News & Statements
Statement attributable to the Spokesman for the Secretary-General on developments in Sri Lanka
The Secretary-General welcomes the resolution of the political crisis in Sri Lanka through peaceful, constitutional means, and applauds the resilience of the country’s democratic institutions.
Statement attributable to the Spokesman for the Secretary-General on developments in Sri Lanka
The Secretary-General learned with concern of President Maithripala Sirisena’s decision to dissolve Sri Lanka’s parliament and move to new parliamentary elections on 5 January 2019.
The Secretary-General spoke by telephone with H.E. Mr. Maithripala Sirisena, President of Sri Lanka, on 1 November. He emphasized the Government’s responsibility to ensure peace, security and respect for the rule of law. The Secretary-General urged the President to revert to Parliamentary procedures and allow the Parliament to vote as soon as possible. He encouraged the Government to uphold its earlier commitments to human rights, justice and reconciliation, in line with Human Rights Council resolutions.
Statement on the UN Resident Coordinator’s meeting with H.E. the President of Sri Lanka
Meeting with H.E Maithripala Sirisena today, The United Nations Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative in Sri Lanka, Ms. Hanaa Singer reiterated the United Nations Secretary-General’s message on safeguarding democratic values & importance of fulfilling international commitments including HRC Resolution, and that the United Nations stands ready to continue its cooperation & support in this regard.
The United Nations celebrates its 73rd Anniversary
25 October 2018, Colombo: The United Nations celebrates its 73rd anniversary, marking the founding of its Charter which enshrines the UN’s commitment to the people of the world on Human Rights, Peace and Security, and Development.
Over the past 63 years of partnership with Sri Lanka,
The United Nations Resident Coordinator and United Nations Development Programme Resident Representative, Ms. Hanaa Singer, met with the Chief Prelate of the Asgiriya Chapter Most Venerable Warakagoda Sri Gnanarathana Mahanayake Thera, Chief Prelate of the Sri Lanka Rāmañña Nikaya Most Venerable Napana Premasiri Thera and Anu Nayaka of the Malwatta Chapter Most Venerable Dr. Niyangoda Vijithasiri Thera,
End of Mission Statement – UN Independent Expert on the Effects of Foreign Debt and Human Rights
The United Nations Independent Expert on the effects of foreign debt and human rights, Juan Pablo Bohoslavsky, delivered an end-of-mission statement at the conclusion of his official visit to Sri Lanka, on 11 September 2018. The Independent Expert will submit a comprehensive report about his visit to the UN Human Rights Council in March 2019.
Ms. Hanaa Singer, presented her credentials to His Excellency Maithripala Sirisena, President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, as the new United Nations Resident Coordinator and United Nations Development Programme Resident Representative, at his residence on Wednesday. Ms. Singer also called on Honourable Tilak Marapana, Minister of Foreign Affairs, earlier this week.
UN expert on debt and human rights to visit Sri Lanka
The UN Independent Expert on foreign debt and human rights, Juan Pablo Bohoslavsky, will conduct an official visit to Sri Lanka from 3 to 11 September 2018, at the invitation of the Government.