26 April 2010 01:03 pm
He recalled the non aligned foreign policy followed by Sri Lanka (then Ceylon) as far back as 1956, when, following the victory of the electoral alliance formed under the Mahajana Eksath Peramuna (People’s United Front), the country opted for a non aligned foreign policy based on the pancha seela, namely, co-existence, non-aggression, non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries, respect for each other’s sovereignty, equality and mutual benefit.
Addressing invitees and staff of the Ministry, the Deputy Minister stated he is assuming duties as the Deputy Minister of External Affairs at a momentous time in the history of the country when terrorism has been defeated and the people have given a resounding mandate to President Mahinda Rajapaksa to take the country forward towards making Sri Lanka ‘the wonder of Asia’.
The Deputy Minister expressed confidence that together with the new Minister, Prof. G.L. Pieris, the officers and staff of the Ministry and Missions abroad, the External Affairs Ministry would be able to win over the outside world in taking the country towards a prosperous future. (Daily Mirror online)
Gitanjana Gunawardena assuming duties today