Our Consulate General

Diplomatic relations between Sri Lanka and the UAE were established in July, 1979, and the Embassy of Sri Lanka in the UAE was opened in Abu Dhabi on 19th July, 1979, with a Charge d’ Affairs as Head of Mission, and later upgraded to the Ambassadorial level in 1983.

The rationale for opening Sri Lanka’s resident Mission in the UAE in 1979 was entirely due to the presence of a large number of Sri Lankans working in the UAE. It is estimated around 250,000 Sri Lankans, mostly employed in the fields of Quantity Surveyors, Hospitality industry, Information Technology, Professionals from Banking & Financial sectors, Engineers, Paramedics, Middle level technicians in Construction Companies, Garment sector and domestic helpers sector etc. are currently employed in the seven Emirates of the UAE. The focus has therefore been mainly on labour relations but subsequently necessity has arises in engaging actively promoting bilateral trade, investments and tourism relations between Sri Lanka and the UAE.

Sri Lanka’s Consulate Office in Dubai was started on 1 st August 1993 with the objective of looking after the welfare of the large number of Sri Lankans living in Dubai and Northern Emirates while promoting bilateral commercial relations between the two countries mainly due to Dubai being the commercial hub in the UAE and the major trade transit point in the Middle East and Northern African (MENA) region. Subsequently, Sri Lanka’s Consulate Office in Dubai was upgraded to Consulate General status in 1999.

Currently the Consulate General of Sri Lanka based in Dubai provides consular services to the UAE residents in all six Emirates within Dubai and Northern Emirates namely: Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Fujairah, Ras Al-Khaimah and Umm Al-Quwain while playing vital role in promoting bilateral commercial relations between Sri Lanka and the UAE as per the details given below.

• Sri Lanka’s two way trade with the UAE has been in the range of over 1Billion US Dollars over the period of last five years concerned. The UAE has now become Sri Lanka’s 6 th largest global trading partner and the 8 th largest export partner.
• Currently, Ceylon Tea is Sri Lanka’s single largest export product to the UAE market and a dedicated Tea Promotional Unit headed by a senior officer from the Tea Marketing Division of Sri Lanka tea Board, has been functioning in the Consulate General, ever since its inception, with the main objective of promoting Ceylon Tea in the UAE market as well as in the markets of the Middle East and Northern African (MENA) region.
• The other major Sri Lankan exports are Ready made garments, coconut based products, rubber based products, Sea food, spices, gems & jewelry, fruits & vegetables, ethnic food items, gift items, ceramic & porcelain table ware etc, and required assistances have been extending by the Consulate General in promoting those products in the UAE market.
• Dubai is a trading hub in the UAE and also the major transit trade point in the Middle East and Northern African (MENA) region. Sri Lanka’s major exports such as tea and coconut products etc. find other markets in the MENA region through transiting Dubai and the required assistances have been extending by the Consulate General.
• Sri Lanka regularly participates at a number of international trade fairs being held in Dubai, which promotes food products, tea and beverage related products, lT related products, paper products, boats and boat building etc. as Dubai is the major exhibition centre in the region. The Consulate General facilitates Sri Lanka’s participation at those major fairs promoting Sri Lankan exports in the markets of UAE and MENA region.
• A number of Sri Lankan trade delegations including govt. officials, private and ministerial level have been visiting frequently Dubai to explore market opportunities for Sri Lankan products and services. The Consulate General extends required assistance in facilitating those visits.
• Dubai hosts a number of international trade, economic and tourism conferences through out the year and high powered Sri Lankan official delegations attend such conferences in Dubai. The Consulate General extends required assistance in facilitating those visits.
• UAE is the second largest investors in Sri Lanka among the Middle Eastern Countries and the Consulate General has been playing a significant role in attracting UAE investments towards Sri Lanka.
• UAE is the second largest tourism market for Sri Lanka among the Middle Eastern Countries as it attracts over 11, 000 UAE nationals per annum. However, total number of tourists from the UAE considered to be well over 25,000 per annum even though it doesn’t reflect in tourism statistics (nationalities other than UAE nationals, do not count in tourism statistics as originating from UAE, given they are counted on the basis of their original nationality) as more foreign expats in UAE now prefer choosing Sri Lanka as their holiday destination. The Consulate General have been playing a key role in promoting Sri Lanka Tourism by organizing Sri Lanka’s participation at the largest Annual Travel exhibition in the region(Arabian Travel Mart), Travel Road Shows, media publicity and arranging outward tour groups to Sri Lanka etc.
• Sri Lanka also takes part at Ministerial level in the Annual Investment Meeting in Dubai hosted by the UAE government and the consulate General has been facilitating Sri Lanka’s participation.
• Dubai is the gateway to GCC countries, Europe and the USA as more than 10 direct flights have been operating per day between Colombo and Dubai. The Consulate General facilitates VVIP, VIP and other official delegations transiting their final destination via Dubai.
• The Consulate General works closely with the UAE trade promotional institutions such as Dubai Chamber of Commerce & Industry, other business chambers based in Northern Emirates, Sri Lanka Business Council etc to facilitate strengthening bilateral trade between UAE and Sri Lanka.
• Dubai is a vibrant and most happening city in the Arab region as most of the foreign Companies, major financial consultation firms, trade organizations, Dubai stock exchange, financial centers, banking sectors are housed in Dubai. Hence Consulate General is having the access to liaise with these institutions for the economic benefit of Sri Lanka.
• Dubai is also a multi-national and a multi-cultural city which enables the Consulate General to promote Sri Lanka among other nationalities /foreign expat community in Dubai for marketing Sri Lankan products and services.
• It is estimated around 200,000 Sri Lankan work force is employed under vast range of employers located within Dubai and the Northern Emirates. The Consulate General renders array of services to safeguard welfare of the Sri Lankan work force based within its jurisdiction in association with key government institutes such as UAE immigration authorities, Police, jails, Courts, Labour Departments etc. Additionally, the Consulate General is extending all possible assistance in promoting new job opportunities for Sri Lankan workers in the UAE market in association with UAE employers.