The Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka to the United Nations in New York recently (Dec 11) marked the 70th anniversary of Sri Lanka’s membership in the United Nations through a series of activities, underscoring the country’s longstanding commitment to international cooperation, principled multilateralism, and inclusive global engagement.

Under the leadership of Sri Lanka’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Jayantha Jayasuriya, Sri Lanka joined fifteen other Member States, Albania, Austria, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Finland, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Jordan, the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Libya, Nepal, Portugal, Romania, and Spain, at United Nations Headquarters to mark a shared milestone. 

The high-level discussion brought together Ambassadors of these sixteen states and a panel of political analysts to reflect on achievements, challenges, and the future of the multilateral system. The event was broadcast on UN Live WebTV.

Speaking at the event, Ambassador Jayasuriya stated, “As we celebrate the 80th anniversary of the United Nations this year, we celebrate its achievements and its indispensable role in the multilateral system. But anniversaries are also moments for reflection. Together, we must strengthen and improve this intergovernmental Organization for the future without compromising its core objectives or guiding principles, so that we may continue to work towards a fairer, more just, and prosperous global order.”

During the joint commemoration, the sixteen Ambassadors unveiled a special commemorative stamp symbolizing unity, cooperation, and the equal place of each Member State within the United Nations.

Earlier in the year, during UN Open Source Week in June 2025, the Mission partnered with the Permanent Mission of Italy to the UN and Wiki Media to host an “Edit-A-Thon” highlighting the importance of open and reliable information in preserving the institutional memory of the UN. 

Ambassador Jayasuriya noted, “This event is a chance to strengthen the UN’s historical record, empower young people, and center diverse perspectives, including voices from the Global South, vulnerable communities, and youth.”

In October 2025, the Mission hosted a fellowship gathering to honour Sri Lankan nationals who have served across the United Nations system. 

Ambassador Jayasuriya recognized their contributions, stating, “Those of you working in the UN today carry forward a proud legacy built by generations of Sri Lankans who have distinguished themselves as diplomats, jurists, scholars, peacekeepers, and international civil servants.”

Through these events, Sri Lanka reaffirmed its enduring commitment to the United Nations and to working constructively with fellow Member States to strengthen multilateralism and advance shared global goals in the decades ahead. (Newswire)

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Sri Lanka assumed the chairmanship of the 18th session of the Conference of State Parties (COSP) to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), which commenced in New York this week. 

The 18th session of the COSP to the CRPD will be held from 10-12 June 2025 under the overarching theme ‘Enhancing public awareness of the rights and contributions of persons with disabilities for social development leading up to the Second World Summit for Social Development’.

The CRPD was adopted in 2006 and came into force in May 2008. The 192 Member States of the CRPD demonstrate a strong and unwavering commitment to the rights and advancement of persons with disabilities.

Assuming the Presidency of the 18th session of the COSP to the CRPD, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the United Nations in New York, Jayantha Jayasuriya, stressed that the international commitments to equality and empowerment of persons with disabilities has been strengthened in the past decades, since the adoption of the Convention. Ambassador Jayasuriya also noted the importance of full realization of the rights and inclusive development for persons with disabilities in the world.

Delivering the national statement, Minister of Rural Development, Social Security, and Community Empowerment Upali Pannilage underscored that since ratifying the CRPD in 2016, Sri Lanka has taken continuous steps to align national laws and policies with its principles. He stressed that the Government’s policy on persons with disabilities is deeply committed to inclusivity, ensuring that persons with disabilities have equal representation in all areas of public life. Referring to the appointment of a visually impaired person to Parliament under the National List, Pannilage emphasized that such actions supported the vision of the Government to guarantee that the voices of persons with disabilities are heard in the decision-making process.

Speaking on the initiatives of the Government to strengthen the rights and inclusion of persons with disabilities, Pannilage highlighted some key areas where progress has been achieved, including the new Protection of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act in line with the principles and obligations of the CRPD; the new draft bill to recognize sign language as an official medium of communication in the country to recognize the importance of accessible communication and the right of persons with hearing impairments to express themselves freely and independently; and the new accessibility regulations being drafted to align with current needs and international best practices.

The discussions of the 18th COSP will be based on three roundtables, namely, Empowering persons with disabilities and enhancing social development policies through innovative financing; Leaving no one behind: using Artificial Intelligence as a tool for supporting inclusivity to strengthen the participation of persons with disabilities; and Recognizing and addressing the rights of Indigenous persons with disabilities and their role in advancing disability inclusion. 

Following the Roundtable discussions, Ambassador Jayasuriya will chair an Interactive Dialogue among States parties, the United Nations Agencies, and other stakeholders on the implementation of the Convention. (Newswire)

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The Committee on High Posts has approved the nomination of former Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya P.C. to be appointed as the Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the United Nations in New York, USA.

The Committee on High Posts, which met in Parliament recently (21), approved the nomination, and also the appointment of two Ambassadors and a High Commissioner.

Accordingly, the nomination of Ratnayake Mudiyanselage Mahinda Dasa Ratnayake, to be appointed as the Ambassador of Sri Lanka to the Republic of Cuba was approved.

Approval was also granted for Professor Pivithuru Janak Kumarasinghe, to be appointed as the Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Japan.

The nomination of Senadheera Dumunnage Nimal Upali Senadheera, to be appointed as the High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland was also approved by the Committee.

The Committee on High Posts, which met under the patronage of Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, was attended by MPs Bimal Rathnayake, Kumara Jayakody, Anil Jayantha, Hiniduma Sunil Senevi, Hansaka Wijemuni, Dayasiri Jayasekara, and Chamindranee Kiriella. (Newswire)

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