Sri Lanka High Commission in Ottawa

Newly appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs Vijitha Herath assumed duties at the Ministry today (25 September 2024) at a simple ceremony. Foreign Secretary Aruni Wijewardane and senior officials of the Ministry were present.

As a Member of Parliament, Minister Herath has represented the Gampaha District since 2000. He had also previously served as the Minister of Cultural Affairs & National Heritage.

Minister Herath holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Kelaniya.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Colombo

25 September 2024

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High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to Canada U. L. Mohammed Jauhar presented his Letters of Credence to the Governor General of Canada Mary Simon. The ceremony was held at the Rideau Hall, the Official Residence of the Governor General, on September 13 2024, for seven new Heads of Mission who are accredited to Canada.

Welcoming the new Heads of Mission, the Governor General stated that the ceremony was a reminder of the importance of strong diplomatic ties and it reaffirmed the commitment to working together to address the most pressing global issues. At the tête-à-tête with the Governor General, High Commissioner Mohammed Jauhar emphasized his priority to work with the Global Affairs Canada in further strengthening the bilateral ties. He also highlighted the need to further reach out to the Sri Lankan-origin residents in Canada.

Following the presentation of Letters of Credence, a vin d’honneur was held at the Official Residence, where members of Canadian Parliament, senior officials of the Global Affairs Canada, members of the diplomatic corps, Sri Lanka’s Consul General in Toronto, Honorary Consuls in Quebec and Nova Scotia and community members participated.

The new High Commissioner, with over 28 years of service as a member of the Sri Lanka’s Foreign Service, brings a wealth of experience and expertise to his new position. His career includes significant diplomatic roles, such as Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Kuwait and Consul General in Toronto. He has also served at Sri Lanka’s diplomatic missions in Geneva, Islamabad, and Washington, D.C. Previously at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, High Commissioner Mohammed Jauhar served in different capacities, including as Additional Secretary and Acting Secretary.

High Commissioner Mohammed Jauhar holds a Master’s degree in Environmental Economics from the Postgraduate Institute of Agriculture at the University of Peradeniya, and a Bachelor’s honours degree in Agriculture from the Eastern University, Sri Lanka.

High Commission of Sri Lanka

Ottawa

18 September 2024

A large number of countries took the floor in support of Sri Lanka during the Interactive Dialogue on Sri Lanka at the 57^th Session of the Human Rights Council (HRC) that commenced in Geneva on 09 September 2024.  The countries commended the progress made by Sri Lanka in the past two years including stabilizing the economy, social protection measures as well as the continued efforts to promote national unity and reconciliation through domestic processes.

Speaking as the country concerned following the presentation of the report of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), Sri Lanka´s Permanent Representative Ambassador Himalee Arunatilaka elaborated that Sri Lanka has succeeded in stabilizing its economy through a combination of prudent economic decision-making and financial oversight and governance as acknowledged widely.  Sri Lanka also reiterated its long-standing commitment to engaging with the UN, the Universal Declaration on Human Rights and the related Treaties.

The Permanent Representative further stated that while strengthening the economy for the prosperity of all Sri Lankans is a priority for the Government, Sri Lanka continues to make progress on national unity and reconciliation. Continued efforts through domestic processes, including the Office on Missing Persons (OMP), Office for Reparations (OR), Office for National Unity and Reconciliation (ONUR), the Office for Overseas Sri Lankans and the Interim Secretariat for the Truth and Reconciliation Mechanism (ISTRM) were highlighted, while details were provided in the Government's written response to the OHCHR Report.

Ambassador Arunatilaka highlighted that social protection measures such as the Aswesuma programme have been put in place to support vulnerable groups. It was underlined that the Report exceeded OHCHR’s mandate by commenting on macroeconomics as well as financial and budgetary issues under sovereign Parliamentary purview. The Permanent Representative expressed Sri Lanka’s disassociation from the report of the OHCHR which lacked balance and failed to acknowledge the atrocities committed by the LTTE during decades of a brutal terrorist conflict. Sri Lanka reiterated its strong rejection of Resolution 51/1 and the external mechanism established within the OHCHR which is unwarranted and counter-productive.

Fifty- five countries spoke during the Interactive Dialogue on the OHCHR Report on Sri Lanka and a large majority of them urged the Council to acknowledge the economic recovery measures, stabilization of democratic institutions, social protection measures, progress achieved through the domestic institutions on reconciliation as well as the continued and constructive engagement of Sri Lanka with the Human Rights Council and the OHCHR. Countries also questioned the viability and utility of the so-called “Sri Lanka Accountability Project”, calling it “unjustified”, “inconsistent with the provisions of the UN Charter”, and “divorced from the complexities of the situation on the ground” and “counterproductive”.

Sri Lanka’s delegation to the 57^th Session of the Human Rights Council included officers attached to the Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka to the United Nations in Geneva and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Sri Lanka.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Colombo

10 September 2024

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Statement by Sri Lanka
(as the country concerned, following the Presentation of the Comprehensive Report on Sri Lanka by the High Commissioner for Human Rights)
09 September 2024

Mr. President,

High Commissioner for Human Rights,

Excellencies,

As this Council deliberates on the comprehensive report on Sri Lanka, presented by the High Commissioner for Human Rights, I wish to reiterate Sri Lanka’s longstanding  commitment to constructive engagement with this Council , the Universal Declaration and the related Treaties as well as other human rights mechanisms to which we are party.

Let me restate at the outset, Sri Lanka’s opposition to Human Rights Council Resolution 51/1 which mandated the report under consideration and the establishment of the external evidence-gathering mechanism.  This resolution was adopted without Sri Lanka's consent by a divided vote within this Council. We disassociate with the report for the reasons stated in our detailed response, available on the OHCHR website.

After facing its worst economic crisis, Sri Lanka succeeded in stabilizing its economy through a combination of prudent economic decision-making and enhanced financial oversight and governance, overcoming unprecedented social and political challenges. The resilience of Sri Lanka’s democratic institutions and economic recovery has been widely recognized domestically and commended by international agencies and both bilateral and multilateral partners.

This fragile but solidly grounded economic stability and the completion of debt restructuring has led to improved economic indicators including a remarkable return to positive economic growth of 5.3% in the first quarter of 2024, currency appreciation, a tripling of remittances, strengthened foreign exchange reserves, and a reduction in inflation from over 70% in September 2022 to 1.7% by June 2024-  As an outcome of these economic measures we are already delivering tangible benefits to Sri Lankans in their daily lives.

Transitioning from a debt-driven economic crisis toward stabilization and inclusive growth involves budgetary restrictions, which cause unfortunate short-term adverse impacts on various segments of society, particularly the vulnerable. This is an unavoidable consequence of the financial crisis and the stringent measures required for economic recovery—a reality not unique to Sri Lanka. Strengthening the economy is vital to the enjoyment of economic and social rights as well as the right to development.

Welfare measures, such as the *Aswesuma* cash transfer program, which will support nearly two million people in 2024, the national school nutrition program, which covers 1.6 million students, and the *Urumaya* land ownership scheme, which aims to grant freehold titles to all communities across 25 districts,mitigate the effects of fiscal austerity on vulnerable groups.

In parallel with our economic recovery, the Government continues to take steps to heal past wounds and to address the residual issues affecting civilians from all communities arising from decades of conflict. These initiatives include rehabilitating ex-combatants and child soldiers, demining and developing the North and East, providing reparations, resettling the internally displaced, releasing private land to original owners, offering livelihood assistance, and continuing inquiries into missing persons.

To promote national unity and reconciliation among our diverse communities, domestic initiatives such as the Office on Missing Persons (OMP), the Office for National Unity and Reconciliation (ONUR), the Office for Overseas Sri Lankans, and the Interim Secretariat for the Truth and Reconciliation Mechanism (ISTRM) have been established. The details of these initiatives are included in our response to the Report.

As one of the oldest democracies in Asia, with Universal Adult Franchise since 1931, Sri Lanka has navigated its challenges while maintaining the stability of our democratic institutions and traditions. Our leaders have been held accountable through free and fair elections, and peaceful transitions of power have been consistently upheld. The upcoming Presidential election on 21st September reaffirms our commitment to this process.

It is most surprising that the report steps far out of its mandated sphere of human rights to comment on macro economics as well as financial and budgetary issues under sovereign parliamentary purview. Contrary to the reaction of the rest of our international partners, it projects a negative overview for Sri Lanka’s future, fails to recognize social stabilization and the preservation of parliamentary democracy overcoming recent severe challenges, the return to normalcy with the restoration of food, energy and public services and stability arising from significantly improved outlook. Furthermore, it makes no mention of the brutal acts of terrorism and human rights violations committed by the LTTE, including child recruitment, suicide bombings, assassination of democratically elected MPs and leaders in SL and abroad, and the disruption of democratic rights and freedoms of the people, especially in the North and the East.

Mr. President,

I wish to once again emphasize Sri Lanka’s strong rejection of Resolution 51/1 and the external evidence-gathering mechanism established within OHCHR. This unproductive and unwarranted mechanism exceeds the Council's mandate, contradicts its founding principles, and polarizes the Council, undermining the progress we have made domestically. The selective and disproportionate focus on handpicked developing countries while ignoring critical situations elsewhere is unacceptable. We urge the Council to avoid politicization and double standards, and to focus on dire humanitarian situations that require urgent action to maintain its credibility.

Thank you

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