ශ්රී ලංකා තානාපති කාර්යාලය, මනමා, බහරේන්
இலங்கைத் தூதரகம், மனாமா, பஹ்ரைன்
Embassy of Sri Lanka, Manama, Bahrain
Sri Lanka and Bahrain Relations Overview
Overview
Sri Lanka and the Kingdom of Bahrain enjoy robust ties underpinned by trust and mutual respect. Diplomatic relations between Sri Lanka and the Kingdom of Bahrain were established on 27 June 1992. Bilateral relations were further strengthened with the opening of a resident Sri Lankan Embassy in Manama on 31 March 2013, enhancing diplomatic engagement between the two countries.
Over the years high-level exchanges have played a pivotal role in deepening bilateral relations. The official visit of the late Prime Minister of Bahrain, His Royal Highness Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, in 2009 to Sri Lanka, and the State visit of the then President of Sri Lanka, His Excellency Mahinda Rajapaksa, in 2014 to the Kingdom of Bahrain stand as significant milestones that has elevated cooperation across multiple sectors and reaffirmed the strong ties between the two nations.
In recent years, high-level interactions have continued to contribute to strengthening of bilateral cooperation. Notably, the visit to Bahrain of Hon. Sunil Kumara Gamage, Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports of Sri Lanka, from 21st to 23rd October 2025 on the invitation of His Highness Khaled bin Hamad Al Khalifa, President of the Bahrain Olympic Committee to attend the 3rd Asian Youth Games further underscored the growing engagement in the fields of youth development and sports.
In the sector of trade and commerce, Sri Lanka’s exports to Bahrain have been steadily rising. Sri Lanka’s exports to Bahrain in Year 2025 was USD 8.57 Mn compared to USD 8.28 Mn in the corresponding year. At present the exports are predominantly driven by consumer goods to Bahrain.
Tourism represents an increasingly important pillar of bilateral engagement, with encouraging growth trends in recent years. Tourist arrivals from Bahrain to Sri Lanka reached 1,310 in 2025, compared to 1,169 in 2024. Bahrain’s national carrier Gulf Air operates a daily flight to Colombo seven days a week, supporting ease of air connectivity.