Sri Lanka to seek assistance of BRICS countries for membership: Vijitha

• The Minister said Sri Lanka sought India’s assistance in getting the membership during India’s Foreign Minister Dr. Jaishankar’s recent visit

By Ajith Siriwardana

Stressing the importance of getting membership of the BRICS, Cabinet Spokesman Vijitha Herath said yesterday the government is planning to seek assistance of foreign ministers representing all nine member countries to obtain the membership during the upcoming BRICS summit to be held in Russia.   

He told the weekly Cabinet briefing that President Anura Kumara Dissanayake will not attend the summit despite the invitation by Russian President Vladimir Putin due to the upcoming General Election and that only officials headed by the Foreign Secretary will attend the summit.   

The Minister said Sri Lanka sought India’s assistance in getting the membership during India’s Foreign Minister Dr. Jaishankar’s recent visit.   

The previous government initiated the steps to seek BRICS membership and appointed a Cabinet Sub Committee regarding the matter.   

BRICS represent nine countries Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia and the United Arab Emirates.