Geneva: In a statement delivered during the High Level Segment of the 58th session of the Human Rights Council, Hon. Vijitha Herath, Sri Lanka’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment, and Tourism, addressed the transformative changes underway in Sri Lanka following the recent Presidential and Parliamentary elections. The elections, held in November 2024, marked a significant turning point, reflecting a unified voice across all regions, ethnicities, and religions in support of change.
According to Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Sri Lanka, the newly formed Parliament is one of the most inclusive in the country’s history, with a record number of women and diverse community representatives, including two women from the Malayaga community and a visually impaired person. This inclusivity is part of a broader effort by the government to ensure the rights of all citizens are upheld, regardless of gender, ethnicity, or other differences.
The Minister highlighted the economic stabilization efforts led by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s government, following Sri Lanka’s severe crisis in 2022. The 2025 National Budget includes increased allocations for social welfare, health, education, and empowerment measures for vulnerable groups. Additionally, the government is focusing on infrastructure development in conflict-affected Northern and Eastern Provinces to support resettlement and regional development.
The launch of the ‘Clean Sri Lanka’ project on January 1, 2025, aims to introduce a new political culture centered on moral and ethical governance. The project emphasizes environmental, social, and governance initiatives, with a commitment to addressing mismanagement and corruption through digital transformation of government structures.
The government has pledged to work towards a unified Sri Lanka, free from racial, religious, class, and caste discrimination. Steps are being taken to advance national unity and reconciliation, including the proposal to declare a Sri Lanka Day and strengthening domestic mechanisms like the Office on Missing Persons and the Office for National Unity and Reconciliation.
Significant progress has been made in reconciliation efforts, with infrastructure improvements in the Northern Province and an invitation to Tamil-speaking youth to join the police service. The 2025 budget also includes funds to upgrade libraries, including the historic Jaffna library.
Sri Lanka remains an active member of the United Nations, engaging regularly with Treaty Bodies and mechanisms of the Human Rights Council. The government is committed to addressing global challenges such as conflict, inequality, and climate conditions, which impact human rights worldwide.
The Minister reaffirmed Sri Lanka’s dedication to working with the international community, emphasizing the importance of national transformation and cooperation within the framework of the United Nations.