Consulate General of Sri Lanka, Toronto

Address of Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera at the US Institute of Peace

US-IofP

Address by

Hon. Mangala Samaraweera, MP

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Sri Lanka

US Institute of Peace, Washington DC

25 February 2016

Advancing Reconciliation and Development in Sri Lanka

Last February, soon after the election of President Maithripala Sirisena at the Presidential Election held on 8 January 2015, I stood before a similar audience in this great city and outlined our plans and our vision for Sri Lanka.

Minister Mangala Samaraweera concludes successful visit to the United Nations

Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr. Mangala Samaraweera concluded a three day visit to New York to attend the UNDP 50th Anniversary Ministerial meeting held at the UN Headquarters, from the 21st-24th of February.

Awarding of compensation to families of deceased migrant workers by Actg. Foreign Minister

Thirty four families of deceased migrant workers in the Middle East were given compensation and salary dues by the Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr. Harsha de Silva on 17th February 2016 at the Foreign Ministry. A total of Sri Lankan Rupees 57 million was awarded to the family members. This was the first awarding ceremony held at the ministry this year.

Initial consultations on the ICRC Report titled: “Needs of the Families of Missing Persons in Sri Lanka: Living with Uncertainty”, held at the Foreign Ministry

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs together with the ICRC delegation in Sri Lanka held a meeting today, 12 February, with the participation of representatives of relevant line Ministries and Agencies to discuss the ICRC report titled: ‘Needs of the Families of Missing Persons in Sri Lanka: Living with Uncertainty’. The meeting was chaired by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Harsha de Silva, and held at the Ministry premises.

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to visit Sri Lanka

Accepting an invitation extended by the Government in February 2015, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein will undertake a four-day official visit to Sri Lanka.

The High Commissioner will arrive in Sri Lanka on the morning of Saturday 6 February and depart on the morning of 10 February.