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Tuesday, 19 November 2024 17:12 |
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Newly appointed Secretary to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Aruni Ranaraja, following her appointment by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake assumed duties at the Foreign Ministry today, 19 November 2024. Senior officials of the Ministry were present on the occasion.
A career Sri Lanka Foreign Service officer, Secretary Aruni Ranaraja counts 28 years of service in the Foreign Ministry. She has served both at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Sri Lanka Missions abroad, in various capacities including as Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to the Netherlands and the Philippines. She also served as the Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW).
Immediately prior to her appointment she served as Additional Secretary and Chief of Protocol of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs since April 2024.
Mrs. Aruni Ranaraja holds a Master’s Degree in International Relations from the State University of Ukraine and Bachelor’s Degree in International Relations from the same University. In addition to her native languages, she is fluent in English and Russian, and understands Japanese.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Colombo
19 November 2024 |
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Monday, 18 November 2024 16:03 |
Newly appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment & Tourism Vijitha Herath assumed duties at the Foreign Ministry today, 18 November 2024 at a simple ceremony. Senior officials of the Ministry were present on the occasion. As a Member of Parliament, Minister Herath has represented the Gampaha District since 2000. At the recently concluded General election, he was re-elected, obtaining the highest ever number of preferential votes in Parliamentary election history, in Sri Lanka.
Minister Herath had also previously served as the Minister of Cultural Affairs & National Heritage, and immediately prior to re-election, he was the Minister of Foreign Affairs.
Minister Herath holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Kelaniya.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Colombo
18 November 2024
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Monday, 18 November 2024 10:08 |
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Wednesday, 13 November 2024 18:00 |
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The United States today lifted the security alert on the Arugam Bay area, following close collaboration with the Sri Lankan side and the immediate and extensive security measures put in place by the Ministry of Defence, the Ministry of Public Security and related agencies.
Sri Lanka takes any security alert seriously, and accordingly the Sri Lankan authorities promptly implemented a series of coordinated security measures in the area to safeguard tourists, foreigners and residents against any possible threat.
Detailed instructions were given by Sri Lanka Police to maintain security in the Arugam Bay area while emphasising the importance of safeguarding the freedom of tourists. The residents of the concerned areas as well as owners of tourist establishments and all persons engaged in the field of tourism cooperated closely with the Sri Lanka Police in these efforts.
At a meeting held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath together with all related defence and public security agencies, briefed the Heads of Diplomatic Missions directly concerned, regarding the extensive measures by the Sri Lankan side, and urged the removal of the security alert and related travel advisories.
This request was reiterated by Foreign Minister Herath yesterday. The US side rescinded the security alert this afternoon stating that the USA values the “strong partnership with the Government of Sri Lanka and law enforcement”.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reiterates that Sri Lanka is a peaceful, beautiful and friendly destination for tourists ahead of the upcoming tourist season.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Colombo
13 November 2024 |
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Sunday, 10 November 2024 16:19 |
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The attention of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been drawn to incorrect and misleading reports carried in certain local media that Sri Lanka’s application for BRICS membership has been rejected.
As approved by the Cabinet on 7 October 2024, Sri Lanka applied for membership in BRICS and the New Development Bank (NDB). The Minister of Foreign Affairs Vijitha Herath wrote to his counterparts in BRICS member countries informing of Sri Lanka’s interest to join. President Anura Kumara Dissanayake also wrote to his Russian counterpart in this regard.
At the BRICS Outreach Summit held in Kazan, Russia 22-24 October 2024, Foreign Secretary Aruni Wijewardane, as leader of the Sri Lanka delegation announced Sri Lanka's interest. At the Summit, the BRICS Member States also endorsed a new category of Partner Countries, whilst ‘welcoming the considerable interest by countries of the Global South in BRICS’ (Kazan Declaration).
Pending requests for BRICS membership from many countries including Sri Lanka will be considered by BRICS member countries in due course.
Sri Lanka’s intention to join the New Development Bank was welcomed by the President of the New Development Bank. The Foreign Ministry together with relevant Government agencies will review the procedures and timing in this regard.
There is no truth in the statement carried in certain local media that “Sri Lanka’s BRICS application has been rejected”.
It is regrettable that the points made by the Minister of Foreign Affairs at the post-cabinet media conference on 6 November 2024 have been misrepresented.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Colombo
10 November 2024
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