The teaching of love and understanding that brings the spirit of sharing, which marks the celebration of Christmas, can help in strengthening the bridges of peace, tolerance and reconciliation that are being built in our country, President Mahinda Rajapaksa said in his Christmas message.

External Affairs Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris, held bilateral talks with his Australian counterpart Senator Bob Carr, on the evening of 16^th December at the Ministry of External Affairs prior to the inauguration of the first meeting of the Joint Working Group on People Smuggling and Transnational Crime on 17^th December at the Ministry of Defence and Urban Development. Minister of Foreign Affairs of Australia was on an official visit to Sri Lanka at the invitation of Prof. Peiris from 14^th to 17^th December 2012.

The bilateral talks were marked by friendship, mutual respect and understanding. Both sides noted with satisfaction the close dialogue between the two countries which had injected new strength and vitality to a multifaceted relationship and the visit was viewed as a further reinforcement of these close ties. Building on this positive drive emphasis was placed by both parties on enhancing bilateral co-operation in a number of spheres spanning defence, trade, investments tourism, culture, agriculture, education etc. The visiting Foreign Minister called on President Mahinda Rajapaksa on 17^th afternoon and also had comprehensive discussions with the Minister of Economic Development and Secretary of Defence and Urban Development.

 

Sri Lanka's Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Geneva Ravinatha Aryasinha, who is concurrently accredited to the Holy See, presented his credentials to His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI on the13^thof December 2012 at a ceremony held at the Apostolic Palace at the Vatican.

In his message to the Holy Father, Ambassador Aryasinha traced the historic relations between the Holy See and Sri Lanka and noted the constructive contribution of the Church towards the areas of education, healthcare, social services and post-conflict development in the country. Explaining the significant developments taking place in Sri Lanka since the restoration of peace in the country, Ambassador Aryasinha, said "as Sri Lanka builds on a new era of peace, stability and equality, where the multicultural, multi-religious and multiethnic dimension that the country is renowned takes primacy, the pivotal role that can be played by religious leaders in this regard had been readily recognized". He noted "the important contribution and dedication of the Roman Catholic Church towards inter-religious dialogue and socio-cultural development in Sri Lanka".

The Government of Sri Lanka and the Government of El Salvador have established diplomatic relations between the two countries with effect from 10^th December 2012. This follows the signing of an agreement by Mr. Karunatilaka Amunugama, Secretary of the Ministry of External Affairs of Sri Lanka and H.E. Mr. Ruben Ignacio Zamora, Ambassador of El Salvador to India. A Joint Formal Announcement to this effect was made by the Ministry of External Affairs of Sri Lanka, Colombo and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of El Salvador, San Salvador on Monday, 10^th December 2012.

Addressing the 101^st Council Session of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Geneva on Friday (30 November), Sri Lanka's Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Geneva Ravinatha Aryasinha has observed that emphasis by the international community that Sri Lanka is now free from the dangers that constrained it during the time of the conflict, has been an important factor for those who left the country as refugees during the time of the conflict to return, with the joint assistance of the host countries, and organizations such as the IOM.  However, at the same time illegal people-smuggling rings continue to rob families not only of their hard earned savings, but some times even their loved ones. Noting that the IOM, as well as a number of foreign governments, have in recent months acknowledged that the many Sri Lankans who continue to arrive on foreign soil illegally, are in fact economic migrants and not refugees, Ambassador Aryasinha said Sri Lanka remains committed to work with international partners toward raising awareness as to the dangers relating to illegal migration, with a view to end such practices.   Full text of statement is attached.

United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay chaired a meeting on 29th November 2012 at the Palais des Nations in Geneva to commemorate the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People. 

Sri Lanka's Permanent Representative to the UN in Geneva Ravinatha Aryasinha who was associated with the High Commissioner at the event, read out the statement of the Chair of the Special Committee to Investigate Israeli Practices Affecting the Human Rights of the Palestinian People and Other Arabs of the Occupied Territories, Sri Lanka's Permanent Representative to the UN in New York Dr. Palitha Kohona.

The Ministry of External Affairs refers to the “Report of the Secretary General’s Internal Review Panel on UN action in Sri Lanka” or the “Petrie Report” which was leaked to the media the day prior to its being formally handed over to the Secretary General on 14^th November, and officially made public the same day. While this Report is an internal review of the UN’s action in Sri Lanka during the terrorist conflict, the Ministry’s attention has been drawn to certain issues with regard to allegations directed at the Government of Sri Lanka, which are regrettably unsubstantiated, erroneous and replete with conjecture and bias.

Sri Lanka's renowned tourist attractions and its finest teas were in focus at the United Nations Women’s Guild Bazaar held on 21 November 2012 at the Palais des Nations, organized by the Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka accredited to the United Nations in Geneva with assistance from representatives of Sri Lankan Airlines from around Europe. The Sri Lanka national stall also offered tea for sale, while the Guild’s second prize this year included 2 return air tickets to Sri Lanka from Ethihad Airways with a 6 day stay at the luxurious Sidhaleppa health spa. Proceeds from the Permanent Mission’s national stall were donated to the United Nations Women’s Guild’s charity account which assists in raising funds for disadvantaged children around the world. Over the years, the Bazaar has become a premier event with the international community, attracting close upon 6 000 visitors.

The Government of Sri Lanka and the Government of Suriname have established diplomatic relations between the two countries with effect from 16^th November 2012. This follows the signing of agreement by H.E. Dr Palitha T. B. Kohona, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the United Nations and H.E. Mr. Henry Leonard Mac-Donald, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Suriname to the United Nations. A Joint Formal Announcement to this effect was made by the Ministry of External Affairs of Sri Lanka, Colombo and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Suriname, Paramaribo on  16^th November 2012.

The Government of Sri Lanka and the Government of Burkina Faso have established diplomatic relations between the two countries with effect from 15^th November 2012. This follows the signing of agreement by H.E. Mr. Prasad Kariyawasam, High Commissioner for Sri Lanka to India and H.E. Idriss Raoua Ouedraogo, Ambassador for Burkina Faso to India in New Delhi. A Joint Formal Announcement to this effect was made by the Ministry of External Affairs of Sri Lanka, Colombo and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Cooperation of Burkina Faso, Ouagadougou on  16^th November 2012. 

On the invitation of President Mahinda Rajapaksa, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and Janet Kataaha Museveni, First Lady &  Minister for Karamoja Affairs of the  Republic of Uganda concluded a three day State Visit to Sri Lanka from 12th – 15th November 2012. The delegation included members of the Ugandan Parliament Yorakamu Katwiremu, Nankabirwa Ann Maria and Chairman, Gerald Ssendawula of the Private Sector Foundation of Uganda.  The Ugandan President was accorded a ceremonial welcome at the Presidential Secretariat on the morning of 13th November which included a Guard of Honour and a 21 gun salute.

 

On an invitation extended by Hon. Prof. G.L. Peiris, Minister of External Affairs, the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Hungary, Hon. Dr. Janos Martonyi was on a visit to Sri Lanka, with the two Ministers holding bilateral talks at the External Affairs Ministry in Colombo.  The discussion between the Ministers served to underline the robust nature of the bilateral relations and the opportunities for promoting economic co-operation between the countries, as well as exchange views on the relations with the EU.

Minister of Plantation Industries and Special Envoy of the President on Human Rights Mahinda Samarasinghe addressing the concluding session of Sri Lanka's Universal Periodic Review (UPR) Working Group in Geneva on Monday (5 November 2012), appreciated the interest shown by the 98 countries that made interventions during the Review on 1 November 2012. Referring to the outcome document adopted which summarized the comments made by the participating countries (attached below), Minister Samarasinghe said most speakers had commended the progress made by Sri Lanka in the short time since the end of the separatist conflict, while others who registered concerns, had also acknowledged the positive developments in the country.

Full statement in Word format -

Full statement in PDF  format  -

Live telecast -

Countries must bear in mind that in search for alternative energy sources agricultural land of today and tomorrow must not be used. We must not let the hunger of alternative energy lead to an increase in hunger for food. The use of food crops for fuel production must be avoided to prevent the spread of today’s threat to food security caused by turning food crops into fuel crops.

The food energy for peoples’ lives should not be made the driving energy for cars, President Mahinda Rajapaksa said. ''In addition to monetary assistance the transfer of technologies on sustainable energy generation to developing nations is now an imperative because a technology must move into economic viability for developing countries to embrace sustainable and clean energy", President said addressing the World Energy Forum in Dubai today.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa launched the Commonwealth Business Forum (CBF) 2013 in Colombo on Thursday 11^th October with a video projecting Sri Lanka’s resurgence as a regional economic and trading hub. This was preceded by a video presentation of President Rajapaksa’s keynote address to the CBF Session in Perth last year  on “The Indian Ocean and the Pacific Rim: Fastest Growing Markets”. The President on that occasion noted that Asia’s fast growth track cannot be sustained unless these nations continue to take the right steps and the current political and economic leaders have a responsibility in guiding the Asian nations to prosperity. Sri Lanka, President Rajapaksa observed, has provided clarity and confidence to the stakeholders and implemented balanced policies that embraced all vital aspects of the economy

Delivering the keynote address, External Affairs Minister Professor G.L. Peiris said that Sri Lanka presently is enjoying to the fullest measure the fruits of peace and stability after eradicating terrorism which had taken root for nearly three decades, and the principal challenge facing the Government is to make it possible for all its people to join in a spirit of inclusivity to enjoy these benefits.