Fri Oct 25 03:38:00 UTC 2024: **Key Points from the Article:**

1. **Sri Lanka’s Position on UN Secretary General**: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs clarified reports that Sri Lanka did not sign a Joint Letter supporting the UN Secretary General, following Israel’s designation of him as “persona non grata.”

2. **Official Communication**: On October 11, 2024, Sri Lanka conveyed its intention to sign the supportive letter through a Note Verbale to the Permanent Mission of Chile in New York.

3. **Support for Palestine**: Sri Lanka has a longstanding commitment to the Palestinian cause, advocating for humanitarian support and raising concerns about the situation in Gaza across multilateral platforms. It has called for an immediate ceasefire and backs UN humanitarian efforts, particularly in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.

4. **Condemnation of Violence Against UN Peacekeepers**: Sri Lanka condemned the recent attack on UNIFIL’s headquarters in Lebanon, which injured two Sri Lankan peacekeepers, emphasizing the need for safety and security of UN personnel.

5. **Role in the UN**: Sri Lanka chairs the UN Special Committee investigating Israeli practices affecting the human rights of Palestinians, established by UN General Assembly Resolution 2443 in 1968.

6. **Support for UN Mandates**: The Ministry reaffirms Sri Lanka’s commitment to the Joint Letter, defending both the Secretary General and the broader UN mandate.

Read More