The Ministry of External Affairs refers to the “Report of the Secretary General’s Internal Review Panel on UN action in Sri Lanka” or the “Petrie Report” which was leaked to the media the day prior to its being formally handed over to the Secretary General on 14th November, and officially made public the same day. While this Report is an internal review of the UN’s action in Sri Lanka during the terrorist conflict, the Ministry’s attention has been drawn to certain issues with regard to allegations directed at the Government of Sri Lanka, which are regrettably unsubstantiated, erroneous and replete with conjecture and bias. The Ministry, therefore, wishes to state the following:-
අමාත්යාංශයේ මාධ්ය නිවේදන
Sri Lanka Uganda Relations Strengthened
On the invitation of President Mahinda Rajapaksa, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and Janet Kataaha Museveni, First Lady & Minister for Karamoja Affairs of the Republic of Uganda concluded a three day State Visit to Sri Lanka from 12th – 15th November 2012. The delegation included members of the Ugandan Parliament Yorakamu Katwiremu, Nankabirwa Ann Maria and Chairman, Gerald Ssendawula of the Private Sector Foundation of Uganda. The Ugandan President was accorded a ceremonial welcome at the Presidential Secretariat on the morning of 13th November which included a Guard of Honour and a 21 gun salute.
Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between Sri Lanka and Burkina Faso
Joint Formal Announcement by the Ministry of External Affairs of Sri Lanka/Colombo and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Cooperation of Burkina Faso/Ouagadougou on 16th November 2012
Upon the signing of Agreement by H.E. Mr. Prasad Kariyawasam, High Commissioner for Sri Lanka to India and H.E. Idriss Raoua Ouedraogo, Ambassador for Burkina Faso to India on 15th November 2012 at New Delhi, the Government of Sri Lanka and the Government of Burkina Faso decided to establish Diplomatic Relations between the two countries with effect from 15th November 2012.
Sri Lanka – Hungary strengthen bilateral relations
On an invitation extended by Hon. Prof. G.L. Peiris, Minister of External Affairs, the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Hungary, Hon. Dr. Janos Martonyi is visiting Sri Lanka.
Minister G.L. Peiris briefs diplomats accredited to Sri Lanka in New Delhi
Minister G. L. Peiris, on Friday 2 November, met the Ambassadors and High Commissioners of seventy-six countries accredited to Sri Lanka and operating from New Delhi, at a Reception hosted in his honour by High Commissioner Prasad Kariyawasam.
Interacting with the envoys, Minister Peiris briefed them at length on developments in Sri Lanka during the post-conflict phase, including resettlement of the internally displaced, demining, rehabilitation of ex-combatants, human rights and related issues, the reconciliation process, as well as rebuilding and infrastructure development.
SAARC Cultural Centre (SCC), Colombo – Sri Lanka Seminar on Rituals, Ethics and Societal Stability in the SAARC Region – 23 September 2010, Address by Hon. Gitanjana Gunawardena, M.P. Acting Minister of External Affairs
The Hon. Minister of National Heritage and Cultural Affairs,
Representatives of SAARC Missions in Colombo,
Distinguished Delegates, Ladies and Gentlemen,
I value this opportunity to be here today at the inaugural event of the SAARC Cultural Centre. I thank the Director of the SAARC Cultural Centre for inviting me and I also thank the staff of the Cultural Centre for their effort in organising this important event.
Ours is a region that reflects a rich and varied plurality of cultural, linguistic, philosophical and spiritual traditions. We are, heir to a common civilizational continuum of great antiquity. Our heritage is embedded in spiritual values and ethics representative of the major religions of the world. We have also given forth to the world, a large number of its greatest philosophers, political visionaries, writers, poets and artists.
Minister Peiris to meet US Secretary of State Hilary Clinton
The Minister of External Affairs, Prof. G.L. Peiris is scheduled to leave for the USA on an official visit on 22nd May at the invitation of US Secretary of State, Hilary Clinton. This will be the first bilateral visit undertaken by Minister Peiris since assuming duties as Minister of External Affairs. Read More