The Secretary General of BIMSTEC, H.E. Tenzin Lekphell, visited Sri Lanka on an official introductory visit from 05-10 December 2021. This was the Secretary General’s first official visit to a BIMSTEC Member State since assuming office on 06 November 2020, as the COVID-19 pandemic prevented overseas travel previously.

During the visit, the Secretary General called on the President of Sri Lanka H.E. Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Prime Minister of Sri Lanka Hon. Mahinda Rajapaksa, Foreign Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris, and the State Minister of Regional Cooperation Tharaka Balasuriya.

As Sri Lanka will be the lead country for coordinating cooperation in the Science, Technology and Innovation Sector, as well as the Sub-sectors of Public Health, Technology, and Human Resource Development as per the decision of the 17^th Ministerial Meeting, that awaits the approval of the BIMSTEC Leaders at the 5^th Summit, the Secretary General also held meetings with the Ministers and State Ministers in-charge of these subject areas - Minister of Health Dr. Keheliya Rambukwella, State Minister of Skills Development, Vocational Education, Research and Innovation Dr. Seetha Arambepola, and the State Minister of Indigenous Medicine Promotion, Rural and Ayurvedic Hospitals Development and Community Health, Sisira Jayakody.

Additionally, the Secretary General held discussions with the Acting Foreign Secretary, A.M.J. Sadiq and officials of the Foreign Ministry handling matters related to BIMSTEC.

The Secretary General’s Programme also included a brief visit to the Temple of the Tooth Relic in the UNESCO World Heritage Sacred City of Kandy.