Addressing the High Level segment of the 58th session of the Human Rights Council on 25th February, Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath underlined the vision of the new Government to work towards national unity, reconciliation and inclusive development through strengthened domestic institutions such as the Office on Missing Persons, Office for Reparations, and Office for National Unity and Reconciliation. Minister Herath further stated that the contours of a truth and reconciliation framework, will be further discussed with the broadest possible cross section of stakeholders, to ensure a process that has the confidence of all Sri Lankans and the aim of the Government is to make the domestic mechanisms credible and sound within the Constitutional framework.
Minister Herath also highlighted the series of measures taken by the new Government to extend much needed relief to the people, including increased allocation for social welfare and security through the National Budget for 2025 as well as special attention paid to improve the socio-economic conditions and address critical needs such as resettlement, housing, compensation and infrastructure development in the Northern and Eastern Provinces.
Addressing the High Level Segment of the Conference on Disarmament on the same day, Minister Herath reaffirmed Sri Lanka’s active role in the global disarmament agenda to ensure peace and security and commitment to realize UN Secretary-General’s call for updated strategies to prevent an arms race in outer space, addressing the challenges posed by advanced technologies and autonomous weapons systems and reinvigorating commitments to eliminate nuclear weapons and non- proliferation as outlined in the Pact for the Future, through renewed multilateralism.
During his visit to Geneva, Minister Herath had meetings with the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk and Ambassador Jürg Lauber, President of the Human Rights Council and updated them on the legislative and administrative measures taken by the Government to address the urgent economic challenges as a priority.
He further outlined the vision of the new Government to realize national unity and reconciliation through credible domestic mechanisms while ensuring the economic development of the country.
Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath had bilateral meetings with Lord Collins of Highbury, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State of the United Kingdom, Ervin Ibrahimović, Deputy Prime Minister for International Relations and Minister for Foreign Affairs for Montenegro, Elnur Mammadov, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan, Akiko Ikuina, Parliamentary Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan and Charles Jose, Undersecretary for Multilateral Affairs and International Economic Relations at the Department of Foreign Affairs of the Philippines.
During the visit Minister Herath also met Ugochi Daniels, Deputy Director General of Operations, International Organization for Migration (IOM) and discussed collaboration of Sri Lanka with IOM.
During a visit to the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) Minister Herath met Charlotte Warakaulle, Director of International Relations and Prof. Emmanuel Tsesmelis, Head of Non-Member State relations office and explored future opportunities for Sri Lankan students, academics and scientists to contribute to experiments and research work with CERN while reinvigorating Sri Lanka’s collaboration with CERN.
Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath was accompanied by Dayani Mendis, Director General of the United Nations & Human Rights Division of the Foreign Ministry, while Ambassador & Permanent Representative to the UN in Geneva Himalee Arunatilaka, diplomatic officials of the Mission formed part of the delegation.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism
Colombo
27 February 2025
