September 25, Colombo (LNW): Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath engaged in a series of high-level diplomatic meetings with his counterparts from several nations on the margins of the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, reaffirming Sri Lanka’s commitment to strengthening international partnerships and fostering deeper collaboration across diverse sectors.
During a cordial discussion with Maldivian Foreign Minister Abdulla Khaleel, both parties reviewed the enduring ties between their nations. The ministers reaffirmed the importance of continued engagement and explored new avenues for cooperation in areas such as maritime security, tourism, climate resilience, and regional development.
There was a shared understanding of the need to elevate the bilateral agenda to meet emerging regional challenges and shared aspirations.
In a separate meeting, Minister Herath held talks with Elina Valtonen, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Finland. The two sides expressed interest in enhancing cooperation in the spheres of education, green technology, and innovation.
They also exchanged views on the importance of transparent governance, human rights, and sustainable development — key pillars in Finland’s international outlook. Minister Herath expressed Sri Lanka’s readiness to collaborate with Nordic countries on climate-smart solutions and digital transformation.
Further adding to the day’s diplomatic engagements, Minister Herath conferred with Serap Güler, Minister of State at the Federal Foreign Office of Germany. Their conversation centred on deepening bilateral relations, with particular emphasis on trade, vocational training, and renewable energy.
The pair also exchanged views on pressing global matters, including geopolitical tensions, international peacebuilding efforts, and multilateral cooperation in addressing transnational threats.
The Minister also met with his Indian counterpart Dr. S. Jaishankar to reaffirm the strong friendship and close cooperation between Sri Lanka and India.
All meetings took place alongside the UN General Assembly in an atmosphere of mutual respect and cooperation. Minister Herath underscored Sri Lanka’s proactive role in international diplomacy and reaffirmed the country’s commitment to constructive engagement with global partners, particularly in the face of shared global challenges such as climate change, economic inequality, and digital transformation.
