High Commission of Sri Lanka in India

Your Excellency Santosh Jha, High Commissioner of India,
Mr. Kishore Reddy, President of the Sri Lanka – India Society,
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,
 
 
I wish to extend my warmest congratulations to the Sri Lanka – India Society and all Indian nationals present here on the 77^th Anniversary of Independence of India.
 
This year is further significant to the Sri Lanka – India Society as it celebrates its 75^th Anniversary of establishment. My heartiest congratulations on reaching this milestone.
 
The roots of the historical relationship between Sri Lanka and India can be traced back over millennia to a time when trade, culture and knowledge flowed across the Indian Ocean, fostering a natural connection between the people of our two countries.

This deep bond shared by Sri Lanka and India is not just a testament to history but a living example of our cooperation, mutual respect, and shared objectives. The advent and impact of Buddhism has drawn us even closer.

Buddhism is the most valuable gift from India to Sri Lanka; the pinnacle of a very special relationship between the two countries. One cannot expect that relationship to be more special, when Emperor Asoka, chose to send us the timeless message of the Buddha.

As history bears witness, this special relationship has continued to modern times following independence. It is worth recalling that Sri Lanka’s first diplomatic representative to India was sent to New Delhi in 1942, even before our two countries gained independence.

India has always stood by us as a close friend. The Government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi through his neighborhood first policy and SAGAR framework has further consolidated our ties and expanded cooperation. We recall the tremendous support extended by India following Sri Lanka’s recent economic crisis and the support extended for our debt restructuring arrangement with the IMF.

The visit of the Minister of External Affairs Dr. Jaishankar, was the very first high-level foreign dignitary to visit after the new government assumed office. This visit is a manifestation of the close bilateral ties between our two nations.

The escalation of the current conflict in the Middle East has given rise to a critical situation particularly in Lebanon.

In view of  the significant number of Sri Lankans employed in the region, necessary measures to ensure their safety and security are already being taken through the respective Sri Lanka Missions in those countries.  Necessary instructions to ensure the safety of Sri Lankans will also be provided regularly by the Sri Lanka Missions. In this context, Sri Lankans living in the Middle East region are requested to pay special attention to these instructions, and act accordingly.

Furthermore, relatives of those working and living in the Middle East region may contact the Consular Affairs Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for information about their NoK in the event of any emergency.  (Tel: 011 – 2338812/ 011 – 7711194)

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Colombo

16 October 2024

High Commissioners, Ambassadors, members of the Diplomatic community, UN Resident Coordinator and Heads of International Organisations in Colombo,
 
Good morning!
 
I am pleased to meet all of you at this first interaction between myself and the Colombo-based Diplomatic Corps. 
 
As you all have observed, on 23^rd September 2024, following a transparent and peaceful electoral process, H.E. the President Anura Kumara Dissanayake was sworn in as the 9^th Executive President of Sri Lanka. On 24 September, according to the relevant constitutional procedures, H.E. the President dissolved the then Parliament, and the Parliamentary Election is scheduled to be held 14 November 2024.
 
Therefore, I need to highlight, we are still going through a transition election period.

Until the conclusion of the Parliamentary Election, a Cabinet of three Ministers including H.E. the President is looking after 15 Ministries. While serving as the Minister of Foreign Affairs, I myself am looking after five more Ministries! This is the reason why I have not been able to meet most of you individually – I apologize for this and hope to get to know you today, to be followed up with closer contact after the parliamentary election. 
 
At the same time, HE the President has prioritized meeting with the diplomatic corps, and these meetings are still ongoing. I think many of you have met with HE President already.

Mr. President,

As the country concerned in respect of draft resolution 57/ L.1, as authorized by the newly elected Government in Sri Lanka, let me brief the Council on the latest developments in the country.

Following the model conduct for a free, fair and peaceful election followed by a dignified transition in keeping with our decades of democratic practice, H.E. the President Anura Kumara Dissanayake was sworn in as the 9^th Executive President of Sri Lanka on 23 September.

Next month, the people of Sri Lanka will exercise their franchise once again to elect a new Parliament, enabling the Government to move forward with a strengthened mandate to deliver on the people’s expectations for a new political culture in the country. The rule of law, transparency, accountability and reconciliation will prevail in order to ensure sustained economic growth and social well-being of all our citizens. 

In line with the aspirations of the people, the Government will prioritize integrity, and ethical governance including addressing issues of mismanagement and corruption that were at the root of the economic collapse.

The Government will protect democracy and human rights of all citizens including addressing past issues. Domestic mechanisms and processes that deal with reconciliation, accountability and justice will be credible and independent within the Constitutional framework, and a truth and reconciliation process that has the people’s trust will be operationalized.  As stated by H.E the President  ‘Our aim is to make domestic mechanisms credible and sound...’

As directed by H.E. the President, investigative authorities have already announced redoubling of investigation into a number of clearly identified accountability cases that were pending from the past.

Justice will be delivered to the victims of the senseless Easter Sunday attacks.

The Government is committed to a Sri Lankan nation that respects diversity and equal citizenship for all without discrimination consistent with our Constitution and our Treaty commitments. Administrative, political and electoral processes will be activated towards this end.

The Government has received the mandate from the people and the encouragement of the international community as we move forward on these fronts.