Sri Lanka is actively seeking membership in the BRICS economic bloc, with a formal request for support made to India, according to Cabinet Spokesman Minister Vijitha Herath.
The request was conveyed during a meeting with India’s Foreign Minister during his official visit to Sri Lanka last week, the minister confirmed at a recent press briefing. The move marks Sri Lanka’s continued efforts to strengthen its position within the global economic landscape.
Minister Herath also revealed that Sri Lanka has been invited to participate in the upcoming BRICS Summit, scheduled to take place from October 22-24, 2024. The invitation was extended by Russian President Vladimir Putin, with Russia holding the BRICS chairmanship for 2024.
However, due to the ongoing election period, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake will not be attending the summit, the minister clarified, adding that Sri Lanka’s participation in the summit is crucial, but the specifics of the representation are yet to be finalized.
BRICS, an association of emerging economies comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, was established to challenge the economic dominance of wealthier nations in North America and Western Europe. The bloc has recently expanded to include new members – Egypt, Iran, Ethiopia, and the United Arab Emirates.
The invitation to Sri Lanka to attend the summit follows the former Wickremesinghe administration’s recommendation to apply for BRICS membership, while the membership application remains pending. (Newswire)
