Regarding the LTTE separatism in Sri Lanka, Indonesia has expressed their support on Sri Lankan territorial integrity and national unity. Indonesia also supports the national reconciliation process in Sri Lanka towards peace and stability.[3]
History
The relationship between the two nations began earlier in 5th century CE, marked by the coming of Hinduism and Buddhism influences from the Indian subcontinent and Sri Lanka to the Nusantara archipelago.[4] The Hindu-Buddhist kingdoms of ancient Indonesia and Sri Lanka nurtured contacts in the 9th to 12th century CE, during the era of the Srivijaya Empire, and Sri Lanka was called Sailan or Sailun which European colonials spelled Ceylon. Some old Indonesian accounts also wrote Sarandib, which influenced by Arab and Persian travellers. During this time, Buddhism was the principal religion of both nations. According to the Sri Lankan Ambassador to Indonesia, an Indonesian king visited Sri Lanka and presented a baby elephant as a gift.[5]
The interactions between them grew in the 17th and 18th centuries, as both nations fell under the control of the Dutch East India Company (VOC). Sri Lanka was part of the VOC during Dutch period in Ceylon from 1656 to 1796. In the 17th-century, Indonesia was under the control of the Dutch East India Company as well as housing the headquarters for the VOC. It later became a Dutch colony in the Dutch East Indies until World War II. During the 18th century, multiple of kings, princes, and warriors from JavaneseMataram, Madura and Sulawesi, who opposed were opposed to Dutch rule of the Indonesian archipelago were exiled to Sri Lanka. The descendants of Indonesian exiles have created the Indonesian—Malay community in Sri Lanka that can trace their ancestry to Java, Madura and Sulawesi. For example, a warrior who fought for Kandy Kingdom named Karaeng Sangunglo was a Makassar nobleman.[2]
Indonesia and Sri Lanka officially established diplomatic relations on 2 August 1952. The relations grow further in 1955, when Indonesia and Sri Lanka, together with India, Pakistan and Burma initiated the Bandung Conference.[4] Since 1962, the status of the Indonesian Consulate office in Colombo has been upgraded as an embassy. The office has also served as the Indonesian representative office for the Maldives as of 2 September 1975. [citation needed]
Economy and trade
The Sri Lanka-Indonesia Business Council was established on August 30, 1991, with the main objective of promoting bilateral trade, investment, and tourism.[5]
In April 2013, Indonesia and Sri Lanka commemorated the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations in Merdeka Building, Bandung, to commemorate the Asian–African Conference, the historic event that brought two nations closer together. This event is also marked with cultural collaboration of the traditional puppet performance; Indonesian wayang golek with Sri Lankan ruukada.[2]
Since independence, Indonesian foreign relations have adhered to a "free and active" foreign policy, seeking to play a role in regional affairs commensurate with its size and location but avoiding involvement in conflicts among major powers. During the presidency of Sukarno, Indonesia's foreign relations were marked by engagement with other newly independent nations in Asia and Africa, as exemplified by the Bandung Conference, the subsequent foundation of the Non-Aligned Movement and a confrontational attitude towards Western powers, justified by a belief in the CONEFO and opposition to what Sukarno termed as NEKOLIM.
The Maldives has remained an independent nation throughout its recorded history, save for a brief spell of Portuguese occupation in the mid-16th century. From 1900 to 1965, the country was a British protectorate while retaining full internal sovereignty. At its independence in 1965, the Maldives joined the United Nations on 20 September.
Foreign relations of Sri Lanka refers to the diplomatic and commercial relations between Sri Lanka and other countries. Sri Lanka has stressed its principle of "friendship towards all, enmity towards none" in its diplomacy.
Maldives–Sri Lanka relations, or official and economic relations between the neighbouring Indian Ocean countries of the Maldives and Sri Lanka, have been positive since the Maldives became independent in 1965. The Maldives first established a mission in Sri Lanka in July 1965, and today has a High Commission in Colombo. Sri Lanka has a High Commission in Malé. Both countries were founding members of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) in December 1985.
Dutch colonial architecture refers to the various style of Dutch architecture built across the Dutch Empire. Though most of the buildings were designed by Dutch architects and dictated by Western architectural styles, even the most ardent style-purists among architects could not escape the forces of context and culture. Dutch colonial architecture often is a result of climatological adaptations or the use of local building materials - and more importantly, the rich and diverse cultural contexts. In this hybridity lies the quality of these buildings. Architecture shows that the strict racial taxonomy of a colonial system could not be maintained.
France and Indonesia established diplomatic relations in 1951. The indirect relationship between France and Indonesia commenced during the early 19th century colonial Dutch East Indies. Since 2011 France and Indonesia have formed a strategic partnership.
The Philippines–Sri Lanka relations refers to the bilateral relationship between the Republic of the Philippines and the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka
Indonesia–New Zealand relations are foreign bilateral relations between Indonesia and New Zealand. Having common interests as democracies and neighbours in the Asia Pacific region, New Zealand and Indonesia are viewed as natural partners. Both countries are members of APEC. Indonesia and New Zealand officially established diplomatic relations in 28 June 1958. New Zealand has an embassy in Jakarta, and Indonesia has an embassy in Wellington.
Indonesia and Kenya established diplomatic relations on 15 October 1979. Indonesia has an embassy in Nairobi, also accredited to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Somalia, and Uganda, and in 2022 Kenya established its embassy in Jakarta. Both nations are partners in multilateral organizations, such as the World Trade Organization (WTO) and Non-Aligned Movement.
Indonesia and Spain established diplomatic relations in 1958. Spain identifies Indonesia as their natural ally and has named Indonesia as one of their priority nations in their foreign relations with the Asia-Pacific region. Indonesia has an embassy in Madrid, while Spain has an embassy in Jakarta and a consulate in Seminyak, Bali. Today, the cooperation has expanded to various fields, including trade, culture, education, and defense technology.
Indonesia and Switzerland established diplomatic relations in 1952. In 2010, the heads of state of the two countries agreed to launch negotiations on a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). Switzerland has named Indonesia as one of seven priority countries for economic development cooperation. Indonesia has an embassy in Bern, while Switzerland has an embassy in Jakarta, also accredited for East Timor and ASEAN.
South Africa – Sri Lanka relations refers to the current and historical relations between South Africa and Sri Lanka. The Government of South Africa established its resident diplomatic mission in Colombo in September 2007. HE Sirisena Amarasekara is the current Sri Lankan High Commissioner to South Africa while HE Ms RP Marks is the current South African High Commissioner to Sri Lanka. Both countries are members of the Commonwealth of Nations.
Germany and Indonesia established diplomatic relations in 1952. However, relations between the people of Germany and Indonesia has stretched back to 19th-century when a large number of German nationals migrated to Dutch East Indies.
The Czech Republic and the Republic of Indonesia established diplomatic relations in 1950. Both nations have agreed to forge ties to deepen relations, especially in the business and trade sector. Indonesia has an embassy in Prague, while the Czech Republic has an embassy in Jakarta that is also accredited to Brunei, Timor Leste and ASEAN.
Ethiopia and Indonesia established diplomatic relations on 20 June 1961, followed by the opening of an Indonesian embassy in Addis Ababa in 1964, also accredited to Djibouti. Ethiopia established an embassy in Jakarta in the second half of 2016. Arega Hailu Teffera, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia to Indonesia presented his credentials to President Joko Widodo on 23 February 2017. The Embassy of Ethiopia in Jakarta is accredited to ASEAN HQ, Malaysia, Singapore, Cambodia, the Maldives and Pakistan. Both nations are members of the Non-Aligned Movement and the Group of 77.
Indonesia–Sudan relations was officially established in 1960. In February 2012, during a visit of Sudanese Foreign Minister Ali Karti to Jakarta, Indonesia and Sudan has agreed to foster bilateral relations in politics, science, education and economic sectors. Indonesia has an embassy in Khartoum, while Sudan has an embassy in Jakarta. Both countries have Muslim-majority populations and both are members of Organisation of Islamic Cooperation.
Sri Lanka–Spain relations are the bilateral and diplomatic relations between these two countries. Sri Lanka does not have an embassy in Spain, but has a plenipotent ambassador for affairs with Spain in Paris, France, but it has consulate s in Barcelona and Madrid. Spain has an embassy in Colombo
Cyprus–Indonesia relations refer to foreign relations between the Republic of Cyprus and the Republic of Indonesia since 1987. Both nations are members of the World Trade Organization and the United Nations.
The High Commission of the Maldives in Sri Lanka is an overseas embassy of the Maldives located in Colombo, the former capital and largest city in Sri Lanka.
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