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
Ambassador and Permanent Representative C.A. Chaminda I Colonne delivers a Special address at the “1st Asia Pacific E-Commerce Policy Summit” in New Delhi
At the invitation of Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations (ICRIER), the Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Thailand and Permanent Representative to United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP), C. A. Chaminda I. Colonne recently delivered a Special Address in the Inaugural Session of the “1st Asia Pacific E-Commerce Policy Summit” which was jointly organized by ICRIER and United Nations ESCAP South and South West Asia Office in New Delhi, at the India Habitat Centre (IHC) in New Delhi.
Ambassador of Sri Lanka and Permanent Representative to UNESCAP, Chaminda Colonne Chairs the 80th Commission Session of the UNESCAP and launches “Cooperation with Impact – Launch of the Technical Cooperation Highlights 2022-2023”
Ambassador of Sri Lanka and Permanent Representative to UNESCAP, C. A. Chaminda I. Colonne, led the Sri Lanka Delegation to the 80th Commission Session of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, (UNESCAP) from 22nd to 26th April 2024 in Bangkok, Thailand, under the theme “Leveraging digital innovation for sustainable development in Asia and the Pacific” and elected as a Vice Chair of the Bureau for the 80th Commission.
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
Ambassador and Permanent Representative C.A. Chaminda I Colonne delivers a Special address at the “1st Asia Pacific E-Commerce Policy Summit” in New Delhi
At the invitation of Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations (ICRIER), the Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Thailand and Permanent Representative to United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP), C. A. Chaminda I. Colonne recently delivered a Special Address in the Inaugural Session of the “1st Asia Pacific E-Commerce Policy Summit” which was jointly organized by ICRIER and United Nations ESCAP South and South West Asia Office in New Delhi, at the India Habitat Centre (IHC) in New Delhi.
Ambassador of Sri Lanka and Permanent Representative to UNESCAP, Chaminda Colonne Chairs the 80th Commission Session of the UNESCAP and launches “Cooperation with Impact – Launch of the Technical Cooperation Highlights 2022-2023”
Ambassador of Sri Lanka and Permanent Representative to UNESCAP, C. A. Chaminda I. Colonne, led the Sri Lanka Delegation to the 80th Commission Session of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, (UNESCAP) from 22nd to 26th April 2024 in Bangkok, Thailand, under the theme “Leveraging digital innovation for sustainable development in Asia and the Pacific” and elected as a Vice Chair of the Bureau for the 80th Commission.
