Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has denied media reports claiming that the country’s application for BRICS membership was rejected.
In an official statement, the ministry explained that Sri Lanka had applied for membership in BRICS and the New Development Bank (NDB) following Cabinet approval on 7 October 2024. It noted that Minister of Foreign Affairs Vijitha Herath had written to his BRICS counterparts to express Sri Lanka’s interest, while President Anura Kumara Dissanayake had also communicated with his Russian counterpart.
The ministry further clarified: “At the BRICS Outreach Summit held in Kazan, Russia from 22 to 24 October 2024, Foreign Secretary Aruni Wijewardane, who led the Sri Lankan delegation, announced the country’s interest. During the summit, BRICS Member States endorsed a new category of Partner Countries and acknowledged the significant interest shown by the Global South in BRICS, as reflected in the Kazan Declaration.”
The ministry emphasized that Sri Lanka’s pending application, along with those from other countries, will be considered by BRICS member states in due course. It also highlighted that Sri Lanka’s intent to join the New Development Bank had been positively received by the bank’s president. The ministry will work with relevant government bodies to review the procedures and timing for this process.
“There is no truth to the claims in certain local media that Sri Lanka’s BRICS application has been rejected. It is unfortunate that the statements made by the Minister of Foreign Affairs at the post-cabinet media briefing on 6 November 2024 have been misrepresented,” the Foreign Affairs Ministry stated.
Additionally, the Russian Embassy in Sri Lanka issued a statement affirming that the Russian BRICS Chairship welcomed Sri Lanka’s interest. It stressed that Sri Lanka’s application, along with those from other countries, will be reviewed with full consultation and consensus.
“The reports in local media claiming that Sri Lanka’s application has been rejected are incorrect,” the embassy confirmed.
