World Federation of Consuls South Asia regional meeting kicks off today in Colombo

Association of Consuls in Sri Lanka President Mahen Kariyawasan

FICAC President Nikolaos K. Margaropoulos

The South Asia Regional Conference of the World Federation of Consuls (FICAC) will kick off today (2)  in Colombo, reaffirming Sri Lanka’s role as a regional hub for diplomacy, trade, and tourism. 

The conference, which runs until 4 February at Cinnamon Life, brings together honorary consuls, senior diplomats, Government officials, business leaders, and international stakeholders.

Organised under the auspices of the FICAC, the global body supporting consular practice and international cooperation, the conference provides a platform for policy dialogue, business matchmaking, and capacity-building that directly supports Sri Lanka’s economic recovery and foreign-relations goals. 

Association of Consuls in Sri Lanka President Mahen Kariyawasan said: “Hosting the FICAC in Colombo reflects growing international confidence in Sri Lanka and gives us an unparalleled opportunity to promote investment, tourism, and regional partnerships. The conference’s program, featuring business forums, networking sessions, and cultural engagements, is designed to convert diplomatic goodwill into concrete economic outcomes.”

The FICAC is currently headed by Honorary Consul of the Philippines in Thessaloniki, Greece Nikolaos (Nikos) K. Margaropoulos.

“Honorary consuls are bridge-builders — they translate diplomatic intent into real partnerships on the ground,” the conference program noted. The FIACAC and national consular associations are working together to professionalise the role, expand training, and create clearer channels for private-public cooperation.

Two key ceremonial events will frame the conference. The Opening Ceremony today will serve as a significant diplomatic gathering, bringing together senior Government officials, the diplomatic corps, and international delegates, and signalling a renewed regional commitment to constructive engagement and cooperation. The Farewell Gala Dinner on 3 February will conclude the conference, offering an opportunity for informal diplomacy and cultural exchange, reinforcing the human relationships that underpin effective international cooperation.

Organisers said the conference will leave a practical legacy: a set of working groups to follow up on investment leads, a regional consular best-practice toolkit, and a calendar of bilateral missions to convert dialogue into projects. The Association of Consuls in Sri Lanka and the FICAC plan to publish a summary of outcomes and an action plan for 2026 by the end of February. 

Kariyawasan said delegates from the private sector and diplomatic corps are holding sector-specific roundtables aimed at accelerating foreign direct investment and bilateral trade links with South Asia and beyond. These discussions are expected to generate targeted follow-ups in tourism, hospitality, logistics, and high-value services. 

Showcasing Sri Lanka’s cultural and natural attractions to consular networks and international delegations is part of the event’s strategic thrust to revive high-value tourism arrivals and diversify source markets. 

“Honorary consuls — the volunteer corps that often sit at the intersection of diplomacy, commerce, and culture — were a central theme of the conference,” Kariyawasan added.

Participants highlighted how honorary consuls help: open local business networks for foreign investors, promote cultural and tourism exchanges that support local livelihoods, and provide critical citizen services and local intelligence that improve crisis response and consular outreach.