MS invites IOM to host global consultation in SL

President Maithripala Sirisena has invited the International Organization for Migration (IOM) to host a global consultation in Sri Lanka on the lessons learnt in advancing the health of migrants, Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka in Geneva said in a statement.

The President extended this invitation in a special message to a panel discussion on ‘migration, human mobility and global health’, held during the 106th Council Session of the IOM recently, which was read out by Sri Lanka’s Permanent Representative to the UN in Geneva, Ambassador Ravinatha Aryasinha. The panel discussion was moderated by the Director General of IOM Ambassador William Lacy Swing, while Director General of the World Health Organization Dr. Margaret Chan was among the panelists.

In his message, President Sirisena emphasized that Sri Lanka is recognized as the only country to have a dedicated, multi-sectoral and all-inclusive National Migration Health Policy and National Action Framework, with the objective of addressing the multi-faceted health challenges that emerge during all stages of migration across various migrant groups. He recalled that during his time as Health Minister, he had the opportunity to meet the Director General of IOM, Ambassador William Lacy Swing, in September 2011 in Geneva and that the meeting had indeed strengthened the partnership between the IOM and Sri Lanka. The President said the IOM is a strong strategic partner globally and nationally in addressing problems related to migration and that the Sri Lankan people and he greatly value the many ways in which the IOM Mission in Sri Lanka has assisted the country in managing migration-related issues dealing with disasters and conflicts, as well as the present post-conflict rapid development.

Opening the panel discussion, Director General Ambassador Swing had referred to the meeting he had with President Sirisena in 2011 and the fruitful discussion they had during the meeting, particularly aimed at improving the health of migrants. He also thanked President Sirisena for being strongly supportive of the IOM’S initiatives related to health in Sri Lanka during his tenure as Minister of Health.