During the period 22-28 December 2024, the High Commissioner of Malta to Sri Lanka, H.E. Reuben Gauci, travelled from New Delhi, India to Sri Lanka to inaugurate a new Honorary Consulate of Malta in Colombo, Sri Lanka with the new Honorary Consul being Sri Lankan National Mr Shano Sabar. The establishment of the Honorary Consulate aims to bolster bilateral relations, encourage collaboration in trade and tourism, and promote cultural exchange between the two countries. Mr Shano Sabar is a prominent figure in Sri Lanka’s shipping, maritime, logistics and aviation sectors.

The official inauguration ceremony was held at the Kingsbury Hotel, Colombo, on Boxing Day 26 December 2024 with Sri Lanka’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Hon. Arun Hemachandra serving as the Chief Guest.

During his visit, High Commissioner H.E. Reuben Gauci . had a bilateral meeting with Sri Lanka’s newly appointed Minister for Foreign Affairs and Tourism, Hon. Vijitha Herath and paid a courtesy call on the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, Hon. Dr. Harini Amarasuriya , reaffirming both nations’ commitment to deepening diplomatic ties as they approach the 25th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2025.

H.E. Reuben Gauci also attended Midnight Mass on Christmas eve at St. Anthony’s Shrine, Kochchikade, Colombo, alongside Hon. Consul Mr. Shano Sabar and Mr. Michael Jayawardana and laid a bouquet of flowers at the memorial for the victims of the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks, reflecting Malta’s solidarity with Sri Lanka.

Other engagements of High Commissioner Gauci included a meeting with Mr. Upali Rathnayake, Deputy Director General of the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority, and a meeting with Mr. Mangala Wijesinghe, Chairman of Exports Development Board along with a visit to Colombo’s Port City. The High Commission of Malta in New Delhi, India also salutes the memory of Mr Lalin Fernando, the former Honorary Consul of Malta in Colombo, Sri Lanka who passed away in 2022.