The outgoing Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Ethiopia, Theshantha Kumarasiri, has confirmed ongoing discussions with Ethiopian Airlines to initiate direct flights between Addis Ababa and Colombo.

According to an Ethiopian media report dated January 14, the country’s president, Taye Atske Selassie, conducted a farewell meeting with Ambassador Kumarasiri upon the conclusion of his diplomatic service.

During this meeting, the ambassador emphasized the robust bilateral relations between Sri Lanka and Ethiopia, which have been expanding in critical sectors such as energy, agriculture, and tourism. He pointed out numerous opportunities to further enhance these ties, highlighting the ongoing negotiations with Ethiopian Airlines for direct flights to Colombo.

Kumarasiri remarked that the establishment of direct flights between Addis Ababa and Colombo would open significant avenues to deepen bilateral relations and boost areas such as trade, air cargo services, tourism, and collaboration in energy.

Currently, Ethiopian Airlines operates flights to eight destinations in South Asia, including Dhaka, Bangladesh; Karachi, Pakistan; and several cities in India, namely Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai, and Ahmedabad. The proposed direct flights to Colombo would make it the airline’s ninth destination in the region.