Statement delivered by the Hon Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa, Minister of Health and Mass Media, at the General Discussion of the Seventy-eighth World Health Assembly on 20 May 2025
Thank you Mr. President,
I congratulate you on your election as the President of this Assembly.
Sri Lanka appreciates DG’s report, timely theme “One World for Health” which is an opportune agenda for Sri Lanka and whole Global Community.
We have faced many challenges during the past half century and recovering from recent economic turmoil with the strength of the public together with global goodwill and assistance. As a country, we appreciate the connectedness, opportunities and health benefits that united Global action enablers.
Our government policy “A thriving nation: a beautiful life” is also aligned with “One world for health”, and the need for concerted action to be back on track on the SDGs.
Mr. President,
Sri Lanka had Out Patient Department visits of 3 times of its population in 2023, therefore to “leave no one behind”, we have embarked on “comprehensive primary health care reforms”. The main objective of this reform is to prevent bypassing of primary health institutions which is a challenge in health service delivery in Sri Lanka.
I stress the need to address the concerns due to health workforce migration affecting global health. During the years 2022 to 2025, 726-Consultants and 1,116- Medical Officers have gone abroad.
Sri Lanka has had to bear significant financial losses after investing to produce our own health professionals. We believe destination countries too need to be more responsible and we call for effective and invigorated implementation of the WHO code for International recruitment of Health personnel.
Achieving Sustainable Financing for Health requires increased investment in health, especially to build resilience against challenges we are presently facing: debt, disease & devaluation. Whilst we collaborate across sectors and disciplines our Government is committed to protect the nation’s health.
I look forward to the insightful deliberations of honoured delegates and welcome strengthening of One World for Health.
Ayubowan - May you live long. Thank you
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk concludes official visit to Sri Lanka
The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk concluded a four-day official visit to Sri Lanka from 23 to 26 June 2025.
During the visit, High Commissioner Türk called on President Anura Kumara Disanayaka and Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya and had constructive discussions with Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Vijitha Herath, Minister of Justice and National Integration Harshana Nanayakkara, Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs Ananda Wijepala, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Employment Arun Hemachandra and Deputy Minister of Defence Major General Aruna Jayasekara. He also met the Speaker of the Parliament, the Chief Justice and several government representatives.
Discussions focused on measures to advance human rights including economic and social rights, strengthening national reconciliation processes and ensuring social justice. The Government reiterated to the High Commissioner its sincere commitment to achieving these objectives and briefed on the action already taken and those envisaged, including confidence building measures, the Clean Sri Lanka program, anti-corruption initiatives, further strengthening reconciliation mechanisms, repealing the Prevention of Terrorism Act, revising the Online Safety Act and new laws to advance the rights of persons with disabilities.
During deliberations, the High Commissioner highlighted the momentum of change he witnessed across all segments of the Sri Lankan society. He appreciated the Government’s plans on promoting ethical governance, human rights and national unity, and offered the support of his Office to strengthen the Government’s initiatives. High Commissioner Türk said that he was encouraged by the Government’s measures to address corruption and mismanagement and hoped that the momentum would continue. Noting that the discussions had showed genuine openness to address issues, the High Commissioner stated that Sri Lanka can become an example of peaceful co-existence while embracing its diversity as a strength. The High Commissioner stated that he is visiting Sri Lanka with a deep sense of hope at a time when the world and the multilateral system are facing unprecedented challenges.
The High Commissioner also met with several non-government stakeholders including religious leaders, political parties and civil society in Colombo, Jaffna, Trincomalee and Kandy.
In Colombo, he engaged with representatives of the national institutions dealing with reconciliation - the Office on Missing Persons, the Office for Reparations and the Office for National Unity and Reconciliation. The representatives briefed High Commissioner Türk on the work of their respective institutions and the progress made in the respective work plans. He also had discussions with the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka and acknowledged the longstanding work of the Commission.
In Kandy, High Commissioner Türk visited the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic where he met
the Chief Custodian and attended the Thewawa ceremony. He also had an audience with the Most Venerable Tibbatuwawe Sri Siddhartha Sumangala Mahanayake Thero of the Malwatta Chapter and the Most Venerable Warakagoda Sri Gnanarathana Mahanayake Thero of the Asgiriya Chapter.
In Jaffna, he visited the sacred Nallur Kovil and participated in religious activities.
During his travel to various parts of the country, the High Commissioner met with the Governors of the Northern and Eastern Provinces, District Secretaries, and civil society representatives as well as the public. He also visited the Chemmani grave site in Jaffna.
The High Commissioner conveyed his deep gratitude to the Government of Sri Lanka for the cooperation extended throughout the visit and appreciated Sri Lanka’s continuing constructive engagement with his Office.
The visit of High Commissioner Türk to Sri Lanka marks the first by a UN High Commissioner for Human Rights since February 2016.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism
Colombo
27 June 2025
Statement by Her Excellency Himalee Arunatilaka, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the United Nations in Geneva at the 58th Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council
58th Session of the Human Rights Council:
Statement by PR/Geneva
(as the country concerned following the Oral Update on Sri Lanka
by the High Commissioner for Human Rights)
03 March 2025
Statement delivered by Hon. Vijitha Herath, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism on 25 February 2025 during the High Level Segment of the 58th session of the Human Rights Council
Mr. President,
Excellencies,
Mr. President, I wish to congratulate you on your election as the President of this Council.
Mr. President,
Opening statement of the Hon. Saroja Savithri Paulraj, Minister of Women and Child Affairs, Head of Delegation to the CEDAW Review of Sri Lanka´s 9th Periodic Report 13 February 2025, Palais des Nations, Geneva
Madam Chair,
Distinguished members of the Committee,
Civil society representatives, particularly those who have travelled from Sri Lanka,
Good morning
Statement by Hon. Anil Jayantha Fernando, Minister of Labour at the 113th Session of the international Labour Conference, 10 June 2025
Hon. Anil Jayantha Fernando, Minister of Labour, leading the tripartite delegation to the 113th Session of the International Labour Conference in Geneva, addressed the Plenary Sitting of the on 10 June 2025 and highlighted the Government's focus on promoting decent work, occupational safety and health, closing the gender pay gap, supporting the care economy, and ensuring protections for all workers, including those in the informal, precarious, and gig economies.