High Commission of Sri Lanka in India

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.

External Affairs Minister of India Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar who was on a one-day official visit to Sri Lanka met with his Sri Lankan counterpart, Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath for bilateral talks at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs this afternoon (04). Earlier in the day, Minister Dr. Jaishankar was received on arrival at the Bandaranaike International Airport by Foreign Secretary Aruni Wijewardane.

Dr. Jaishankar was the first high-level foreign dignitary to visit Sri Lanka after the government of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake assumed office on 22 September. The main objective of the visit of the External Affairs Minister of India was to congratulate the new President and the government and to demonstrate India’s commitment in moving forward with the strong bilateral partnership.

The discussions between the Sri Lankan Foreign Minister and the visiting External Affairs Minister of India focussed on a range of issues of mutual interest including in the areas of economic and development cooperation, social security, culture, cooperation in the regional and multilateral fora as well as fisheries.

Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath welcomed the excellent bilateral cooperation between Sri Lanka and India, and India’s support for the economic progress of Sri Lanka. External Affairs Minister Jaishankar congratulated his Sri Lankan counterpart on the latter’s assumption of office, and expressed India’s continued support towards economic recovery and stability of its close neighbour. Adding that Sri Lanka is at the centre of India’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy, Minister Jaishankar stated that he looks forward to working closely with Foreign Minister Herath, and the new government.  

Foreign Secretary Aruni Wijewardane and senior officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs were associated with the bilateral talks at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where the visiting Indian External Affairs Minister also signed the Guest Book.