Saturday, 26 October 2024 00:00 |
Sri Lanka participated at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) 2024 held in Apia, Samoa from 24- 26 October 2024. The theme of the CHOGM 2024 was “One Resilient Common Future: Transforming our Common Wealth”. The Commonwealth, a voluntary association of 56 independent states, is one of the world’s oldest political association of states that work together towards the shared goals of peace, democracy and prosperity. The organization is home to approximately 2.7 billion people, and includes both advanced economies and developing countries.
During the CHOGM 2024, the Leaders' Statement, the Samoa CHOGM 2024 Communiqué and the Apia Commonwealth Ocean Declaration were adopted. The leaders also selected Hon. Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Ghana, as the incoming Secretary-General of the Commonwealth.
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Tuesday, 22 October 2024 17:53 |
Foreign Secretary Aruni Wijewardane will lead the Sri Lanka delegation to the BRICS Outreach/ BRICS Plus Summit to be held in Kazan, Russia from 22-24 October 2024. BRICS, which consists of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa recently expanded its membership to include Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, and the United Arab Emirates. Over the years BRICS has become an important platform for cooperation among emerging markets and developing countries.
Sri Lanka has formally initiated the application process to join the BRICS and the New Development Bank. The President of Sri Lanka has written to his Russian counterpart conveying Sri Lanka’s interest in BRICS Membership, while Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath has written to his counterparts in BRICS member countries seeking their support. During the visit Foreign Secretary Wijewardane will address the upcoming Leaders’ Summit on behalf of H. E. President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. She will also meet senior representatives from BRICS member countries to discuss Sri Lanka’s application to join BRICS as well as other issues of bilateral interest. Foreign Secretary Wijewardane was met on arrival in Kazan on 21 October by Mr. Farid Khayullovich Mukhametshin, Chairman of the State Council of the Republic of Tatarstan, Mr. Denis Kalinkin, First Deputy Mayor of the City of Kazan, Ms. Lenara Muzafarova, Director of the Multifunctional Center of the Republic of Tatarstan and protocol officials from the Foreign Ministry of Russia. She is accompanied by the Chargé d’affaires Ambassador P. M. Amza, and Director General, Economic Affairs Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, K. K. Yoganaadan. Ministry of Foreign Affairs Colombo 22 October 2024 |
Tuesday, 22 October 2024 06:13 |
The attention of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been drawn to several media reports that Sri Lanka has not signed the Joint Letter supporting the UN Secretary General, in response to the recent declaration by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Israel designating the UN Secretary General as “persona non grata”. By Note Verbale dated 11 October 2024, Sri Lanka conveyed its desire to be a signatory to the Letter supporting the UN Secretary General, to the Permanent Mission of Chile in New York, which coordinated the Joint Letter. Sri Lanka has continued its long-standing and unwavering support for the Palestinian cause and has expressed solidarity with the Palestinian people throughout the years. Sri Lanka has voiced serious concerns regarding the current dire humanitarian situation in Gaza at multiple multilateral fora and supported the call for an immediate ceasefire. Sri Lanka continues to support the mandated and essential humanitarian efforts of the United Nations in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, including consistent support to UNRWA. Sri Lanka strongly condemned the recent attack which affected UNIFIL's headquarters in Naqoura, South Lebanon, which injured two Sri Lankan peacekeepers. Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath's statement to the diplomatic corps in Colombo on 14 October highlighted the need to uphold the obligation to ensure the safety and security of UN personnel and the inviolability of UN premises at all times. Sri Lanka chairs the UN Special Committee to Investigate Israeli Practices Affecting the Human Rights of the Palestinian People and Other Arabs of the Occupied Territories, which was established by United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2443 in 1968. Accordingly, Sri Lanka fully supports the Letter which defended not just the Secretary General but the UN mandate itself. Ministry of Foreign Affairs Colombo
21 October 2024 |
Monday, 21 October 2024 07:40 |
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 77th Anniversary of Independence of India. This year is further significant to the Sri Lanka – India Society as it celebrates its 75th 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.
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Thursday, 17 October 2024 10:51 |
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
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