The announcement was made Vijitha Herath, Minister of Foreign Affairs at the interaction with the Colombo-based Diplomatic Corps at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs earlier today.

Sri Lanka has decided to apply for the membership of the BRICS and the New Development Bank.Vijitha Herath, Minister of Foreign Affairs said that both he and the President are unable to attend the Outreach BRICS Summit to be held in Kazan, Russian Federation from 23-24 October 2024, due to the upcoming elections.

Secretary of Foreign Affairs will represent Sri Lanka and place on record Sri Lanka's request for membership. The Foriegn Minister said he already addressed letters to my counterparts in the BRICS member states seeking support.

He said that Sri Lanka considers BRICS to be an effective partnership to realize aspiration for mutually beneficial cooperation, peace and development, through strengthened and inclusive multilateralism within the framework of the UN Charter.