Chandrika Kumaratunga served as the 5th President of Sri Lanka 12 November 1994 to 19 November 2005. This article documents all international presidential trips made by Kumaratunga during her term in office.
Summary of international trips
editAccording to this list, Kumaratunga made 45 foreign trips to 25 countries during her term in office.
| No. of visits | Country |
|---|---|
| 8 |  India,  United Kingdom |
| 6 |  United States |
| 4 |  France |
| 2 |  Bangladesh,  China,  Malaysia,  Nepal,  Pakistan |
| 1 |  Belgium,  Denmark,  Egypt,  Germany,  Iran,  Italy,  Jamaica,  Japan,  Maldives,  Netherlands,  Portugal,  Singapore,  South Africa,  South Korea,  Switzerland,  Thailand |
1994
editPresident Kumaratunga made no international trips in 1994.
1995
editPresident Kumaratunga made 4 trips to 4 countries in the year 1995.
| No. | Country | Areas visited | Date(s) | Purpose(s) | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | India | March 1995 | State visit | [1] | ||
| 2 | Denmark | 6–12 March 1995 | World Summit for Social Development | [3][4][5] | ||
| United Kingdom | March 1995 | State visit | [4] | |||
| 3 | India | 2–4 May 1995 | 8th SAARC Summit | [6] | ||
| 4 |  United States | 19 September–3 October 1995 | United Nations General Assembly | [7] |
1996
editPresident Kumaratunga made 5 trips to 5 countries in the year 1996.
| No. | Country | Areas visited | Date(s) | Purpose(s) | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | China | 21–27 April 1996 | State visit | Invited by Chinese President Jiang Zemin. Signed two agreements to enhance economic cooperation. | [8] | |
| 6 | Japan | May 1996 | State visit | [9][10] | ||
| 7 | Egypt | 13–26 July 1996 | State visit | [11] | ||
| 8 | France | 1996 | State visit | [8] | ||
| 9 | South Korea | 11–13 August 1996 | State visit | [12][13][14][15] |
1997
editPresident Kumaratunga made 3 trips to 3 countries in the year 1997.
| No. | Country | Areas visited | Date(s) | Purpose(s) | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | Maldives | 12–14 May 1997 | 9th SAARC summit | [16][17] | ||
| 11 |  Malaysia | 15–25 September 1997 | State visit | First official visit in 30 years. Met with Prime minister Mahathir Mohamad. | [18][19][20] | |
| 12 | United Kingdom | 22–27 October 1997 | 1997 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting and Commonwealth Business Forum | Met with Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. | [21][22] |
1998
editPresident Kumaratunga made 4 trips to 4 countries in the year 1998.
| No. | Country | Areas visited | Date(s) | Purpose(s) | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13 | Switzerland | April 1998 | Health Developing Asia Seminar | [23][24] | ||
| 14 | South Africa | 2–3 September 1998 | 12th Summit of the Non-Aligned Movement | Met with President Nelson Mandela. | [25][26] | |
| 15 | United States | 9–13 September 1998 | United Nations General Assembly | [27] | ||
| 16 | India | 27–30 December 1998 | State visit | Met with President K. R. Narayanan and Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. | [28] |
1999
editPresident Kumaratunga made 3 trips to 4 countries in the year 1999.
| No. | Country | Areas visited | Date(s) | Purpose(s) | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17 | Jamaica | 10–12 February 1999 | 9th G-15 summit | [29] | ||
| 18 | Portugal | – July 1999 | Private visit | [30] | ||
| United Kingdom | –7 July 1999 | Private visit | [30] | |||
| 19 | Nepal | 6–9 July 1999 | State visit | [31][32][30] |
2000
editPresident Kumaratunga made 3 trips to 3 countries in the year 2000.
| No. | Country | Areas visited | Date(s) | Purpose(s) | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 | United Kingdom | – December 2000 | Private visit | Travelled to receive medical treatment for her right eye, which had been injured following an assassination attempt. | [33] | |
| 21 | United States | – April 2000 | United Nations General Assembly | Travelled to receive medical treatment for her eye. | [33] | |
| 22 | United Kingdom | – December 2000 | Private visit | Travelled to receive medical treatment for her eye. | [34] | |
| France | – December 2000 | State visit | Met with President Jacques Chirac. | [35] |
2001
editPresident Kumaratunga made 3 trips to 6 countries in the year 2001.
| No. | Country | Areas visited | Date(s) | Purpose(s) | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 23 | India | 22–25 February 2001 | State visit | Met with the President, Prime Minister and Minister of External Affairs. | [36][37] | |
| 24 | Germany | 12–16 March 2001 | State visit | State visit to Germany on the invatiation of President Johannes Rau aimed at strengthening bilateral ties. Accompanied by Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar. Had high-level meetings with Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder and visited Bavaria. | [38][39][40][41][42] | |
| Netherlands | 16–19 March 2001 | State visit | [8][43][44] | |||
| Belgium | March 2001 | State visit | [8][42] | |||
| United Kingdom | March 2001 | State visit | [8][42] | |||
| France | 28–30 March 2001 | State visit | Met with French President Jacques Chirac and Prime Minister Lionel Jospin. | [8][42] | ||
| 25 | United Kingdom | November 2001 | State visit | Addressed the Oxford Union. | [45] |
2002
editPresident Kumaratunga made 4 trips to 4 countries in the year 2002.
| No. | Country | Areas visited | Date(s) | Purpose(s) | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 26 | Nepal | 4–6 January 2002 | 11th SAARC Summit | [46][47] | ||
| 27 | India | 22–26 April 2002 | State visit | [48] | ||
| 28 | United States | 8–10 May 2002 | 27th Special Session of the General Assembly: Children | [49][50] | ||
| 29 | Italy | June 2002 | World Food Summit | [51] |
2003
editPresident Kumaratunga made 4 trips to 4 countries in the year 2003.
| No. | Country | Areas visited | Date(s) | Purpose(s) | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30 | Malaysia | 20–25 February 2003 | 13th Summit of the Non-Aligned Movement | [52] | ||
| 31 | India | 7–10 April 2003 | State visit | To deliver the first Madhao Rao Scindia Memorial Lecture. Me with the President, Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister, External Affairs Minister, Minister of Finance and Company Affairs, Leader of the Opposition, and the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. | [53][54] | |
| 32 | Bangladesh | 19–20 April 2003 | State visit | Met with President Iajuddin Ahmed and Prime minister Khaleda Zia. | [55][56] | |
| 33 | Singapore | 12–14 October 2003 | State visit | Met with President S. R. Nathan and Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong and Senior Minister Lee Kuan Yew. Addressed a plenary session at the East Asia Economic Summit 2003. | [57][58] |
2004
editPresident Kumaratunga made 5 trips to 5 countries in the year 2004.
| No. | Country | Areas visited | Date(s) | Purpose(s) | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 34 | Pakistan | 4–6 January 2004 | 12th SAARC Summit | [59][60] | ||
| 35 | Thailand | 30–31 July 2004 | 1st BIMSTEC Summit | [61] | ||
| 36 | United States | 15–21 September 2004 | United Nations General Assembly | [62] | ||
| 37 | Iran | 3–7 November 2004 | State visit | First state visit by a Sri Lankan Head of State to Iran. Met with Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and President Mohammad Khatami. | [63][64][65][66] | |
| 38 | India | 24–28 November 2004 | State visit | [67] |
2005
editPresident Kumaratunga made 7 trips to 7 countries in the year 2005.
| No. | Country | Areas visited | Date(s) | Purpose(s) | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 39 | Pakistan | 7–10 February 2005 | 12th SAARC Summit | Met with Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz to sign the Free Trade Agreement between the two countries. | [68][69][70] | |
| 40 | United Kingdom | 9–? April 2005 | Private visit | Went to spend the New Year holidays with her children, who reside in London. | [71] | |
| 41 | India | 2–4 June 2005 | State visit | [72] | ||
| 42 | China | 30 August–2 September 2005 | State visit | Visited China on the invitation of Chinese President Hu Jintao. Signed eight agreements on cooperation in cultural, economic, financial and tourism sectors. | [8] | |
| 43 | United States | 14–17 September 2005 | United Nations General Assembly | [73][74] | ||
| 44 | France | 3–7 October 2005 | 33rd Session of the General Conference of UNESCO | Met with President Jacques Chirac. | [75][76] | |
| 45 | Bangladesh | 12–13 November 2005 | 13th SAARC Summit | [77][78] |
References
edit- ↑ Sivarajah, A. "The Indira Doctrine The Gujral Doctrine" (PDF). University of Wisconsin–Madison. Retrieved 23 February 2026.
- "Maximizing SAARC's role in developing meaningful, practical and structured regional co-operation – President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga". President CBK. 12 March 1995. Retrieved 23 February 2026.
- ↑ "Sri Lanka- Bilateral Relations with Nordic Countries". Embassy of Sri Lanka, Stockholm. Retrieved 23 February 2026.
- 1 2 "Sri Lankan president to visit Europe - UPI Archives". UPI. Retrieved 23 February 2026.
- ↑ "Poverty alleviation, employment generation and social integration are critical issues demand global attention – President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga". President CBK. 12 March 1995. Retrieved 23 February 2026.
- ↑ "Eighth SAARC Summit" (PDF). Secretary General of SAARC. SAARC. Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 November 2011. Retrieved 16 October 2010.
- ↑ "Address at the United Nations 50th Anniversary- Oct. 22, 1995". Archives of Women's Political Communication. Retrieved 24 February 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Backgrounder: Major events about China-Sri Lanka relations - People's Daily Online". en.people.cn. Retrieved 23 February 2026.
- ↑ "スリランカ基礎データ". Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan (in Japanese). Retrieved 19 February 2026.
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- ↑ "Kumaratunga in S. Korea to drum up aid and investment". NLB. Retrieved 24 February 2026.
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- ↑ "Ninth SAARC Summit" (PDF). SAARC Secretariat. Retrieved 16 October 2010. [dead link]
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- ↑ "Improving Health at Low Cost: Lessons and Challenges from Sri Lanka – President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga". President CBK. 28 April 1998. Retrieved 24 February 2026.
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- ↑ Samarakoon, Athulasiri (24 July 2025). "CBK Turns 80: A Reflection On Leadership During Turbulent Times". Colombo Telegraph. Retrieved 23 February 2026.
- ↑ "Global Cooperation and Economic Development – President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga". President CBK. 21 September 1998. Retrieved 23 February 2026.
- ↑ "News Headings". www.tribuneindia.com. Retrieved 24 February 2026.
- ↑ ""We hope that a multi-polar world would become a reality" – President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga". President CBK. 12 February 1999. Retrieved 23 February 2026.
- 1 2 3 David, Anthony. "CBK offers hand of peace to Ranil". www.sundaytimes.lk. Retrieved 24 February 2026.
- ↑ "BBC News | South Asia | Tamils held in Nepal". news.bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 24 February 2026.
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- 1 2 "Sri Lanka president to have eye treatment - UPI Archives". UPI. Retrieved 24 February 2026.
- ↑ "Kumaratunga denies using state funds for UK visit". The Times of India. 13 December 2000. Retrieved 24 February 2026.
- ↑ "Sri Lankan president to meet Chirac - UPI Archives". UPI. Retrieved 24 February 2026.
- ↑ "The President of Sri Lanka. H.E. Mrs. Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga, is visiting India from February 22-25, 2001". Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India. Retrieved 24 February 2026.
- ↑ "Visit of President. Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga, 22-25 February 2001". www.slhcindia.org. Retrieved 24 February 2026.
- ↑ "German-Sri Lanka Relations – President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga". President CBK. 13 March 2001. Retrieved 24 February 2026.
- ↑ "Bavaria-Sri Lanka Relations – President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga". President CBK. 15 March 2001. Retrieved 24 February 2026.
- ↑ Atugoda, Satharathilaka Banda. "Germany-Lanka relations in retrospect | The Sunday Times Sri Lanka". The Sunday Times Sri Lanka. Retrieved 24 February 2026.
- ↑ Atugoda, Satharathilaka Banda. "LankaWeb – Buddhism – Sri Lanka's greatest gift to Germany". Lankaweb. Retrieved 24 February 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 "Sri Lankan president heads to France". BBC. 27 March 2001. Retrieved 24 February 2026.
- ↑ "Sri Lankan president heads to France". BBC. 27 March 2001. Retrieved 24 February 2026. Cite error: Unknown parameter "name"bbc"" in
<ref>tag; supported parameters are dir, follow, group, name (see the help page). - ↑ Zaken, Ministerie van Algemene (19 March 2001). "Adress by Her Majesty the Queen at the dinner on the occasion of the official visit of the President of the Democratic Socialistic Republic of Sri Lanka, mrs. Kumaratunga, to the Netherlands, March 19th, 2001. - Toespraak - Het Koninklijk Huis". www.koninklijkhuis.nl (in Dutch). Retrieved 24 February 2026.
- ↑ "Democracy vs. Terrorism – President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga". President CBK. 21 November 2001. Retrieved 24 February 2026.
- ↑ "Eleventh SAARC Summit" (PDF). Secretary General of SAARC. SAARC. Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 November 2011. Retrieved 16 October 2010.
- ↑ "Developments in the SAARC Process: Gains and Lapses – President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga". President CBK. 5 January 2002. Retrieved 24 February 2026.
- ↑ "IQ_196_18072002_U209_p122_" (PDF). Rashtrapati Bhavan. Retrieved 23 February 2026.
- ↑ "Document Viewer". docs.un.org. Retrieved 24 February 2026.
- ↑ "The Status of Children in Sri Lanka – President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga". President CBK. 8 May 2002. Retrieved 24 February 2026.
- ↑ "Recommitted political will necessary to coordinate and tackle poverty and food security – President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga". President CBK. 10 June 2002. Retrieved 24 February 2026.
- ↑ "A New Vision for NAM – President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga". President CBK. 24 February 2003. Retrieved 24 February 2026.
- ↑ "MEA | Statements : Press Releases". Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India. Retrieved 23 February 2026.
- ↑ "165_Annual-Report-2003-2004" (PDF). Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India. Retrieved 23 February 2026.
- ↑ "A new chapter in Colombo-Dhaka relations | The Daily Star". www.thedailystar.net. Retrieved 24 February 2026.
- ↑ "Bangladesh-Sri Lanka Relations – President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga". President CBK. 19 April 2003. Retrieved 24 February 2026.
- ↑ "MFA Press Statement - Visit of President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga of Sri Lanka". Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Retrieved 24 February 2026.
- ↑ "Vision for Sustainable Economic Growth – President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga". President CBK. 12 October 2003. Retrieved 24 February 2026.
- ↑ "Twelfth SAARC Summit" (PDF). Secretary General of SAARC. SAARC. Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 November 2011. Retrieved 16 October 2010.
- ↑ "Successes and Challenges Ahead for SAARC – President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga". President CBK. 4 January 2004. Retrieved 24 February 2026.
- ↑ "Building trans-regional co-operation enhances progress and prosperity across individual economies – President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga". President CBK. 30 July 2004. Retrieved 24 February 2026.
- ↑ "Action against Hunger and Poverty – President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga". President CBK. 15 September 2004. Retrieved 24 February 2026.
- ↑ Jayatilleke, Chandani. "President Kumaratunga opens new era in Iran - Sri Lanka ties". Daily News. Retrieved 24 February 2026.
- ↑ "BBCSinhala.com". www.bbc.com. Retrieved 24 February 2026.
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- ↑ "KUNA : Sri Lankan president arrives for official visit to Iran - Politics - 24/11/2004". www.kuna.net.kw. Retrieved 24 February 2026.
- ↑ "166_annual-report-2004-2005" (PDF). Ministry of External Affairs. Ministry of External Affairs, New Delhi. Retrieved 24 February 2026.
- ↑ "Breaking new ground in trade and commerce co-operation between Sri Lanka and Pakistan – President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga". President CBK. 8 February 2005. Retrieved 24 February 2026.
- ↑ "Redefining Sri Lanka - Pakistan Ties an Indian Perspective". www.vifindia.org. Retrieved 24 February 2026.
- ↑ "Pak-Sri Lanka FTA to bring two SAARC nations closer". www.isds.bilaterals.org. Retrieved 24 February 2026.
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- ↑ "President of Sri Lanka Addresses 2005 World Summit". United Nations. Retrieved 24 February 2026.
- ↑ "The Role of a Leader in a Developing Country – President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga". President CBK. 15 September 2005. Retrieved 24 February 2026.
- ↑ ""Education engenders dialogue and understanding between different viewpoints" – President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga". President CBK. 3 October 2005. Retrieved 24 February 2026.
- ↑ "President Jacques Chirac meets with his Sri Lanka's counterpart Chandrika Kumaratunga, Paris, France - 07 Oct 2005". Shutterstock. Retrieved 24 February 2026.
- ↑ "Thirteenth SAARC Summit" (PDF). Secretary General of SAARC. SAARC. Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 November 2011. Retrieved 16 October 2010.
- ↑ "SAARC should lay foundation towards South Asian economic integration – President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga". President CBK. 12 November 2005. Retrieved 24 February 2026.