Ministry News – Page 314 – Ministry of Foreign Affairs

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 26^th May 2009 at the 11^th 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".

Media Release on the postponement of the State visit of the President of Afghanistan to Sri Lanka

The State visit of the President of Afghanistan H.E. Hamid Karzai to Sri Lanka from 23rd to 25th February 2014 has been postponed due to an unforeseen security situation that has arisen in the Kunar province, requiring ...

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

External 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.

Prof Peiris notes that longest serving Foreign Minister – ACS Hameed was an exemplar of national unity

The Book 'The Valley of Gems' containing a collection of Parliamentary speeches of the late Dr. A. C. S. Hameed, veteran Parliamentarian and the first Foreign Minister of Sri Lanka, was ceremonially launched at a ceremony held at the BMICH on Saturday, February 1 at 3.30 p.m.

Prof. G.L. Peiris, Minister of External Affairs, delivered the keynote address at the ceremony. Speaking at the ceremony, Prof. Peiris noted that it was a privilege to speak on the occasion to commemorate the life and ideas of A.C.S. Hameed who had been the longest serving Foreign Minister of Sri Lanka and had a long public life. The Minister stated that he had great affection and profound respect for the late A.C.S. Hameed and recollected his early interaction with Mr. Hameed, then Minister of Higher Education and he (Prof. Peiris) was Vice Chancellor, where they had worked closely together at a turbulent period in Sri Lanka’s history and under trying circumstances. The Minister then recalled that when he entered politics in 1994, Mr. Hameed was then a distinguished member of the opposition front bench and he being a new politician, would meet at least once a month with Mr. Hameed to discuss issues and he found the late A.C.S. Hameed to be a reservoir of knowledge, on practical affairs straddling a wide range of matters.

US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs, met with Prof.G.L.Peiris

Ms. Nisha Desai Biswal, the US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs, met with Prof.G.L.Peiris, Minister of External Affairs yesterday (31) at the ministry. Michele J. Sison, US Ambassador in ...

Prof. Peiris discusses current issues with American Community Leaders

Professor G.L. Peiris, Minister of External Affairs, met with the Board of Directors of the Asia Foundation at the Ministry of External Affairs on Tuesday for an informal discussion.

Members of the Board who have distinguished themselves in business, politics, academia, diplomacy and other walks of life in the United States, are currently on a visit to Sri Lanka to survey projects which are being supported by the Asia Foundation and to attend some events marking the sixtieth anniversary of the establishment of the Foundation.

Foreign Ministers of Sri Lanka and the Maldives have Bilateral Discussions

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Professor G.L. Peiris, Minister of External Affairs, and Ms. Dunya Maumoon, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Maldives, held bilateral discussions at the Ministry of External Affairs on Tuesday.

These discussions reflected the special and warm relationship between the two countries.

Prof. Peiris, welcoming Ms. Maumoon on her first official visit to Sri Lanka as Foreign Minister, said that the recent political transition which took place in the Maldives, indicated the maturity and foresight of all parties concerned.