His Excellency Sumith Dassanayake, presented open copies of the Letter of Credence to His Excellency Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, Secretary for Relations with States and International Organizations of the Holy See at the Apostolic Palace in Vatican City on 20 May 2026 as Ambassador - designate of Sri Lanka to the Holy See
© World Health Organization/Photographer
Sri Lanka was recognized by the World Health Organization for achieving the “Maintenance of the validation of Elimination of Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV and syphilis” as a Public Health Problem. Hon. Minister of Health and Mass Media, Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa, received the certificate on 19 May 2026 in Geneva, Switzerland.
Honourable Chair,
Director General,
Excellencies,
Distinguished Delegates,
Ayubowan!
This year holds special significance for Sri Lanka as we commemorate 100 years of our Public Health System, a century of community-centred public health services that has become a cornerstone of our nation’s health achievements and social progress.
Opening Remarks by the Hon. Minister of Health and Mass Media, Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa, at the side-event titled “A Global Pursuit of Suicide Prevention: Turning Evidence into Action” held on the sidelines of the Seventy-ninth World Health Assembly in Geneva, Switzerland, on 18 May 2026.
The side event was organized by Nepal, Sri Lanka, Kenya, South Africa, Henry Ford Health and the University of Edinburgh.
Hon. Minister of Health and Mass Media, Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa, addressed the side-event titled “Childhood Cancer in the Global NCD Agenda: A Call to Action for Lifelong Integration and Access to Care” on the sidelines of the Seventy-ninth World Health Assembly in Geneva, Switzerland, on 18 May 2026.
He highlighted Sri Lanka’s commitment in addressing childhood cancer and various other initiatives of the GoSL.
This event was co-hosted by St.Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Government of Sri Lanka, Gobierno de la Republica Guatemala, NCD Alliance, UNICEF and AfricaCDC.
The Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka to the United Nations in Geneva, conducted a Consular Mobile Service in Zurich on 09 and 10 May 2026, with the assistance of the Sri Lankan Associations and the Sri Lankan Community in Zurich. The initiative was organized to facilitate consular services to the Sri Lankans in their respective areas, considering accessibility and the convenience of the community.
The Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka in collaboration with the Permanent Mission of Thailand celebrated the International Day of Vesak at the Palais des Nations, Geneva on 30 April 2026, for the fourth consecutive time.
- Side Event on 'Ensuring Safe and Credible Land Release: Sri Lanka’s Completion Survey Process and Lessons Learnt', 24 April 2026
- Intervention by His Excellency Sumith Dassanayake, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the United Nations in Geneva at the 26 th Council of Representatives of the South Centre – 23 April 2026
- Sri Lanka ratifies the ILO Convention on Violence and Harassment Convention, 2019 (No. 190)