Theme: “Better together: 80 Years and more for Peace, Development and Human Rights”
Madam President, Mr General Secretary, honoured invitees, distinguished delegates,
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism is pleased to announce that Sri Lanka’s Instrument of Ratification on the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ Agreement) was deposited with the United Nations on 16 September 2025, becoming a State Party to the Convention.
Mr. President,
Sri Lanka welcomes the convening of the Urgent Debate by the Human Rights Council at its 60th Session to discuss the unprovoked attacks against Qatar on 9th September, at the request of OIC and GCC countries.
Mr. President,
Sri Lanka condemns the recent attacks on Qatar, which risk further escalating volatility and undermining regional security. Sri Lanka strongly emphasizes the need to exercise restraint and the importance of employing dialogue and diplomacy rather than military aggression over sovereign countries, while upholding the universally accepted international norms and laws.
The Human Rights Council has a special duty to address the devastating impact of continuing violence and hostility on the people in the Middle East region, especially the dire humanitarian situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.
In this context, Sri Lanka calls on the Council to avoid double standards in its approach and the treatment of situations of human rights violations and ensure that the rights of all are promoted and protected equally regardless of geography and other considerations.
Thank you
Mr. President
Distinguished Delegates
Sri Lanka extends its warm congratulations to Ambassador Carlos D. Sorreta, Permanent Representative of the Philippines for assuming the Presidency of the Thirteenth Meeting of States Parties to the Convention on Cluster Munitions. My delegation assures you Sri Lanka’s fullest support in achieving a productive and meaningful outcome of this meeting.
Mr. President,
Sri Lanka remains convinced that this Convention represents a significant achievement in international humanitarian law as well as in the global disarmament landscape due to its comprehensive approach in mitigating the humanitarian impact of cluster munitions in all aspects. Our presence here today reaffirms our enduring commitment towards a world free from the devastating impact of cluster munitions. We recall that the Convention on Cluster Munitions has protected countless civilian lives from indiscriminate and widespread harm caused by cluster munitions, since its entry into force.
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Vijitha Herath concluded his visit to Geneva where he addressed the 60th Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) on September 8, 2025, delivering the Government statement during the Interactive Dialogue on Sri Lanka.
Minister Herath reiterated Sri Lanka’s commitment to achieving reconciliation through domestic processes and outlining the measures already taken by the Government for transformation to advance the rights and well-being of all Sri Lankans.
The Foreign Minister further reaffirmed Sri Lanka’s opposition to externally imposed mechanisms.
Addressing the 60th Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva, during the Interactive Dialogue (ID) on Sri Lanka on 08 September 2025, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Vijitha Herath underlined the commitment and the political will of the Government for transformation in the country and to create a new political culture to advance the rights and well-being of all Sri Lankans. The Minister highlighted the progress made within a short period through the domestic processes towards building national unity and reconciliation while urging the Council to allow Sri Lanka time and space to achieve this objective.
Mr. President,
High Commissioner,
Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen,
I speak to you on behalf of the Government of Sri Lanka at a time when my country has embarked on a historic journey towards transformational change. This journey is about democratic governance, human rights, inclusive economic growth and national unity.
- Intervention by Sri Lanka at the Sixth Meeting of the Working Group on the Strengthening of the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC), 11-22 August 2025, in Geneva
- Minister of Environment, Hon. Dr. Dammika Patabendi participated at the second part of the fifth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee on Plastic Pollution (INC 5.2) held from 05-14 August 2025 in Geneva
- Sri Lanka Ratifies WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies, Reaffirming Commitment to Ocean Sustainability and Sustainable Trade