Chair
Director General,
Thank you for giving me the floor.
At the outset allow me to convey Sri Lanka’s deep appreciation to IOM for its solidarity and rapid humanitarian support in the aftermath of the destructive cyclone Ditwah which devastated Sri Lanka last month, causing huge loss of life and vast scale damage to property, and infrastructure.
As multiple global crises and challenges continue to compel migration within and across borders, we are witnessing increased hostility against migration compounded by misguided and damaging narratives. In contrast, safe, orderly and regular migration brings many fold opportunities for all, benefitting migrants, countries of origin and destination.
Sri Lanka emphasizes the continued relevance of international migration governance, providing the framework for regular migration. In this context, the strategic leadership of IOM in the framework of international migration governance remains critical, more than ever.
Sri Lanka takes this opportunity to commend the proactive approach of IOM in ensuring the effective implementation of its mandate, and the strategic objectives. At a time where deliberate attempts are made to weaken multilateralism, and multilateral institutions are burdened with severe liquidity crisis, Sri Lanka appreciates the IOM’s sustained and innovative efforts to address these impacts, in close consultation with member states.
As a longstanding partner Sri Lanka is pleased to have contributed to the IOM Resilience Fund aimed at preserving its core capacity and structure.
Chair
Promoting safe, orderly, regular and rights-based migration remains a priority for Sri Lanka. The Government’s commitment is manifested through several progressive policies, and initiatives have been implemented nationally to safeguard the migrants and their families, ensuring their welfare, including through the recent national Budget for 2026.
We deeply value our long-standing constructive partnership with IOM. At IOM’s invitation, Sri Lanka joined the GCM Champion initiative in April 2025. Recognizing the evolving migration dynamics and Sri Lanka’s status as a GCM Champion Country, a new National GCM Implementation Plan for 2026–2028 is currently being developed through a series of multi-stakeholder consultations. Further, the Migration and SDGs Monitoring Platform (MSMP), a new digital tool to track migration’s contribution to the SDGs, was launched by the Government of Sri Lanka in November 2025. These measures aim at strengthening our migration governance framework and contribute to the achievement of SDGs.
As the 2nd IMRF approaches Sri Lanka looks forward to being engaged in this process. In conclusion, we reiterate our commitment to continued collaboration with IOM to promote our common objectives furthering migration governance benefitting all.
Thank you.
Opening Remarks by Her Excellency Himalee Arunatilaka, Ambassador & Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the United Nations in Geneva at the Conference ‘United and Present: Global Solutions from Within - A Mindful Approach to Diplomacy, UN Work, and Beyond’ 09 December 2025, Geneva
High Commissioner Volker Turk
Excellencies
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Sri Lanka is proud to have been be a key sponsor of the resolution on World Meditation Day together with Liechtenstein, Andorra, Mexico, Nepal, and India, that was adopted by the UNGA in 2024.
Madam President , Distinguished Delegates, Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is an honour to present Sri Lanka’s progress under Article 5 – Clearing Mined Areas, at the Twenty-Second Meeting of States Parties.
Madam President, Distinguished Delegates, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Sri Lanka is honoured to present an update on our progress in fulfilling the Victim Assistance commitments under Actions 30 to 39 of the Siem Reap–Angkor Action Plan.
Chairman of the National Authority on Tobacco and Alcohol, and Head of Sri Lanka´s delegation to the COP11 of the FCTC, Dr. Ananda Rathnayaka, highlighted Sri Lanka’s achievements including the challenges faced and lessons learned in implementing the FCTC in the Sri Lanka at a side-event titled ‘Success Stories in Tobacco Control: Lessons Learned from FCTC Policy Implementation’ organized by the Global Alliance for Tobacco Control, on 20 November 2025.
The side event was held on the margins of the COP11 of the WHO FCTC, being held from 17-22 November 2025 in Geneva, Switzerland. The side event also showcased the success stories from Mexico, and Ghana
Statement by Dr. Ananda Rathnayaka, Chairman of the National Authority on Tobacco and Alcohol (NATA) at the General Debate of the Eleventh Session of the Conference of the Parties to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (COP11) on 18 November 2025
Madam President, Honourable Ministers, Distinguished Guests,
Thank you very much for the opportunity,
Sri Lanka was the first country in our region to ratify and sign the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC). Since then, we have remained steadfast in upholding its principles and values, guided by the convention that protecting our people from the harms of tobacco is essential to securing a healthy planet and a healthy future for generations to come.
The Secretary for Relations with States and International Organizations of the Holy See, His Excellency Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, undertook an official visit to Sri Lanka from 3 to 8 November 2025. The visit marked a significant milestone in the longstanding friendly relations between the Holy See and Sri Lanka, coinciding with the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations.
- Sri Lanka strengthens partnership with UNITAR and signs MOU
- Statement to the Media by the Hon. Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment & Tourism of Sri Lanka Vijitha Herath following the Working Meeting with H.E. the Secretary for Relations with States and International Organizations of the Holy See
- Vatican Foreign Minister Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher to visit Sri Lanka