156th session of Executive Board
Agenda item 13 - Global Traditional Medicine Strategy 2025-2034
statement by Sri Lanka
Thank you chair,
Sri Lanka welcomes the report by the Director General on the draft global traditional medicine strategy 2025-2034.
Sri Lanka appreciates the WHO, particularly the Traditional, Complementary and Integrative Medicine units for their role and tireless efforts in preparing the draft Global Traditional Medicine Strategy 2025-2034 and commends India’s leadership for bringing together the Global Friends of Traditional Medicine for convergence of ideas on this important area.
Sri Lanka is committed to promoting traditional medicine through the national traditional medicine policy Sri Lanka 2024-2034 which was launched in August 2024 and recognizes the policy thrust areas; Providing quality service delivery, Management of resources, Strong collaboration, Increasing the economic value of traditional Medicine, Protect the traditional inheritance of Indigenous and other communities, Large scale cultivation of medicinal plants for commercial use, and Manufacturing of traditional medicine products.
Sri Lanka is dedicated to improve the quality and safety of traditional medicine through its regulatory framework and safety monitoring system which is aligned with the Global strategic directions.
Chair,
Sri Lanka welcomes the WHO’s Global Traditional Medicine Strategy 2025-2034 and hopes that it will be endorsed by the Executive Board.
Further, Sri Lanka looks forward to engaging with WHO on potential assistance including through the Global Traditional Medicine in promoting the Global Traditional Medicine Strategy and capacity-building efforts.
Thank you
156th Session of Executive Board
Agenda item 14 - Global Strategy for Women’s Children’s and Adolescents’ Health
Statement by Sri Lanka
Thank you Chair
Sri Lanka is pleased to cosponsor the resolution on regulating the digital marketing of breast milk substitutes and appreciates Brazil and Mexico for leading the process.
Breastfeeding and adequate and safe infant and young child feeding practices promote optimal health and development of a child. Sri Lanka is strongly committed to follow the international Code of Marketing of Breast milk Substitutes which was adopted in 1981.
The revised national nutrition policy of Sri Lanka highlights the need for strong legislation to control unethical marketing of food and beverages, emphasizing on mothers, infant and young children’s nutrition. With the purpose of regulating the marketing of foods and nonalcoholic beverages to children, a nutrition profile has also been developed by Sri Lanka and new labeling and advertising regulations under the Food Act are implemented from January 2025 to safeguard children from unethical marketing.
Mr. Chair,
Promoting infant formula, products for young children, bottles and teats through digital marketing has become an emerging challenge worldwide. Increasing exposure of parents to these products and their misleading representation as a safe option equal to or better than breast milk, may affect infant and young child feeding practices.
In the wake of digital marketing, Sri Lanka stresses the importance of expanding the scope of the code of marketing of breast milk substitutes to meet the present concerns.
Sri Lanka joins with others and requests the Executive Board to endorse this important resolution by consensus, with the view to safeguarding infant and young children nutrition.
Thank you.
Statement delivered by Her Excellency Himalee Arunatilaka, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the United Nations in Geneva on behalf of the Chair of the Special Committee to Investigate Israeli practices affecting the Human Rights of the Palestinian People and other Arabs of the Occupied Territories
Mr. President,
On the solemn occasion of the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, I thank you for the opportunity to deliver this statement in my capacity as the Chair of the Special Committee to Investigate Israeli practices affecting the Human Rights of the Palestinian people and other Arabs of the occupied territories.
115th Session of the IOM Council
Regular Migration Pathways: A Global Call for Action
High Level Segment - 26 November 2024
Chair
Director General of IOM
Excellencies
Sri Lanka was among thirty-one (31) members elected to the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) by the UN General Assembly on 20 November 2024.
Newly appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment & Tourism Vijitha Herath assumed duties at the Foreign Ministry today, 18 November 2024 at a simple ceremony. Senior officials of the Ministry were present on the occasion.
2024 Meeting of High Contracting Parties to the Convention on Prohibitions or Restrictions on the Use of Certain Conventional Weapons Which May be Deemed to Be Excessively Injurious or to Have Indiscriminate Effects (CCW)
Agenda Item 7 – General Exchange of Views
14 November 2024
Mr. President,
Let me begin by congratulating you on the assumption of the Presidency of the 2024 Meeting of High Contracting Parties to the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons. Please be assured of the fullest support and cooperation of the delegation of Sri Lanka for arriving at the desired outcome of this important forum.
- Statement by Her Excellency Himalee Arunatilaka, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the United Nations in Geneva at the World Tsunami Awareness Day: 05 November 2024
- Statement by Her Excellency Himalee Arunatilaka, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the United Nations in Geneva at the 34th Conference of the ICRC on 31 October 2024
- Remarks by Hon. Vijitha Herath, Minister of Foreign Affairs at the interaction with the Colombo-based Diplomatic Corps at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 14 October 2024, 10.30 a.m.