The newly appointed Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP), Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Thailand C. A. Chaminda I. Colonne had her first courtesy meeting with the Executive Secretary Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana of the UNESCAP virtually on 20 April 2021.
While conveying the warm best wishes of the President, the Prime Minister and the Foreign Minister of Sri Lanka to the Executive Secretary Alisjahbana, Ambassador and Permanent Representative Chaminda Colonne assured her fullest cooperation and support for future endeavors of the UNESCAP and activities for the betterment of motherland, in consultation with line Ministries and agencies in Sri Lanka.
After congratulating and warmly welcoming Ambassador Colonne to the UNESCAP, Executive Secretary Alisjahbana briefed the arrangements for the 77th Session of the Commission under the theme of “Regional Cooperation to Build Back Better from Crises in Asia and the Pacific” scheduled to be held online from 26-29 April 2021. She highlighted that the forthcoming session would be an opportunity to exchange experiences and learn the best practices of the countries in the region on strategies and actions taken to recovery from the social economic impact of the pandemic. She thanked Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa of Sri Lanka for delivering a prerecorded video message at the opening and Sri Lanka’s active participation at the forthcoming 77th session of the Commission.
While referring to the successful episode of Sri Lanka in COVID-19 responses, recovery strategies, vaccination programme, Ambassador Chaminda Colonne highlighted that the Sri Lanka delegation to the 77th Session of the Commission would be headed by the Foreign Secretary Admiral Prof. Jayanath Colombage, who greatly involved in the COVID-19 pandemic control in Sri Lanka, especially on the repatriation process, since the evolve of the pandemic last year.
Ambassador Colonne also took the opportunity to emphasize on the return of migrant workers from the Middle East due to COVID-19 pandemic and importance of creating new employment opportunities for those either domestically or outside Sri Lanka. She elaborated on the possibilities of creating local job market through foreign investments and need to expand Sri Lanka’s export market in the Asia- Pacific region, for the recovery of pandemic hit economy of Sri Lanka.
Both also exchanged their views and reaffirmed their fullest commitment in achieving common Sustainable Development Goals of the UNESCAP.
At the invitation of Executive Secretary Alisjahbana Ambassador Colonne also joined the preparatory virtual meeting of the 77th Session of the Commission, thereafter, on 20t April 2021.
First Secretary & Deputy Permanent Representative for the UNESCAP Saritha Ranatunga also associated with the virtual meetings.
Embassy and the Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka to the UNESCAP
Bangkok
26 April 2021
