The third meeting of experts on the Migration Partnership between Sri Lanka and Switzerland was held in Bern on 29 July 2025. Sugeeshwara Gunaratna, Director General/Europe & North America at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, and Ambassador Hendrick Krauskopf, Director/International Affairs of the State Secretariat for Migration of the Swiss Federal Department of Justice and Police, co-chaired the meeting.
The meeting reviewed the progress made under the Migration Partnership since its launch in 2016 and discussed the future trajectory of the partnership after the formal handing over of the bilateral Safe Labour Migration Program (SLMP) to the Government of Sri Lanka last year. This programme was funded by Switzerland and underscores the commitment to institutionalizing sustainable frameworks for the protection and welfare of Sri Lankan migrant workers.
The two sides reaffirmed their commitment to promoting safe, orderly, and regular migration and maximizing the benefits of migration for both migrant workers and members of their families in both origin and destination countries. In this regard, discussions focused on pre-departure orientation, migration management, skills development, readmission and reintegration, and combating human trafficking. In particular, further Swiss assistance for the skills development of Sri Lankan migrant workers and strengthening collaboration with the National Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force (NAHTTF) were discussed.
The two sides also exchanged views on current migration trends in both countries and opportunities for Sri Lankan workers through the development and recognition of the domestic skills development framework. The Sri Lanka delegation also comprised representatives of the Sri Lanka Foreign Employment Bureau, the Department of Immigration and Emigration, as well as the Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka to the United Nations in Geneva. The Switzerland delegation comprised representatives of the State Secretariat for Migration, the Federal Office of Police, the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism
Colombo
29 July 2025
Statement by Sri Lanka
Second session of the open-ended working group on the prevention of an arms race in outer space in all its aspects, 21-25 July 2025, Palais des Nations, Geneva
Item 5 – General Exchange of Views
Mr. Chair
Sri Lanka also joins other delegations in appreciating your leadership as the Chair of this Open-Ended Working Group (OEWG). I extend Sri Lanka´s fullest support and cooperation for the success of the deliberations of the Working Group.
Sri Lanka appreciates your leadership during the first session of the OEWG as well as during the informal consultations and guidance to the second session.
Mr. Chair,
The discussions on prevention of an arms race in outer space are not new to us. We have been discussing the related issues over decades. Therefore, rather than starting from scratch, the OEWG can leverage from where we are, while building on existing discussions and efforts in multilateral fora.
We believe that this working group provides an opportunity for Member States to advance discussions on both legally binding and non-legally binding measures in outer space disarmament under a single framework.
Sri Lanka has been engaging for decades on the matters of prevention of an arms race in outer space, and has been advocating for a legally binding instrument. We also wish to underline the vital importance of verification mechanisms as an integral part of a legally binding instrument. While understanding the current dynamics in space faring activities by States, we believe that this fundamental goal has to be achieved in a balanced and inclusive approach under a comprehensive framework, which recognizes the concerns of all States, and works on the basis of consensus.
The UNGA resolution 79/19 titled ‘prevention of an arms race in outer space’ which is annually presented by Sri Lanka together with Egypt emphasizes “the paramount importance of strict compliance with existing arms limitation and disarmament agreements relevant to outer space, including bilateral agreements, and with the existing legal regime concerning the use of outer space”
The resolution also emphasizes “the necessity of further measures with appropriate and effective provisions for verification to prevent an arms race in outer space” while referring to the important work carried out so far in multilateral fora on outer space disarmament.
From the point where we are today, we all need to strive to agree on a pragmatic way forward to achieve our common goals in outer space disarmament in all aspects.
Sri Lanka also takes this opportunity to underscore that weaponizing of outer space would disproportionately affect all states. We urge this Working Group therefore to adequately listen to the voice of the developing countries that rely on peaceful uses of outer space and space-based assets, particularly satellite technology for communication, disaster management, and climate impact monitoring and resilience. Sri Lanka encourages regional consultations and dialogues particularly among the non-spacefaring states with a view to ensure inclusivity.
Mr. Chair,
It is the responsibility of all States to ensure that outer space remains a shared heritage of humankind, free from conflict and accessible to all nations for peaceful purposes.
While reiterating Sri Lanka’s support to your efforts to bring us on to a pragmatic direction, we believe that a balanced, inclusive and consensus-based approach that considers the concerns of all states will be useful in achieving our common goals.
Thank you
Mr. Chairman,
Sri Lanka congratulates you, the Director General, and the WIPO Secretariat for the successful organization of these Assemblies. We align ourselves with the statement delivered by the distinguished delegate of Pakistan on behalf of the APG.
Sri Lanka places high importance on the protection of IP and the commercialization of innovation.
We commend WIPO’s leadership in the adoption of the Riyadh Design Law Treaty, a milestone in simplifying global design registration.
Earlier this year, Sri Lanka signed an MOU with WIPO to enhance IP services through digitization, system upgrades, and capacity building. The digitization of our IP documents, expected to conclude by December, will significantly improve our IPAS system and enable modernized services, including online filing and search.
We are also making progress toward ratifying the Madrid Protocol and thank the Madrid Registry for its valuable support. Deployment of the system is expected soon after digitization is complete.
In copyright, we are introducing a voluntary registration and depository system, alongside strengthening CMOs to better serve right holders.
Mr. Chairman, we have enacted legislation to register GI, providing stronger protection for iconic Sri Lankan products such as Ceylon Tea, Cinnamon, and Gems.
We remain committed to fostering innovation, expanding the TISC network, and continuing collaboration with WIPO on the Global Innovation Index and innovation ecosystem development.
As a country rich in biodiversity and cultural heritage, we are advancing a national policy and legal framework for TK , recognizing its vital place in our IP system.
In conclusion, Sri Lanka expresses its deep appreciation to WIPO for its continued support and reaffirms our commitment to a vibrant, inclusive, and forward-looking IP system.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
‘Smart Drain’, designed and developed by Dr. Nadeesha Chandrasena and team from Sri Lanka, was among the ten winners of the prestigious WIPO Global Awards which celebrate world changing innovations in health, climate, agrifood, creative industries and ICT. The prestigious award ceremony was held in Geneva on 11 July 2025, where WIPO Director General Daren Tang presented the trophies to the winning innovators.
WIPO Global Awards recognize startups and Small and Medium Enterprises that have successfully leveraged Intellectual Property to transform their innovations into tangible economic and social impact. The winners were selected by a diverse, independent international jury with unique expertise in IP, innovation, the creative industries, investment and business.
‘Smart Drains’ is a storm water drainage system designed to prevent urban flooding when even conventional drains are blocked by waste, and offers a practical and scalable solution for climate resilient infrastructure preventing drain overflow by separating solid matter from the drain water and allowing interruption-free operation.
This is the first time that a Sri Lankan invention has won this prestigious award from WIPO. Smart Drain was awarded the trophy under the environment category, while the 10 winners were selected from a highly competitive list of more than 800 applicants across 95 countries.
More information about Smart Drain is available at https://smartdrain.network/.
Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka to the UN
Geneva
11th July 2025
The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk concluded a four-day official visit to Sri Lanka from 23 to 26 June 2025.
During the visit, High Commissioner Türk called on President Anura Kumara Disanayaka and Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya and had constructive discussions with Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Vijitha Herath, Minister of Justice and National Integration Harshana Nanayakkara, Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs Ananda Wijepala, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Employment Arun Hemachandra and Deputy Minister of Defence Major General Aruna Jayasekara. He also met the Speaker of the Parliament, the Chief Justice and several government representatives.
Discussions focused on measures to advance human rights including economic and social rights, strengthening national reconciliation processes and ensuring social justice. The Government reiterated to the High Commissioner its sincere commitment to achieving these objectives and briefed on the action already taken and those envisaged, including confidence building measures, the Clean Sri Lanka program, anti-corruption initiatives, further strengthening reconciliation mechanisms, repealing the Prevention of Terrorism Act, revising the Online Safety Act and new laws to advance the rights of persons with disabilities.
During deliberations, the High Commissioner highlighted the momentum of change he witnessed across all segments of the Sri Lankan society. He appreciated the Government’s plans on promoting ethical governance, human rights and national unity, and offered the support of his Office to strengthen the Government’s initiatives. High Commissioner Türk said that he was encouraged by the Government’s measures to address corruption and mismanagement and hoped that the momentum would continue. Noting that the discussions had showed genuine openness to address issues, the High Commissioner stated that Sri Lanka can become an example of peaceful co-existence while embracing its diversity as a strength. The High Commissioner stated that he is visiting Sri Lanka with a deep sense of hope at a time when the world and the multilateral system are facing unprecedented challenges.
The High Commissioner also met with several non-government stakeholders including religious leaders, political parties and civil society in Colombo, Jaffna, Trincomalee and Kandy.
In Colombo, he engaged with representatives of the national institutions dealing with reconciliation - the Office on Missing Persons, the Office for Reparations and the Office for National Unity and Reconciliation. The representatives briefed High Commissioner Türk on the work of their respective institutions and the progress made in the respective work plans. He also had discussions with the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka and acknowledged the longstanding work of the Commission.
In Kandy, High Commissioner Türk visited the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic where he met
the Chief Custodian and attended the Thewawa ceremony. He also had an audience with the Most Venerable Tibbatuwawe Sri Siddhartha Sumangala Mahanayake Thero of the Malwatta Chapter and the Most Venerable Warakagoda Sri Gnanarathana Mahanayake Thero of the Asgiriya Chapter.
In Jaffna, he visited the sacred Nallur Kovil and participated in religious activities.
During his travel to various parts of the country, the High Commissioner met with the Governors of the Northern and Eastern Provinces, District Secretaries, and civil society representatives as well as the public. He also visited the Chemmani grave site in Jaffna.
The High Commissioner conveyed his deep gratitude to the Government of Sri Lanka for the cooperation extended throughout the visit and appreciated Sri Lanka’s continuing constructive engagement with his Office.
The visit of High Commissioner Türk to Sri Lanka marks the first by a UN High Commissioner for Human Rights since February 2016.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism
Colombo
27 June 2025
The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk will undertake an official visit to Sri Lanka from 23 to 26 June 2025. This marks the first visit by a UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to Sri Lanka since February 2016.
During the visit, the High Commissioner is scheduled to call on the President and the Prime Minister. He will also hold meetings with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment, and Tourism, several other Cabinet Ministers, Members of Parliament, senior Government officials, religious leaders, representatives of civil society, members of the diplomatic community, and the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka.
As part of the programme, the High Commissioner will travel to Kandy where he will pay respects to The Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic and call on the Chief Prelates of the Malwatte and Asgiriya Chapters. He will also travel to Jaffna and Trincomalee where he will meet with the Governors of the Northern and Eastern Provinces.
Substantive discussions during the visit will focus on further advancing the promotion and protection of human rights and reconciliation, in line with the Government of Sri Lanka’s ongoing constructive engagement with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment, and Tourism
Colombo
20 June 2025
Mr. President,
This session of the Council is taking place amidst multiple global challenges, threats to multilateralism and international institutions, while hunger, conflict and climatic disasters are threatening the very survival of millions across the world. The need for international cooperation and dialogue have never been more essential, than at the present juncture. It is timely to reflect the founding principles of this Council and adopt an approach that addresses the pressing human rights challenges of today.
Sri Lanka remains an active partner in the multilateral framework, despite domestic challenges facing its people. The Government of President Anura Kumara Disanayaka has undertaken substantive efforts towards introducing a new political culture, addressing corruption and prioritizing economic revival, while reaffirming commitment towards meaningful reconciliation through domestic institutions.
A number of initiatives have been undertaken to strengthen the national anti-corruption framework, supported by a stronger, more independent Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption, reflecting the Government’s firm intention to build a corruption-free society where fairness, integrity, and accountability shape every aspect of governance.
To enhance the independence and transparency of the criminal justice system and improve public trust, the Govt is seeking to expedite legal proceedings through the creation of an independent public prosecutor´s office. The Prevention of Terrorism Act is to be repealed following a review of the existing legislation.
The domestic independent mechanisms and processes working on missing persons, reparations and reconciliation, are continuing their work within the Constitutional framework. Increased engagement of the public with the work of these institutions showcase the growing public trust in their activities.
At a time when the UN human rights framework is facing challenges, Sri Lanka believes that the Council must prioritize thematic issues like food security, health, development and climate change that need to be addressed urgently for the benefit of humankind. Ensuring that the Council's actions lead to tangible improvements through a fair approach in human rights situations is essential.
Human Rights situations must be assessed with impartiality, non-selectivity and objectivity.
Mr. President,
Sri Lanka remains committed to engaging in a constructive spirit of dialogue and cooperation with the members of the United Nations including this Council within our national legal framework. In this context, we look forward to receiving the High Commissioner for Human Rights in Sri Lanka later this month. Thank you
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