A parliamentary delegation led by the Hon. Karu Jayasuriya, Speaker of the Parliament of Sri Lanka paid an official visit to St. Petersburg, Russia to participate in the 137th Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Assembly, held from 14-18, October 2017.
The Sri Lankan delegation also included Hon. Thalatha Atukorale, Minister of Foreign Employment and Minister of Justice, Hon. Lakshman Senewiratne, State Minister of Science, Technology and Research, Hon. Mavai S. Senathirajah, Member of Parliament, Mr. Dhammika Dasanayake, Secretary-General of Parliament, and the Chief of Protocol of the Parliament Mr. Upali Kumarasinghe. The delegation was also joined by His Excellency Dr. Saman Weerasinghe, Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Russia and Mr. Dulmith Waruna, Second Secretary of the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Russia.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Tilak Marapana attended the Seventeenth Council of Ministers’ Meeting (COM) of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) in Durban, South Africa, on 18 October 2017.
The Meeting marked the commencement of the two year period of South Africa’s leadership of IORA as its Chair for the period 2017- 2019. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) also assumed its position as the Vice Chair which will enable it to become the next Chair of IORA in 2019. The Meeting was attended by Ministers and representatives from the 21 IORA member states and seven Dialogue Partners; China, Egypt, Japan, France, Germany, the UK and the USA.
The Consular Affairs Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was awarded the Public Sector Most Outstanding ICT Achievement Award and the Gold Award in the Government and Public Sector Category at the 19th National Best Quality ICT Awards held at the Hotel Taj Samudra on 06th October 2017.
The two awards were presented to the Consular Affairs Division in recognition and appreciation of its online Electronic Document Attestation System (e-DAS) developed to provide quality services to the Citizens of Sri Lanka and in recognition and appreciation of the efforts made to introduce, nurture and develop an ICT environment in the Consular Division to improve service delivery. The e-DAS was rated as the most innovative digital platform in the public sector of Sri Lanka.
The International Maritime Conference, 'Galle Dialogue 2017,' convened by the Sri Lanka Navy under the patronage of the Ministry of Defence, was held in Colombo, on 9 and 10 October 2017 for the eighth consecutive year.
Over 100 local and foreign scholars and experts in naval and maritime affairs representing 51 countries including India, China, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States along with 12 international organizations shared their expertise at the two-day dialogue that was held under the theme, 'Greater maritime visibility for enhanced maritime security.'
The Galle Dialogue was initiated by the Navy in 2010.
Secretary of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Prasad Kariyawasam made these remarks addressing the 'Galle Dialogue 2017'
Foreign Minister Tilak Marapana who is on his first official visit to the European Union Headquarters in Brussels held discussions with the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini and European Commissioner Christos Stylianides. The Foreign Minister was accompanied by Deputy Minister of National Policies and Economic Affairs Dr. Harsha De Silva, Ambassador to the European Union Rodney Perera and senior officials.
The UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres says the UN is ready to provide every possible assistance to Sri Lanka in its efforts to build as a prosperous nation where the reconciliation is strengthened.
He further said that the UN will provide its maximum support to build as an exemplary nation in the world, where all the Sri Lankans can live with prosper and reconciliation, while closely associating with Sri Lanka and its citizens.
President Maithripala Sirisena says Sri Lanka is performing for the betterment of its people with much responsibility, in keeping with the charters of UN, as a member of United Nations. He said the government is taking the process to ensure human rights and reconciliation forward step by step. The President made these remarks during his meeting with Prince Zeid al-Hussein, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.
Address by H.E. Maithripala Sirisena President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka General Debate
of the Seventy-Second Session of the United Nations General Assembly
19 September 2017
United Nations, New York
A very good evening to all of you!
His Excellency the President of the General Assembly
Excellencies
His Excellency the Secretary General of the United Nations
Distinguished Guests
Ladies and Gentlemen
It gives me great pleasure to be able to commence my address to the 72nd Session of the General Assembly while congratulating the newly appointed President and Secretary-General of the Organisation. In fact, it gives me great pleasure to address this august Assembly for the third time as the Head of State of Sri Lanka.
The theme of this 72nd Session of the General Assembly is ‘Focusing on people: striving for peace and a decent life for all on a sustainable planet’.
Today, when we take into consideration the prevailing conditions in the world, this theme is extremely timely.
Justice and Foreign Employment Minister Thalatha Athukorala visited UAE in her capacity as the Chairperson Abu Dhabi Dialogue and met the Human Resources and Labour Minister Saqr Ghobsh.
The Minister said that he is willing to extend all support to strengthen the relationship between the two countries during the time Minister Athukorala is holding the Chairperson of Abu Dhabi Dialogue.
Minister Athukorala also had discussion with all the ADD Ambassadors who are resident in Abu Dhabi.
Source : www.news.lk
The inauguration ceremony of the ‘Colombo Defence Seminar 2017’, which is held under the theme ‘Countering Violent Extremism: Global Trends’, was held under the patronage of President Maithripala Sirisena on 28th September 2017 at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH) in Colombo .
The Sri Lanka Army launched the Defence Seminar in 2011 with the aim of initiating a dialogue regarding regional and global security issues. Colombo defence seminar 2017 held as a two day forum.
Prasad Kariyawasam, Secretary of Foreign affairs made these remarks addressing the Colombo Defence Seminar 2017.
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies & Gentlemen,
I take the floor at the very end of two days of deliberations on one of the most important subjects of our time – “Countering Violent Extremism”. The opening ceremony, as you know, was graced by the President of Sri Lanka, manifesting the importance and leadership Sri Lanka provides at the highest levels of Government, in dealing with violent extremism, not just in Sri Lanka, but worldwide, as this is not a phenomenon confined to a country, to a community, or a society; and success requires working with others, in fact with everyone, everywhere, in partnership.
Admiral William J. Fallon’s Keynote Address yesterday set the tone for our deliberations over these two days. The discussion on this important subject that commenced yesterday should not end when we bring down the curtain this evening on this Colombo Defence Seminar. The partnerships we formed, the networks we built, the dialogues that we started, the ideas that we exchanged during our time here should continue, and should be transformed into implementation in our societies, communities, and countries, in dealing with this complex phenomenon.
Hon. Tilak Marapana, Minister of Development Assignments assumed duties at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on Friday 18 August 2017.
Minister Marapana was received by the Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Prasad Kariyawasam and senior staff upon arrival at the Ministry. Following the lighting of the traditional oil lamp and holding of religious observances, the Minister officially assumed duties at the Ministry.
Foreign Minister Tilak Marapana addessed the media following his assumption of duties.
19 August 2017
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Colombo
Following his appointment by President Maithripala Sirisena on 29 July, as Secretary to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Prasad Kariyawasam assumed duties yesterday morning, Tuesday 15 August 2017.
Mr. Kariyawasam joined the Sri Lanka Foreign Service in 1981. Prior to his appointment as Secretary, he served as the Ambassador for Sri Lanka to the United States of America from July 2014 to August 2017. He has held diplomatic assignments in Geneva, Riyadh, Washington, New York and New Delhi, and has served as Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the United Nations in New York and Geneva and High Commissioner to India. He has been previously concurrently accredited as Ambassador / High Commissioner to Chile, Colombia, Trinidad and Tobago, the Bahamas, Jamaica, the Holy See, Bhutan and Afghanistan.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Colombo
16 August 2017
Courtesy :www.mfa.gov.lk
The Dengue Epidemic that has become a concern in Sri Lanka for the past few months is successfully brought under control by the measures taken by the relevant government authorities and collective effort of the general public alike, Sri Lanka Tourism confirms. Reported cases have dropped by 35-40% since mid-Julyaccording to the sources of Ministry of Health. Regular campaigns were implemented to educate, clean up areas and other preventive measures have been taking place to control the spreading of the disease under guidance and surveillance of the Ministry of Health of Sri Lanka.
The Ministry of Justice of Sri Lanka wishes to inform that pursuant to the Section 4 of the Prescription (Special Provisions) Act No. 5 of 2016, ‘disadvantaged persons’ who were unable to pursue their rights for the recovery of any immovable property, including land, during the armed conflict in Sri Lanka, are entitled to benefit from the Act within two years of its operationalization. As the Act came into effect on April 26, 2016, the said stipulated time period expires on 26 April 2018.
Therefore, any person/s is/are interested in reclaiming his/her/their property through the provisions of the Act, such claim ought to be brought before April 26, 2018.
Abu Dhabi Dialogue (ADD) chaired by Sri Lanka met in Dubai for a two day Special Workshop from 4-5 July 2017 at senior officials and experts level representing the member Governments of the ADD and including observers from civil society, the private sector, and international organizations. The main objective of the workshop was to operationalize the four (04) collaborative tracks that were approved by the ADD Ministers at the Inter-Ministerial Consultation in Colombo in January this year, namely, alternative model for labour recruitment, certification of skills and recognition, comprehensive information management and Technology in the Governance of Labour Mobility. The outcome will be shared with the ongoing UN Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration as ADD best practices in consultation with the ADD Members States.
ADD represents one of the largest regional migration corridors.
Please see the full report on the workshop proceedings.
26th July 2017
Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka
Geneva
Export of travel goods from Sri Lanka will enjoy duty free entry to the United States following a decision by the United States administration to approve the inclusion of travel goods from all GSP beneficiary countries, including Sri Lanka, in the expanded US General System of Preferences (GSP) scheme on July 1, 2017. This would enable the duty-free entry of products such as bags, wallets and backpacks in to the US market after being previously charged 6 to 20 percent of tariff.
Your Excellency Julie Bishop, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Australia,
His Excellency Bryce Hutchesson, High Commissioner of Australia,
Distinguished Delegates, Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is with great pleasure I extend a warm welcome to Hon. Julie Bishop, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Australia to Sri Lanka. The visit is significant, since it coincides with the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Sri Lanka and Australia.
The people to people links are the bedrock of the bilateral relations between Sri Lanka and Australia. The presence of over 150,000 Australians of Sri Lankan origin has provided a human bridge between the two countries.
Hon. Governors and Ministers, Your Excellencies, Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen: It gives me great pleasure, as the new Chairman of the Lakshman Kadirgamar Institute, to address this eminent gathering of policymakers, diplomats, scholars, corporate leaders, lawyers, civil society, and students, at this landmark event on Sri Lanka’s foreign policy.
It has been a little over a month since I became Foreign Minister. I am conscious that I have assumed an office and responsibilities previously held by some of our most illustrious leaders, not least by the late Hon. Lakshman Kadirgamar after whom this Institute is fittingly named, but also by Mr. A.C.S. Hameed, Mrs. Bandaranaike, and several others, each of whom left invaluable legacies for our international relations.
Secretary to the Ministry of Foreign Employment Mr. G.S. Withanage and Dr. Götz Schmidt-Bremme, Ambassador for the 2017-2018 GFMD Co-Chairmanship of Germany today (27th June), signed a Joint Declaration of Intent on principles of fair recruitment of personnel for training as geriatric nurses in the Federal Republic of Germany. The signing ceremony took place at the German Federal Foreign Ministry in Berlin, during Secretary Mr. Withange’s visit to Berlin leading the Government of Sri Lanka delegation to the 10th Meeting of the Global Forum on Migration and Development (GFMD) hosted by the Government of Germany.
United Nations Secretary-General’s office announced today (20th June) that Secretary General António Guterres has appointed Jayathma Wickramanayake of Sri Lanka as his next Envoy on Youth. She will succeed Ahmad Alhendawi of Jordan.
Ms. Wickramanayake will succeed Ahmad Alhendawi of Jordan to whom the Secretary-General is grateful for his dedicated service in addressing the needs and rights of young people, bringing the work of the United Nations closer to them
Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to the USA, Prasad Kariyawasam, who has been a member of the UN Committee on Migrant Workers since its inception in March 2004, and the first Chair of the Committee , was re-elected for the fourth time at the Election held at the UN in New York on 28 June 2017, at the 8th Meeting of State Parties to the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families.
Foreign Minister Ravi Karunanayake on his first visit overseas as Minister of Foreign Affairs, called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and held discussions with External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj yesterday, 6 June 2017. He will have discussions today with Foreign Secretary S. Jaishankar and others before returning to Colombo tonight.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Colombo
7 June 2017
The UN Day of Vesak Conference will be held in Sri Lanka with 1600 participants from 85 countries from May 12th to 14th in Colombo and Kandy.
Some 750 international participants are expected from 85 countries, according to the Conference Secretariat.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will ceremonially open the conference in Colombo and Nepali President Bidhya Devi Bandari will be the Chief Guest of the closing ceremony to be held in Kandy. President Maithreepala Sirisena, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and senior Cabinet ministers will also grace these occasions.
Addressing a two-day National Workshop held in collaboration with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) at the BMICH on 27-28 April 2017, Minister of Industry and Commerce, Rishad Bathiudeen, emphasized the urgent need to finalize a National Policy on Traditional Knowledge and Traditional Cultural Expressions.
Stakeholders from over 30 government institutions and interested groups who took part in the event, called on the Ministry of Industry and Commerce to constitute a Task Force on Traditional Knowledge and Traditional Cultural Expressions to see the process through speedily.
PRESS COMMUNIQUE: MINISTRY OF INDUSTRY & COMMERCE
Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka
Geneva
3rd May 2017
Vietnam Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc said that a new chapter was added to the friendly relations between Sri Lanka and Vietnam as a result of the official visit to Vietnam by the Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe.
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