President Maithripala Sirisena will join the Heads of Government of the 53-member Commonwealth at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) that is to convene in London from 16-20 April 2018. The President will be joined by the Minister of Foreign Affairs Tilak Marapana.
With Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop in her office at Parliament House
State Minister of Foreign Affairs Vasantha Senanayake met Australia’s Foreign Minister Julie Bishop on 26 March during a visit to Australia on the invitation of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. The two Ministers discussed bilateral issues ranging from the strong people to people links and growing economic relations, to cooperation in countering transnational crimes. Foreign Minister Julie Bishop conveyed Australia’s appreciation to Sri Lanka for its cooperation in combatting people smuggling. State Minister Senanayake thanked the Foreign Minister for Australia’s long-term development assistance to Sri Lanka and support to eradicate dengue, which was announced during Minister Bishop’s visit to Sri Lanka in July 2017. The two Ministers also discussed political and maritime issues of relevance in the region that are of mutual concern, and the keen interest shown by Australian companies to invest in Sri Lanka in mining and energy sectors. Given Australia’s interest in Sri Lanka’s reconciliation and reconstruction the State Minister briefed on recent developments and thanked Australia for the pragmatic approach taken on these issues.
Read more: State Minister of Foreign Affairs Vasantha Senanayake visits Australia
A multi-party Parliamentary delegation led by Hon. Karu Jayasuriya, Speaker of the Parliament of Sri Lanka undertook an official visit to the Sultanate of Oman from 11th to 16th March 2018 on the invitation extended by His Excellency Dr. Yahiya Bin Mahfood Al-Manthri, Chairman of the State Council of Oman (Upper House of Parliament of Oman). The visit was a significant milestone in Sri Lanka-Oman bilateral relations as it was the highest level political visit to the Sultanate from Sri Lanka after the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries in 1981.
Read more: Sri Lanka Parliament Speaker concludes a successful visit to Oman
President Maithripala Sirisena concluded a three-day official visit to Pakistan from 22-24 March 2018, where he graced the 78th Pakistan Day Celebrations, as the Chief Foreign Guest, at the invitation of Pakistan President Mamnoon Hussain.
Read more: President Maithripala Sirisena concludes Visit to Pakistan
The Consular Affairs Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in coordination with the Ministry of Home Affairs, has introduced a new system through which relatives of Sri Lankans deceased abroad are allowed to submit identity documents, affidavits, and other documentation relating to the repatriation of human remains or conduct of last rites, through Divisional Secretariats islandwide.
At the invitation of the President of Pakistan Mamnoon Hussain, President Maithripala Sirisena will undertake a three day official visit to Pakistan from 22 to 24 March 2018, to attend the National Day of Pakistan.
Read more: President Maithripala Sirisena to visit Pakistan from 22-24 March 2018
Press interview titled "OMP is for reconciliation, not to satisfy anyone else", given by Mr. Saliya Pieris P.C., Chairman of the Office of Missing Persons (OMP), which was published in the Daily Mirror of 20 March 2018.
Statement in Sinhala (PDF)
Statement in Tamil (PDF)
Statement by
Hon. Tilak Marapana, PC., MP
Minister of Foreign Affairs of Sri Lanka
Agenda item 2
37th Session of the UN Human Rights Council
Geneva, 21 March 2018
Mr. President,
Madam Deputy High Commissioner,
Distinguished Delegates,
It is an honour for me to be here today at the 37th Session of the UN Human Rights Council representing the Government of Sri Lanka.
I am joined today by my Cabinet colleagues, the Minister of Special Assignments, Hon. (Dr) Sarath Amunugama, and the Minister of Provincial Councils and Local Government, Hon. Faiszer Musthapha. My colleagues and I represent the two main political parties that form the coalition government. We are here before this Council together in unison, to speak with one voice, demonstrating the Government’s firm commitment to the advancement of reconciliation, the rule of law, good governance, human rights, justice, equality, and dignity for all our citizens, based on the 100 Day Programme on which President Maithripala Sirisena was elected in January 2015.
At the invitation of the President of Pakistan Mamnoon Hussain, President Maithripala Sirisena will undertake a three day official visit to Pakistan from 22 to 24 March 2018, to attend the National Day of Pakistan.
Read more: President Maithripala Sirisena to visit Pakistan from 22-24 March 2018
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