Sri Lanka High Commission in Ottawa

On Tuesday, 29^th September 2015, the International Peace Institute (IPI) hosted a high-level event focusing on how to reform and strengthen the international response to conflicts around the world and adopt a holistic vision of sustaining peace. 

Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera took part in the event and addressed the IPI. Other speakers were the Foreign Ministers of Sweden, Angola, Sierra Leone and Brazil; the President of the 70^th Session of the UN General Assembly and the Assistant Secretary-General for Peacebuilding Support Office. The Address of the Foreign Minister to the Institute is as follows:- 

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Colombo

2 October 2015

Read more: Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera addresses International Peace Institute

Read more: Address by H.E. President Maithripala Sirisena at the 70th Session of the United Nations General Assembly

Leaders’ Summit on Peacekeeping:

Statement by H.E. Maithripala Sirisena President of Sri Lanka

New York, 28 September 2015

Mr. President, Excellencies, Ladies  & Gentlemen, 

I thank you Mr. President,  and also the Leaders of the countries that are co-hosting this Summit for convening this important meeting at a critical time in the evolution of UN peace keeping operations. 

For over five decades, Sri Lanka has been making modest contributions to UN peacekeeping efforts. 

Read more: Leaders’ Summit on Peacekeeping - New York, 28 September 2015

Sri Lanka and the USA today (29 September) signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Rule of Law Capacity Building Assistance. The MoU was signed by US Ambassador Atul Keshap and Actg. Foreign Minister Dr. Harsha de Silva, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Colombo.

Read more: Sri Lanka and the USA sign MoU on Rule of Law Capacity Building Assistance

United States Secretary of State John Kerry called on President Maithripala Sirisena in New York yesterday evening, 27 September. 

Read more: US Secretary of State John Kerry calls on President Maithripala Sirisena

German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier who visited Sri Lanka at the invitation of Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera concluded his one day visit to Sri Lanka today, Tuesday 22 September 2015.

Read more: Dr. Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs of Germany - concludes visit to Sri Lanka

Today we have achieved a path-breaking success in the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva at the current 30^th Session. 

For the last several years, Sri Lanka was repeatedly humiliated by the international community with Resolutions that censured the conduct of our country. Successive resolutions since 2012, adopted by divisive and acrimonious voting, resulted in repeated defeats and isolation for Sri Lanka. 

Read more: UN Human Rights Council Resolution on Sri Lanka: Comments by Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera