The burgeoning partnership between Turkey and Sri Lanka is a slow but steady process. Although the relationship between the two countries is not yet intimate, both political and economic ties are on the rise.

It is important to note that both parties have expressed a strong desire to enhance their bilateral relations. This intent manifested in the joint panel discussion titled “Turks and Sri Lankans: Through Historical Links to the Future” organized on June 19, 2017 by the Department of International Relations of the Middle East Technical University and the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Ankara.

The historical ties between Turkey and Sri Lanka can be traced back to the 19th century. The Ottoman Empire established its first diplomatic representation in British-ruled Sri Lanka (then Ceylon) in 1864. The imperial ship Ertugrul, sent by Sultan Abdulhamid II to Japan, docked in Colombo on November 1, 1889, for logistical purposes. The Turkish officials and crew established cordial relations with the local community, and over 200,000 Sri Lankans visited the Ertugrul frigate. The Turkish honorary consulate remained operational until 1915, when the Ottoman Empire entered World War I against the British Empire.

Diplomatic relations between Ankara and Colombo were formally established on February 4, 1948, after Sri Lanka gained independence post-World War II. However, the rejuvenation of these relations is a recent phenomenon. While Sri Lanka opened its embassy in Ankara in 2012, Turkey reciprocated with an embassy in Colombo in 2013.

High-level visits between the two nations have been sparse. Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranashinghe Premedasa visited Turkey in May 1986 at the invitation of his Turkish counterpart, Turgut Ozal. The leaders deliberated on ways to bolster political and economic ties between the two countries. Turkey decided to open an embassy in Colombo in 1987, but due to financial constraints, the decision could not be implemented. After 17 years, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan visited Sri Lanka in December 2004 following the devastating tsunami in South and Southeast Asia. President Mahinda Rajapaksa returned the gesture with an official visit to Turkey in 2008.

Trade relations also started to flourish throughout the 2010s. Economic relations, which began with a trade volume of $17 million in 1990, peaked at $188 million in 2010. However, by 2016, the bilateral trade volume had declined to $157 million. In the same year, Turkey imported goods worth $105 million from Sri Lanka, whereas its exports to the island nation were worth $52 million.

Turkey and Sri Lanka could collaborate on projects in sectors where they have a competitive edge. Turkish companies, for instance, have a strategic advantage in Eurasia and Africa in industries such as construction, textiles, agricultural production, and food security. Sri Lanka is emerging as an investment and production hub for South Asia.

Tourism is another potential area for cooperation. Turkey, with some of the best hotel chains in Europe and considerable experience in tourism policies, is a desirable partner. Sri Lanka, with its vast tourism potential, needs to enhance both the number and quality of its touristic facilities. Turkish and Sri Lankan companies could collaborate in these areas, including the establishment and management of facilities.

Education is a priority area for bilateral cooperation. Strengthening relations would be challenging without a mutual base of constituents who are familiar with one another. Currently, there are no cooperation agreements or exchange programs between Turkish and Sri Lankan universities. It is crucial to increase mutual student and academic exchange programs and to establish institutions teaching Sinhalese and Tamil in Turkey and vice-versa. Think tanks that research potential opportunities for political, economic, and cultural cooperation between the two countries should also be established.

Opportunities for enhancing Turkish-Sri Lankan relations also exist in the multilateral framework. Both countries participate in some of the group's meetings and activities as a dialogue partner of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). With the membership of India and Pakistan in 2017, the SCO has transitioned from a Eurasian to an Asian organization.

China's 'One Belt One Road' Initiative (BRI) presents another significant opportunity for Sri Lanka and Turkey to achieve economic integration on a bilateral level and beyond. Turkey is part of the overland Silk Road in the Eurasian landmass, while Sri Lanka is part of the Maritime Silk Road within the BRI. Both countries should develop alternative solutions to integrate within the BRI and encourage China and other regional partners to support this idea.

In conclusion, a strategic roadmap is needed to develop relations between Turkey and Sri Lanka. Turkish and Sri Lankan decision-makers must draw up a strategic roadmap based on opportunities for cooperation and existing challenges.

*Dr. Selcuk Colakoglu, Professor of International Relations and Director of the Turkish Center for Asia-Pacific Studies. 

Particicpants of the workshop on “Turks and Sri Lankans: Through Historical Links to the Future” organized by the Department of International Relations of the Middle East Technical University and the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Ankara on June 19, 2017.

Sri Lanka and Turkey Relations: A Flourishing Partnership in Asia 

Eurasia Review  -  July 5, 2017

Dr. Selcuk Colakoglu*

TURKISH CENTER  for ASIA PACIFIC STUDIES