Only one week after her return from the 13^th Session of the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD XIII) in Doha, where she was elected by acclamation as an Asian Vice-Chair of the Conference and member of the Bureau, Sri Lanka’s Permanent Representative to the UN in Geneva, Ambassador Tamara Kunanayakam, was unanimously re-elected, also by acclamation, and in the presence of the High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay, for a second term as Chairperson/Rapporteur of the UN Human Rights Council Working Group on the Right to Development. The Working Group, which opened its 13^th Session today in Geneva, is composed of all UN member States, including also Political Groups (NAM, OIC, EU, African Union) and Regional Groups (Africa, Asia, Latin America/Caribbean, Western Group, and Eastern Europe) represented in the United Nations. 

First elected to that position in 2011, barely one month after assuming her duties in Geneva, Ambassador Kunanayakam was again nominated by the Non-Aligned Movement, which had played a crucial role in drafting of the Declaration on the Right to Development, adopted by the UN General Assembly in 1986, but which has not been implemented due to resistance from the West.

The State Secretary (Deputy Minister) of Foreign Affairs of Austria, H.E. Mr. Wolfgang Waldner called on Hon. Neomal Perera, Deputy Minister of External Affairs today (30/04) at the Ministry of External Affairs. The Austrian State Secretary of Foreign Affairs is on a visit to Sri Lanka at present, leading a five-member delegation.

Mahinda Rajapaksa and the First Lady Madam Shiranthi Rajapaksa arrived at Seoul Air Base in South Korea this morning on a four day official visit. The President and his delegation was received on arrival by the Vice Foreign Minister South Korea Kim Sung-han.

The President was also accorded a guard of honor at the airport by the South Korean Army.

During his visit President Rajapaksa will hold bilateral discussions with his South Korean counterpart and is scheduled to address the Sri Lanka-Korean Business Forum hosted by the Busan Chamber of Commerce and Industry. He is also scheduled to sign several bilateral agreements during the visit.

The Seychelles Foreign Minister H.E. Jean-Paul Adam visited Sri Lanka at the invitation of Prof. G.L. Peiris, Minister of External Affairs from 19th to 20th April 2012.  The Seychelles Foreign Affairs Minister called on Prof. G.L. Peiris today (19/04/2012) at the Ministry of External Affairs and had fruitful bilateral discussions.  

The External Affairs Minister Prof. Peiris welcomed the Foreign Minister Adam and said that he was so pleased to receive the Minister from a friendly island nation of Seychelles.  He noted with pleasure that it  was the first visit of  the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Seychelles.

The inventions of Dr S.J.B Lenadora and Mr Dinesh Katugampala took the forefront at the ‘Inventions Geneva’ Exhibition, winning prestigious Gold and Silver medals at the event.  ‘Inventions Geneva’ which is the 40th International Exhibition of Inventions of Geneva, is considered to be one of the most important in the world. With 46 countries, represented by 789 exhibitors showing 1’000 inventions, it was open to visitors from all across Europe.

Participants included large corporations such as the REHAB-ROBOTICS COMPANY LTD, from Hong-Kong that was presented with the Grand Prix prize for a new system to reeducate the hand, designed for people who have suffered a cerebral attack, allowing them to recuperate the motor capacity of their hands with just the power of thought. Participating in an event such as this is big in itself but to win a medal truly brings the country to the forefront of the international scientific community.

The Seychelles Foreign Minister Hon. Jean Paul Adam is to visit Sri Lanka from 19^th-  20^th April at the invitation of the External Affairs Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris.  

During the visit, the Seychelles Foreign Minister is to hold bilateral talks with the External Affairs Minister to discuss issues of mutual interest with a view to further enhancing bilateral relations between the two countries. 

The visiting Seychelles Foreign Minister would also meet Hon. Basil Rajapaksa, Minister of Economic Development, Hon. Rajitha Senarathne, Minister of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development and Hon. Rishad Bathiudeen Minister of Industries and Commerce during the visit and discuss the possibilities of promoting bilateral cooperation in the fields of trade, economic and fisheries sectors.

The President of the State of Palestine His Excellency Mahmoud Abbas visited Sri Lanka from 15^th to 17^th April 2012.  He was accompanied by several senior Ministers and PLO Representatives including the Minister of Foreign Affairs His Excellency Riad Malki.

The Palestinian President called on His Excellency Mahinda Rajapaksa, the President and had bilateral meeting with the President.  Several Senior Ministers also took part at the bilateral discussion.

Later in the evening, the Minister of Foreign Affairs Riad Malki called on Hon. Prof Peiris, Minister of External Affairs and had detailed discussions on bilateral issues of mutual interest.  Prof Peiris reiterated Sri Lanka’s commitment and support to the Palestinian cause and also recalled the President’s message at various international fora on Palestine issue conveying Sri Lanka’s firm and unequivocal  support for the Palestinian peoples’ struggle, including the right to Statehood.Sri Lanka has supported the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people and their right to an independent state based on the UN Security Council Resolution 242, 338, 1397 and 1515 and other relevant resolutions.   

The Ministry of External Affairs wishes to inform the Diplomatic Missions, the United Nations and its Specialized Agencies and other International Organizations based in Colombo of several matters relating to the sequence of events involving Mr. Premkumar Gunaratnam and Ms. Dimuthu Attygalle.

These events have been the subject of extensive media attention during the last few days. Statements with regard to the matter have captured headlines in the media and have been the subject of vigorous comment by leaders of political parties, academics and civil society activists. All these persons have united in making a variety of grave allegations, the gist of which is to impute responsibility to the Government for an alleged abduction.

You are a strong and valuable vote of confidence in Sri Lanka an expression of growing trust in the new opportunities for export trade in a country that was famous for international trade from ancient days, President Mahinda Rajapaksa said.

Addressing "Sri Lanka Expo 2012”, organized by the Export Development Board (EDB) at the BMICH this morning President said the presence of investors here today shows the failure of the efforts of those who still support the agenda of separatist terror that prevented development in Sri Lanka for more than three decades.

You are here today, with a measure of confidence in Sri Lanka that has not been diminished by false propaganda that is currently spread by those who are trying to prevent investment flowing to our country and the large international presence at this event is a clear indication of the growing awareness in the world of the new investment opportunities in Sri Lanka, said the President.

"Sri Lanka is in the midst of peace won at great sacrifice. We are progressing on the path of peace and reconciliation. Our government is committed to walk that extra mile to establish permanent peace through reconciliation. That is our commitment to our people and no one has to tell us what to do," President further said.

Here is the full text of the speech: