158th Session of the Executive Board of the World Health Organization
Statement by Sri Lanka, 02 February 2026
Agenda Item 06: Follow-up to the political declaration of the high-level meeting of the General Assembly on the prevention and control of non-communicable diseases
Thank you, Mr. Chair,
Sri Lanka takes note of the report by the Director General.
Sri Lanka insists that early investment in prevention and treatment measures on NCD should be continued and delivery of quality primary health care should be further strengthened.
Further, we emphasize that awareness and outreach, including through education, on physical activity and oral health should be expanded among communities, for better understanding on the importance of well-being.
Mr. Chair,
With regard to the proposed draft resolutions, Sri Lanka is pleased to co-sponsor the draft resolution on ‘Global Action to Advance Health Equity for People with Hemophilia and other bleeding disorders’, which received cross regional support. Sri Lanka thanks the leaderships of Armenia and Morocco.
At present, about 500,000 individuals are living with Hemophilia globally and about 1500 of these individuals are in Sri Lanka. According to the Annual global survey 2024 by the World Federation of Hemophilia, in Sri Lanka, children under 13 years show a high percentage of disorders with Hemophilia A and B.
Sri Lanka acknowledges that at present, there is no definitive care for Hemophilia and significant innovations are introduced to treat them. The lack of diagnosis and lack of data pose challenges in identifying and taking necessary measures to treat people with Hemophilia and other bleeding disorders.
Sri Lanka joins with others and requests the Executive Board to endorse this important resolution by consensus, with a view to advancing the health equity for people with Hemophilia and other bleeding disorders.
Thank you
View PDF
The Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka to the United Nations in Geneva celebrated the 78th Anniversary of Independence Day of Sri Lanka with a multi-religious ceremony attended by the representatives of Sri Lankan Community and the Mission staff.
Sri Lankans living in Switzerland joined with the Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka to provide essential supplies following the devastating impact of Cyclone Ditwah. A consignment of disaster relief items including high pressure cleaners, kitchen utensil sets, sanitary items, cleaning items, baby care products, school bags, clothes etc. was air-lifted with the support extended by AERO Logistics in Zurich for immediate transport to the Disaster Management Centre in Colombo, on 11 January 2026.
Conference on Disarmament – 27 January 2026
Statement by Her Excellency Himalee Arunatilaka, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the United Nations in Geneva
Madam President,
Madam Secretary-General
Excellencies, Distinguished Colleagues
It is with deep honour, respect and gratitude that I take the floor today for the last time in my capacity as the Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the United Nations in Geneva, and to the Conference on Disarmament. I will be concluding my tenure and returning to Sri Lanka in a few days on the conclusion of my tenure in Geneva.
Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya attended the 56th Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum held in Davos, Switzerland from 19 to 22 January 2026 at the invitation of the President and Chief Executive Officer of the World Economic Forum, Børge Brende. Over 60 world leaders from government, businesses, civil society and academia attended the Forum in 2026 held under the theme "A Spirit of Dialogue".
On 02 January 2026, the Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka in Geneva handed over the relief supplies collected from Sri Lankan communities and friends across Switzerland to Dr. Sri Rasamanikkam, CEO of AERO Logistics in Zurich who has graciously undertaken to airlift these items to Colombo.
Commencing the Work Year 2026, at a simple ceremony, the staff of the Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka in Geneva and Consulate General Office in Switezrland, took the oath/affirmation of the public service and reaffirmed their commitment to deliver an efficient and productive service to the public. This was preceded by the hoisting of the national flag and signing the national anthem, followed by two minutes of silence in remembrance of the members of the Tri-Forces and others who sacrificed their lives for the motherland.