SL participates at UN Intl’ Conference on Small Island Developing States

Statement by Hon. Mahinda Yapa Abeywardana, M.P. , Speaker of Parliament of Sri Lanka at the 148th Assembly of Inter Parliamentary Union (IPU) from 23-27 March 2024 in Geneva, Switzerland

Distinguished Delegates, Ladies and Gentlemen, To begin with, I feel so honoured and privileged to be in this wonderful capital and largest city of Switzerland on behalf of my delegation. It is a great pleasure for me to address the 148th IPU Assembly...

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Sri Lanka expresses grave concern over the death of aid seekers in Gaza

Sri Lanka is deeply troubled about the death of over hundred people who were waiting to receive aid in Gaza and joins the call for investigation into the incident. The latest incident underscores the immediate need to end the blockade imposed on Gaza,...

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President Ranil Wickremesinghe addresses issues ranging from debt relief to climate change and bilateral relations during the World Economic Forum in Davos

Attending the 54th Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) 2024 in Davos, Switzerland at the invitation of its Founder and Chairman Prof. Klaus Schwab, President Ranil Wickremesinghe interacted with world...

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Eleventh Meeting of States Parties to the Convention on Cluster Munitions 11 – 14 September 2023

Eleventh Meeting of States Parties to the Convention on Cluster Munitions 11 – 14 September 2023 Statement by Sri Lanka Agenda Item 8: General Exchange of Views Thank you Mr. President, Sri Lanka joins...

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Fourth Session of the open-ended working group on reducing space threats through norms, rules, and principles of responsible behaviours, 28 Aug – 01 Sep 2023

General Intervention by H.E. Himalee Arunatilaka, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the UN in Geneva, on 28 August 2023 Mr. Chair, Sri Lanka compliments the work accomplished...

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The Second Meeting of the Working Group on the Strengthening of the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC), 7-18 August 2023, Palais des Nations in Geneva

Intervention by Dr. Samiddhi Samarakoon, National Coordinator, Disaster Preparedness and Response Division of the Ministry of Health on National Inventory of Dangerous Pathogens (NIDP) Thank you...

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The Second Meeting of the Working Group on the Strengthening of the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC), 7-18 August 2023 Intervention by Sri Lanka on Implementation of Biological Weapons Convention Plan

Intervention by Dr. Samiddhi Samarakoon, National Coordinator, Disaster Preparedness and Response Division of the Ministry of Health on the Implementation of Biological Weapons Convention Plan in...

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Welcome to Sri Lanka

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Sri Lanka is participating at the Third UN International Conference on Small Island Developing States (SIDS) which is being held in Apia, Samoa.

The Summit was inaugurated by Tuilaepa Aiono Sailele Malielegaoi, Prime Minister of Samoa and Ban Ki-moon, UN Secretary General.

Admiral Thisara Samarasinghe, the High Commissioner is representing Sri Lanka at the above Summit from 1st to 4th September 2014.

The two previous SIDS Conferences were held in Barbados (1994) and in Mauritius (2004). The Conference focussed on issues of Climate Change, Sustainable Development, Vulnerabilities and Disproportionate negative impact on SIDS. The progress achieved so far and the issues impeding the advancement and action plans were highlighted.

High Commissioner Admiral Samarasinghe, addressing the Conference explained the Sri Lanka’s commitment to support SIDS through innovative and durable partnerships being sensitive to economic social, security and climate challenges though not being technically classified as a small state but sensitive to SIDS. The RIO + 20 outcome and statement made by the Plurinational State of Bolivia and on behalf of the G77 of China were emphasised.

The establishment of a “Centre of Excellence on Ocean Science and Environment” under the auspices of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) in Sri Lanka was highlighted to confirm Sri Lanka’s commitment in Maritime Affairs.

21 Heads of State/Head of Government, 3 Deputy Prime Ministers, 17 Ministers, 14 Deputy Ministers and 99 UN Member states and their delegates formed the main assembly whilst 35 UN and International Organisations joined the 3,000 delegate Conference.

The Outcome of the Summit was unanimously adopted as “Samoa Path Way” that was formulated with Co-Chairs from New Zealand and Singapore.

The High Commissioner made use of the occasion to engage in short bilaterals/interactions with Prime Ministers of Samoa, Seychelles, Tonga, Vanuatu, East Timor and Secretary General of United Nations H.E. Ban Ki-moon, Foreign Ministers of Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia Mauritius and Spain. Ms Dhammika Semasinghe, Assistant Director from the Ministry of External Affairs participated as a Member of the Sri Lanka delegation.

Source: www.prui.gov.lk