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Sri Lanka raises concerns on reference to Sri Lanka in OHCHR press release

Tuesday, 09 June 2020

Sri Lanka’s Acting Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Geneva, Dayani Mendis, in a letter addressed to the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet, has raised concerns regarding the allegations made in a press release issued by the High Commissioner on 03 June 2020 regarding “clampdown” of freedom of expression during COVID-19, in which a reference had been made to Sri Lanka.

The letter highlights that it has become essential for all countries and Governments to take measures to counter misinformation and disinformation in the interest of protecting public health, particularly during the
COVID-19 pandemic. These measures are also in line with the consensus resolution on COVID-19 response adopted on 18 May 2020 at the 73 World Health Assembly (WHA), which also, inter alia, calls on Member States to provide the population with reliable and comprehensive information on COVID-19 and take measures to counter misinformation and disinformation.

Ambassadors of Arab Countries meet Foreign Relations Minister Dinesh Gunawardena and assure fullest support and cooperation towards Sri Lanka

Monday, 08 June 2020

On behalf of the President and Prime Minister, Government and people of Sri Lanka, Minister of Foreign Relations, Skills Development, Employment and Labour Relations Dinesh Gunawardena met the Ambassadors of Arab Countries based in Colombo at the Ministry of Foreign Relations, today, 8 June 2020 and expressed sincere gratitude through them to their respective Arab Governments for the support and solidarity given to the people and Government of Sri Lanka during this

Statement by H.E. Kshenuka Senewiratne, Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the United Nations at the Launch of the “Group of Friends to Combat Marine Plastic Pollution” 8th June 2020

Monday, 08 June 2020
  • Sri Lanka is pleased to be among the founding members of the “Group of Friends on Combating Marine Plastic Pollution”. I wish to congratulate Norway, the Maldives and Antigua and Barbuda for this timely initiative and look forward to contributing to the Group’s efforts in the future, to achieve SDG 14.

    Revised Instructions on PCR testing and Quarantine procedures for DPLs entering Sri Lanka

    Friday, 05 June 2020

    Following the revised instructions issued on 4 June 2020 by the Presidential Secretariat on the PCR testing and quarantine procedures for the members of the Diplomatic corps based/attached in Colombo when they enter/re-enter Sri Lanka in order to prevent and minimize the risk of the spread of the Coronavirus, the Ministry of Foreign Relations, took immediate action to convey the same to all Diplomatic Missions, the Representation Offices of the United Nations and its Specialized Agencies, International Organizations, Honorary Consulates resident in Colombo through diplomatic channels.

    Pressure from Migrant Workers Mounting and Felt Strongly by Our Missions - Foreign Secretary, Ravinatha Aryasinha

    Sunday, 31 May 2020

    By Sulochana Ramiah Mohan

    The Ministry of Foreign Relations (MFR) is dealing with the effects of the coronavirus pandemic both within and outside Sri Lanka. Foreign Secretary, Ravinatha Aryasinha, took time off to explain how he and others have taken up the challenge to do their best.

    He told Ceylon Today that the MFR has managed its affairs and not allowed any pressure to be placed on the Government on account of the present crisis. He said, "My colleagues in the MFR, the Sri Lanka Foreign Service officers and other Public Officials deployed in the Missions from Commerce, SLAS, Defence, Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment, etc., have performed their duties to the maximum extent possible within the limited resources and under trying circumstances."

     

    Special radio discussion with Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena

    Saturday, 30 May 2020

    Foreign Relations Minister Dinesh Gunawardena participated in a special radio discussion broadcast live on the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation (SLBC) “Podu Jana Charitha” Programme on 30 May 2020 from 8.00 – 9.00 am

    Audio link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/123kxRMx6MeJobBmy7Yoiap2AInxnWyZX/view?usp=sharing