The consequences of external intervention in the domestic affairs of countries, and the havoc it has caused resulting in the loss of precious human lives and the governability of nations being placed at risk, are today evident in many parts of the world, and the people of Sri Lanka certainly have no wish to exchange the peace and stability they now enjoy for this state of affairs, Professor G.L. Peiris, Minister of External Affairs, remarked in the course of the bilateral discussion he held at the Ministry of External Affairs yesterday (8th September 2014) with Mr. Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Cuba.

The Cuban Foreign Minister responded stating that current developments indicate the urgency of basic reforms to be carried out in the United Nations system. He said that levels of confidence in the manner of functioning of many organs of the system are rapidly falling because of the obvious reality that these institutions are politicized, and there is a total absence of uniform standards being applied across the board without discrimination. He criticized, in particular, the selectivity characteristic of the Human Rights Council in recent years.

Minister Peiris said that Sri Lanka, at the United Nations General Assembly, has consistently called for lifting of the economic blockade against Cuba, adopting the position that trade embargoes of this kind are entirely counterproductive.

He recalled the cordial discussions which took place between President Mahinda Rajapaksa and President Raul Castro in Havana two years ago and in Bolivia this year. The two Ministers noted the sustained goodwill and co-operation between their countries throughout the fifty five years of their diplomatic relationship, and the productive work they have done in the Non-Aligned Movement, the Group of 77 & China, and other bodies.

Minister Peiris noted the high quality of medical education in Cuba and thanked the Cuban government for the scholarships which they have given Sri Lankan students in the fields of medicine, biological sciences and sports education. Minister Parrilla expressed appreciation of the prompt action taken by the government of Sri Lanka, in response to the request made by President Raul Castro of Cuba to President Mahinda Rajapaksa to make available to Cuba, the expertise of Sri Lanka with regard to the development of the coconut industry. The Cuban Foreign Minister agreed, at the request of his Sri Lankan counterpart, to assist in respect of the eradication of dengue in Sri Lanka. Practical steps for expanding trade were also discussed.

The Cuban Foreign Minister arrived in Sri Lanka on an official visit last Sunday and called on President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday at Temple Trees. The Minister also paid courtesy calls on Prime Minister D.M. Jayaratne and the Speaker of Parliament Chamal Rajapaksa. He also laid a wreath at the National War Heroes Memorial, Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte and planted a tree at the Vihara Maha Devi Park, Colombo to mark his visit. The Cuban Foreign Minister left Sri Lanka today at the end of a highly successful visit.

Ministry of External Affairs
Colombo

9th September 2014