All foreign passport holders (regardless of whether they are of Sri Lankan origin) who wish to travel to the Northern Sri Lanka are required to obtain prior approval from the Ministry of Defence. 

Requests for authorization of such visits should are to be submitted directly to the Ministry of Defence with the following information:

We are aware that some countries being battered by terrorism have taken strength from the victories won by Sri Lanka over terrorism. It is time for the countries facing attacks from terrorism to look back and see where they had gone wrong, whereas Sri Lanka has succeeded, said President Mahinda Rajapaksa, in his address to the Nation on the Victory Day celebrations at Galle Face, Colombo today.

It is a grave error of judgment to think that while being opposed to terrorism targeting you, to believe that terrorism that is no threat to you is good…The world has so far trod on this wrong path. Terrorism remains unvanquished because of this incorrect thinking. The countries that show sympathy towards terrorism and separatism will be the victims of terrorism. This is the lesson of history, President Rajapaksa further said. 

Among the highlights of the President’s address are:

International Labour Organization 99th Session of the International Labour Conference address by Hon Gamini Lokuge Minister of Labour Relations and Productivity Promotions Sri Lanka on 10th June 2010 Geneva 

Mr. President

On behalf of the government and the delegation of Sri Lanka, let me congratulate you and the Vice Presidents on your election to preside over the 99th session of the International Labour Conference.  

We are meeting again one year after adopting the historic Global Jobs Pact which provided a framework and a resource of practical policies for the multilateral system, governments, workers and employers to recover from the crisis. I believe, it is timely to review the progress made in the implementation of the Global Jobs Pact. In this context, I commend the Report of the Director General entitled “Recovering and Growth with Decent Work”, and value highlighting the areas to be focused on crisis response and the way forward to a more stronger, more sustainable and equitable development.  

It is fortunate that Buddhists now enjoy the freedom and a secure atmosphere necessary to celebrate Vesak. We must enter a spiritual and virtuous way of life in order to sustain that joy, stated President Mahinda Rajapaksa in his message for Vesak. 

Let us resolve during this Vesak Day to follow the wholesome path of Buddha with determination and relentless efforts to build a virtuous nation, he added. 

President Mahinda Rajapaksa took over the Chairmanship of the G- 15 from President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad of Iran at the 14th G-15 Summit in Tehran, Iran on 17th May 2010, the Minister of External Affairs, Prof. G. L. Peiris stated at a media briefing held at the Ministry of External Affairs on 18th May 2010.

Hon. Ministers,

Excellencies,

Other Representatives,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I am pleased to have this opportunity to meet with all of you today.

The Hon. Minister of External Affairs has made my task easier. I believe he has wonderfully summarized the matters which I wish to highlight. 

I appreciate your presence here this evening and I also wish to express my thanks for the congratulatory messages sent to me by you and your governments, on the recent election victories of my government and myself.

Minister of External Affairs, Prof. G. L. Peiris today (6th May) when signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) conferring the status of a Dialogue Partner of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) on Sri Lanka, emphasized the great relevance of the Organization to Sri Lanka. He noted that the MoU enables cooperation between SCO and Sri Lanka on areas such as ensuring security through combating terrorism, economic cooperation and collaboration in science and technology, education, healthcare, culture and sports. All of these spheres of engagements are of particular interest to Sri Lanka in the current post conflict scenario, where rapid and equitable economic growth accompanied by the continued safeguarding of security and peace remain the priorities.

The new Minister of External Affairs, Prof. Gamini Lakshman Peiris assumed duties at the Ministry of External Affairs on 3^rd May 2010 (today) amidst the chanting of pirith followed by a brief sermon and blessings by the religious dignitaries present on the occasion.   

Thereafter, addressing the staff of the Ministry, the new External Affairs Minister stated that he has assumed duties as the Minister of External Affairs at a time when terrorism has been successfully defeated and the focus is on social and economic development. He stated that the approach of President Mahinda Rajapaksa to Sri Lanka’s Foreign Policy as underlined in the Mahinda Chinthanaya was to ensure that it was homegrown, indigenous and reflects Sri Lanka’s history, culture, social and economic values which are considered sacrosanct, and our own relations with countries. He also pointed out that while it may not be possible to be in agreement with the international community at all times, Sri Lanka would convey its stance in the spirit of camaraderie, listen and respect the views of others. He also said that Sri Lanka would continue engaging with other countries and that it would be on the basis of partnership and participation. The External Affairs Minister also stated that one of the main objectives of the country’s foreign policy would be to focus on the unique opportunities available in Sri Lanka and encourage countries to explore them and be partners in Sri Lanka’s progress.

The working people of Sri Lanka celebrate International Workers’ Day this year enthused by their ability to proceed towards development and peace, as the paths to development that were hitherto obstructed by terrorism are now open to the people of our country, stated President Mahinda Rajapaksa in his message for the International Workers’ Day.

As one who has achieved leadership with the unstinted support of the working people, I have the satisfactory commitment to work towards achieving their aspirations, he added.

The government will continue to bring greater relief to the working people to ensure their participation in the tasks of economic development. We trust that their cooperation will be with the government to overcome all challenges and obstacles in the path of progress, President Rajapaksa said.

Following is the full text of the message:

The newly sworn in Minister of External Affairs, Professor G. L. Peiris had his first interaction with the media at his residence, on the eve of his departure to take part in the 16th SAARC Summit and the Council of Ministers, to be held in Bhutan from 27th to 29th April 2010.

Inaugural session of the 14th Parliament began this morning (22 April). Former Minister of Ports and Aviation, Chamal Rajapaksa was unanimously elected as the Speaker at the inaugural session. Mr. Rajapaksa was nominated as speaker by Prime Minister D.M. Jayaratna and seconded by UNP MP Karu Jayasooriya. 

Priyankara Jayaratne was elected as the Deputy Speaker who held this post in the previous parliament as well.

General Secretary of the People’s Alliance (PA), Dissanayake Mudiyanselage Jayaratne was sworn in as the Prime Minster before President Mahinda Rajapaksa at Temple Trees.  

Mr. Jayaratne entered parliament from Gampola electorate following the General Election in 1970 from the United Front led by Mrs. Sirimavo Bandaranaike.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has instructed all Sri Lanka Missions in Europe to take necessary action to render suitable consular assistance to those who have been affected by the cancellation of a large number of flights to and from many European capitals due to the volcanic eruptions in Iceland during the past few days.

It is my belief that these New Year festivities should seek to further unite our people in heart and mind, stated President Mahinda Rajapaksa in his message for the Sinhala and Tamil New Year. 

The New Year celebrations by Sinhalese and Tamils alike are most appropriate in recognizing the kinship among us. This is the continuance of strong cultural traditions that strengthen the bonds among the people of our land, he said. 

I trust that this Sinhala and Tamil New Year which reflects the unity and pride of our nation will be celebrated by all in the spirit of joy, peace, sharing and contentment which will lead us to a future of prosperity, the President emphasized. 

Following is the full text of the message :

This is the triumph of Democracy. It is a clear restatement of the confidence the people placed in me, the Mahinda Chintana and the UPFA at the recent Presidential Election, said President Mahinda Rajapaksa commenting on the results of the General Election which gave a clear parliamentary majority to the UPFA.

‘We are humbled by the size of the repeated mandates given by the people and pledge to respond, in full measure, to the trust placed in us,’ the President added.

In response to well coordinated series of statements and web comments on alleged government plans to ‘arrest NGO activists and to suppress and intimidate its opponents and critics’, the Office of the President states that it has not found evidence of any ‘intelligence lists’ of NGO activists prepared by the State Intelligence Service as stated on Lanka News Web, or by any other law enforcement authority.

The Office of the President further states that any investigation by the authorities on alleged or suspected illegal or criminal activities are, and will be, conducted strictly in accordance with the law.