Manila: On Tuesday, 22 April 2025, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Cooperation between the Bandaranaike International Diplomatic Training Institute (BIDTI) of Sri Lanka and the Foreign Service Institute (FSI) of the Philippines was signed at the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) of the Philippines in Manila.

According to Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Sri Lanka, the MoU was signed by Philippine Foreign Affairs Minister and Chairperson of the FSI Board Enrique A. Manalo and Ambassador for Sri Lanka Dr. Chanaka Talpahewa on behalf of their respective institutions. The agreement aims to enhance and strengthen cooperation in diplomatic training for the benefit of both countries.

Both Secretary Manalo and Ambassador Talpahewa expressed their commitment to actively implement the MoU. They emphasized the importance of diplomatic training and the mutual benefits it would bring to Sri Lanka and the Philippines. Ambassador Talpahewa expressed gratitude towards the Foreign Minister for his involvement in the MoU, highlighting it as a testament to the friendly relations between the two nations. He also acknowledged FSI Director General Francisco Noel R. Fernandez III for his role in finalizing the MoU, which had been under discussion since 2018.

The signing ceremony was attended by several notable figures, including FSI Director General Francisco Noel R. Fernandez III, DFA Undersecretary for Administration Ma. Hellen B. De La Vega, DFA Chief Coordinator-Office of the Secretary Bernadette Fernandez, HRMO Executive Director Greg Marie C. Mari±o, Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary and Executive Director of Office of Asian and Pacific Affairs Rona Beth G. Goce, and various officials from the DFA and the Embassy.