By The Pulseline News Desk
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake will not attend this year’s United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), with Sri Lanka instead sending a ministerial-level delegation led by Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Minister Vijitha Herath.
Announcing the decision at the Cabinet media briefing, Herath has said he will represent Sri Lanka at the 81st session of the UN General Assembly and deliver the country’s national statement on September 28.
The Minister has said he is scheduled to leave for New York on September 26 ahead of the General Assembly proceedings.
Sri Lanka’s decision marks a departure from last year’s high-level participation, when President Dissanayake attended the UNGA as Head of State.
Herath has said that while the President had represented Sri Lanka at the previous General Assembly session, this year the country’s participation would be led by the Foreign Minister.
The change comes as the Government continues to position its foreign policy around strengthening Sri Lanka’s engagement with multilateral institutions while balancing diplomatic priorities and domestic economic considerations.
The UNGA, which brings together leaders and senior representatives from all 193 UN member states, provides Sri Lanka with an important platform to present its positions on economic recovery, development, climate change, regional cooperation and international relations.
For the Dissanayake administration, this year’s session also comes at a significant point in Sri Lanka’s post-crisis recovery, with the Government seeking to attract investment, expand international economic partnerships and consolidate confidence in the country following its sovereign debt crisis.
Herath’s participation will therefore place greater emphasis on ministerial diplomacy, with the Foreign Minister expected to engage with counterparts and international organisations on issues affecting Sri Lanka’s external relations and development priorities.
The ministerial-level representation also comes amid continued efforts by the Government to strengthen Sri Lanka’s engagement with the United Nations system and international partners.
While the President’s absence reduces the level of Sri Lanka’s political representation at the General Assembly compared with last year, the Government is expected to use the ministerial delegation to maintain diplomatic engagement during one of the key events on the international calendar.
Herath is scheduled to deliver Sri Lanka’s address on September 28, setting out the Government’s position on key international and domestic priorities before the wider UN membership.
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