Sri Lanka High Commission in Ottawa

Statement by Hon. Mangala Samaraweera, MP,

 Minister of Foreign Affairs of Sri Lanka

32^nd Session of the UN Human Rights Council

Geneva, 29 June 2016

Mr. President

High Commissioner for Human Rights

Excellencies

Distinguished delegates 

Read more: Statement by Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera to the 32nd Session of the UN Human Rights Council

Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera paid an official visit to Ukraine on 25 June 2016 at the invitation of the Foreign Minister of Ukraine Pavlo Klimkin.

During the visit, the two Ministers discussed a series of issues of bilateral importance.  Minister Samaraweera reiterated that Sri Lanka is committed to further strengthening and renewing the long standing relationship with Ukraine. He recalled with appreciation the invaluable support extended to Sri Lanka by Ukraine during the conflict years.

Read more: Foreign Minister Samaraweera signs three Agreements with Ukraine

ADVANCING RECONCILIATION DIPLOMACY

Speech by Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera, MP

at the Norwegian Institute for International Affairs (NUPI)

Oslo, 21 June 2016

Ladies and Gentlemen, in fact all of you are aware, that on the 08^th of January last year in a historic election, in fact what the world calls the rainbow election of 2015, the people of Sri Lanka voted for change, and for democracy, reconciliation and development, the three pillars on which the Government of President Maithripala Sirisena and Ranil Wickremesinghe are taking the country forward today. In fact on that day, the people of Sri Lanka chose free and fair elections, good governance and the rule of law over authoritarianism and impunity; they chose stability, reconciliation and peace over the politics of fear and hate which had prevailed for many, many years previously.  And they eschewed isolationist crony capitalism for openness to the world and a competitive, transparent rules-based economy.

Read more: Speech by Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera at the Norwegian Institute for International Affairs (NUPI), Oslo, 21 June 2016

Address by Hon. Mangala Samaraweera, Foreign Minister of Sri Lanka

6^th World Congress against the Death Penalty  

Despite its widespread use, for millennia the death penalty has caused lingering societal discomfort and unease. Fairly early on in history many enlightened leaders have found the death penalty degrading of human dignity. For example, in ancient Sri Lanka a number of kings - influenced by the Buddha’s teaching - abolished the death penalty. In fact, for much of the first, third, fourth and thirteenth centuries the death penalty was not employed in Sri Lanka. 

Read more: Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera delivers the Opening Address at the Sixth World Congress against the Death Penalty

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mangala Samaraweera, upon the approval of the Cabinet of Ministers, has appointed Harim Peiris, as Advisor to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, with immediate effect. 

Read more: Harim Peiris appointed as Advisor to the Minister of Foreign Affairs

Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera on a visit to the Czech Republic from 9-11 June, at the invitation of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic, Lubomir Zaoralek, reaffirmed Sri Lanka’s commitment to strengthen relations between the two countries. 

Read more: Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera commits to strengthening relations with the Czech Republic

Dr.  Harsha de Silva, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Sri Lanka visited Mumbai, to deliver the inaugural address at the Gateway of India Dialogue on 13 June 2016.

Read more: Visit of Hon. Harsha de Silva, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Sri Lanka