Minister Amaratunga urges International Community to increase global cooperation in disaster manangement with developing countries

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Minister of Public Order, Disaster Management & Christian Affairs John Amaratunga led the Sri Lankan delegation to the Third UN Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction held 14 – 18 March 2015 in Sendai, Japan.

In his statement the Minister highlighting the common but differentiated principle at all levels of disaster risk reduction said Sri Lanka earnestly urges the international community to increase global cooperation and partnership with a view to transfer technological know-how, financial assistance and capacity building particularly for developing countries.

Foreign Minister Meets High Commissioner for Human Rights

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Foreign Affairs Minister Mangala Samaraweera who was in Geneva to participate in the High Level Segment of the 28th Session of the UN Human Rights Council on Monday, 2nd March 2015 met with UN High Commissioner for Human Rights  Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein.
 

Foreign Minister addresses High-level Segment of HRC in Geneva

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Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mangala Samaraweera addressing the High Level segment on the opening day of the 28th Session of the UN Human Rights Council, on 2nd March 2015 in Geneva briefed the Council on developments in Sri Lanka following the presidential election on 8th January and the new Government taking office. The Minister noted the Government was committed to engage and work in cooperation with a range of international organisations and countries and seek solutions to issues through dialogue, cooperation, understanding and learning.

The consistent Free Health Policy of Sri Lanka sets an effective and successful model for Developing Countries

Sri Lanka highlighted the notable achievements in its free health care sector, including the draft policy on the National Medicinal Drug Devises and Cosmetic Authority which the Cabinet of Ministers approved recently. 
 
Representing  Sri Lanka, Second Secretary Ms. Dilini Gunasekera speaking at the Human Rights Council  Social Forum on “Access to medicines in the context of the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health, including best practices in this regard” held between 18 – 20 February 2015, noted that the persistent commitment at all levels including the highest policy level, demonstrated by Sri Lanka, could be considered as an effective and successful model for developing countries in terms of best practices.
 

Sri Lanka calls for greater pace in the Working Group on Right to Development

Intervening at the Informal inter-sessional meeting of the Working Group on the Right to Development held from 16 – 17 February 2015 in Geneva, 
Sri Lanka expressed concern at the slow pace of progress in the Working Group on Right to Development and expected that the new framework to be presented by the Chairperson-Rapporteur will not only contribute to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of the Working Group but also provide a new roadmap for this Working Group to achieve early completion of its mandate.
 

Senior Advisor Jayantha Dhanapala meets with High Commissioner for Human Rights and Members of the Human Rights Council

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Mr. Jayantha Dhanapala, Senior Advisor on Foreign Affairs to the President of Sri Lanka visited Geneva from 27th – 29th January 2015.

He met the High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein, President of the Human Rights Council Joachim Rücker, as well as all members of the Human Rights Council in Groups.

Sri Lanka pledged a voluntary contribution of 10,000 US$ towards the UNHCR Global Appeal 2015

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Sri Lanka pledged a voluntary contribution of 10,000 US$ towards the UNHCR Global Appeal 2015 at the UNHCR Pledging Conference held on 09th December 2015. The Global Appeal 2015 Update by the UNHCR presented the financial resources that will be required in 2015 which amounts to US $ 6.23 Billion, to protect and improve the lives of millions of people, including, refugees, internally displaced people, returnees, stateless people, and others of concern.
 
Addressing the UNHCR Pledging Conference, Ambassador Aryasinha appreciated the assistance extended by UNHCR to Sri Lanka in a number of occasions, especially under the post-conflict resettlement programme; in terms of the provision of shelter grants and basic household items for the Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) and during the Tsunami in 2004. 
 
  1. Sri Lanka joins in measures to protect migrant workers at the Abu Dhabi Dialogue
  2. Sri Lanka maintains a human rights based approach towards its migrant workers with a comprehensive labour migration policy
  3. Sri Lanka reiterates its support for the adoption of a Declaration on Rights of Peasants and Other People Working in Rural Areas

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