The issues which call for our attention, particularly in the areas of social justice and climate change, require not further discussion but immediate action, stated President Mahinda Rajapaksa in his address to the 17th SAARC Summit, held in Addu City of the Maldives.  

“What is evident around us is a mood of urgency and even impatience. This is especially so, because a large and influential part of our societies consists of young people, inspired by new ideas and looking forward with enthusiasm to a promising future for themselves. They cannot be kept waiting for long. Patience is not infinite”, he added.

We strongly believe that Sri Lanka's hosting of the Games would inspire over 45 other nations, who have so far never hosted these Games, to come forward and bid to host future Games. These nations would certainly benefit by the massive economic opportunities that host nations derive from hosting Games of this magnitude and scale, President Mahinda Rajapaksa said.

As we all know, in 1991, Malaysia bid for, and won the opportunity to host the 1998 Commonwealth Games. At that time, Malaysia was a Fifty Billion Dollar economy, just like Sri Lanka is today. But after winning the bid, Malaysia made massive progress economically and sports-wise and is today hailed as a vibrant, advancing nation, President Rajapaksa said at a sports breakfast meeting organized by Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) on the sidelines of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Perth this morning.

My country and my people who are experiencing economic revival, peace and tranquility throughout the country after many decades look forward to welcoming all of you to Colombo in 2013 President Mahinda Rajapaksa said. 

Addressing the concluding session of Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Perth today President Rajapaksa said that CHOGM comes to Asia after 22 years, last being in Malaysia. "I have no doubt that all my Asian colleagues will, in 2013, join me and the people of Sri Lanka in welcoming you to our region, which is home to over two thirds of the population of the Commonwealth, to deliberate on all issues in which we are collectively interested", he said. 

Full text of the speech made by President Rajapaksa during the final session of CHOGM 2011

Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Mr. Ranjith de Silva and Ambassador/ Head of Delegation of the European Union in Sri Lanka, His Excellency Mr. Bernard Savage initialed the Agreement between European Union and the Government of Sri Lanka on certain aspects of Air Services, which is commonly known as the ‘Horizontal’ Air Services Agreement, on 27^th October 2011 at the Ministry of External Affairs.  

Victory of good over evil, the shedding of light over darkness and the triumph of knowledge over ignorance are the eternal quest of humankind.

Deepavali, known as the Festival of Light is the expression of the spiritual richness of people as it marks the progress made in the constant struggle for a better life with all the above achievements, in keeping with the great spiritual values of Hindus.

By Dr. Dayan Jayatilleka

The threat of a resolution against Sri Lanka in March in Geneva, the speech by Canada’s Foreign Minister at the UNGA, the lobbying within the Commonwealth, the statement by the UK Labour Party’s Shadow Foreign Secretary, the remarks of the Swiss Federal Attorney General on Gen. Dias, the legal moves in the US and Europe against Lankan soldier-diplomats, and in the EU arena to legalise the LTTE, are the spearheads of a multipronged strategic offensive.

While the Sri Lankan media reflects the domestic disagreements on the international policy and diplomatic stance that should be adopted, we may surely agree that what is required is an approach, that is, above all else, effective in defending Sri Lanka’s national interest in a hostile climate. But how does one identify "effective diplomacy" and who is to do so credibly and authoritatively? Wikileaks revelations of confidential cable traffic to Washington DC, throw a spotlight on a moment when the US, and in one case France, regarded Sri Lanka as following "an effective" and even "a very effective diplomatic approach", in challenging conditions.

Tamara Kunanayakam, Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Geneva, has been elected as a Vice Chair representing the Asia Group of the Trade and Development Board (TDB) of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) at its 58^th Session held 12 – 28 September 2011 in Geneva.      

Although Sri Lanka has held many positions at Committee level, this is the first time in the recent past that it has been elected to a high profile position in the UNCTAD body.

Ambassador Tamara Kunanayakam tells the Human Rights Council that the trend of ‘Might is Right’ needs to be discouraged at all costs

Statement Delivered by Ambassador H.E Tamara Kunanayakam, regarding the deferral of the Draft Resolution ‘Transparency in Funding and Staffing of the OHCHR’, during the final day of the 18^th Session of the Human Rights Council.

Madam President,

Sri Lanka wishes to address this Council on draft resolution L/14 and associate itself with the statement made by Pakistan on behalf of the cosponsors.  We also welcome, in a spirit of constructive engagement, the Presidential Statement made on this subject.

“Deeply mindful that the battle for peace I every bit as important and difficult as the struggle against terror” 

“Whilst clash of ideas, opinions and values continues we have clearly to recognize that dialogue, deliberation and consensus offer only viable means for resolving differences. The might of powerful nations cannot prevail against justice an fair play”’ said President Mahinda Rajapaksa addressing the 66^th Session of the United Nations General Assembly at New York today (23). 

President Rajapaksa said “I am deeply mindful … that the battle for peace is every bit as important and difficult as the struggle against terror.   After the eradication of terrorism, my government has turned its undivided attention to building anew, the foundations of a unified and vibrant nation and drawing upon the inherent strengths of our country  and in particular, the unique caliber of our human potential.