Ministry News

External Affairs Minister Peiris to address HRC High Level Segment on Wednesday

Minister of External Affairs, Prof. G.L. Peiris who leads the Sri Lanka delegation to the 25th Session of the Human Rights Council (HRC) arrives in Geneva on Tuesday (4 March 2014), and is scheduled to deliver the Sri Lanka National Statement at  the High Level Segment of the HRC on the morning of Wednesday.

The 3 day High Level Segment began today with statements by UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon, President of the UN General Assembly John W. Ashe, President of Human Rights Council Baudelaire Ndong Ella, High Commissioner for Human Rights Ms. Navi Pillay, and the President of the Swiss Federation Didier Burkhalter. Foreign Ministers/Ministerial level heads of delegations participating in the Session will continue to address the meeting over the next two days.

Read More

Sri Lanka rejects High Commissioner Pillay’s call “to establish an international inquiry mechanism”

The Government of Sri Lanka (GOSL) has rejected the call by UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navanethem Pillay's call "to establish an international inquiry mechanism to further investigate the alleged violations of IHRL and IHL and monitor any domestic accountability process in Sri Lanka", saying "it gives scant or no regard to the domestic processes ongoing in Sri Lanka within the framework of the LLRC NPOA, and is politicized in premise". The government said, the trajectory that has emerged with regard to the recommendation of the High Commissioner "reflects the preconceived, politicized and prejudicial agenda which she has relentlessly pursued with regard to Sri Lanka", since just a week following the defeat of terrorism in Sri Lanka, on 26th May 2009 at the 11th Special Session of the UNHRC on Sri Lanka, and at subsequent sessions and reports. It is noted that the reference in the current report that “the High Commissioner remains convinced” for an “independent, international inquiry” demonstrates her persistent efforts against Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka said, "it is pertinent to question the factual basis for the High Commissioner’s initial formal call to the HRC for an independent, international investigation in May 2009 and its continuation, in order that the international community not be misled".

 

Read More

China – Sri Lanka Relations an All Weather Partnership – Vice President of China

IMG_9553External Affairs Minister Professor G.L. Peiris, as Special Envoy of President Mahinda Rajapaksa, called on Vice-President Li Yuanchao of the People’s Republic of China at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Tuesday.  

Vice-President Li Yuanchao of the People’s Republic of China during his discussions with the Minister of External Affairs, Professor G L Peiris on Tuesday in Beijing, expressing unequivocal support towards safeguarding Sri Lanka’s self respect, sovereignty and territorial integrity, stated that “China – Sri Lanka bilateral relations is a time honoured Friendship under whatever circumstances”.  Upholding the view that human rights should be dealt with based on the principles of equality and mutual respect, both the Vice-President and Foreign Minister Wang Yi of China articulated in clear terms the attitude of the People’s Republic of China on matters pertaining to human rights in Sri Lanka and expressed full confidence in Sri Lanka’s ability to chart an appropriate course for its people and strongly condemned the use of human rights as a device to interfere in the domestic affairs of a country.            

Read More

Close