Norway is set to permanently close down its embassy in Colombo by July 2023 according to a release issued by the diplomatic mission today. It said the close down will be in accordance with a decision taken by the government of Norway to make structural changes in its network of diplomatic missions abroad.

While it said it is seeking to strngthen several Norwegian embassies in Europe and beyond, Colombo is one of the five embassies it will close down in the process.

“As part of these reforms, it has also been decided to permanently close five Norwegian diplomatic
missions abroad, including the Norwegian Embassy in Colombo, by the end of July 2023.” the release said.

“I am sad to share the news of the planned closure of the Norwegian Embassy in Colombo,” Norwegian Ambassador Trine Jøranli Eskedal said.

“This is a result of a wider process to determine how the Norwegian Foreign Service should be set up to deal with the changing geopolitical environment and safeguard Norwegian interests and is not related to Sri Lanka in particular. We will continue to maintain our warm bilateral relations with Sri Lanka. Development assistance will also continue”, she stressed.

The embassy said once the Norwegian Embassy in Colombo is closed, consular services in Sri Lanka will be provided from another Norwegian Embassy in the region.