Pathfinder Foundation and Sharif University host webinar on Iran - Sri Lanka relations

The Hafez Centre for Cultural Understanding (HCCU) of the Pathfinder Foundation and the Governance and Policy Think Tank (GPTT) of Sharif University in Iran recently held their inaugural webinar on the theme ‘Iran-Sri Lanka Relations: Ties of the Past, Pointers to the Future.’

In Session 1, Peradeniya University Head of the Department of History Professor Rohitha Dassayanke, examined the historical context of Sri Lanka’s relations, beginning with the Sassanian Empire as far back as the 2nd century B.C., which controlled the western end of the Silk Road across Central Asia. Sri Lanka served as an entrepôt for trade between the Persian Empire and China and Southeast Asia. There is historical reference to a Persian ambassador being present at the Royal Court of Anuradhapura in the 5th century A.D., while documented evidence records the discovery of Persian silver Larins, or fish-hook coins, in Sri Lanka. Additionally, a Partho-Sassanian pitcher was found in Jetavanarama in Anuradhapura, and a large quantity of Sassanian-Islamic ceramicware has been discovered at the ancient port of Mantai.

Session 2 focused on contemporary Iran-Sri Lanka ties. Panellists included the Foreign Affairs Ministry Ambassador Vipulatheja Wishvanath Aponsu, former Sri Lankan Ambassador to Iran the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ambassador (Retd.) Abdul-Reza Faraji Rad, former Iranian Ambassador to Sri Lanka General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University visiting Lecturer in International Relations Dr. Zameer Careem, the Iranian Navy Director of Strategic Studies, Captain Qasem Abbasian, and the Foreign Affairs Ministry Ambassador (Retd.) former Sri Lankan Ambassador to Iran M.M. Zuhair. Additional panellists were the Governance and Policy Think Tank (GPTT) Indian Subcontinent Expert Dr. Amin Rezaeinejad, GPTT Senior Researcher International Department Dr. Ali Salehian, and GPTT Senior Researcher Parliament and Political Studies Department Dr. Hassan Emaei. Collectively, they provided insights into the contemporary dynamics of the relationship, emphasising the significance of historical ties in advancing bilateral interests.

Session 3 focused on future bilateral relations. Panellists noted that the partnership between Sri Lanka and Iran should transcend formal agreements, reflecting centuries of shared experiences. Recent bilateral landmarks include the Tea for Oil agreement, which allowed Sri Lanka to repay its oil debt by exporting Ceylon tea, and the inauguration of the Uma Oya Multipu rpose Development Project earlier this year

Pathfinder Foundation Chairman Ambassador (Retd.) Bernard Goonetilleke and GPTT Co-founder and Senior Adviser Dr. Seyed Emamian made the opening remarks, while Pathfinder Foundation Director Ambassador (Retd.) Ahmed A. Jawad and GPTT Sharif University Director of International Department Dr. Majid Afshani summed up the proceedings on behalf of their respective institutions. The Pathfinder Foundation and Governance and Policy Think Tank (GPTT) moderated the sessions.