Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka to the United Nations New York

06/22/2026

𝙇𝙖𝙣𝙠𝙖𝙆𝙤𝙣𝙚𝙘𝙩" 𝘾𝙤𝙢𝙥𝙡𝙖𝙞𝙣𝙩 𝙈𝙖𝙣𝙖𝙜𝙚𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙈𝙤𝙗𝙞𝙡𝙚 𝘼𝙥𝙥𝙡𝙞𝙘𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 ( English)

06/17/2026

𝙇𝙖𝙣𝙠𝙖𝙆𝙤𝙣𝙚𝙘𝙩" 𝘾𝙤𝙢𝙥𝙡𝙖𝙞𝙣𝙩 𝙈𝙖𝙣𝙖𝙜𝙚𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙈𝙤𝙗𝙞𝙡𝙚 𝘼𝙥𝙥𝙡𝙞𝙘𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 ( 𝙎𝙞𝙣𝙝𝙖𝙡𝙖 / 𝙏𝙖𝙢𝙞𝙡 )

06/14/2026

Sri Lanka Chairs the 19th Session of the Conference of State Parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities from 09-11 June 2026 in New York.

Sri Lanka successfully chaired the 19th session of the Conference of State Parties (CoSP) to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) on 09 June 2026 in the United Nations Headquarters in New York. The 19th session of the COSP to the CRPD was held from 09-11 June 2026 under the overarching theme ‘CRPD at 20: celebrating and consolidating achievements and shaping the next phase of implementation in a changing world.

This event being the 20th Anniversary of the CRPD recorded the highest number of speakers for the General Debate in its history.

The Opening Session was attended by the Secretary General of the United Nations António Guterres and the Under Secretary General of UN DESA Junhua.

Assuming the Presidency of the 19th session of the Conference of State Parties to the CRPD, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the United Nations in New York Jayantha Jayasuriya, during the Opening Session stressed the importance of creating a world free from exploitation, violence and abuse of persons of disabilities. He also touched upon the achievements of the CRPD and how it has globally changed the perception of disability.

The UN Secretary General in his opening remarks articulated the need to prioritize persons of disabilities when addressing global challenges and urged governments to empower persons with disabilities as full partners in policymaking and decision making.

Ambassador Jayasuriya delivered the national statement of Sri Lanka for CoSP 19 highlighting the importance Sri Lanka attaches to the welfare of persons of disabilities and its commitment in realizing the scope of the CRPD.

Addressing the opening session of the Conference of States Parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), Sri Lanka’s Youth Representative Ms. Nilshani De Silva highlighted the important steps Sri Laka has taken to protect persons of disabilities. She also outlined the various measures undertaken by the Government for the welfare of disabled persons. Drawing on her lived experience as a person with Down Syndrome, she emphasized that the Convention represents a commitment to dignity, inclusion, equality, and opportunity for all persons with disabilities. Ms. De Silva also called for the meaningful participation of persons with disabilities, particularly young people, in decision-making processes, stressing that their voices must be heard and represented in shaping policies and societies that affect their lives.

The 19th Conference of States Parties (COSP19) to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities focused on three key thematic areas aimed at advancing the rights and inclusion of persons with disabilities worldwide. Discussions held through three high-level roundtables: creating a world free from exploitation, violence and abuse for all persons with disabilities; Building Resilient societies: strengthening care and support systems to ensure the empowerment, autonomy and independence of all persons with disabilities; and enhancing accessible civic engagement, leadership and advocacy in political and public life.

Following the Roundtable discussions, Ambassador Jayasuriya chaired an Interactive Dialogue among States parties, the United Nations Agencies, and other stakeholders on the implementation of the Convention.


Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka to the United Nations
New York
11 June 2026

05/28/2026

𝐈𝐬𝐬𝐮𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐓𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐭 𝐕𝐢𝐬𝐚 𝐅𝐫𝐞𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐠𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝟒𝟎 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬

05/18/2026

05/14/2026

27th Anniversary of the recognition of the International Vesak Day celebrated in the UN Headquarters

Celebrating the 27 th anniversary of the General Assembly resolution 54/115 which recognized International Day of Vesak, the Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka co-hosted an event with the
Permanent Mission of Thailand at the ECOSOC Chamber of the United Nations Headquarters on Tuesday 12 May 2026.

Welcoming the audience to the event, H.E. Jayantha Jayasuriya, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka highlighted timeless values of wisdom, tolerance and
peace in teachings of the Buddha in the today’s world.

The High-Level segment of the event included special messages issued by the dignitaries
including the Secretary General and the President of the United Nations, the Foreign Ministers of Sri Lanka and Thailand and the Permanent Representatives of other Member
States of the United Nations.

The message from the President of the General Assembly of the United Nations Annalena Baerbock was presented by the Chef de Cabinet Sofia Borges. The President remarked on the relevance of the Buddha’s teachings during this time of turmoil and emphasized the importance of Vesak as an opportunity to reflect on those teachings.

The Secretary General of the United Nations António Guterres through his video message stated that Vesak this year comes at a time of heightened geopolitical tensions and the end
for conflicts can be found in Lord Buddha’s teachings of non-violence.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism of Sri Lanka Vijitha Herath in his video message highlighted the importance of the Buddha’s teachings in overcoming divisions and the purest form of happiness that could be attained through the path of Lord Buddha.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand Sihasak Phuangketkeow by his video messages articulated on the role of compassion, mindfulness and balance in relating to one another for shaping the system for betterment and its resonance in the UN Charter.

Religious blessings and sermons representing Buddhist traditions of Sri Lanka and Thailand respectively were conducted by Buddhist monks after the remarks.

Following the blessings, delivering a special address the Most Venerable Bhikkhu Paññākāra who led the recent Walk for Peace, delivered the keynote address. The Venerable Bhikku emphasized that true peace is not bestowed externally but is cultivated through loving kindness. He also stated that Buddha’s teachings remain profoundly relevant even today.

Delivering the closing remarks of the event, the Permanent Representative of Thailand Ambassador Cherdchai Chaivaivid highlighted that Lord Buddha’s teaching guides us to face
the many challenges of today’s world.

Representing the Member States the dignitaries from the Myanmar, Kyrgyzstan, Nepal, Japan, Mongolia, India, Pakistan, Vietnam, Lao PDR, Republic of Korea, Philippines, Bhutan, Malaysia, Russian Federation, and Singapore delivered statements at the event highlighting the importance of International Day of Vesak.

Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka to the United Nations
New York
12 May 2026

05/07/2026

Consular mobile Service

05/05/2026

𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐌𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐒𝐫𝐢 𝐋𝐚𝐧𝐤𝐚 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐘𝐨𝐫𝐤 𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐳𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐮𝐚𝐥 ‘𝐁𝐞𝐚𝐮𝐭𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐒𝐫𝐢 𝐋𝐚𝐧𝐤𝐚’ 𝐏𝐡𝐨𝐭𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐩𝐡𝐢𝐜 𝐄𝐱𝐡𝐢𝐛𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧- 𝟐𝟗.𝟎𝟒.𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔

The annual ‘Beauty of Sri Lanka’ Photographic Exhibition’ organized by the Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka in collaboration with the America Sri Lanka Photographic Art Society in Los Angeles was held at the Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka on 29.04.2026.

The event drew strong participation from the New York–based diplomatic community and UN officials, who expressed genuine appreciation for Sri Lanka’s rich natural and cultural landscape.

Mr. Earle Courtenay Rattray, Chef de Cabinet, Executive Office of the Secretary General of the United Nations, was invited to the event as the Chief Gues. Mr. Rattray expressed admiration for Sri Lanka’s extraordinary landscapes, rich biodiversity, vibrant wildlife, Sri Lanka’s living heritage, timeless traditions and cultural depth carefully preserved and passed down through generations. He emphasized that protecting nature must go beyond conservation alone, highlighting the need to advance sustainable development alongside environmental protection.

The event presented a collection of photos highlighting the natural beauty and the cultural traditions of Sri Lanka. The Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka thanked the America Sri Lanka Photographic Art Society and the photographers for their commendable work in portraying the unique beauty of Sri Lanka.

Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka to the United Nations
New York
05 May 2026

04/13/2026

Message of H.E. the President, on the occasion of the Sinhala and Tamil New Year

04/13/2026

Message of the Hon. Prime Minister on the occasion of the Sinhala and Tamil New Year