ANNUAL PERFOEMANCE REPORT 2012 MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS - SRI LANKA - Contents Page No. Mission Statement i Mahinda Chinthana – Vision for the Future iii Preface v - viii Progress Reports of Divisions South Asia and SAARC Division 1 - 20 East Asia and Pacific Division 21 - 32 Middle East Division 33 - 40 Africa Division 41 - 52 West Division 53 - 62 United Nations, Multilateral Affairs, Human Rights and Conferences Division 63 - 68 Economic Affairs Division 69 - 74 Protocol Division 75 - 84 Consular Affairs Division 85 - 88 Public Communications Division 89 - 94 Legal Division 95 - 108 Overseas Administration Division 109 - 114 General Administration Division 115 - 118 Finance Division 119 - 124 Network of Diplomatic Missions Abroad 125 Organization Chart of the Ministry 127 Mission “The promotion, projection and protection internationally of Sri Lanka’s national interests, in accordance with the foreign policy of the Government and to advice the government on managing international developments in keeping with the best interest of Sri Lanka” Subjects and Functions of the Ministry of External Affairs “Implementation of political plans and programmes in respect of External affairs; representation of Sri Lanka abroad; international Agreements and treaties; foreign government and international organization representation in Sri Lanka; external publicity; diplomatic immunities and privileges and consular functions” i I will continue Sri Lanka‟s non-aligned foreign policy. During the last four years we witnessed the benefits of maintaining friendly relationship with India, Japan, China, Pakistan and other Asian countries. I am committed to continue these friendly relations in the political, economic, defense, trade and cultural arena. I will ensure that Sri Lanka abides by the global treaties and agreements on the environment and climate change and will strengthen Sri Lanka‟s ties with the UN Agencies. I will maintain the dignity of my country in foreign relations and will initiate a new programme to forge relations with countries Mahinda Chinthana – Vision for the Future I will continue Sri Lanka‟s non-aligned foreign policy. During the last four years we witnessed the benefits of maintaining friendly relationship with India, Japan, China, Pakistan and other Asian countries. I am committed to continue these friendly relations in the political, economic, defense, trade and cultural arena. I will ensure that Sri Lanka abides by the global treaties and agreements on the environment and climate change and will strengthen Sri Lanka‟s ties with the UN Agencies. I will maintain the dignity of my country in foreign relations and will initiate a new programme to forge relations with countries Mahinda Chinthana – Vision for the Future iii PREFACE Sri Lanka‟s Foreign Policy is fundamentally moulded by a set of political goals which are designed to protect our national interests such as national security, ideological objectives and economic prosperity. Thus, foreign policy becomes an integral part of the overall policy framework of the Government. In pursuance of the “Mahinda Chintana: Vision for the future” envisioned by His Excellency the President, Sri Lanka follows a non-aligned, free and progressive foreign policy. The Ministry receives the guidance of the Honourable Minister of External Affairs in implementing the Mahinda Chintana. The Ministry and its network of 64 Missions across the world have been working assiduously to promote and protect the vital national interests of Sri Lanka abroad. The Year 2012 has witnessed significant increase in bilateral visits at various levels. These frequent bilateral visits to Sri Lanka are a reflection of the vibrant relations that Sri Lanka maintains with the rest of the world. During each visit, many Agreements and Memoranda of Understanding were concluded paving the way for the strengthening and deepening of the bilateral cooperation between the countries. His Excellency the President undertook a number of bilateral visits including State Visits to Pakistan, Singapore, Republic of Korea, Qatar, Cuba, Iran, India and Kazakhstan. These visits have provided unique opportunities to deepen Sri Lanka‟s engagements with the rest of the world. The President also participated in the Rio+20 United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development in Brazil, the Doha Forum in Qatar and the World Energy Forum in Dubai elaborating Sri Lanka‟s policy towards Climate Change and Energy Security. His Excellency the President‟s participation in the First Asia Cooperation Dialogue Summit in Kuwait has reinforced Sri Lanka‟s commitment to the regional cooperation based on the shared values of Asian civilization. PREFACE Sri Lanka‟s Foreign Policy is fundamentally moulded by a set of political goals which are designed to protect our national interests such as national security, ideological objectives and economic prosperity. Thus, foreign policy becomes an integral part of the overall policy framework of the Government. In pursuance of the “Mahinda Chintana: Vision for the future” envisioned by His Excellency the President, Sri Lanka follows a non-aligned, free and progressive foreign policy. The Ministry receives the guidance of the Honourable Minister of External Affairs in implementing the Mahinda Chintana. The Ministry and its network of 64 Missions across the world have been working assiduously to promote and protect the vital national interests of Sri Lanka abroad. The Year 2012 has witnessed significant increase in bilateral visits at various levels. These frequent bilateral visits to Sri Lanka are a reflection of the vibrant relations that Sri Lanka maintains with the rest of the world. During each visit, many Agreements and Memoranda of Understanding were concluded paving the way for the strengthening and deepening of the bilateral cooperation between the countries. His Excellency the President undertook a number of bilateral visits including State Visits to Pakistan, Singapore, Republic of Korea, Qatar, Cuba, Iran, India and Kazakhstan. These visits have provided unique opportunities to deepen Sri Lanka‟s engagements with the rest of the world. The President also participated in the Rio+20 United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development in Brazil, the Doha Forum in Qatar and the World Energy Forum in Dubai elaborating Sri Lanka‟s policy towards Climate Change and Energy Security. His Excellency the President‟s participation in the First Asia Cooperation Dialogue Summit in Kuwait has reinforced Sri Lanka‟s commitment to the regional cooperation based on the shared values of Asian civilization. v With a view to addressing the emerging challenges in the Foreign Policy realm, documents. It has also facilitated next-of-kin to receive SLRs. 208,103,971.37 the Ministry of External Affairs has widened its diplomatic network by establishing million as compensation and has arranged the repatriation of 316 human remains diplomatic relations with 15 countries in African continent and 13 countries in of Sri Lankans from abroad this year. Central, Latin American and Caribbean region. The Ministry has also taken action to reopen the Mission in Baghdad and new Missions in Ankara and Guangzhou The Public Communications Division - the Ministry‟s focal point between the have been established. Preparations were also made to open Embassies in Government and external actors in disseminating information and projecting Sri Bahrain and Nigeria as well as a Consulate General in Melbourne, Australia. Lanka‟s image abroad - countered anti-Sri Lanka propaganda campaigns that has been unleashed by overseas LTTE remnants and its front organizations. In making our representation more effective and determined, the Ministry has constructed new Chancery buildings in Chennai and Canberra. In New York and In the realm of post-conflict development, it has become the responsibility of the Washington DC new Chancery buildings have been purchased. Ministry to strategize Sri Lanka‟s action in responding to queries raised by the international community in relation to post-conflict developments/allegations The Ministry has identified the importance of developing capable and quality related to the conflict and obligatory periodic reporting to the United Nations and human resources, which is sine qua non for effective delivery of Sri Lanka‟s multilateral agencies. To this end, the UN, HR & Multilateral Affairs Division of the Foreign Policy goals. Towards further strengthening the human resources in the Ministry was involved in gathering and disseminating information to key Ministry, 14 new officers were recruited to the Sri Lanka Foreign Service in organizations and interest groups, such as the Human Rights Council in Geneva, January 2012 and the examination for recruitment of a new batch of officers to member countries of the United Nations, international civil society representatives the SLFS Grade III was held in May-June 2012. As a capacity building measure, an as well as the international media. The Division was able to successfully lobby Sri unprecedented number of 17 officers were sent to foreign training programmers, Lanka to be delisted by the UN Secretary-General from Annex II of the UN including those at Masters Degree level. Security Council resolution 1612, on Children and Armed Conflict. Further, the Division assisted in processing approximately 1800 visas for foreign nationals to Plans are underway to relocate the Ministry of External Affairs from its present visit Sri Lanka in connection various International Conferences