During the 29th International Meeting of Mine Action National Directors and UN Advisers (29NDM) in Geneva, the National Mine Action Centre (NMAC) of Sri Lanka and the Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD) co-hosted a side event on 'Ensuring Safe and Credible Land Release: Sri Lanka’s Completion Survey Process and Lessons Learnt' on 24 April 2026.
Speaking at the side event, National Director of Mine Action of Sri Lanka, Eng. Kumudu Lal Bogahawatta, Secretary of the Ministry of Housing, Construction and Water Supply and the panelists from NMAC and GICHD shared updates on Sri Lanka's Mine Action Strategy, Completion Survey Dashboard alongside the progress and challenges of Sri Lanka's Mine Action Programme.
President Thabo Mbeki, Chairman of the Board
Distinguished Members of the Board
Representatives of the Council
Excellencies
It is a great honour to participate at the 26th Council of Representatives of the South Centre this evening. I join the other Member States to congratulate the Chairman, Members of the Board, Executive Director and the Secretariat of the South Centre for their tireless commitment to continue the work of the Centre in this challenging multilateral environment.
On 16 April 2026, the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka deposited with the International Labour Office the instrument of ratification of the Violence and Harassment Convention, 2019 (No. 190).
Sri Lanka is the 55th ILO Member States to ratify Convention No. 190.
In depositing the instrument of ratification, the Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the United Nations Office and other International Organizations in Geneva, Ambassador Sumith Dassanayake, stated: “I am pleased to announce that Sri Lanka ratified the ILO Convention C190 on the Elimination of Violence and Harassment in the World of Work, which demonstrates the Government’s commitment to respect, promote and realize the right of everyone to a world of work that free from violence and harassment, including gender-based violence and harassment. By ratifying this important Convention, we reaffirm Sri Lanka’s commitment to promote an environment of zero tolerance to violence and harassment in the world of work. Pursuant to the ratification, Sri Lanka is taking steps to introduce necessary legal provisions domestically by amending its existing labour laws for the implementation of this Convention.”
In receiving the instrument of ratification, Mr. Gilbert F. Houngbo, Director General of the ILO stated that: “By ratifying Convention No. 190, Sri Lanka reaffirms the country’s commitment to place dignity, equality and respect at the centre of the world of work. This marks a pivotal step toward a future that is free from violence and harassment, ensuring safe and healthy working environments. The ILO stands ready to support the Government and social partners in aligning the national legal and institutional framework with ratified Conventions.”
Convention No. 190 is the first international instrument to establish a clear and comprehensive basis for preventing and addressing violence and harassment in the world of work, including gender-based violence and harassment. Together with Recommendation No. 206, it provides an integrated and gender-responsive approach to protecting all workers and other persons in the world of work, setting out practical measures for implementation.
Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka to the UN
Geneva
17 April 2026
Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the United Nations and other international organisations in Geneva Sumith Dassanayake had a meeting with the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) Director General, Mr Darren Tang on 15 April 2026 at the WIPO Head Office in Geneva.
During the meeting, Permanent Representative Dassanayake discussed several matters of mutual interest, including Sri Lanka’s development aspirations through digitisation. Opportunities for online education for Sri Lankan young entrepreneurs to navigate the modern digital and innovation spheres through the WIPO Academy was also explored. Recalling historical engagements Sri Lanka had with WIPO, Ambassador reaffirmed Sri Lanka’s continued and constructive engagement with WIPO.
Mr Tang assured continued assistance of WIPO to Sri Lanka’s development of intellectual property as a powerful catalyst for investment, employment generation and promotion of innovation.
The Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka in Geneva
16 April 2026
- Permanent Representative Sumith Dassanayake pays a courtesy call on the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights
- Statements by Sri Lanka at the First Session of the 2026 CCW Group of Governmental Experts on Emerging Technologies in the Area of Lethal Autonomous Weapons Systems (GGE on LAWS), 02-06 March 2026, Geneva
- Implementation of the e-BMD System at Foreign Missions