අමාත්‍යාංශයේ මාධ්‍ය නිවේදන

The Government of Sri Lanka unreservedly condemns the cowardly suicide terrorist attack on the volleyball tournament in Yahyakhil district, Afghanistan yesterday, killing at least 45 people and wounding over 60 others. 

The people of Sri Lanka, who had suffered immensely under the scourge of terrorism for almost three decades, share the pain and anguish of the people of Afghanistan over this brazen terror attack targeting innocent civilians at a sporting event.  This incident once again highlights the need to take concerted action to combat terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, in the interest of global peace and security.

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The celebration of the 60^th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Sri Lanka and Thailand is being launched today, (20 November 2014). The two countries established formal diplomatic relations on 20 November 1955. Sri Lanka and Thailand have a long history of close religious, cultural and trade links fostered over several centuries.

Buddhism has played a pivotal and catalytic role over several hundred years in binding the two countries together, and relations have been further consolidated since the establishment of diplomatic relations. At present, the two countries enjoy strong and warm relations in a variety of spheres ranging from political and economic to religious and cultural, people-to-people contacts, as well as mutually beneficial cooperation in the regional and international fora.

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The Minister of External Affairs, Prof. G.L. Peiris met the Resident Coordinator of the United Nations, Mr. Subinay Nandy today  and conveyed to him, the Government’s extreme discontent regarding the unprofessional manner in which the investigation on Sri Lanka is being conducted by the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).

The Minister’s protest to the UN Resident Coordinator focused on the unacceptable way in which the deadline for submission of evidence to the investigation, 30 October, that had been originally set by the OHCHR had been changed unofficially and re-set once again.

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Following the News Release yesterday (7 November 2014) by the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights condemning disinformation designed to discredit the UN investigation on Sri Lanka, the Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the UN in Geneva has sent the attached communication to the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights in this regard.

Ministry of External Affairs
Colombo
 
8 November 2014
 
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The Government of Sri Lanka vehemently condemns the heinous suicide terrorist attack at Wagah, Pakistan, on 02^nd November 2014 killing at least 60 people and injuring over 100 others. 

The people of Sri Lanka share the pain and anguish of the people of Pakistan over this wanton act of terror targeting innocent civilians.  Sri Lanka is confident of the fortitude and resilience of the Government and the people of Pakistan to remain firmly resolved to defeat terrorism.  This incident demonstrates the urgent need to further intensify international cooperation to combat terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, in the interest of global peace and security. 

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The Minister of External Affairs, Professor G. L. Peiris on Tuesday, 4^th November, met the Heads of Mission and Representatives of the main proponents of the Investigation on Sri Lanka by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and the High Commissioner of Australia. The Deputy Country Director of the UNDP also participated representing the UN system.

Minister Peiris explained to these representatives, the details regarding the recent arrest of Sinnathamby Krishnarasa, a non-rehabilitated LTTE cadre.  This action led to the discovery in his possession of blank forms containing signatures of persons affected by the conflict. The Minister revealed how questioning Krishnarasa had led to the disclosure that he had been employed by Alva Pulle Vijendrakumar alias Sun Master, a close associate of the TNA, to obtain signatures of those affected by the conflict on blank forms on the assurance that this exercise was for obtaining monetary compensation from the UN. He had also received instructions from Sun Master to collect death certificates and National Identity Card details of persons who had lost their lives during the last phase of the conflict and personal data of war widows and photographs of disabled persons. Minister Peiris explained that Krishnarasa had revealed that the forms with signatures were to be completed with fabricated “eye witness” reports to be submitted to the OHCHR Investigation on Sri Lanka (OISL). He observed that these revelations point to several others having been employed and tasked with the collection of similar information to be presented to the OISL, particularly as Krishnarasa was in possession of a diary containing details of 400 persons who were missing, had died or been injured.

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Following the closure of the Honorary Consulate of the Philippines in Colombo in September 2014, this Ministry has been receiving numerous queries from the public regarding the procedure to be followed in applying for vi ...