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Ambassadors’ Forum of Sri Lanka launches Geneva Crisis – The Way Forward

Published

2 years ago

2021/03/15

Geneva Crisis – The Way Forward

compiled by the Ambassadors’ Forum of Sri Lanka, was launched on 12 March 2021 at the Foreign Ministry. Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena and Foreign Secretary Admiral Professor Jayanath Colombage participated at this event.

This book contains twenty eight (28) articles related to the Geneva Crisis. The writers of the articles consist of a number of key personalities including the incumbent Foreign Minister and Foreign Secretary. In addition, retired diplomats, experts, legislators, academics and others contributed to this book.

Speaking at the launching ceremony, Sarath Wijesinghe, PC and former Ambassador, commended the immense contribution made by the writers of the book. It was launched as a solution focused on the entire future of the Geneva issue, not as a temporary measure to address the upcoming UNHRC resolution, he stated.

Minister Gunawardena also spoke at the event and affirmed Sri Lanka’s commitment to uphold the democratic principles. Commenting on the UNHRC resolution, the Minister further stated that priority must be given to every human being of the world at present, in view of the prevailing pandemic situation. Targeting certain countries should not be a priority of the world at present, the Minister further stated.

Foreign Secretary Colombage also spoke at this event and articulated Sri Lanka’s way forward in relation to the UNHRC resolution. Providing a background on the current situation at Geneva, he commended the voluntary contribution being rendered by various non-government individuals and institutes across the world, in support of Sri Lanka’s position.

The book is scheduled to be disseminated soon among the Sri Lankan Missions abroad and other interested parties.

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Sagala Ratnayaka leads Sri Lanka delegation to 20th IISS Shangri-La Dialogue

Published

6 hours ago

2023/06/6

Priyan

Chief of Staff to the President and National Security Advisor (NSA) Sagala Ratnayaka led the Sri Lanka delegation to the 20th IISS Shangri-La Dialogue, Asia’s premier Security Summit held in Singapore from 2 – 4 June 2023.

The highly anticipated summit commenced on 2 June with a powerful Keynote address delivered by Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. Throughout the event, a series of plenary sessions delved into various crucial geo-political issues, encompassing the establishment of a stable and balanced Asia Pacific, the resolution of regional tensions, the evolution of maritime security in Asia, US leadership in the Indo-Pacific, and China’s latest security initiatives, among other topics.

During the Special Session focusing on ‘Defence Cooperation in the Indian Ocean Region,’ Ratnayaka delivered an impactful statement, participating alongside representatives from India, Oman, France, and the United States. He emphasized the significance of keeping big power rivalries and external conflicts out of the Indian Ocean, highlighting Sri Lanka’s efforts in the United Nations to declare the region as a zone of peace. Furthermore, he underscored the country’s contributions to preserving freedom of navigation and over flight, stressing the crucial need for constructive dialogue among all stakeholders in the Indian Ocean region to pursue shared interests.

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Prices of sixty essential drugs to be reduced from 15th June

Published

10 hours ago

2023/06/6

Priyan

The Cabinet of Ministers approved the proposal raised by the Minister of Health to reduce the maximum retail price of 60 medicines by 16% with effect from 15.06.2023 and review the price of medicines every three months

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Cabinet approval to publish draft bill on contempt of a court, a tribunal or an institution

Published

10 hours ago

2023/06/6

Priyan

The Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the proposal submitted by the Minister of Justice, Prison Affairs and Constitutional Reforms for publishing the draft bill prepared by the Legal Draftsman which includes the clear and precise provisions and situational circumstances regarding the offense of ‘contempt of court’ , defense and easing the penalty as well as the procedure to follow when easing the penalty, in the government gazette and subsequently to be tabled in the Parliament for its concurrence.