LKI Hosts the Eighth Meeting of BIMSTEC Network of Policy Think Tanks in Colombo.

October 17, 2026    Reading Time: 1 minute

Reading Time: 1 min read

As the designated institute under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, the Lakshman Kadirgamar Institute of International Relations and Strategic Studies (LKI) hosted the Eighth Meeting of BIMSTEC Network of Policy Think Tanks (BNPTT) in Colombo, bringing together delegates and experts from the seven BIMSTEC member countries, Bhutan, Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand to explore policy approaches to strengthen regional cooperation.

The two-day meeting focused on key areas of regional collaboration, including science, technology and innovation; health; human resource development; climate change; and disaster resilience. The discussions provided a valuable platform for exchanging knowledge, sharing perspectives, and identifying practical approaches to addressing common challenges across the BIMSTEC region.

Hon. Arun Hemachandra, Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, delivered the Keynote Address, highlighting the significance of the Eighth BNPTT Meeting. Mr. Thushara Rodrigo, Acting Executive Director of LKI, delivered the welcome address.

The meeting was chaired by Ms. Madhuka Rukmalgama, Senior Research Fellow at LKI, who served as the head of the Sri Lankan delegation and LKI’s BNPTT contact person. Ms. Nillasi Liyanage, Senior Research Fellow at LKI, served as the Master of Ceremonies and participated as a Sri Lankan delegate.

The Sri Lankan delegation also included Dr. Chandra Embuldeniya (NHRDC), Dr. Nisha Arunatilake (IPS), Mr. Seyed Shahmy (NASTEC), Ms. Piyumani Ranasinghe and Ms. Sinthuja Sritharan (LKI), and Ms. Prabashvi Kahathuduwa (MOFA).

In addition, Ms. Yalindee Premaratne, Mr. Dinuth Wijewardene, Ms. Thejani Somarathne, Ms. Hansani Dharmasooriya, and Ms. Dinara Ellepola, research and operations Interns at LKI, attended the meeting.

The meeting reinforced the importance of regional partnership and collective action in addressing shared challenges. The discussions underscored the value of strengthening cooperation among BIMSTEC member states to develop practical solutions that advance sustainable and inclusive development across the region.