Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath has met Vanushi Walters, the Sri Lankan-origin Opposition Spokesperson for Foreign Affairs of the New Zealand Parliament, during his official visit to Wellington.
In a post on X, Herath said the two held “constructive dialogue on a variety of bilateral matters.” He told Walters he had briefed her on Sri Lanka’s economy — covering trade, tourism, investment opportunities and political developments.
“Walters also spoke fondly of her Sri Lankan roots and the important role played by the Sri Lankan diaspora in New Zealand,” the Minister added.
The meeting completes a cross-party engagement during the New Zealand leg of Herath’s visit. He has separately held talks with New Zealand’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Winston Peters and Speaker of the House Gerry Brownlee, and was given the ceremonial Māori Pōwhiri welcome at the foreign ministry — a first for a Sri Lankan Foreign Minister.
Herath is on an official visit to New Zealand and Australia from May 26 to June 3 at the invitation of both governments. A centrepiece of the New Zealand leg has been the opening of Sri Lanka’s first High Commission in Wellington. The Minister is due to travel onward for further talks with Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong.
