No truth in certain local media reports of alleged “rejection” of Sri Lanka’s membership application to BRICS, says Ministry of Foreign Affairs

COLOMBO (News 1st): The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, releasing a statement says that the attention of the Ministry has been drawn to incorrect and misleading reports carried in certain local media that Sri Lanka’s application for BRICS membership has been rejected.

The statement highlights that as approved by the Cabinet on 7 October 2024, Sri Lanka applied for membership in BRICS and the New Development Bank (NDB). The Minister of Foreign Affairs Vijitha Herath wrote to his counterparts in BRICS member countries informing of Sri Lanka’s interest to join. President Anura Kumara Dissanayake also wrote to his Russian counterpart in this regard.

According to the ministry's statement, at the BRICS Outreach Summit held in Kazan, Russia 22-24 October 2024, Foreign Secretary Aruni Wijewardane, as leader of the Sri Lanka delegation announced Sri Lanka's interest. At the Summit, the BRICS Member States also endorsed a new category of Partner Countries, whilst ‘welcoming the considerable interest by countries of the Global South in BRICS’ (Kazan Declaration).

The statement emphasized that pending requests for BRICS membership from many countries including Sri Lanka will be considered by BRICS member countries in due course.

The statement further highlighted that Sri Lanka’s intention to join the New Development Bank was welcomed by the President of the New Development Bank. It added that the Foreign Ministry together with relevant Government agencies will review the procedures and timing in this regard.

The statement finally reiterated that there is no truth in the statement carried in certain local media that “Sri Lanka’s BRICS application has been rejected” and expressed regret that the points made by the Minister of Foreign Affairs at the post-cabinet media conference on 6 November 2024 have been misrepresented.