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.

The Government of Sri Lanka has taken steps to resettle approximately 6,000 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) during the first two weeks of March 2010, in Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu districts, bringing down the total number of IDPs living in government-run welfare centres to 65,591. All IDPs have been given the option to return to their original villages or to relocate to areas of their choice. Those who wanted to remain in the welfare centres are permitted to stay at these centres. Almost 50% of the IDPs living in the Puttalam District for the last ten years have returned to their original places of habitat while the rest wished to remain. There are no restrictions on the movement of the IDPs and they are free to move out from the welfare centres or return. As at 8^th March 2010, number of IDPs who returned to the welfare centres is 24,292.

The Indian Foreign Secretary Shrimathi Nirupama Rao who met President Mahinda Rajapaksa today congratulated the President for his resounding victory in the recent Presidential Election, said she observed that so much had taken place for the better in Sri Lanka since she was last here as High Commissioner.

“Act in keeping with principles of UN Charter on non-interference” 

President Mahinda Rajapaksa has pointed out that the intention of the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon to appoint a panel of experts to advice him (i.e. the SG) on Sri Lanka is totally uncalled for and unwarranted.

Sri Lanka conveys heartfelt sorrow to the Government and People of Poland on the tragic demise of President Lech Kaczynski  

H.E the President Mahinda Rajapaksa sent a condolence message on the tragic demise of His Excellency Lech Kaczynski, President of the Republic of Poland, First Lady Maria Kaczynska and several others, including members of Parliament, members of the clergy and senior civilian and military officials in a plane crash.

The full text of the message

Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama summoned the British Acting High Commissioner in Colombo Mark Gooding to the Foreign Ministry today to express Sri Lanka’s strong protest with regard to the British Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs David Miliband’s intent to address the London Conference of the pro-LTTE ‘Global Tamil Forum’ (GTF) today (24/2).  The Foreign Minister informed the Acting High Commissioner that the GTF brings together under one umbrella, several LTTE front organizations based mostly in the western countries, and that its objective is to create a separate state of Tamil Eelam.  The Foreign Minister in this context emphasized that Foreign Secretary Miliband, by participating at today’s GTF Meeting in London, would unfortunately lend credibility to an organization which is propagating the separatist agenda of the LTTE, and would be acting in a manner inimical to the national interest of Sri Lanka and its legitimate government.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bhutan, Lyonpo Ugyen Tshering, who is on a two day visit to Sri Lanka from 18-19 February 2010, met with Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama at the Foreign Ministry on 18th February 2010. In keeping with SAARC tradition, the Foreign Minister of Bhutan is scheduled to call on President Mahinda Rajapaksa who currently holds the Chair of SAARC, on 19 February, to hand over an invitation from the Prime Minister of Bhutan, Jigme Yoser Thinley, for the 16th SAARC Summit which will be held in Thimphu from 28-29 April 2010.

UK’s Shadow Secretary of State for Defence Dr. Liam Fox held discussions with Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs today (17.02.2010). They held discussion on a wide range of issues including post conflict development, the recent decision by the EU on the GSP+ and the setting up of a special fund by Dr. Fox to assist in the post conflict development of Sri Lanka.