Sri Lanka’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Geneva, Ambassador Sumith Dassanayake, underscored the country’s dedication to achieving a world free of cluster munitions during the Second Preparatory Meeting of the Third Review Conference of the Convention on Cluster Munitions (CCM) on July 1, 2026. 

Addressing delegates at the Palais des Nations, he welcomed the draft Vientiane Capital Action Plan (VCAP) 2027–2031, praised its alignment with global humanitarian and development frameworks, and offered constructive proposals to strengthen its implementation ahead of adoption at the September conference in Laos. 

The Vientiane Capital Action Plan is designed for the next five years to implement the Convention on Cluster Munition and will be adopted at the Third Review Conference to be held in Vientiane in the Lao Peoples Democratic Republic in September 2026. 

According to the Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka to the United Nations in Geneva, Ambassador Sumith Dassanayake also expressed support of Sri Lanka to the Presidency of the Lao Peoples Democratic Republic for its leadership for the Third Review Conference.

In his statement, Ambassador Sumith Dassanayake welcomed positive elements of the draft Vientiane Capital Action Plan, describing it as a constructive evolution of the previous action plan. He commended its focus on environmental protection, victim assistance, and alignment with global frameworks like the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) and Youth, Peace and Security (YPS) Agendas, and the promotion of peace, human rights, and international humanitarian law.

In a constructive spirit, Ambassador Sumith Dassanayake proposed to maintain coherent and consistent language to reflect the gender and diversity needs, establish clearer data verification methods, necessity for explicit guidance on environmental standards, compliance indicators, and impact assessment methodologies and to enhance technical assistance for affected states with limited administrative capacity to collect data and reporting etc.

Ambassador Sumith Dassanayake concluded by reaffirming Sri Lanka’s steadfast commitment to collaborating constructively with the Presidency and Member States to finalize a robust Vientiane Capital Action Plan that will effectively guide global efforts towards achieving a cluster-munition-free world. (Newswire)

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The Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland, Sumith Dassanayake, reaffirmed Sri Lanka’s strong commitment to multilateralism during the 26th Council Meeting of the South Centre.

According to the Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka in Geneva, Ambassador Dassanayake gave this assurance while addressing the Council Meeting held at the UN Headquarters in Geneva on April 23.

In his remarks, he acknowledged the South Centre’s constructive contributions over the past three decades to developing countries, through technical analysis and policy recommendations in areas such as international trade, debt restructuring, taxation, climate change, finance for development, intellectual property, and health.

The 26th Council of Representatives of the South Centre was chaired by former South African President Thabo Mvuyelwa Mbeki (1998–2008). 

Established in 1995, the South Centre is an intergovernmental think tank of the Global South, with a current membership of 55 States. Renowned Sri Lankan economist Dr. Gamani Corea served as Chairperson of the Centre from 2002 to 2003. (Newswire)

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Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the United Nations in Geneva, Sumith Dassanayake, engaged in a constructive meeting with the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Ambassador Volker Türk, recently (13).

According to the Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka in Geneva, during the meeting at Palais Wilson, Ambassador Dassanayake briefed the High Commissioner on the recent developments in Sri Lanka and discussed several matters of mutual interest. 

Ambassador Dassanayake reaffirmed Sri Lanka’s continued and constructive engagement with the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).

In response, High Commissioner Türk appreciated Ambassador Dassanayake for the briefing, while expressing continued support for Sri Lanka through OHCHR. (Newswire)

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Ambassador Sumith Dassanayake presented his credentials to Tatiana Valovaya, Director-General of the United Nations Office at Geneva, on Feb. 17, 2026, assuming duties as Sri Lanka’s Permanent Representative to the UN in Geneva and other international organizations in Switzerland.

Following the ceremony, Ambassador Dassanayake conveyed greetings from President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Vijitha Herath.

He reaffirmed Sri Lanka’s commitment to continued cooperation and constructive engagement with UN bodies and specialized agencies in Geneva, noting the country’s membership in the UN since 1955.

Director-General Valovaya expressed appreciation for Sri Lanka’s role in organizing International Vesak Day at UNOG and the first-ever celebration of International Tea Day in 2025. She invited Sri Lanka’s continued collaboration in ongoing and new initiatives led by her office.

A career diplomat who joined the Sri Lanka Foreign Service in 1998, Ambassador Dassanayake previously served as Director-General of Human Resources and Mission Management and Human Resources Development, Training and Research at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism.

He has also served as Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to Brazil with concurrent accreditation to several Latin American countries from 2021 to 2024, and as Ambassador to Ethiopia and Permanent Representative to the African Union Commission from 2016 to 2019. His overseas postings include Ottawa, Oslo and Chennai.

Ambassador Dassanayake holds a Bachelor of Science (Hons) degree from the University of Kelaniya and is an alumnus of the Asia Pacific Centre for Security Studies in Hawaii. (Newswire)

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