Greece

Diplomatic relations between Sri Lanka and The Hellenic Republic were established in 1957 and the Greek Ambassador in New Delhi was concurrently accredited to Sri Lanka in 1958.  Sri Lanka’s Ambassador in Rome is concurrently accredited to Greece.

Assistance given in the aftermath of the 26th December Tsunami included an 18-member team with medical equipment and relief items, humanitarian assistance with items such as sugar, tents, blankets and medicine. The Greek authorities also dispatched a ‘Hospital Ship’ to Sri Lanka to treat the Tsunami victims and 6500 lbs Rice and 18,6000 lbs water. They also offered to host 150 children affected by the Tsunami in Greece.

Agreement on Development Cooperation was signed between the two countries on 18th April 2007. Agreements that are currently under discussion are Air Services Agreement, Maritime Transport Agreement, Avoidance of Double Taxation, Agreement on the Promotion and Reciprocal Protection of Investments.

Ceylon tea is the main exporting item to Greece from Sri Lanka during the last six years which accounted for 35.87% of Sri Lanka’s total exports to Greece in 2015. But it has decreased gradually from 2013 onwards.

Sri Lanka’s other major export items to Greece are coconuts, cashew nuts, fresh or dried (14.28%), Apparel (9.42%) Bicycles and other cycles (6.38%), Activated carbon (6.23%) etc.

Mr. Michael Xynos
Honorary Consul of Sri Lanka
Address: Apostolou Pavlou 5 , Agia Paraskevi, 153 42 Athens, Greece
Tel: +302213 088 9977 / +30210 922 5000
E-mail: hc@sri-lanka.gr