil aviation authorities in the State of Qatar and the Republic of Sri Lanka (2012).
- MoU for cooperation in the field of investment between Qatar Holding and the Board of Investment of Sri Lanka (2012).
- MoU on the real estate investment between Qatari Diar Real Estate Investment Company and the Board of Investment of Sri Lanka (2012).
- Agreement on the Avoidance of Double Taxation and Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with respect to taxes on income (2004).
- MoU between the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Qatar and the Chamber of Construction Industry of Sri Lanka. (November 2007).
- MoU between the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Qatar and the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce in Sri Lanka. (March 2007).
The first session of the Qatar-Sri Lanka Joint Economic, Commercial and Technical Commission which was establishes under Article 8 of the Agreement on Economic, Commercial and Technical Cooperation signed between the two countries, was held in Doha from 14-15 September 2014 under the chairmanship of His Excellency Sheikh Ahmed bin Jassim bin Mohammed Al Thani, Minister of Economy and Commerce (former), and Honorable Rishad Bathiudeen, Minister of Industry and Commerce of the Republic of Sri Lanka.
The second session of the Qatar-Sri Lanka Joint Economic, Commercial and Technical Commission was held in Colombo during 30 - 31 October 2017, under the chairmanship of His Excellency Sheikh Ahmed bin Jassim bin Mohammed Al Thani, Minister of Economy and Commerce (former), and Honorable Rishad Bathiudeen, Minister of Industry and Commerce of the Republic of Sri Lanka.