Countries have to solve issues of concern in keeping with their values systems with primacy accorded to local procedures, as the needs of the country and its people are important, observed Minister of External Affairs Professor G.L. Peiris during his bilateral meetings yesterday (24th September) on the margins of the 67thSession of the UNGA, with the Deputy Prime Ministers & Foreign Ministers of Oman and the Czech Republic, Foreign Ministers of Bahrain, Cyprus, the Maldives and the US Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs. Minister Peiris is leading the Sri Lanka delegation to the UN General Assembly session this year.
President Mahinda Rajapaksa paid an official visit to India from 19-22 September 2012, following his State Visit to India in June 2010. He visited Delhi as Guest of Honour at the concluding ceremony of the Commonwealth Games in 2010 and visited Mumbai in April 2011 as well for the Cricket World Cup final between India and Sri Lanka.
At the invitation of the Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, Shivraj Chouhan, President Rajapaksa visited sacred Sanchi on 21 September for a series of landmark events, during his official visit to India.
Indian President commends development initiatives in Sri Lanka:
Indian President Pranab Mukherjee said yesterday it is the duty and obligation of Indian and Sri Lankan leaders to continue the centuries old friendship between the two countries.
Visit by Wu Bangguo, China’s top legislature to Sri Lanka heightens the momentum of Sri Lanka – China Bilateral Relations
At the invitation of the Speaker of Sri Lanka Parliament Chamal Rajapaksa, the Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress (NPC), Wu Bangguo representing the higher echelons of the leadership of the People’s Republic of China made a first ever historic visit to Sri Lanka from 15 – 18 September 2012. This visit marked an important milestone in Sri Lanka-China relations particularly in consolidating friendly ties and setting the tone for future cooperation between the two countries.
The Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) to be held in Sri Lanka in November next year will be a historic moment for Sri Lanka to showcase the remarkable progress achieved by the country to the wider world in the post-conflict era. The Minister of External Affairs, Prof. G.L Peiris made this comment, while addressing a distinguished gathering, following the ceremonial inauguration of the Taskforce Secretariat for CHOGM 2013, located at the BMICH premises in Colombo today (Monday, 17th September 2012).
The high-level Business Delegation of the African National Congress-Progressive Business Forum (ANC-PBF) led by Prof. Hlengiwe Mkhize, Deputy Minister of Economic Development of South Africa visited Sri Lanka from 5th – 9th September 2012. The 24-member delegation included Renier Schoeman, Co-convener of the ANC-PBF and leading South African businessmen of mining, construction, agriculture, IT and retail sectors. The Progressive Business Forum is the Business wing of the ANC and has a membership of over 6000 companies.
Mr. Konstantin Dolgov, Russian Foreign Ministry Commissioner for Human Rights, Democracy and the Rule of Law, and Ambassador-at-Large, called on Professor G.L. Peiris, Minister of External Affairs, at his Ministry yesterday for a wide ranging discussion of current developments in Sri Lanka.
Global financial institutions must reflect the changes in the international arena today. In the face of numerous challenges, not only are many developing countries managing their economies successfully, but global financial power has also been shifting from the industrialized North to the power houses of the South. It is time that this shift begins to be reflected in the global structures, President Mahinda Rajapaksa said at the 16th Non-Aligned Movement Summit in Tehran today.
During the landmark State Visit of President Mahinda Rajapaksa to India in June 2010, it was decided that the 2600th year of the attainment of enlightenment of Prince Siddharatha as Gautama Buddha (Sambuddhatva Jayanthi) will be commemorated by India and Sri Lanka through joint activities. Following this agreement, President Rajapaksa personally requested the Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, to afford Sri Lankan Buddhists an opportunity to pay homage to the sacred Kapilavastu Relics by allowing the Relics to be taken to Sri Lanka as a part of the commemoration of the 2600th year of the Sambuddhatva Jayanthi.
The translation of the whole text of the LLRC Report, into Sinhala and Tamil, undertaken and completed by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, was handed over by the Governor of the Central Bank, Mr. Ajith Nivard Cabraal, to Professor G.L. Peiris, Minister of External Affairs, and to Mr. Lalith Weeratunga, Secretary to the President, at the Ministry of External Affairs yesterday.
Minister of External Affairs Professor G.L. Peiris and Mr. Lalith Weeratunga, Secretary to the President, met with the diplomatic community at the auditorium of the Ministry of External Affairs on Tuesday. A comprehensive briefing took place on the work under way regarding implementation of the recommendations contained in the Report of the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission, with emphasis on the results already achieved and the planned trajectory for co-ordination and implementation in the future. The detailed matrix, including priorities, the institutions entrusted with responsibility, key performance indicators and time frames, was explained to the diplomatic community.
Engaging with the relevant Interactive Dialogues with Special Procedures Mandate Holders and Working Groups since the commencement of the Human Rights Council on 18th June, the Sri Lanka delegation briefed the Council on its positions on the thematic issues of relevance.
In the Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and Counter-Terrorism, Sri Lanka supported a Joint statement presented by the People’s Republic of China on behalf of 13 likeminded countries comprising the Russian Federation, Egypt, Indonesia, Malaysia, Cuba, Bangladesh, Iran, Myanmar, Pakistan, Sudan, and Venezuela, which condemned terrorism in all its manifestations. Sri Lanka also had its own statement on counter-terrorism, which welcomed the Special Rapporteur’s recognition that some of the gravest violations of human rights are committed by or on behalf of non-state actors operating in conflict situations, including by domestic or international terrorist networks. Sri Lanka also cautioned on the many-faceted dangers of these international networks operating in foreign jurisdictions, including in the form of front organisations, while continuing to receive overt and tacit support from host societies. The delegation noted that tolerance and accommodation of these international networks could lead to the resurfacing and rejuvenation of terrorism in countries which have suffered from it and been effectively suppressed. Sri Lanka observed that support from overseas, whether it be by fundraising or via other logistical support, or even via civic or political manifestations that espouse terrorist causes in victim countries, must be stringently guarded against. Sri Lanka upheld that all countries have a responsibility to ensure that terrorism does not jeopardize the rights of its citizens on their own soil, and equally have a duty to ensure that activities in its jurisdiction do not pose a threat to present and potential victims of terrorism in other nations.
Sri Lanka focuses on the Pivotal Role the country could play in the Maritime Security Domain
On the margins of the Shangri-La Dialogue, Sri Lanka’s delegation to the meetings led by the Minister of External Affairs and Secretary Defence Mr Gotabhaya Rajapaksa met with General Martin Dempsey US – Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and A K Anthony the Defence Minister of India. Prof Peiris gave an in depth account of implementing a locally chartered course of action for national reconciliation which also included elements of rehabilitation, reconstruction and the socio-economic development of the conflict affected Northern and Eastern parts of the country. Both USA and India commended the incremental and steady progress being made in these areas and were keen to assist Sri Lanka in all aspects of their multifaceted bilateral partnership for attaining sustainable peace. As a coastal nation, the meetings recognized the pivotal role that Sri Lanka navy could play in strengthening the security of sea lanes in the Indian Ocean and resolved to co-operate closely in drawing on their synergies in combating international terrorism. As two key strategic partners of Sri Lanka, both the USA and India responded positively to a request made by Secretary of Defence for enhanced training opportunities for capacity building of defence personnel in their institutes of repute. Prof Peiris addressed a thematic Session on “South Asia’s Growing Security Threats” in the Asian Security Summit, in Singapore. Among his fellow panellists was Dr Dipu Moni, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh.
Ministry of External Affairs
Colombo.
5 June 2012
Today, the people of Sri Lanka are ready to move forward and sustain peace and achieve economic prosperity, which will be possible, only if we stand together as one country, President Mahinda Rajapaksa said.
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 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 Seychelles Foreign Minister Hon. Jean Paul Adam is to visit Sri Lanka from 19th- 20th 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.
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The President of the State of Palestine His Excellency Mahmoud Abbas visited Sri Lanka from 15th to 17th April 2012. He was accompanied by several senior Ministers and PLO Representatives including the Minister of Foreign Affairs His Excellency Riad Malki.
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.
The Government of Sri Lanka deeply regrets that, once again, Channel 4 chose not to share the video footage or any of the other material upon which it purports to have relied, prior to broadcast of its film ‘Sri Lanka Killing Fields: War Crimes Unpunished’ on 14th March 2012. This denied the Government of Sri Lanka of the rightful opportunity to address any of the concerns raised. This appears to be a continuation of the approach adopted by Channel 4 in its broadcast last year. It may be recalled that last year’s broadcast was severely criticised by many including the Sunday Times UK, which described the commentary to the broadcast as “intemperate and partisan”, and rightly pointed out that most of the footage which was used was unattributed and uncorroborated.
The Government of Sri Lanka has been observing a disturbing trend in the run-up to the 19th Session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva. Many parties with vested interests have been carrying out anti-Sri Lanka propaganda in the form of discussions, reports and documentaries, with a view to exerting undue pressure on a small country which is undergoing a period of transition, following the restoration of peace, after a 30 year battle against terrorism.
EXTERNAL INTERVENTION WILL GRAVELY HAMPER SRI LANKAN PROCESS - PROF. PEIRIS TELLS LEADERS OF UGANDAN GOVERNMENT
intervention at this time is singularly unhelpful and will indeed inflict grave damage on a sensitive internal process which is moving forward, Professor G.L.Peiris, Minister of External Affairs, said in Kampala, Uganda, on Tuesday (28 February 2012) .
Following his meetings with President Jacob Zuma, President of South Africa and Ms. Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, Foreign Minister of South Africa, Professor G.L. Peiris, Minister of External Affairs, had further discussions at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Pretoria, South Africa.
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