Ministry News

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.

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1.    At the invitation of His Excellency President Uhuru Kenyatta, His Excellency Mahinda Rajapaksa, President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka graced the celebrations commemorating the Golden Jubilee Anniversary of Kenya’s independence on 12th December, 2013.

2.    His Excellency President Mahinda Rajapaksa also cordially accepted to pay a two day state visit after the Jubilee celebrations on 13th and 14thDecember, 2013. This is the very first State Visit to Kenya by a Head of State of Sri Lanka.

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Julie Bishop, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Australia on the sidelines of the CHOGM Foreign Ministers meeting hadproductive discussions with Prof G L Peiris, in  finding solutions to curb irregular maritime arrivals to Australia.  The new Australian strategy “operation sovereign borders” was discussed with agreement by both parties to co-operate.  Foreign Minister Julie Bishop re-emphasized Australia’s gratitude for the proactive stance taken by Sri Lanka to effectively address this humanitarian challenge. 

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The Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Republic of Tanzania, Bernard Membe, called on the Minister of External Affairs, Prof G. L. Peiris on 12^th November 2013 in Colombo

Welcoming the Tanzanian Foreign Minister who is in Colombo to attend the Commonwealth Heads of Governments Meeting (CHOGM), Minister Peiris stated that he looked forward to a productive CHOGM which would focus on priorities and practical values. He also stated that he looked forward to closer interactions with Tanzania and the African continent.

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It is categorically rejected that entry visas have been denied to a delegation of the International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI), as alleged by IBAHRI in a press statement issued yesterday. This is a ...

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External Affairs Minister Prof. G.L Peiris met UN Deputy Secretary-General Jan Eliasson and Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs Jeffrey Feltmanat in two separate meetings on the sidelines of the 68th Session of the United Nations General Assembly today, in New York. Read More