අමාත්‍යාංශයේ මාධ්‍ය නිවේදන – Page 275 – විදේශ කටයුතු, විදේශ රැකියා සහ සංචාරක අමාත්‍යාංශය- ශ්‍රී ලංකාව

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.

Joint Communiqé issued following the Bilateral Meeting between His Excellency President Uhuru Kenyatta and His Excellency President Mahinda Rajapaksa, held at State House Nairobi

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.

Sri Lanka – Australia partnershipForegoing Ahead

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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.