The Minister clarified the chain of events that compelled President Maithripala Sirisena to arrive at the decision to dissolve Parliament. He emphasized the constitutionality of the steps taken by President Sirisena and added that having being elected through a nation-wide vote, the President derives his authority directly from the people of Sri Lanka. The Minister said in the event of a conflict between the organs of government, seeking a mandate from people who are sovereign ensures that democracy prevails.

Foreign Minister Dr. Sarath Amunugama, said that there was no justification for the Travel Advisories issued by a few countries, since there have been no incidents of violence or disruption in the country following the recent events. The Tourism sector has not been subject to any inconvenience.

The Minister made these observations when he met with the leading inbound tour operators, Senior Officials of Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB), representatives of the Sri Lankan Airlines and other leading foreign carriers to discuss the Travel Advisories issued recently. He said that the Government was fully committed to safeguarding and improving of the tourism industry.

Ambassador Ravinatha Aryasinha, a senior officer of the Sri Lanka Foreign Service, assumed duties as the Secretary to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs today (31) having being appointed to the position by President Maithripala Sirisena.

The new Foreign Secretary Aryasinha was warmly received by his colleagues this morning, upon arrival at the Ministry.

The newly appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr. Sarath Amunugama assumed duties at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on Tuesday 30 October 2018.

The Minister was received by the Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Prasad Kariyawasam and senior officials upon arrival at the Ministry.

Sri Lanka and the Philippines successfully convened their 2^nd Political Consultations in Manila.

The meeting, co-chaired by Mr. Sumith Nakandala, Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Sri Lanka and Hon. Enrique A. Manalo, Undersecretary for Policy of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) of Philippines,discussed ways to deepen and broaden Philippines-Sri Lanka relations in the areas of trade and investment, defense, education, tourism, labour migration, agriculture, and mutual legal assistance.

The Sri Lanka Foreign Policy and Economic Diplomacy Dialogue, organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, commenced on Monday ( 15 October) with the participation of mid-career diplomats from 23 countries from Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Latin America, and Australasia.

Representatives of 40 countries were in Sri Lanka from 11-12 October 2018 to discuss the future of the Indian Ocean. “The Indian Ocean: Defining Our Future” , Track 1.5 dialogue  brought together senior representatives from the Indian Ocean littoral states and major maritime users to Colombo on an initiative by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, to increase focus on an Ocean that has the potential to become a growth pole in the world economy in the future.

“The Indian Ocean: Defining our Future” Conference, which aims to create a platform for Indian Ocean littoral states and major maritime users to discuss issues of mutual interest and concern, will be held in Colombo on 11-12 October 2018.

This Conference is held at a time when the Indian Ocean has emerged as one of the world’s busiest and most critical trade corridors, carrying two thirds of global oil shipments and a third of bulk cargo and hosting the most critical Sea Lanes of Communication (SLOCs), directly impacting global trade and economy.

I am extremely pleased to participate in the 73^rd Session of the United Nations General Assembly representing Sri Lanka for the fourth consecutive occasion.  Sri Lanka, as a Member State of the United Nations, is fully committed to adhere to its Charter,

On behalf of the people and the government of Sri Lanka, I wish to express my sincere appreciation to the Secretary-General of the United Nations and the General Assembly for organizing the Nelson Mandela Peace Summit.

We speak today of Nelson Mandela, a great humanitarian, a leader who exemplified reconciliation, and a leader who guided humanity towards a nobler path, at a time when the contemporary world lacks such leaders.