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Foreign Secretary Aryasinha underscores the relevance of the Bandung Principles as global multilateral mechanisms come under strain

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Foreign Secretary Ravinatha Aryasinha on 26 September 2019 underscored the relevance of the Bandung Principles at a time when global multilateral mechanisms are under strain, when addressing the Ministerial Meeting of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) held in New York, on the sidelines of the 74th Session of the United Nations General Assembly. Given that NAM encompasses 55 percent of the world’s population it has a moral duty to give voice to the concerns of the Global South, especially the developing small States.

Sri Lanka reaffirmed its commitment to NAM efforts to address current global challenges that transcend national borders such as conflict, migration, climate change and communicable diseases. Non-traditional security threats such as climate change have emerged not only as an economic and social challenge but as a security threat where societies and countries are made vulnerable due to man-made disasters. While welcoming the UN Secretary-General’s Climate Action Summit held at the UN Headquarters on 23 September 2019, Secretary Aryasinha expressed deep concern about the negative impacts of climate change, particularly on island nations such as Sri Lanka. The Foreign Secretary also expressed hope that the upcoming COP25, to be held in Chile would galvanize efforts in combating climate change by meeting the commitments entailed in the Paris Agreement.

Foreign Secretary Aryasinha stated that Sri Lanka attaches importance on combating all forms of racism, hate and violent extremism and that there is a need to focus on the new threats that have emerged, demonstrated by the Easter Sunday attacks in Sri Lanka. He stressed that such a global menace threatens the security of all nations and cannot be tackled by a single country alone but requires collective efforts and called on NAM to collectively contribute to this global security threat in a constructive and cohesive manner. The Foreign Secretary stated that Sri Lanka believes in a free society where freedom of expression is ensured, however there is a need to be conscious of the growing threat of hate speech and abuse of the internet and social media platforms.

The theme for the Ministerial Meeting was “Upholding principles of sovereignty and political independence as a means to maintain international peace and security and foster friendly relations and cooperation among States” and an outcome document was adopted at the meeting. Sri Lanka is a co-sponsor of the Bandung Conference of 1955 and a founding member of the NAM. The Group has continued to progress over the last six decades and its membership has now surpassed 120 - two-thirds of the membership of the United Nations.

 

Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka to the United Nations

New York

26 September 2019

Text in Sinhala (PDF)

Text in Tamil (PDF)

 

26 September 2019

 

Comment of the Deputy Spokesman for the UN Secretary General

Following the statement of the Deputy Spokesman for the UN Secretary General yesterday (25 September 2019) that the UN Department of Peace Operations has decided to repatriate a  Sri Lankan Army unit and individual officers currently serving with UN Peacekeeping due to concerns on the appointment of Lt. Gen. Shavendra Silva as the Commander of the Sri Lanka Army, the Government of Sri Lanka is in discussion on this issue with the UN.  Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs who is leading the Sri Lanka delegation to the 74th General Assembly Session is scheduled to discuss this matter with the Under Secretary General of the UN Department of Peace Operations, on Friday, 27 September 2019.

   

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Colombo

26 September 2019

 

Text in Sinhala (PDF)

Text In Tamil (PDF)

 

Sri Lanka Day' successfully held in Toronto

2019-09-13

Consulate General of Sri Lanka in Toronto together with the assistance of Toronto Police Community Partnership and Engagement Unit, and Toronto Police Cricket Club organised and successfully concluded the 'Sri Lanka Day' on 08 September 2019 at the Toronto Police Perceval Cummins Cricket Field in Scarborough, Toronto.

'Sri Lanka Day' was ceremonially started with a procession carrying Sri Lankan national flags, Sesath and other traditional symbols and a march by Toronto Police Ceremonial Unit. After playing the national anthems of Sri Lanka and Canada, the event was adorned with traditional cultural dances of Upcountry, Bharatha and a bridal pageant.

Delivering the opening remarks, as the Chief Guest, Sri Lanka's High Commissioner in Canada  highlighted  the importance of sports in unifying all expatriates in Toronto and admired the assistance extended by the Toronto Police to organize this event under the theme of    “Partnership and Engagement”. The Superintendent of Toronto Police as Chief representative from the Canadian side, David Rydzik assured their support for partnership among all in his speech. Other dignitaries who graced the event as special guests were representatives from diplomatic corps and international organisations, senior Toronto Police officials, Member of the Sri Lanka Parliament Mayantha Dissanayake and other professionals from Sinhala, Tamil, Muslim and Malay communities.

   

Sri Lanka and Venezuela agree to forge closer bilateral ties

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As part of an Asian tour undertaken to promote closer cooperation between the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela and Asian countries, the Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs for Asia, Middle East and Oceania of Venezuela, Ruben Dario Molina visited Sri Lanka from 24 to 28 August 2019.

The Venezuelan dignitary held official talks with the State Minister of Foreign Affairs, Vasantha Senanayake on 27 August at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where both sides discussed modalities to forge closer cooperation between the two countries.

A draft Agreement to formalize a Political Consultation mechanism between the two Foreign Ministries, enabling a structured dialogue and enhancing bilateral ties for the mutual benefit of the two countries was discussed. Furthermore, a draft Agreement on the Exemption of Visas for holders of Diplomatic and Service passports was also shared with the Sri Lankan side with a view to facilitating official travel between Sri Lanka and Venezuela.

During the meeting, Sri Lanka emphasized its increased focus towards the Latin America region and both countries committed themselves towards a Road map to renew and expand their trade and economic cooperation, as well as, people to people contacts.

State Minister Senanayake conveyed the best wishes of President Maithripala Sirisena to the Government and the people of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.  Venezuela is the current Chair of the Non Aligned Movement (NAM) of which Sri Lanka is a founding member.

Foreign Secretary Ravinatha Aryasinha and senior Foreign Ministry officials were associated with State Minister Senanayake at the meeting. Vice Minister Molina was accompanied by Mr. Nestor Enrique Lopez, Minister Counsellor of the Venezuelan Embassy in New Delhi, which is concurrently accredited to Sri Lanka.

 

 Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Colombo

28 August 2019

Text in Sinhala (PDF)

Text in Tamil (PDF)

 

"Island of Ingenuity" promoted in Toronto

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The Consulate General of Sri Lanka in Toronto arranged the Information & Communication Technology / Business Process Management (ICT/ BPM) promotional workshop “Island of Ingenuity” on 12 August 2019 at Edward Hotel, Toronto, Ontario. The Advisor to the team working as the Sectoral Expert for the ICT/ BPM sector in Sri Lanka, Ruwindhu Peiris participated in the event as the resource person.  The workshop was attended by Sri Lankan expatriates engaging in the ICT sector.

The aim of this initiative was to leverage Sri Lanka’s Diaspora network to help transform the industry by tapping into their networks and unraveling opportunities for Sri Lanka’s ICT/BPM sector. Sri Lanka’s National Export Strategy 2022 targets to elevate IT/BPM sector and achieve a target of USD 5 billion in export revenues, 200,000+ new jobs and 1,000 new start ups.

   

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