Isabelle Martin, High Commissioner for Canada in Sri Lanka and Maldives

Message

Ayubowan, vanakam, assalamu alaikum, bonjour, greetings.

Welcome to the website of the High Commission of Canada in Sri Lanka, which also serves as the High Commission of Canada in Maldives. On this site, you can find out more about Canada’s relations with these two beautiful countries, as well as information about services available to Canadians, and to Sri Lankans and Maldivians interested in doing business with or travelling to Canada.

The longstanding relationships that Canada has with both Sri Lanka and Maldives are grounded in our historical linkages as well as a shared belief in democratic principles. Moreover, hundreds of thousands of Canadians of Sri Lankan descent have made Canada their home, while a rapidly growing number of young people from both Sri Lanka and Maldives are studying in Canada. For those interested in studying in, visiting, or immigrating to Canada, I would encourage you to consult the visa and immigration section on the website for comprehensive information.

Canada remains focused on working with our regional partners to help address issues of mutual interest and concern. We are pursuing trade and investment diversification along with economic sovereignty and stability. I look forward to working with our Sri Lankan and Maldivian friends, in collaboration with like-minded partners in the international community, to advance solutions, both bilaterally and in multilateral forums.

As a Pacific nation, Canada recognizes that we have a role to play in shaping the future of the Indo-Pacific region. Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy guides Canada’s deepening engagement with allies and partners in the region over the next decade. This includes a commitment to promote peace, resilience and security in the region. In this context, Canada stands ready to support Sri Lanka’s efforts toward the achievement of meaningful and lasting national reconciliation.

We remain committed to our longstanding development cooperation and inclusive economic growth partnership with Sri Lanka, reflecting gender equality and civic engagement. In Maldives, we look forward to strengthening our partnership on shared priorities such as climate action and press freedom.

In both Sri Lanka and Maldives, we are seeking to further develop our commercial relationships, in which we see clear potential for growth in bilateral trade and investment. Our trade team at the High Commission is at the disposal of Canadian companies seeking to conduct business in Sri Lanka and Maldives, as well as Sri Lankan and Maldivian companies seeking to invest in Canada.

For Canadians living in or visiting Sri Lanka or Maldives, I recommend you sign up with the Registration of Canadians Abroad program. This will allow us to find you in case of emergency. We can also provide you with important information about elections, new travel advisories and other developments. See the Government of Canada’s travel website for further details.‎

Feel free to follow the High Commission on LinkedIn, X (Twitter) or on Facebook.

Isabelle Martin
High Commissioner

Biography

Isabelle Martin is a career diplomat who joined the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade in 1996.

At headquarters, she was director of Diplomatic Corps Services and deputy chief of Protocol from 2010 to 2013, and special adviser on national security issues at Global Affairs Canada until 2018. From 2008 to 2010, she was on assignment at the Privy Council Office.

Overseas, she served in several positions from 1998 to 2008, including in Cairo, Abu Dhabi (cross-accredited to Oman, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Qatar) and London. From 2018 to 2022, she was the Political Program Manager and Deputy High Commissioner in Canberra (cross-accredited to Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Nauru, Marshall Islands, Palau, and Micronesia). Most recently, she was ambassador to Qatar.

In July of 2025, she was appointed Canada’s High Commissioner in the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka.

She holds a Bachelors degree in Political Science from Laval University and a Masters Degree in International Relations from Québec’s Graduate School of International Studies. She is married with two children.