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Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena leads the Sri Lanka delegation to the informal meeting of SAARC Council of Ministers

Thursday, 24 September 2020

Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena led the Sri Lankan delegation to the informal meeting of the Council of Ministers of the eight-member South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) on 24 September 2020. The annual event, which traditionally takes place on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, was convened in virtual mode this year amidst the Covid-19 pandemic. 

Virtual Summit between Prime Minister Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Modi on 26 September

Wednesday, 23 September 2020

The Prime Ministers of Sri Lanka and India are scheduled to have a Virtual Bilateral Summit on Saturday, 26 September 2020.

On the initiative of Prime Minister Narendra Modi who had a telephone conversation with the newly appointed Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa on 06 August 2020, both leaders agreed to review the multifaceted bilateral relationship through the scheduled Virtual Summit.

The Summit level interaction is expected to focus on the full gamut of bilateral engagement inter-alia political, economic, finance, development, defence and security spheres, educational, tourism and cultural as well as regional and international issues of mutual interest.

Relevant subject Ministers and Senior Officials of both countries will associate the leaders at the Summit.

This is the first Virtual Summit level interaction by Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa with a foreign leader since assuming premiership last month.

 

Foreign Ministry

Colombo

 

23 September 2020

We expect UN to place due emphasis on non-interference in domestic affairs of states – President tells UN High – Level Meeting

Monday, 21 September 2020

We expect the United Nation will place due emphasis on non-interference in domestic affairs of other states, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa said in a pre-recorded statement at the High-Level Meeting to Commemorate the 75th Anniversary of the United Nations today (21).

Interview of Foreign Secretary Admiral Prof. Jayanath Colombage on India’s Thanthi TV

Sunday, 20 September 2020

The Interview featuring Foreign Secretary Admiral Prof. Jayanath Colombage on Sri Lanka’s success story amid the COVID-19 pandemic, and the country’s policies and cooperation within the region was telecast on 19 September 2020 on Thanthi TV in Chennai.

 

 

Statement by Sri Lanka during the Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the promotion of truth, justice, reparation and guarantees of non-recurrence at the 45th Session of the Human Rights Council

Saturday, 19 September 2020

Statement by Sri Lanka during the Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the promotion of truth, justice, reparation and guarantees of non- recurrence at the 45th Session of the Human Rights Council was made by Ms Dayani Mendis, Actg. Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the United Nations in Geneva on 17 September 2020    

 

 

45th Session of the Human Rights Council

Agenda Item 3:

Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the promotion of

truth, justice, reparation and guarantees of non- recurrence

17 September 2020

 Madam President,

 As this Council is aware, in November last year, the people of Sri Lanka gave a resounding mandate to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to pursue a policy framework aimed at achieving the fourfold outcome of “a productive citizenry, a contented family, a disciplined and just society and a prosperous nation.”

The people of Sri Lanka gave a second mandate at the General Election held last month, with an unprecedented percentage of 59.09%, for the first time in the history in an election held under the Proportional Representation System. This is a re-endorsement of the first mandate and a clear signal of their support for a path forward for the country, towards prosperity while safeguarding the people and protecting the sovereignty of the country without succumbing to any force.

Briefing to Member States on the Occasion of the Second Anniversary of the Launch of the UN “Youth 2030” Strategy - Welcome Remarks H.E. Mrs. Kshenuka Senewiratne, Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the United Nations - New York, 16 September 2020,

Wednesday, 16 September 2020

 

New York, 16 September 2020, 11:00 – 13:30 hrs

 

Welcome Remarks H.E. Mrs. Kshenuka Senewiratne,

Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the United Nations

 

Her Excellency UN Deputy-Secretary-General, Amina Mohammed

His Excellency Michal Mlynar, Permanent Representative of Slovakia to the UN

Secretary-General’s Envoy on Youth, Jayathma Wickramanayake

All briefers,

Excellencies,

Ladies & Gentlemen,

On behalf of the Permanent Missions of Sri Lanka and Slovakia, I am extremely pleased to extend a warm welcome to all of you, to this important stocktake, on the occasion of the second anniversary of the launch of the UN “Youth 2030” strategy.

As you are all aware, this Youth Strategy was officially launched in September 2018 at a high-level event here in New York, with the association of the UN Secretary-General His Excellency António Guterres. Given that 2 years have since passed, my friend Ambassador Michal of Slovakia and I thought it would be timely and opportune to examine the progress of its implementation, and seek out if there is anything that we, as Member States could assist to provide further impetus to this important initiative.

In our discussions with Jayathma UNSG’s Envoy on Youth on this subject, culminated to today’s initiative. My sincere appreciation is extended to the co-hosts of this event, the teams at the Permanent Missions of Slovakia and Sri Lanka, and at the Youth Envoys’ Office for their tremendous, ready support.