Sri Lankan President Anura Dissanayake has officially expressed the country’s interest in joining the BRICS group in a letter addressed to Russian President Vladimir Putin. The announcement was made by Sri Lanka’s ambassador to Moscow, Pakir Amza, during an interview with RIA Novosti.
In his statement, Ambassador Amza disclosed that the letter, sent in October 2024, outlined Sri Lanka’s aspirations to become part of the BRICS family and sought support from Russia and other member countries. “We have also asked other BRICS countries to join as a partner country and expect their positive response,” the ambassador said.
This move aligns with Colombo’s broader diplomatic efforts to deepen its engagement with the BRICS nations. In October, Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Vijita Herath announced that the country had formally applied for membership in both BRICS and the New Development Bank. Herath highlighted BRICS as a strategic platform for fostering mutually beneficial cooperation, promoting peace, and advancing development through comprehensive multilateralism in line with the UN Charter.
Additionally, reports from December 2023 indicate that President Dissanayake had requested Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s support for Sri Lanka’s bid to join BRICS. This demonstrates Colombo’s proactive approach in garnering backing from key regional players within the bloc.
The BRICS association, comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, has gained prominence as a significant coalition for economic and political collaboration. If admitted, Sri Lanka would join a growing list of countries seeking to expand their partnerships within this influential group.