Relations between Palestine and Sri Lanka started in 1975 when the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) opened up an embassy in Colombo.After the Palestinian Declaration of Independence on 15 November 1988,the Republic of Sri Lanka and the Republic of Maldives were among few of the first countries in the world to recognize the State of Palestine.[1][2] Left wing government led by Sirimavo Bandaranaike during the 1970s closed down the Israel embassy in support of the Palestinian cause.[3] However, after the right wing government led by J.R. Jayewardene came to power Sri Lanka re-established ties with Israel.