Sri Lanka High Commission in Ottawa

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

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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

At the 30^th Session of this Council last October, Sri Lanka, by co-sponsoring the Resolution 30/1, ‘Promoting Reconciliation and Accountability in Sri Lanka’, broke away from the years of disengagement, self-isolation, and confrontation that preceded the election of President Maithripala Sirisena in January 2015

Foreign Minister Samaraweera signs three Agreements with Ukraine

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.

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

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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.

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

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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^thof 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.

Harim Peiris appointed as Advisor to the Minister of Foreign Affairs

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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.