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 08th 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.
Address by Hon. Mangala Samaraweera, Foreign Minister of Sri Lanka
6th 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.
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
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
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.
Today, June 7th, the Cabinet of Ministers approved draft legislation enabling the issuance of Certificates of Absence. The draft legislation which involves an amendment to the Registration of Deaths (Temporary Provisions) Act, No. 19 of 2010 will now be gazetted and the process of presentation to Parliament will commence.
Addressing the MEDEF International (French Entrepreneurs Association) at a business conclave in Paris, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Managal Samaraweera, spoke in front of a large delegation of French entrepreneurs covering multiple sectors in which the French expertise were present internationally. Foreign Minister, outlined the key economic targets of the Sri Lanka government and stressed the role of French investments in the country as a means of deepening the strategic partnership.
Media Statement
May 28, 2016
On May 28, 2016, H.E. Mr. Shinzo Abe, Prime Minister of Japan and H.E. Mr. Maithripala Sirisena, President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, held a bilateral summit meeting in Nagoya, Japan, following the Outreach Meeting during the G7 Ise-Shima Summit.
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