The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Vijitha Herath participated in the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, from 27 to 30 September 2026.
Addressing the High Level Segment of the Assembly (General Debate) on 28 September 2026, the Foreign Minister reaffirmed Sri Lankaโs steadfast commitment to multilateralism and to investing in a United Nations that โdelivers for allโ. Speaking under the theme โrestoring trust, managing transformationโ, Minister Herath underscored the importance of addressing and resolving contemporary issues through dialogue and cooperation.
The Foreign Minister elaborated on the devastation caused by Cyclone Ditwah and the extensive recovery and rebuilding process undertaken by the Government with the support of the international community. He highlighted the critical need for climate adaptation and mitigation in the face of such natural disasters which are likely to recur with greater frequency in the future.
The Minister referred to the Governmentโs success in restoring macroeconomic stability in spite of the 2022 economic crisis and the multiple challenges faced by the country, and highlighted the countryโs growth trajectory. He called for greater international support to strengthen resilience, including through the introduction of fairer debt rules and development financing for middle-income countries.
The Foreign Minister emphasized the Governmentโs commitment to addressing poverty and inequality, protecting investment in health care and education, and ensuring that development reaches all communities and regions. He reaffirmed Sri Lankaโs commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals, with special emphasis on SDG 16.
The Minister also outlined Sri Lankaโs unwavering commitment to good governance, anti-corruption and institutional transparency, as well as efforts to promote national unity, reconciliation and equality.
As an island country, the Foreign Minister highlighted Sri Lankaโs adherence to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) โ โa legal regime which Sri Lanka helped shapeโ - and the sustainable use and protection of the oceans. He underscored Sri Lankaโs engagement with the International Seabed Authority and the implementation of the Agreement on Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ), with a commitment to safeguarding oceans as a common heritage of humankind for present and future generations.
The Foreign Minister referred to Sri Lankaโs digitalisation drive, and the progress made in developing digital public infrastructure, strengthening national capacity including in artificial intelligence (AI), and the wider digital economy. He called for international cooperation in building โa digital future that includes everyoneโ, and the importance of developing AI ethical guidelines and the regulatory regime.
The Minister recalled Sri Lankaโs longstanding commitment to disarmament, from the island nationโs early call for an Indian Ocean Zone of Peace, to its leadership role in the 1995 NPT Review and Extension Conference. He reiterated Sri Lankaโs firm conviction that the only real guarantee against the use of nuclear weapons is โtheir total and verifiable eliminationโ.
The Minister highlighted Sri Lankaโs longstanding contribution to United Nations and other peacekeeping operations across regions in pursuit of global peace and security. He referred to the commendations earned by Sri Lankan peacekeepers from UN field missions.
The Minister also referred to the Governmentโs comprehensive efforts in combatting narcotics trafficking and organised crime.
The Foreign Minister called for restraint and dialogue in addressing the conflict in West Asia, with its far-reaching impact across the globe. He called for the peaceful resolution of conflicts with respect for international law. He welcomed the ceasefire in Gaza. and reaffirmed Sri Lankaโs support for the inalienable right of the Palestinian people to statehood and for a two-State solution.
The Foreign Minister underscored Sri Lankaโs unwavering commitment to international law including international humanitarian law (IHL), and reiterated that Sri Lanka is โa small island nation with a big heartโ; a country which โbelieves that even in times of conflict and profound division, there remains space for humanityโ.
Speaking at the High-Level Plenary Meeting to commemorate the International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons, held on Tuesday 29 September, Foreign Minister Herath called for meaningful progress towards global nuclear disarmament. He highlighted the need to redirect resources currently allocated to nuclear weapons towards advancing sustainable development, strengthening health and education, promoting access to energy, and addressing the challenges posed by climate change, particularly in developing countries.
The Foreign Minister had a meeting with the United Nations Secretary-General Antรณnio Guterres on the sidelines of the General Assembly on Wednesday 30 September. The Foreign Minister apprised the Secretary-General of Sri Lankaโs economic recovery and the reform process; as well as on progress in reconciliation. The Minister commended the Secretary-General for his leadership role in steering the United Nations at a critical juncture, and for augmenting cooperation between the UN and Sri Lanka. During the meeting, the Secretary-General recalled his visit to Sri Lanka in 1978 as a Member of the Portuguese Parliament, as well as his subsequent visit to Sri Lanka in his capacity as United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. The Secretary-General commended the tangible progress achieved by Sri Lanka on economic recovery, and reiterated his continued support for the countryโs ongoing efforts in sustainable development and peace and reconciliation.
During the visit, the Foreign Minister also met the United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix and Under-Secretary-General for Operational Support Atul Khare. The meetings entailed the discussion of issues of mutual interest, including peacekeeping. Minister Herath reaffirmed Sri Lankaโs commitment and constructive support for UN and other peacekeeping operations.
On the sidelines of the Assembly, the Foreign Minister had bilateral meetings with several of his counterparts, including H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the United Arab Emirates; H.E. Dr. Seyed Abbas Araghchi, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran; and Hon. Shisir Khanal, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Nepal. The bilateral engagements provided a valued opportunity to exchange views on matters of mutual interest, advance shared priorities and explore avenues to further cooperation.
The Foreign Ministerโs visit reaffirmed Sri Lankaโs active and constructive engagement with the United Nations and the international community, while simultaneously advancing Sri Lankaโs priorities on peace, sustainable development, economic resilience, disarmament, global health, ocean governance and an inclusive digital future.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism
Colombo 01
01 October 2026 See less