President Anura Kumara Disanayaka concluded his three day visit to the United States to participate in the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), today. The President was accompanied by Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Vijitha Herath.
Addressing the General Assembly, on 24 September 2025, President Disanayaka underscored Sri Lanka’s priorities in eradicating poverty, highlighted education as a decisive factor shaping the future of individuals and nations, and drew attention to the global drug crisis as a complex issue requiring urgent, collective international action. He emphasized that corruption is an obstruction to development and global well-being, and a cause of poverty, stating that, ‘“Fighting corruption is dangerous. But not fighting it presents even graver risks.”
The President further reaffirmed Sri Lanka’s recognition of the inalienable right of the Palestinian people to statehood, while emphasizing the need to address the legal, security, and humanitarian concerns of both Israelis and Palestinians. He stressed the importance of resolving issues through human values, while renouncing violence and called upon the international community to be envoys of peace. Inviting the international community to work towards removing AI technological inequalities, the President proposed to set up a neutral sovereign AI Zone in Sri Lanka.
On 23 September 2025, President Disanayaka attended the Evening Reception hosted by President Donald Trump of the United States and First Lady Melania Trump. The President also received the U.S. Special Envoy for South & Central Asia, Sergio Gor and discussed matters of mutual interest including trade, commerce, tourism and investment with a focus on further strengthening cooperation in these sectors between the two countries.
The President also participated at an event led by President Emmanuel Macron of France and President Rodrigo Chaves of Costa Rica, together with leaders of over 60 member states celebrating the entry into force of the BBNJ Agreement (Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction), following its 60th ratification.
In addition to these multilateral engagements, the President hosted bilateral meetings with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif of Pakistan, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese of Australia, and President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa of Portugal. He also held a bilateral meeting with the President of South Africa Cyril Ramaphosa. The President was accompanied by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Vijitha Herath in these meetings.
During the meetings, the President highlighted Sri Lanka’s progress, including steps taken to strengthen democracy, implement anti-corruption measures, upholding the rule of law, and overall economic recovery. He also emphasized the country’s commitment to enhancing foreign investment, deepening partnerships with the international community, and advancing cooperation for mutual development and sustainable growth.
During his visit, the President also held discussions with the UN Secretary General (UNSG) António Guterres, where the Secretary General warmly recalled his visit to Sri Lanka as a parliamentarian. The UNSG also expressed his solidarity with developing countries, and asserted his continued support to further their interests. The President also met the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk to discuss ongoing engagement relating to human rights and reconciliation.
During the visit, Foreign Minister Herath addressed several fora, including the High-Level Meeting of the Global Development Initiative (GDI), the 49th Annual Meeting of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the G77 and China and the CICA Council of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs.
The Minister’s program also included a series of high-level bilateral engagements with the Minister for External Affairs of India Dr. K. Jaishankar, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Maldives Dr. Abdulla Khaleel, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Norway Espen Barth Eide, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Finland Elina Maria Valtonen, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Venezuela Yván Eduardo Gil Pinto, and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belarus Maxim Ryzhenkov.
He further engaged with the Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of Indonesia Arrmanatha Christiawan Nasir, and Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of Germany Serap Güler, on issues of mutual interest and global challenges. The Minister also held a discussion with the U.S. Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Allison Hooker.
In addition, Minister Herath met with the Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO) Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala on strengthening Sri Lanka’s integration into the global trading system, and the need to strengthen multilateral institutions in international trade.
The Minister also held meetings with the UN Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs Li Junhua, and UN Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix.
This visit reaffirmed Sri Lanka’s active and constructive engagement on the global stage and strengthened the country’s partnerships for peace, development, and shared prosperity.
President Disanayaka and Minister Herath concluded their fruitful visit to New York with members of the Sri Lankan diaspora. The gathering of Sri Lankans from the tri-state area and elsewhere in the US, was one of the largest gatherings of Sri Lankans in celebration of a visiting Head of State of Sri Lanka. It showcased the enduring bond between Sri Lanka and its overseas community.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment & Tourism
Colombo
26 September 2025