Press Releases
Sri Lanka chairs the Fourth Ministerial Conference on Transport of UNESCAP in Bangkok and highlights its commitment in realizing the more reliable, efficient and sustainable transport
Sri Lanka showcased strong commitment to sustainable financing at the Fifth Session of the Committee on Macroeconomic Policy, Poverty Reduction and Financing for Development held in Bangkok.
The Fifth Session of the Committee on Macroeconomic Policy, Poverty Reduction and Financing for Development was held from 19-21 November 2025 at the Unite Nations Conference Centre in Bangkok. The Session was opened by Ms. Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana, Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP). During the opening session, special remarks were made by H.E. Ahmed Mazin, Minister of State for
Finance and Planning of Maldives, Mr. Benjarong Suwankiri, Vice-Minister of Finance of Thailand and the Secretary-General of UNCTAD. The meeting brought together key member States,
including Australia, China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Maldives, Republic of Korea, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Türkiye, the United States of America, and Viet Nam, reflecting strong regional engagement in advancing inclusive and sustainable development financing.
Embassy of Sri Lanka in Bangkok Hosts “Sri Lanka: Your Next Best Destination”, Tourism Promotional Evening, to Mark the 70th Anniversary of Sri Lanka–Thailand Diplomatic Relations
The Embassy of Sri Lanka in Bangkok in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau and Sri Lankan Airlines, organized “Sri Lanka: Your Next Best Destination”, Tourism Promotional Evening, on 24 November 2025 at the Avani Riverside Hotel, Bangkok, to commemorate the 70th Anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Sri Lanka and Thailand.
The Ministerial Roundtable was moderated by Executive Secretary Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana and attended by Ministers/Deputy Ministers of Transport of Thailand, Nepal, Fiji, Uzbekistan, Russian Federation, China and Republic of Korea. Ministers/Deputy Ministers of Transport of Maldives, Nepal, Turkey, Indonesia, Azerbaijan, Sri Lanka, Mongolia, Russian Federation, Republic of Korea, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and representatives from Japan, Bhutan, Iran, USA, Thailand, Myanmar, China, Bangladesh, India, Cambodia, Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) and Asian Institute of Transport Development ( AITD) addressed the Ministerial Conference.
Delivering the country statement, Minister of Transport of Sri Lanka Pavithradevi Wanniarachchi, highlighted that as a long-standing member of the UNESCAP, Sri Lanka is committed to achieve Sustainable Development Goals and transport is one of the sectors that can contribute immensely towards realizing these goals. She added that National Policy Framework of the Government gives high priority to transport sector in realizing the importance of having a more reliable, efficient and sustainable transport system and bridging the gap of urban rural divide.
During the Ministerial Conference strategies for scaling up sustainable transport initiatives in Asia and the Pacific to strengthen regional cooperation, assess the implementation of the Regional Action Programme for Sustainable Transport Connectivity in Asia and the Pacific, phase I (2017-2021) were discussed, and the Ministerial Declaration on Sustainable Transport Development in Asia and the Pacific, including a new regional action programme (2022-2026) aligned with the three pillars of sustainability and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development were adopted.
Sri Lanka delegation headed by Minister of Transport Pavithradevi Wanniarachchi was comprised of Secretary N.B.M.Ranatunge and Director General W.A.D.S. Gunasinghe of Ministry of Transport, Secretary S. Hettiarachchi of Ministry of Tourism, Secretary D. D. Matharaarachchi of State Ministry of Warehouse Facilities, Container Yards, Port Supply Facilities and Boat and Shipping Industry Development, Secretary S. M. D. L. K. De Alwis of State Ministry of Vehicle Regulation Bus Transport Service and Train Compartments and Motor Car Industry, Additional Secretary W.B. Palugaswewa of Ministry of Highways, First Secretary and Deputy Permanent Representative to UNESCAP Saritha Ranatunga of Sri Lanka Mission in Bangkok and other senior officials from line Ministries and Agencies.
Embassy and Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka
Bangkok, Thailand
21 December 2021
Watch Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PKEhDdkrfx4
Sri Lanka showcased strong commitment to sustainable financing at the Fifth Session of the Committee on Macroeconomic Policy, Poverty Reduction and Financing for Development held in Bangkok.
The Fifth Session of the Committee on Macroeconomic Policy, Poverty Reduction and Financing for Development was held from 19-21 November 2025 at the Unite Nations Conference Centre in Bangkok. The Session was opened by Ms. Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana, Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP). During the opening session, special remarks were made by H.E. Ahmed Mazin, Minister of State for
Finance and Planning of Maldives, Mr. Benjarong Suwankiri, Vice-Minister of Finance of Thailand and the Secretary-General of UNCTAD. The meeting brought together key member States,
including Australia, China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Maldives, Republic of Korea, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Türkiye, the United States of America, and Viet Nam, reflecting strong regional engagement in advancing inclusive and sustainable development financing.
Embassy of Sri Lanka in Bangkok Hosts “Sri Lanka: Your Next Best Destination”, Tourism Promotional Evening, to Mark the 70th Anniversary of Sri Lanka–Thailand Diplomatic Relations
The Embassy of Sri Lanka in Bangkok in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau and Sri Lankan Airlines, organized “Sri Lanka: Your Next Best Destination”, Tourism Promotional Evening, on 24 November 2025 at the Avani Riverside Hotel, Bangkok, to commemorate the 70th Anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Sri Lanka and Thailand.