SL’s newly-appointed Permanent Rep. reaffirms commitment to UNESCAP

The newly-appointed Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP), Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Thailand C. A. Chaminda I. Colonne had her first courtesy meeting with the Executive Secretary Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana of the UNESCAP virtually on 20 April. 

While conveying the warm best wishes of the President, the Prime Minister and the Foreign Minister of Sri Lanka to Executive Secretary Alisjahbana, Ambassador and Permanent Representative Chaminda Colonne assured her fullest cooperation and support for future endeavours of the UNESCAP and activities for the betterment of the motherland, in consultation with line ministries and agencies in Sri Lanka.

After congratulating and warmly welcoming Ambassador Colonne to the UNESCAP, Executive Secretary Alisjahbana briefed the arrangements for the 77th Session of the Commission under the theme of ‘Regional Cooperation to Build Back Better from Crises in Asia and the Pacific,’ which kicked off yesterday and will conclude on 29 April. 

She highlighted that the forthcoming session would be an opportunity to exchange experiences and learn the best practices of the countries in the region on strategies and actions taken to recover from the socioeconomic impacts of the pandemic. She thanked Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa for delivering a pre-recorded video message at the opening and Sri Lanka’s active participation at the forthcoming 77th session of the Commission.

While referring to the successful episode of Sri Lanka in COVID-19 responses, recovery strategies and vaccination program, Ambassador Chaminda Colonne highlighted that the Sri Lanka delegation to the 77th Session of the Commission would be headed by Foreign Secretary Admiral Prof. Jayanath Colombage, who was greatly involved in the COVID-19 pandemic control in Sri Lanka, especially in the repatriation process, since the evolution of the pandemic last year.

Ambassador Colonne also took the opportunity to emphasise the return of migrant workers from the Middle East due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the importance of creating new employment opportunities for them, either domestically or outside of Sri Lanka. She elaborated on the possibilities of creating a local job market through foreign investments and the need to expand Sri Lanka’s export market in the Asia-Pacific region for the recovery of the pandemic-hit economy of Sri Lanka.

Both also exchanged their views and reaffirmed their fullest commitment to achieving the common Sustainable Development Goals of the UNESCAP.

At the invitation of Alisjahbana, Colonne also joined the preparatory virtual meeting of the 77th Session of the Commission, thereafter, on 20 April.

UNESCAP First Secretary and Deputy Permanent Representative Saritha Ranatunga also joined the virtual meetings.