Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment & Tourism Vijitha Herath hosted a special dinner reception at Cinnamon Grand for the diplomatic corps in Colombo.

Heads of Missions resident in and concurrently accredited to Sri Lanka, representatives of international organizations based in Colombo and senior government officials were present at the event.

The event was held to mark the 78th Anniversary of Sri Lanka’s Independence.

Welcoming the distinguished gathering, Minister Herath highlighted Sri Lanka’s national vision of building “A Thriving Nation – A Beautiful Life”, and its progress to the delegates present.

The Minister also underscored the importance of people-centric development that expands opportunities and ensures inclusive growth.

Minister Herath also made the reception an opportunity to express appreciation for the support of the international community, particularly during recent challenges such as Cyclone Ditwah, and reaffirmed Sri Lanka’s resilience and determination to rebuild with optimism. (Newswire)

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Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the United Arab Emirates, Saeed bin Mubarak Al Hajeri, arrived in Sri Lanka today (04). 

According to the Foreign Ministry, he will be co-chairing the Second Session of the Joint Commission between Sri Lanka and the United Arab Emirates to be held this afternoon, together with Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Arun Hemachandra. 

The UAE is one of Sri Lanka’s most significant trading partners in the Middle East, ranking as Sri Lanka’s 7th largest export destination in 2024. It also hosts the largest number of Sri Lankans in a single country in the Middle East. 

The visiting State Minister is scheduled to pay a courtesy call on the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Vijitha Herath and will also call on Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation Anura Karunathilaka. (Newswire)

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Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath on Tuesday briefed the Colombo-based diplomatic corps on current developments in Sri Lanka, urging the international community to recognize the country’s progress and engage in constructive dialogue.

Senior officials from the Ministry of Justice and National Integration, the Attorney General’s Department, the Office on Missing Persons, the Office for Reparations, the Office for National Unity and Reconciliation, and the Office for Overseas Sri Lankans also attended the briefing. (Newswire)

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The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Maldives, Abdulla Khaleel will be undertaking an official visit to Sri Lanka from 18-21 February 2025.

According to Sri Lanka’s Foreign Ministry, during this visit, the Maldivian Foreign Minister is scheduled to pay courtesy calls to President Anura Kumara Dissanayaka and Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya. 

The Foreign Minister of Maldives and his delegation will also have official bilateral discussions with Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Foreign Minister Khaleel will be accompanied by the Foreign Secretary of Maldives, Fathimath Inaya. (Newswire)

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Newly appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment & Tourism Vijitha Herath assumed duties at the Foreign Ministry today (18 Nov).

According to the Foreign Ministry, Minister Herath assumed duties during a simple ceremony held in the presence of senior officials of the Ministry.

As a Member of Parliament, Minister Herath has represented the Gampaha District since 2000. 

In the recently concluded General election, he was re-elected to Parliament, obtaining the highest-ever number of preferential votes in Parliamentary election history, in Sri Lanka.

Minister Herath previously served as the Minister of Cultural Affairs & National Heritage, and immediately before re-election, he served as the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Minister Herath holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Kelaniya. (Newswire)

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The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Maldives, Moosa Zameer will visit Sri Lanka from 03 – 06 June 2024, Sri Lanka’s Foreign Ministry announced.

During this visit, the Maldivian Foreign Minister is scheduled to pay courtesy calls to President Ranil Wickremesinghe and Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena. 

The Maldivian Foreign Minister and his delegation will also have official bilateral discussions with Foreign Minister Ali Sabry at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 

Foreign Minister Zameer will be accompanied by senior officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Maldives. (Newswire)

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Minister of Foreign Affairs of Japan, Yoko Kamikawa is scheduled to undertake an official visit to Sri Lanka from 04-05 May 2024, Sri Lanka’s Foreign Ministry announced today.

The Japanese Foreign Minister is scheduled to pay courtesy calls to President Ranil Wickremesinghe and Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena. 

During her visit, the Japanese Foreign Minister and her delegation will also hold official discussions with Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Ali Sabry.

Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa will be accompanied by senior officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan during her visit to Sri Lanka. (Newswire)

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