Category Archives: News
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs concludes another successful Diplomatic Training Programme
The Annual Diplomatic Training Programme, the main feature in the calendar of the Technical Cooperation Programme of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs concluded successfully, on 29th September 2017, at the Ministry, with a ceremony to present the certificates to the participants. The Programme was conducted in collaboration with the Bandaranaike International Diplomatic Training Institute (BIDTI)
Foreign Minister Tilak Marapana meets Belgium Foreign Minister Didier Reynders in Brussels
Foreign Minister Tilak Marapana who is on an official visit to Belgium met with the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belgium Didier Reynders at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Belgium.
The two Ministers noted the cordial bilateral relations between the two countries. It was noted that Belgium is the 6th largest export market for Sri Lanka (total trade with Belgium last year amounted to USD 407.73 million) and that there are 31 BOI registered Belgium companies in Sri Lanka.
Foreign Minister Tilak Marapana holds high level discussions with the European Union in Brussels on 26th September 2017
Foreign Minister Tilak Marapana who is on his first official visit to the European Union Headquarters in Brussels held discussions with the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini and European Commissioner Christos Stylianides. The Foreign Minister was accompanied by Deputy Minister of National Policies and Economic Affairs Dr. Harsha De Silva, Ambassador to the European Union Rodney Perera and senior officials.
Address by President Maithripala Sirsena at the 72nd Session of the United Nations General Assembly
It gives me great pleasure to be able to commence my address to the 72nd Session of the General Assembly while congratulating the newly appointed President and Secretary-General of the Organisation. In fact, it gives me great pleasure to address this august Assembly for the third time as the Head of State of Sri Lanka.
The theme of this 72nd Session of the General Assembly is ‘Focusing on people: striving for peace and a decent life for all on a sustainable planet’.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spearheads the Annual Diplomatic Training Programme – 2017 for Asia and Africa
The Annual Diplomatic Training Programme, the main feature in the calendar of the Technical Cooperation Programme of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs commenced yesterday (17 September), with a welcome reception to the participants, held at the Hotel Galadari.
State Minister of Foreign Affairs Vasantha Senanayake attends 12th Bled Strategic Forum 2017 in Slovenia and calls for further consolidation of bilateral ties during meeting with Slovenian counterpart
State Minister of Foreign Affairs Vasantha Senanayake attended the 12th Bled Strategic Forum in Slovenia on 4th to 05th September 2017 at the invitation of Hon. Karl Erjavec, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Slovenia. The visit was preceded by a bilateral segment on 30th August to 2nd September 2017 in the Capital Ljubljana.
His Excellency the President signed the Gazette Notification to operationalize the Office on Missing Persons (OMP)
His Excellency the President Maithripala Sirisena in his capacity as Minister of National Integration and Reconciliation today, the 12th September 2017 signed the Gazette Notification to operationalize the Office on the Missing Persons. The Office of the Missing Persons (establishment, administration and discharge of functions) Act No. 14 of 2016 and amended by Act No. 9 of 2017 comes into implementation and operation with effect from 15th September as the President has placed his signature for the Gazette Notification which quotes as follows:-
Sri Lanka at the High-Level Segment of the 72nd UNGA
The General Debate of the 72nd Session of the United Nations General Assembly is scheduled to commence on the 19th of September, on the theme “Focusing on people: striving for peace and a decent life for all on a sustainable planet . President Maithripala Sirisena will address the UN General Assembly in the afternoon of 19th September. He will also participate at the opening session of the General Assembly in the morning of 19th September where the President of the United States of America, Donald Trump, is scheduled to make his first address to the United Nations.
Statement by Sri Lanka on the Nuclear Test by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea on 3 September 2017
Sri Lanka deplores the sixth nuclear test conducted by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) on 3 September 2017. This act, which is in repeated violation of UN Security Council Resolutions threatens peace and stability in the region and beyond.
Foreign Minister Marapana undertakes his first official overseas visit to India
Foreign Minister Tilak Marapana visiting New Delhi from 8th – 10th September 2017, called on the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and held talks with the External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj. National Security Advisor Ajit Doval called on Minister Marapana as well.
