Sri Lanka’s Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs, Hon. Ananda Wijepala, represented the country at the First BIMSTEC Home Ministers’ Meeting held in New Delhi on 13 October 2026, reaffirming Sri Lanka’s commitment to regional cooperation in addressing shared security challenges.
Hosted by the Government of India under the chairmanship of Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah, the meeting brought together representatives from Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand. The meeting adopted the Delhi Declaration, outlining a framework for enhanced regional cooperation in security and law enforcement.
Addressing the gathering, Minister Wijepala emphasised that security is fundamental to sustainable economic and social development. He highlighted Sri Lanka’s efforts to strengthen institutions, improve coordination among law enforcement agencies and address crime through prevention, enforcement and rehabilitation. He also stressed the importance of community participation and protecting children and young people from drugs, violence and exploitation.
On illicit drugs, the Minister highlighted the cross-border nature of trafficking and its links to organised crime and international networks. Referring to Sri Lanka’s national drug prevention programme, Ratama Ekata, he called for an integrated approach combining enforcement, prevention, rehabilitation and community engagement.
Minister Wijepala emphasised the need for timely information-sharing and stronger cooperation among BIMSTEC Member States to combat cybercrime, financial crime, human trafficking, migrant smuggling and maritime crime.
The Delhi Declaration called for enhanced cooperation against terrorism, drug trafficking, money laundering, cybercrime and transnational organised crime. It also emphasised legal cooperation, specialised training and capacity-building.
Preceded by a senior officials’ meeting on 12 October, the ministerial gathering reinforced BIMSTEC’s role in promoting regional security, stability and prosperity across the Bay of Bengal region.