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Thursday, 19 August 2010 09:59

Government Thanks The UN
(The Sunday Leader)

Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa today (19) thanked the assistance provided by the UN and said the country could not have achieved what it has at the moment without the help of all humanitarian workers and the UN organization.

Rajapaksa made this statement during his address at an event held at the UN Compound today. This follows somewhat tense relations with the UN following the protest in front of their compound by Housing Minister Wimal Weerawansa.

Rajapaksa thanked the UN country office, its country director and all the donors who have assisted Sri Lanka.

“I don’t think we could have achieved what we have achieved at this moment without the help of all humanitarian workers and the UN organization. On behalf of the government and the people of Sri Lanka I would like to thank the UN country office especially the country director and all the other country heads in the UN family and all the donors who helped through UN and directly to the Sri Lanka government and the people of Sri Lanka,” he said.

The UN also reiterated its support to the government at the event.

UN Country Representative Neil Buhne addressing the same gathering said the UN was looking forward to support the government to rebuild and recover, and lay a firm foundation for safe lives free from need for all Sri Lankans

HE the President's speech

Tuesday, 17 August 2010 21:03

What fills this port is the future prosperity of our nation
– President at Hambantota Port ceremony-Sunday, August 15, 2010 - 04.15 GMT

“Every drop of water that fills up this great port should dissolve and wipe out the feelings of weakness and inability that once prevailed among us”

It is not sea water that will fill this port, but the future prosperity of our nation. From this port will emerge our true economic independence. This a great symbol of our moving away from the days when we said we are unable to develop for lack of funds, to a time when we can show how the country can be developed through our own strength, said President Mahinda Rajapaksa addressing the large gathering at the Karadiyawara Mangallaya, the ceremonial sea water intake completing Phase One of the Hambantota Port Development today (15).

Public Hearings

Wednesday, 11 August 2010 17:49

Public Hearings of the Commission on Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation

The Commission on Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation commenced its public hearings today at the Lakshman Kadirgamar Institute of International Relations and Strategic Studies. Representations were made by Mr. Bernard Goonathilleke, former diplomat, former DG/SCOOP and Secretary/Foreign Affairs, as well as Dr. V.Nallainayagam , an expatriate Sri Lankan Tamil from Canada.

A more comprehensive report on the proceedings will follow.

The public hearings will continue tomorrow and the week after, while hearings will also be held in Vavuniya on 14th and 15th August.

The text of the mandate of the Commission can be downloaded from the Official Government Website : www.priu.gov.lk

High Commissioner to Bahamas

Tuesday, 27 July 2010 15:11

H.E.Dr. Palitha Kohona, High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to the Bahamas presents credentials to H.E.Sir Arthur Foukes, Governor General of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas on 21st July 2010 in Nassau.

Press Release

Friday, 09 July 2010 12:31

Press Release

Please read the attached Press Release

STATEMENT -PANEL OF EXPERTS

Wednesday, 23 June 2010 11:01

STATEMENT ON THE APPOINTMENT OF THE SRI lLANKA -PANEL OF EXPERTS BY THE SECRETARY GENERAL OF THE UNITED NATIONS

IMF Funds

Tuesday, 17 August 2010 12:11

Sri Lanka May Not Tap IMF Funds Immediately on Reserves, Amunugama Says
By Anusha Ondaatjie - Aug 17, 2010 (Bloomberg)

Sri Lanka may not tap loans from the International Monetary Fund immediately as foreign-exchange reserves have climbed to a record, Deputy Finance Minister Sarath Amunugama said.
“We don’t want to draw down at this stage and accumulate unnecessary debt, even at concessionary terms,” Amunugama said in a telephone interview today from the capital, Colombo. “We have enough foreign exchange now.”

The Washington-based lender on June 28 approved the release of about $408 million to Sri Lanka under a $2.5 billion standby loan program approved in July 2009. The IMF has so far lent about $1.02 billion.

The island nation turned to the IMF last year to replenish its foreign-exchange reserves. They have since risen to an unprecedented $5.8 billion amid aid and investment flows.

Speech made by Secretary Defence

Friday, 06 August 2010 09:25

Full text of the speech made by Secretary Defence Mr. Gotabaya Rajapaksa at the inaugural session of the Galle Dialogue Maritime Conferenceas follows.

Your Excellencies, Heads of Missions based in Colombo
Secretary to the President
Secretaries to Other Ministries
Chief of Defence Staff
Service Commanders
Admiral Arun Prakash, former Chief of Staff, Indian Navy
Prof. James Clad
Invited Speakers
Ladies and Gentlemen
I am glad to have this opportunity to address you at the Inaugural Session of the Galle Dialogue Maritime Conference, which is being organized by the Ministry of Defence of Sri Lanka. This Conference takes place at an opportune time, one year after the defeat of the LTTE, one of the world's worst terrorist groups, by the Sri Lanka Defence Forces.

Please read the full text

Situation in the Middle East

Wednesday, 21 July 2010 16:23

Statement by the delegation of Sri Lanka
at the Security Council Open Debate
On ‘the Situation in the Middle East including
the Palestine Question” – 21st July, 2010

Madam President,
Permit me at the outset to congratulate you, Ambassador Joy Ogwu, on your assumption of the Presidency of this Council. We also wish to thank the Under Secretary General for Political Affairs, Lynn Pascoe for his briefing. My delegation appreciates the opportunity given to us to once again to address the situation in the Middle East, particularly, the Palestinian question.

Protection of Civilians

Thursday, 08 July 2010 09:09

Security Council Open Debate on Protection of Civilians
in Armed Conflict – 7th July 2010
Statement by the delegation of Sri Lanka

Madam President,
I join previous speakers in expressing appreciation to you for convening today’s open debate and congratulate you on your assumption of the Presidency. We also thank the Secretary-General for his statement and Under-Secretary-General John Holmes and the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Ms Pillay for their useful briefings.

Children and Armed Conflict

Thursday, 17 June 2010 08:50

Statement

Bandula Jayasekara
Charge d’ Affaires a.i.
Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka to the United Nations
at the Security Council Debate on
‘Children and Armed Conflict’

United Nations, New York.
16th June, 2010

Mr. President,

My delegation wishes to convey its appreciation to you Mr. President, for convening this debate and for your leadership of the Working Group on this issue. We take note of the Secretary-General’s Report on children and armed conflict which provides useful insight on how we must move forward on this important issue.

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