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Sri Lanka High Commission in Ottawa

FOREIGN MINISTER MEETS THE NEW WHO REPRESENTATIVE TO SRI LANKA

Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena received the newly appointed representative of the World Health Organization (WHO) to Sri Lanka Dr. Alaka Singh today (25 June) at the Ministry.

Welcoming Dr. Singh to Sri Lanka, Minister Gunawardena recalled the close cooperation between Sri Lanka and the WHO, being the very first UN agency to be established in Colombo in 1952. He appreciated the WHO’s assistance to Sri Lanka during the COVID- 19 pandemic, and requested continued support in securing COVID- 19 vaccines to the people of Sri Lanka. Minister Gunawardena also recalled that Sri Lanka was among the first countries that stood in strong solidarity with the WHO in its efforts towards addressing the COVID- 19 challenges.

While appreciating Sri Lanka’s solidarity with the organization, representative of WHO Dr. Singh assured the continued collaboration of the WHO in both addressing the COVID – 19 pandemic as well as in ensuring the sustainable delivery of other health care services during this period.

She commended Sri Lanka’s excellent health care system producing impressive health care indicators and the country’s standing as an example for the other countries in the region.

The representative of WHO to Sri Lanka Dr. Singh assured WHO’s assistance in securing COVID – 19 vaccines to Sri Lanka, and also in the post COVID- 19 recovery phase. She expressed hope that the availability of vaccines will increase significantly in the 3rd quarter of this year.

Minister Gunawardena said that Sri Lanka looks forward to collaborate with the WHO among other things, to enhance the capacities of the health care system and research facilities in the Sri Lankan universities.

Foreign Ministry

Colombo

25 June, 2021

Sri Lanka elected to the UN Commission on International Trade Law

Sri Lanka was among thirty-one (31) members elected to the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) by the UN General Assembly on 20 November 2024.

Sri Lanka contested for a seat from the Asia Pacific Group, and secured 177 votes. This was the second highest number of votes within the group, and second highest overall among the thirty one members elected.

Other member states elected from the Asia Pacific Group to the UNCITRAL are Malaysia, The Philippines, Singapore, Viet Nam, China, Japan and Republic of Korea.

Sri Lanka will serve a six (6) year term, commencing in January 2025.

UNCITRAL, established in 1966 and Headquartered in Vienna, is the core legal body in the field of international trade. Its mandate includes removing obstacles to trade and harmonising trade laws.

UNCITRAL also provides technical assistance to member States. Sri Lanka’s legislation for the facilitation of trade and investment such as the Sri Lanka Arbitration Act and the Electronic Transaction Act have benefitted from model laws by UNCITRAL.

Sri Lanka has previously served as a Member of UNCITRAL from 2004 – 2007, and 2016 – 2022.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Colombo

22 November 2024

FOREIGN MINISTER DINESH GUNAWARDENA ATTENDS THE ASIA-PACIFIC HIGH LEVEL CONFERENCE ON BELT AND ROAD COOPERATION

Addressing the Asia-Pacific High Level Conference on Belt and Road Cooperation virtually on 23 June, 2021, Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunwardena stressed the importance of enhanced cooperation among states and other partners in addressing the COVID-19 challenges, including by recognizing the vaccines as global public health good. He also highlighted Sri Lanka's policy focus and thrust on sustainable development with renewable energy as a national priority.

Emphasizing that coordinated efforts at combating the virus, early recovery from the pandemic, and people-centered development would contribute productively to economic advancement in the future, the Minister Gunwardena invited all countries to avail of the opportunities available in Sri Lanka for investment in important growth-prone sectors. He referred in this context to the emerging Colombo Port City, port infrastructure in Colombo and in Hambantota as well as key Industrial Zones.

The Minister Gunwardena also underlined the critical importance of connectivity for achieving prosperity in the region, and of integrating green development and environmental protection into national planning and programming of all states.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of China chaired the conference with the participation of dignitaries from the Asia-Pacific region and other countries as well as representatives of international and regional organizations. Foreign Secretary Admiral Prof. Jayanath Colombage was associated with Minister Gunawardena at this Conference.

Foreign Ministry
Colombo

24 June, 2021

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Statement by Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena at the Asia-Pacific High Level Conference

on Belt and Road Cooperation 23 June 2021

His Excellency Wang Yi, State Councilor and Foreign Minister of the People’s Republic of China
Distinguished Foreign Ministers and Dignitaries of the participating countries

It is a great pleasure to address the Asia-Pacific High Level Conference on Belt and Road Cooperation today.

Under His Excellency President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s Vista of Prosperity and Splendour Sri Lanka embarks on a new chapter of socio-economic development through the strengthening and increasing cooperation amongst countries and international & regional partners. Such cooperation has become increasingly pronounced today given the unprecedented challenges faced by humanity owing to the ongoing pandemic.

COVID-19 has caused severe disruptions to the health, safety and livelihoods of people. Therefore, multilateralism and international cooperation provides the best possible means to defeat the pandemic safely and sustainably, and thus sharing information amongst countries to contain the pandemic is essential.

In this context, I consider the convening of this meeting by our friend and partner, China, timely.

Excellencies

Moreover, vaccination, among other remedies, is the only sustainable solution in containing COVID-19. Unfortunately, severe supply and resource constraints have affected the vaccination drives of many developing nations.

In this regard, Sri Lanka reiterates the call for making COVID-19 vaccines a ‘global public health good’. Friendship between China has been one that has seen through all seasons, good times and bad times; cultivating best friendships based on principles of ‘Kalyana Mithra’.

Under His Excellency President Xi Jingping’s leadership we hold at high esteem China’s great humanitarian contribution and advancement shown in safeguarding People’s lives in Sri Lanka as well as across the world, and in the region, in the process of eradication of COVID-19 pandemic. While fighting a global pandemic China has shown its great powers though progress shown in challenges in space arena too.

Your Excellencies

The impact of the current global pandemic on our economies and societies is disastrous. The Sri Lankan economy has also been seriously affected by the pandemic. Despite challenges, Sri Lanka aims to harness our strengths and the advantages to develop our economy and uplift the wellbeing of our people. Sri Lanka is committed to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals set by the United Nations.

Towards this end, Sri Lanka aspires to benefit from Belt and Road cooperation to further improve our economic infrastructure and advance connectivity under a win-win scenario.

With the development of Colombo Port City, that will feature a top-grade regional financial service center, world class port infrastructure in Colombo and in Hambantota as well as key Industrial Zones in several locations, Sri Lanka is confident that investors around the world will be able to benefit from these initiatives.

I wish to mention Singapore has been growing as a key Asian Financial center. I wish to mention Dubai has been growing as a key Middle-East Financial center. For a long time there had been a very dry spot in between. This long due will now be served by the "Colombo International Finance Center".

As Foreign Minister of Sri Lanka, I wish to make this the opportunity to request and invite Foreign Investors to come and invest in the "Colombo International Financial City".

Excellencies

Sri Lanka is taking sweeping adaptation measures to build climate resilience and is actively participating in the global campaign to combat global warming. Sri Lanka has begun to abandon the use of chemical fertilizers and has committed to generating 70% of renewable energy too.

Accordingly, Sri Lanka recognizes the critical importance of integrating green development and environmental protection into pandemic recovery and development drives. In this regard, the Belt and Road green development initiatives provide valuable inspirations.

Sri Lanka looks forward towards working with China and its partners in achieving prosperity of all our peoples.

May all beings be well, happy and safe Ayubowan! Thank you

Foreign Secretary Aruni Ranaraja assumes duties

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

FOREIGN MINISTRY HOSTS STAKEHOLDER MEETING TO BRIEF FOREIGN EXPERTS ON THE MV-X PRESS PEARL DISASTER

The European Union (EU)/ECHO (the emergency arm of EU funding) through the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) supports three (03) technical experts to assist the Sri Lankan Government assessing the impact on the environment caused by the MV X-press Pearl.

The experts include Stephane Le Floch, an expert on oil and HNS (hazardous and noxious substances) has been deployed to emergencies, HNS and marine litter expertise Camille La Croix and Luigi Alcaro, specialised in environmental impact assessment following oil and HNS spills also with previous deployment experience.

A meeting was organized by the Foreign Ministry to brief the team of experts on the current ground situation and the action taken by the relevant stakeholder agencies. The meeting was chaired by Director General, Ocean Affairs, Environment and Climate Change Hasanthi Urugodawatte Dissanayake together with UN Resident Coordinator in Sri Lanka Hanaa Singer Hamdy. The meeting commenced with an introduction to the disaster that occurred, setting the background for further elaboration and updates from the relevant stakeholder agency, with the relevant mandate.

The meeting paved the way to understand the mandates of the agencies in relation to environmental damages connected to the disaster and the role of the agencies and initial discussions on how the 03 experts could contribute to support the process with recommendations on future action to be taken by the key stakeholder agencies.

Participating stakeholder agencies included senior officials from the State Ministry of Urban Development, Coast Conservation, Waste Disposal and Community Cleanliness, Marine Environmental Protection Authority(MEPA), Sri Lanka Navy, Sri Lanka Coast Guard, National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency (NARA), Central Environmental Authority (CEA), Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWC), Merchant Shipping Secretariat, Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA), Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, Ministry of Environment, Justice Ministry, Attorney General’s Department, as well as UN Office in Colombo and Asian Development Bank, European Union and several experts from the team established by MEPA to assess the ecological damage caused by the disaster.

The experts would be working closely with MEPA and other government agencies such as NARA, Ministry of Environment, CEA and the DWC in coming days.