Objective of this committee is to strengthen and develop the bilateral cooperation in consular field. The proposal made by Mangala Samaraweera, Minister of Foreign Affairs, to take necessary action for the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the two countries for the establishment and implementation of the joint committee, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.

Diplomatic relations between Sri Lanka and the United Arab Emirates were officially established with effect from the year 1979 onwards. In the recent times these relationships have widened in addition to trade and investment sectors to other sectors such as employment of Sri Lankan personnel, cultural and educational as well.

At present about 250,000 Sri Lankans are employed in various job categories in the United Arab Emirates and under these circumstances Sri Lanka expects to increase the employment of skilled employment category and to increase the partnership relationship with the United Arab Emirates.

Both parties agreed in the meeting held between Sri Lanka and the United Arab Emirates in Abu Dhabi on 26th and 27th January 2014 at the first session of the Sri Lanka and the United Arab Emirates joint session to establish a joint committee of consular services to provide consular protection to Sri Lankan employees and other assistance.

Objective of this committee is to strengthen and develop the bilateral cooperation in consular field. The proposal made by Hon. Mangala Samaraweera, Minister of Foreign Affairs, to take necessary action for the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the two countries for the establishment and implementation of the joint committee, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.